Metro Vancouver Bike & Pedestrian Discussion

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

This is why using flashing head and tail lights is a good idea even during the day - it draws attention to yourself even when people aren't specifically looking for you.

I think the theme of this discussion is that cyclists must be much more diligent than drivers to be safe on the road. Yes, some cyclists don't leave room for pedestrians or fail to yield, but when I am on my bike I am constantly looking for vehicles making right-end turns who aren't yielding to the bike lane, peering into side mirrors to see if someone is about to exit their vehicle and door me, breaking pre-emptively for pedestrians who stray into a bike lane because the sidewalk is full, and signaling very, very early so that drivers don't get road rage and pass me on the left when I'm turning left, etc.

The reality is, cyclists who are self-interested have to be much more diligent than drivers, and road design often does not help with this as we are pointing out with parked cars close to intersections, poorly-placed stop signs, etc. Ideally our roads should be designed so that pedestrians and cyclists are as safe as drivers or even more so, even if that inconveniences people in vehicles.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

...but when I am on my bike I am constantly ... peering into side mirrors to see if someone is about to exit their vehicle and door me...

Oh, I gave up on that a long time ago. I tried looking into cars to see if there was someone inside, but with headrests and window reflections it's hard to tell, and in a line of parked cars you're having to do it continuously - it just saps your attention away from where it needs to be.

So now when I pass parked cars I give them a generous berth so that even if they do open the door they won't nail me. Sometimes on residential streets this means I hold up car traffic for a bit - when that happens I pull into a vacant spot on the curb lane and wave them by. I'd rather have someone a bit annoyed at me for 10 or 20 seconds than end up in the hospital or worse.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Yeah I have a bit of a problem with this more as a pedestrian than a driver or cyclist. I've had bikes nearly hit me and/or my son on numerous occasions.

Cyclists ripping around pedestrians because they can fit, and not slowing down and showing some acknowledgement of right of way is extremely annoying and dangerous.

Eeyup. To a pedestrian, a bike is just a different kind of car.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Eeyup. To a pedestrian, a bike is just a different kind of car.

Yeah it's sad coming from a group who feels victimized by cars.

I have done plenty of travel by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and car. It's amazing the perspective you get from being a part of each group on the roads.

I see people all the time on bikes who act extremely unpredictably, confusing cars and causing chaos. I see the same from car drivers who are in left field. Just zero clue about what other people using the road are doing or expecting from typical behavior.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Oh, I gave up on that a long time ago. I tried looking into cars to see if there was someone inside, but with headrests and window reflections it's hard to tell, and in a line of parked cars you're having to do it continuously - it just saps your attention away from where it needs to be.

So now when I pass parked cars I give them a generous berth so that even if they do open the door they won't nail me. Sometimes on residential streets this means I hold up car traffic for a bit - when that happens I pull into a vacant spot on the curb lane and wave them by. I'd rather have someone a bit annoyed at me for 10 or 20 seconds than end up in the hospital or worse.

Considering how much the gov't gets into mandating equipment in cars I'm surprised they don't require the Hyundai features like using the radar to prevent doors being opened if there's a cyclist coming up beside the vehicle. Plus they have the blind spot monitoring that shows the rear view in the dash when you signal a turn.

[scottN]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

It was at this point I realized that drivers (including myself) are conditioned to look for cars, not bikes. Since then I've tried to be more vigilant specifically for bikes at intersections, and when I'm cycling I never ever trust any driver to see me, no matter who has the right of way.

I'm guilty of this too . . . when riding my bike. While keeping a sharp lookout for incoming cars, I have occasionally blown right past pedestrians waiting to cross the street. Usually it happens at traffic circles where there is less margin for error and I'm trying to look up the side street to see if there are any cars coming in. Not that it's excusable, but I think the intersection design is a contributing factor.

[Lexus]

https://youtu.be/UabSO0X1rYw

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I see people all the time on bikes who act extremely unpredictably, confusing cars and causing chaos. I see the same from car drivers who are in left field. Just zero clue about what other people using the road are doing or expecting from typical behavior.

Poor behaviour from cyclists, drivers, or pedestrians is rare in my experience. 99.9% of the time there are no issues.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Poor behaviour from cyclists, drivers, or pedestrians is rare in my experience. 99.9% of the time there are no issues.

The vast majority of time there are no issues, but I wouldn't go anywhere near 99%.

I walk by Heather and 10th a lot. It's a 4 way stop, and the intersection of two bike routes, along with a lot of pedestrians during the way. Watch who obeys what rules and who does what. It's eye opening.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Yeah it's sad coming from a group who feels victimized by cars.

I have done plenty of travel by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and car. It's amazing the perspective you get from being a part of each group on the roads.

I see people all the time on bikes who act extremely unpredictably, confusing cars and causing chaos. I see the same from car drivers who are in left field. Just zero clue about what other people using the road are doing or expecting from typical behavior.

The issue is a lot of cyclists think they can just make their own rules (witness the rolling stop defense here). But the worst is those who will suddenly switch from being a "vehicle" to being a wannabe pedestrian. IE they'll be riding along in your lane with traffic and then suddenly decide they want to cross the road and make a turn from road to a crosswalk. It's pretty hard as a driver to plan for that. Pedestrians do something similar but are usually more cautious.

Food delivery bikes have made that way worse. They're on the road, now they're on the sidewalk now they're biking against traffic. Watch them go to score that tip !!

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by whatnext

The issue is a lot of cyclists think they can just make their own rules (witness the rolling stop defense here). But the worst is those who will suddenly switch from being a "vehicle" to being a wannabe pedestrian. IE they'll be riding along in your lane with traffic and then suddenly decide they want to cross the road and make a turn from road to a crosswalk. It's pretty hard as a driver to plan for that. Pedestrians do something similar but are usually more cautious.

Food delivery bikes have made that way worse. They're on the road, now they're on the sidewalk now they're biking against traffic. Watch them go to score that tip !!

Agree with both points. Add in those electric scooters for bonus chaos and annoyance.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Ditto the seawall. Bike in the pedestrian lane? Supposed to just let it slide. Pedestrian in the bike lane? You're lucky if they only yell at you.

[Klazu]

Okay, cyclists. All is forgotten following this news. Give the City some hell for the endless potholes everywhere!!

https://biv.com/article/2022/06/bicyclist-files-pothole-suit-against-city-vancouver

Other than that, too much greatness and lots of laughs on the last few pages.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Okay, cyclists. All is forgotten following this news. Give the City some hell for the endless potholes everywhere!!

https://biv.com/article/2022/06/bicyclist-files-pothole-suit-against-city-vancouver

If you're going after the City to make sure that the road is safe to bike on then you'd think that the priority would be to remove the cobblestones on that block. Surely they're similarly unsafe. Seems like a bit of a poor choice of bike route to me.

I feel for the cyclist, injuries are no joke. But potholes don't appear "suddenly and without warning" - the phrase used in the suit. There is something in the Motor Vehicle Act about "due care and attention", after all.

[officedweller]

Horseshoe Bay bike lane.

Pic by me Wed June 15th:

[Lexus]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Horseshoe Bay bike lane.

Pic by me Wed June 15th:

I’m sorry. But what the — is this? Photoshop?

[logan5]

My guess is they got so little use, they decided to redesignate the space.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by logan5

My guess is they got so little use, they decided to redesignate the space.

Yeah, maybe for a wider sidewalk for the pandemic, but you'd think they'd change it back now.

[madog222]

I don't really know the area but perhaps they are waiting for additional segments to be completed.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by logan5

My guess is they got so little use, they decided to redesignate the space.

Ah, that's the story of every bike lane in existence! I am happy that wasted space was reclaimed for the people. I am equally happy to know how much this single photo must rub some people.