I want to write an entire post about safety, but I don't have the time and I usually put the blog post together in my mind, as I ride, but when I get home the rest of life gets in the way.
So, instead I'll do mini posts with my pet peeve of the day, oh wait, I mean safety tip of the day.
ONE WAY
Cyclists: Please, please do not bike in the street on a one-way street going the wrong way. You put yourself in peril, other cyclists, and you tick off motorists. Please, please pay attention!!!! It is not that tough people and it is not that far out of your way to go to the next block. You are not above the signage. It doesn't mean one-way for everyone except you!
Motorists: Please, please do not drive down a one-way street going the wrong way. I live on the corner of two one-way streets. One of which goes around a cute little neighborhood park with KIDS. I see people going the wrong way in their cars at least a few times a week, including police officers which really, really gets me going. Please, please pay attention!!!! It is not that tough people and it is not that far out of your way to go to the next block. You are not above the signage. It doesn't mean one-way for everyone except you!
If you want to go down a one-way street going the wrong way as a cyclist (I live on a one-way street going the opposite direction than I usually travel and I understand the draw to go the quickest way between two points), get on the sidewalk. I am not usually a sidewalk cycling advocate, but there are times when it is safer or if not safer more prudent than riding in the street. One benefit of riding on the sidewalk on a one way street is some of what makes cycling on the sidewalk unsafe is avoided. When I ride on the sidewalk and the majority of the vehicle traffic is coming toward me, I can see when people are turning to drive into a driveway or travel down a side street so I can stop for them since I assume no one can see me on the sidewalk. One of the reasons sidewalks can be unsafe is that motorists do not look at sidewalks because they are busy looking at the road. (Hopefully!!! There are those who are not looking at the road, nor the sidewalk, but that is for another post.) Thus, when I ride on the sidewalk, I assume I am invisible and ride even more defensively. Please be courteous so pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk. They have the right of way and when we cycle on the sidewalk, we need to make sure to be extra kind to those walking.
If you are on your bike, walking, or driving a motor vehicle today, remember to look out for other around you and be safe out there!
