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I commute by bicycle. I used to love it but I getting harder in the Bay Area. Between skate boarders, gig economy taxis, scooters, and zombie pedestrians and ve

by sidlls 8y ago

I commute by bicycle. I used to love it but I getting harder in the Bay Area. Between skate boarders, gig economy taxis, scooters, and zombie pedestrians and vehicle drivers face deep in their phone compounding danger upon danger I'm finding it less appealing as time passes.

ASpring 8y ago
Disregarding vehicle drivers I actually think the boom in pedestrian transportation (powered skateboards, scooters etc) is a huge plus for bikers. People on these forms of transportation get a taste of what bike commuting is like and will become allies for voting for improvements in infrastructure for themselves and cyclists.
PhasmaFelis 8y ago
> zombie pedestrians As a cyclist, this makes me think you're part of the problem. If a pedestrian seriously endangers you, 9 times out of 10 it means you fucked up. Maybe they fucked up too, but it wouldn't have been a problem if you were paying attention. If nothing else, we have a lot more experience noticing and avoiding pedestrians than they do with us. If we want to improve bicycle awareness and acceptance, we all need to behave responsibly.
- jpm_sd 8y ago
  My worst cycling injury (separated shoulder) is due to an oblivious pedestrian stepping directly out in front of me from between parked cars. For years I've wished I had just run her down instead of dodging and taking the impact myself.
  - PhasmaFelis 8y ago
    Sorry about that. It does happen; that's the 1 out of 10. I assume she was walking in front of a van or other tall truck, so you couldn't see her?
- Symbiote 8y ago
  In learning to drive, particularly the "hazard perception test" in the UK (watch a video and click if there's a potential hazard), I became a safer cyclist. If I saw a small boy 50m away pulling at his mother's arm it used to be that I'd stop pedalling. Now, I'll also consider moving further into the road, I'll cover the brake, glance behind and potentially slow down.

by sidlls 8y ago

ASpring 8y ago

Disregarding vehicle drivers I actually think the boom in pedestrian transportation (powered skateboards, scooters etc) is a huge plus for bikers. People on these forms of transportation get a taste of what bike commuting is like and will become allies for voting for improvements in infrastructure for themselves and cyclists.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

> zombie pedestrians As a cyclist, this makes me think you're part of the problem. If a pedestrian seriously endangers you, 9 times out of 10 it means you fucked up. Maybe they fucked up too, but it wouldn't have been a problem if you were paying attention. If nothing else, we have a lot more experience noticing and avoiding pedestrians than they do with us. If we want to improve bicycle awareness and acceptance, we all need to behave responsibly.

jpm_sd 8y ago
My worst cycling injury (separated shoulder) is due to an oblivious pedestrian stepping directly out in front of me from between parked cars. For years I've wished I had just run her down instead of dodging and taking the impact myself.
- PhasmaFelis 8y ago
  Sorry about that. It does happen; that's the 1 out of 10. I assume she was walking in front of a van or other tall truck, so you couldn't see her?
Symbiote 8y ago
In learning to drive, particularly the "hazard perception test" in the UK (watch a video and click if there's a potential hazard), I became a safer cyclist. If I saw a small boy 50m away pulling at his mother's arm it used to be that I'd stop pedalling. Now, I'll also consider moving further into the road, I'll cover the brake, glance behind and potentially slow down.