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eBrandon
Cyclists need more space please

Cyclists need more space please

ren008
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 249

ren008
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 249

.
3/18/2021 at 8:16 PM

Take the lane and avoid being crowded out in these circumstances. Way more dangerous sticking to the curb and having drivers get too close. They can pass when it is safe to do so.
G.R.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 9

G.R.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 9

Cyclists
3/18/2021 at 8:51 PM

Most cyclists I see ride on the sidewalk and expect walkers to give them the right of way.

Edited by G.R., 2021-03-18 20:55:45
Brian mailto:confcod
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 557

Brian mailto:confcod
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 557

cyclist and pedestrians
3/18/2021 at 9:22 PM

im glad i moved out of city to the country as a pedestrian i was always
moving over for cyclists coming towards or being brushed by from behind as for drivers when i am crossing a crosswalk at my light cars making turns almost hitting me Ive been hit at 10th lorne by hydro knocked to ground by truck I had the right of way who gives these drivers their lisences that drive with no patiences much safer being backin the country out of the city

Edited by Brian, 2021-03-18 21:26:16
Orion's-Belt
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 579

Orion's-Belt
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 579

Cyclist
3/19/2021 at 6:01 AM

Some cyclist act like they own the road and make themselves much more of a hazard then they need to be.

There’s this guy in the summers he will
Bike home on Victoria ave. Has mirrors on his bike and big milk crate basket thing in the back. He just pokes along down Victoria taking his time right down the middle of the lane. Has his music odd in his ears and not a car in the world how much of a hazard he is being to all the traffic around him.

Cyclist want respect from drivers but the majority of the time they aren’t giving the respect to the drivers they are asking for in return.
Nunya
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 87

Nunya
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 87

.
3/19/2021 at 2:23 PM

hogie87 said "cyclist want to ride the road but dont follow the rules of the road. i have yet to see a cyclist signal, ride with the flow of traffic, follow all posted signs, or ride as close to the curb as possible "
I was going to say the same thing. I'm not grouping every cyclist in the same category whatsoever, however you best follow all the road rules as well. Use your arm signals, follow the flow of traffic and DON'T BLOW THROUGH AT RED LIGHTS.
rdp
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 216

rdp
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 216

Lol
3/19/2021 at 8:34 PM

I agree that some drivers are not nice to cyclists. But I haven’t seen a cyclist yet that dosent want to be a motorist and a pedestrian at once when it’s convenient for them. Like posted above stopping at red lights, signalling, and I have seen plenty that will blast in your lane to go around a parked car or as you mentioned pot hole etc and not even look/ when if the parked cars or obstruction is in your lane and you need to move over then you slow down and yield to my lane, and lastly like I mentioned about being a motorist and a pedestrian is on the road then the sidewalk when it’s convenient for you or expecting motorists to stop for you when you have a stop sign /or you are at a crosswalk. Also not to mention wear/ use the proper reflective gear and helmets. Not saying you are one of these but I do doubt your perfect either.
BigDaddy 2
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 868

BigDaddy 2
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 868

Please explain
3/20/2021 at 7:07 AM

rdp said "I agree that some drivers are not nice to cyclists. But I haven’t seen a cyclist yet that dosent want to be a motorist and a pedestrian at once when it’s convenient for them. Like posted above stopping at red lights, signalling, and I have seen plenty that will blast in your lane to go around a parked car or as you mentioned pot hole etc and not even look/ when if the parked cars or obstruction is in your lane and you need to move over then you slow down and yield to my lane, and lastly like I mentioned about being a motorist and a pedestrian is on the road then the sidewalk when it’s convenient for you or expecting motorists to stop for you when you have a stop sign /or you are at a crosswalk. Also not to mention wear/ use the proper reflective gear and helmets. Not saying you are one of these but I do doubt your perfect either. "
what is the "proper reflective gear and helmets"? There are NO laws or "rules" about what a cyclist has to wear. There are helmet laws that apply to minors, but not to adults (which is stupid). BC has had helmet laws for over 20yrs now and is enforced by local PD.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Voice of reason
3/20/2021 at 7:54 AM

GhOsTID said "https://www.mpi.mb.ca/Pages/cycling-sharing-the-road.aspx

Might as well include a link for cyclists and drivers since safety for all is key. No one wants to end up dead or killing someone but sometimes it seems like they want no responsibility when it comes to preventing accidents. "Well they should have been..." lol

Be safe all. "
Thanks for being a voice of reason.
Two sides to the coin and both need to be understanding of the rules and expectations that apply to them. There have been examples above mentioned where a cyclist might not be doing things by the book, but I've definitely seen my share of examples where the odd driver seems a little unsure of what to do when a cyclist is using the road exactly how they're asked to.

Part of the issue as a cyclist is that as much as the city has a great path system, if you’re trying to chart a course from A to B there are gaps all over the place that force you onto the street for stretches if you’re going to ride within the law. City has taken different stabs at this between the “share the road” initiative and now the project on Pacific... but if for example you want to get from Shoppers Mall to Discovery Centre or BU to Superstore there’s no clear cut path. That means you’re either intermittently using a combo of path and street or you just decide to go street all the way. Or you decide it’s not worth the hassle, hop in the car and burn some more gas in stead of getting a little fresh air and exercise!

Appreciate that making the city more cyclist friendly has been and continues to be on the radar and that it’s no small task when dealing with budgets, limited physical space and probably some uncertainty on how high demand is (chicken vs egg problem). I'm sure we'll see more progress over time, but in the shorter term more education of both sides like the link above will help us all get along a little better and maybe even save a life in the process.
TheBrofessor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 161

TheBrofessor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 161

Angry drivers
3/20/2021 at 10:55 AM

Even when I follow all the rules on a bicycle, there's always a few jerk drivers who don't seem to know how traffic laws work. Some pass too closely when they have lots of space to give me more room. When I stop at a red light in the right lane, some blow their horn and yell at me to get out of the way so that they can make a right turn through the red light. We should all just try to get along the best we can, but there's always a few jerks out there in cars and on bicycles.
Ebrandonadds
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 27

Ebrandonadds
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 27

So I'm confused??
3/20/2021 at 6:22 PM

As a cyclist I would rather take one if our many side streets that pretty much mirror all of our major streets where a typical Brandon driver will run over you. If you drive in this town you know signals are apparently irrelevant, stopping , yielding or red lights don't matter. Why would this change because you are on a bike. I've been angry about it for 20 years, nothing has or will change. It's bloody ridiculous, but welcome to Brandon. Adjust your route and chill. And be safe!!
Gussins
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 380

Gussins
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 380

Unless
3/21/2021 at 8:11 AM

5.3 said "HOGIE87 Do you know the rules and follow the rules as a driver around a cyclist? Drivers have some rules as well when encounter a cyclist and 'get off the road' is not one of them. Why don't you try bike really close to the curb as much as possible see for yourself what drivers do. During winter season slush, snow and ice make it difficult and unsafe to bike that close to the curb. On strong windy days I have to ride in the middle of the lane to feel safer because drivers and large business vehicles drive too close to me with the shift of wind it is no safe for me. "
you are traveling at the posted speed limit or making a left hand turn you have no business being in the middle of the road.

I respect cyclists but do agree that very rarely do I see them signal. More often than not I find myself slamming on the brakes for some fool who jets out in front of me (usually from a sidewalk)....DO NOT expect me to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid you.

Edited by Gussins, 2021-03-21 08:14:44
Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

Simonwalcal
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 839

. . .
3/21/2021 at 9:57 AM

The anti-biking sentiment thing perplexes me.

I ride on the street to and from work fairly regularly and have never gotten honked at, crowded out or otherwise waywardly treated. I use 4 way stops and yields accordingly and don't become a pedestrian when its convenient (good grief . . . ). And generally, when people CAN, they give a half lane or so berth even when no parked cars are present and I'm hugging the curb.

I also try to use lights, and bought a bright orange helmet. For those times when I'm wearing a uniform that happens to be all black.

I've heard of this sentiment many times, yet have yet to experience it (luck?).
Even if it does happen, there is always the middle finger lol.

Edited by Simonwalcal, 2021-03-21 09:58:10
rdp
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 216

rdp
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 216

Ummm
3/21/2021 at 8:19 PM

To me it dosent matter if it’s a law, you need to be seen and safe before it’s to late. Yes more so when it’s darker out, but I would say at all times. If I (accidentally)hit a bicyclist then I would want them to at least have a helmet on... As of the reflective gear would be a vest, or lights, or something to be seen properly.
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

As a lifelong motorcyclist
3/22/2021 at 7:29 AM

I can say that a rider can wear all the reflective gear ( and they should), I also ride ( and drive) with my lights on at all times. Other road users still often don’t see me because they are not paying attention to the road and their surroundings.
Everyone whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car drivers or truckers need to ditch the distractions , pay attention to the road, conditions, anticipate mistakes others might make , be more patient , and respect other road users.

Edited by Farmergeorge, 2021-03-22 07:34:25
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

lanes
3/23/2021 at 10:19 AM

I actually find it surprising that bicycles aren't entitled to the entire lane, like a motorcycle is. That would seem far safer to me. But the safest by far is to have separate roads/paths for them. But alas, we don't have enough of those, so we'll all have to work together to make sure everyone is safe.

Although please please please PLEASE cyclists, please don't pass me on the right when I'm stopped at a red light/stop sign. I see that far too often. It's not allowed, and frankly is dangerous. You need to move predictably in order for me to know where you are.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

can't switch
3/23/2021 at 10:22 AM

5.3 said "The learning of driving should change as drivers are focus on cars only their mind is not trained to look for any oncoming pedestrians walking, running or a child on a bike on sidewalks or cyclists on the streets they aim their eyes on the street if any vehicles coming is all then step on the gas. They are thaught in practice and manual book to look if any cars is coming not look for any cars, pedestrians or bikes before is safe to go.
And they are some as one person told and I am sure he is not the only one with that attitude that do not want to slow down or move over the lane for cyclists as they may loose their spot to get ahead. I always find on slow traffic days drivers move over to give my space and on busy traffic days alot of them do not slow down they can't switch to the other lane as more cars are coming they drive really close and some are big trucks or hauling a trailer behind so to prevent that I find SAFER for me to ride in the middle of the lane. No matter if you wear all the neon colors or wear all the christmas lights in this city there are times a cyclist has to adjust the rules on cycling to stay safe. Not enough cyclists on the streets drivers are not used to it. "
Like you said, sometimes we *can't* switch lanes, and everyone is trying to go with the flow.

It would be helpful if the people around me pay attention to the bike in my lane. It's not just my problem, but should be their problem too. Let me move into your lane so the cyclist can be safe. I even promise to signal!!
bryology101
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 215

bryology101
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 215

Cognitive dissonance
3/23/2021 at 11:33 AM

Everyone has an opinion about what happens on the road and who is to blame. But there is actual real-world data supporting cyclists as the safer road users.

Multiple studies with hidden cameras have shown that cyclists are better rule followers than drivers. Moreover, when cyclists do break rules (which is *still* less often than drivers) they usually do it to increase personal safety, whereas drivers do it to save time.

We've all seen the crazy, curb-hopping cyclist who cuts us off at red lights. But I promise you that there are more wackos in cars than there are on bikes.

Better cycling infrastructure is the answer, but we don't have that yet. In the meantime, know that while a driver might walk away from a collision with a cyclist, the cyclist likely will not. Take the extra two seconds and move over.
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

.
3/23/2021 at 1:05 PM

Abbysmum said "I actually find it surprising that bicycles aren't entitled to the entire lane, like a motorcycle is. That would seem far safer to me. But the safest by far is to have separate roads/paths for them. But alas, we don't have enough of those, so we'll all have to work together to make sure everyone is safe.

Although please please please PLEASE cyclists, please don't pass me on the right when I'm stopped at a red light/stop sign. I see that far too often. It's not allowed, and frankly is dangerous. You need to move predictably in order for me to know where you are. "
I’m surprised that a cyclist can’t take the entire lane too. It makes sense as a cyclist is still a vehicle and they need to be as visible as possible. It doesn’t matter though if other road users aren’t paying attention to their surroundings .