3 ms·

I'm just over the attitude I see from the decked-out "racing" cyclists that nearly run me over, yell at me, and generally act like the trail system was built fo

I'm just over the attitude I see from the decked-out "racing" cyclists that nearly run me over, yell at me, and generally act like the trail system was built for them and that as a pedestrian, I'm an obstacle on their turf. It makes me extremely hesitant to support changes that would encourage them to ride on the roads. Oh, they're not all like that, I'm sure. It's enough of them that I end up just sticking to recreation areas and stay off the main line that runs through the metro area.

notacoward 5y ago
I live near a path like this. Its official name is the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, which is unfortunate because it has always been multi-use. Neither the MBTA which owned the right of way at the time nor the four towns it passes through would ever have supported it as a bicycle-only resource. There are signs everywhere reminding people of the law that says cyclists must yield to pedestrians. That's Massachusetts General Law I.XIV.85.11B in case anyone is wondering. Nonetheless, a significant number of cyclists constantly force pedestrians to yield to them, and almost always point to the name when the subject comes up in online discussions. Maybe a third or less of cyclists give audible warning when passing pedestrians, even though the aforementioned law also requires that and a pregnant woman was killed on that path after being run down from behind by a cyclist only a few years ago. (Interestingly, there's a strong gender divide on that one, and I think you can guess which gender is significantly worse.) So anyone who tries to say claims about cyclists breaking the law are "myths" is simply not telling the truth. The vast majority of cyclists are sane and considerate. Some of them, such as the ones I've worked alongside on maintaining parts of that path, are even better than that. But there's also a substantial contingent of "bike bros" who absolutely personify the worst stereotypes. I see them every day. Real cycling activists (not those merely claiming the mantle here) don't deny that reality, or try to exclude pedestrians from the discussion. They try to educate and improve everyone's behavior, including their fellow cyclists'. That's how we'll get better bicycle-related laws and infrastructure - not by an entitled few putting their hypocrisy on display any time cyclist/pedestrian interactions come up.
- msrenee 5y ago
  I don't want to expect "true cyclists" to kow-tow to my superior vehicle. I just want to move through the sort of areas where folks bicycle without a mess and walk on the multiuser trails without a mess and drive/cycle/stumble down 50 of it comes to it, with nobody getting hurt. I've chosen a workpla e a way from my house and I take that on myself.

notacoward 5y ago

I live near a path like this. Its official name is the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, which is unfortunate because it has always been multi-use. Neither the MBTA which owned the right of way at the time nor the four towns it passes through would ever have supported it as a bicycle-only resource. There are signs everywhere reminding people of the law that says cyclists must yield to pedestrians. That's Massachusetts General Law I.XIV.85.11B in case anyone is wondering. Nonetheless, a significant number of cyclists constantly force pedestrians to yield to them, and almost always point to the name when the subject comes up in online discussions. Maybe a third or less of cyclists give audible warning when passing pedestrians, even though the aforementioned law also requires that and a pregnant woman was killed on that path after being run down from behind by a cyclist only a few years ago. (Interestingly, there's a strong gender divide on that one, and I think you can guess which gender is significantly worse.) So anyone who tries to say claims about cyclists breaking the law are "myths" is simply not telling the truth. The vast majority of cyclists are sane and considerate. Some of them, such as the ones I've worked alongside on maintaining parts of that path, are even better than that. But there's also a substantial contingent of "bike bros" who absolutely personify the worst stereotypes. I see them every day. Real cycling activists (not those merely claiming the mantle here) don't deny that reality, or try to exclude pedestrians from the discussion. They try to educate and improve everyone's behavior, including their fellow cyclists'. That's how we'll get better bicycle-related laws and infrastructure - not by an entitled few putting their hypocrisy on display any time cyclist/pedestrian interactions come up.

msrenee 5y ago
I don't want to expect "true cyclists" to kow-tow to my superior vehicle. I just want to move through the sort of areas where folks bicycle without a mess and walk on the multiuser trails without a mess and drive/cycle/stumble down 50 of it comes to it, with nobody getting hurt. I've chosen a workpla e a way from my house and I take that on myself.