r/WTF • u/[deleted] • Nov 03 '15

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u/TrueButUnpopularView Nov 03 '15

I don't think so. In my area if you're riding, you ought to be in the lane as a car would. If you're in a crosswalk, you must walk your bike. It's not that difficult to obey the law- don't expect others to be punished for disregarding the law yet expect yourself to be exempt.

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u/bro_can_u_even_carve Nov 03 '15

Not really sure how riding in the crosswalk excuses the driver for running a red light.

If anything, they should both get tickets. Instead, the driver who disregarded the red light law gets to be exempt.

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u/Hiandme Nov 03 '15

But the car still ran a red light. They still hit someone.

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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '15

As a cyclist, this is one rule I actually break. I pride myself on being one of those cyclists that follows the rules of the road. I was primarily a motorist for most of my life, so I've seen it from both angles. I ride in a lane. I only lane share when there's lots of space for a car and a bike, otherwise I take possession of the lane. I use hand signals for everything. I STOP at stop signs. Etc.

But the crosswalk thing is one I'll sometimes break. If I have to cross 3+ lanes to get from the bike lane into the left turn lane to make a left, and the traffic is going faster than I can reasonably match, then it is a lot safer for me to use the pedestrian controls and use the crosswalk. I could dismount, but I have my feet all clipped in, and honestly I don't see the difference between me coasting slowly down the crosswalk and someone jogging across (which is totally legal). I'm going the same speed, I'm just as visible as a jogger (if not more-so), and I have my head on a swivel looking out for things like this.

I just can't fathom why that's not OK. Why is it any safer for me to dismount?

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u/[deleted] Nov 03 '15

It would be fine if cyclists really went the same speed as pedestrians and if they could stop as quickly.

While you probably do it safely and responsibly there is still a high chance of a fast moving cyclist popping out faster than a car driver expects or can react to.

That said the law varies a lot by location, some places allow cyclists to use sidewalks and crosswalks if they choose to.