Discussions

Lets see what the police and MPI have to say when you kill someone who used a cross walk and rode their bike across. I can guarantee you'll be blamed even thou bikes are technically not supposed to use crosswalks.  
 
Regardless, if you hit and kill someone because they rode their bike across vs walking it are YOU going to be able to sleep at night after?  
 
Even if they are in the wrong, im going to stop and not hit and possibly kill someone so that I can sleep at night.

that they would hit someone on a bike in a crosswalk!  
 
The problem is no one wants to follow rules anymore! They would rather blame other people for something that would be their own fault. Example, riding a bike on a sidewalk, crossing at a avenue and getting hit because the driver, although they have checked both ways never expects a bike to come roaring through the intersection at the speed it can, much faster than a pedestrian.

Im not saying the bike was right to do that, HTA clearly says they are to follow the same rules as joe blow in his honda civic. Im saying is it worth possibly hitting or killing someone over something that took 15 seconds out of your travel time?  
 
People whine and bitch about anything now.

We are tired of the whining and bitching by people who cannot follow the rules. If people did not feel so entitled and privileged that they figure rules dint apply to them, we would all be a lot better off. I have yet to hit anyone, pedestrian or cyclist, in spite of encountering a few who richly deserved to get run over. There are times I wish it were like in some of the cities in the developing countries-where cars go wherever at speed and pedestrians scuttle out of the way to avoid being hit. LOL That would change the habits of a few pedestrians and cyclists!

I don't understand motorists these days. Is everyone in such a hurry that they can't stop for someone trying to cross at a crosswalk, regardless if they're riding a bike or not? If the flashing lights are activated, people must stop. I know a lot of pedestrians don't activate the crosswalk flashing lights, but we must be aware anyway, and stop if someone's trying to cross. I know that a lot of motorists don't obey the law either. Brandon is a beautiful city, & it doesn't take much time to travel across this city. People are racing around the city like it's a racing derby. Heaven forbid if you slow someone down, & make them lose 15 seconds. It's even worse if you inconvenience someone, and make them have to stop. All I can say is that, "Please" be "Safe" on our streets. Attitudes definitely need to change. We could also use more Police Traffic Enforcement. Till next time. Have a "Great" summer.

I won't stop for cyclists at crosswalks if they're still on their bikes. It has nothing to do with being too lazy to want to stop, but that there are rules cyclists must follow. No one should be hit because if a cyclist if crossing a crosswalk properly, they are waiting for cars to stop properly before going across. No person on a bike should just cross a crosswalk without waiting for that. Drives me mental when drivers stop for these people.

ultraguy said "    MDG said "Probably nobody will answer. By the logic of the majority of posters on here, it would be fine to drive a little car on the sidewalk on 18th Street. going north from Richmond to Princess Ave's when it's super busy; it would be faster, right? There's no logic to cyclists wanting their rights as a vehicle - as they're entitled to - then wanting to be "pedestrians" when it suits them. Crosswalks care just that; crossWALKS. " That would be hazardous for pedestrians.     What hazard is caused by waiting for traffic to stop, then riding a bicycle across instead of walking it? "

Nowhere did I say that biking across a crosswalk was hazardous & obviously my driving on the sidewalk example was a bit tongue in cheek. However, if you bike across across walk & hit a car driving through it the cyclist will be in the wrong. Happened to a friend some years back. It's hazardous too if a driver slams on the brakes for a cyclist on a crosswalk & gets hit from behind: that's not automatically the 2nd driver's fault!  
And for many people on here : what makes the cyclist's time more important than the driver's? Still looking for an answer to what's so difficult about following the rules: I don't see one yet.

A cyclist breaks a law and motorists are up in arms. Question to those who are so upset, have you ever exceeded the speed limit, have you ever run a red light, have you ever driven after having a drink, have you ever changed lanes without using your signal lights or made a turn with out indicating you where going to, have you ever driven to fast for conditions, have you ever used your cell phone while you were driving. I guess I could go on, but I hope you understand the point I'm trying to make, lots of people break laws when it comes to driving, and it likely applies to all of us.  
So when you get so upset at a cyclist for breaking a law I wonder what sort of actions you are going to take against other motorists, or are willing to have taken against you for breaking a law while driving.  
My name is on here, so you can hate me if you like, but anyone who says they won't try and not injure someone when they are behind the wheel, should not be driving, and I'm pretty sure if you end up in court for deliberately hitting someone, they will agree.

Suckie said "Im not saying the bike was right to do that, HTA clearly says they are to follow the same rules as joe blow in his honda civic. Im saying is it worth possibly hitting or killing someone over something that took 15 seconds out of your travel time?     People whine and bitch about anything now. "

Why do we need all these rules? Because everyone is in such a hurry. If the cyclist is to ride their bike across the crosswalk, you would save on time, if they walk their bike across it would take much, much longer. What does it really matter - walking or riding? As long as a vehicle has stopped and everyone is safe.  
 
I have been known to stop for cyclist riding when they are not at a crosswalk to let them go, first checking to make sure there is not a car up my bumper.  
 
Manners and respect.

seriously? Who here has said they will TRY and injure someone? No one has said any such thing. Some have said they don't stop in certain siyuations-i am pretty sure they mean they don't stop if the cyclist is approaching the crosswalk-not that he is in the middle of their lane and they still won't stop and deliberately hit him. I have wanyed to mow down...or scoop up some idiot pedestrians-doesnt mean I have actually done it. LOL

this topic is not about bikes coming roaring off a side street and barreling through the intersection. Although that happens. But if they are stopped at the curb, either pushing the walk signal or waiting for drivers to stop then what is the beef about if once traffic is stopped and they step on the bike and ride across.  
 
yes maybe they should be in the lane of traffic and ride across the same lane the car will be in.  
 
But 2 things  
 
if it is a busy street it may be dangerous for them to get across, remember cyclists generally don't accelerate at the same rate you can in a car. They may need you to stop in order to even get across. thinking most intersections with out lights crossing vic ave  
 
secondly if they are in the through lane with a car behind also waiting to cross, now the car driver has to wait potentially a long time for the bike to find enough room in the traffic flow to cross safely.  
 
I say go to the cross walk, walk or bike across when traffic stops and while the cyclist is doing that and the traffic is stopped anyway the car waiting can also go.  
 
it really is no big deal.  
 
I know there are rules, HTA etc etc but laws are changed and modified all the time, which means the former rule was only maybe fine for a while but is now outdated, or was never right in the first place.

Maybe I misread what was posted be "enter name here ", you read it and give me your interpretation.

*enter name here* said "I won't stop for cyclists at crosswalks if they're still on their bikes. It has nothing to do with being too lazy to want to stop, but that there are rules cyclists must follow. No one should be hit because if a cyclist if crossing a crosswalk properly, they are waiting for cars to stop properly before going across. No person on a bike should just cross a crosswalk without waiting for that. Drives me mental when drivers stop for these people. "

Drives you mental. Really, that much in a hurry. Other drivers - well, I will stop.  
 
Sounds like such aggressive driving, I hope you are not in an accident some day, because another driver stopped and you didn't want to, as it drives you crazy.

Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.  
 
It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though.

*enter name here* said "Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.     It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though. "

Do you ever ride a bike? Did you when you had toddler use the sidewalk - I hope not.

Whoever Is In The Crosswalk...Owns The Crosswalk.

Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.     It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though. " Do you ever ride a bike? Did you when you had toddler use the sidewalk - I hope not. "

Mostly when I was in elementary school. I lived out of the catchment area because my daycare was closer to another school. After I no longer went to daycare (age 10 or 11) I had to get to and from school myself. Guess where I rode my bike? On the street. I didn't use a crosswalk and if I ever did, I walked my bike.  
 
As for when my child was a toddler, I walked with her and always got her to get off her bike to walk across a crosswalk.  
 
Not all the difficult to do and doesn't take all that much longer to get across.

*enter name here* said "    Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.     It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though. " Do you ever ride a bike? Did you when you had toddler use the sidewalk - I hope not. " Mostly when I was in elementary school. I lived out of the catchment area because my daycare was closer to another school. After I no longer went to daycare (age 10 or 11) I had to get to and from school myself. Guess where I rode my bike? On the street. I didn't use a crosswalk and if I ever did, I walked my bike.     As for when my child was a toddler, I walked with her and always got her to get off her bike to walk across a crosswalk.     Not all the difficult to do and doesn't take all that much longer to get across. "

You walked on the road with her, as you said you never used sidewalks. That would be pretty scary I would think.

Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "    Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.     It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though. " Do you ever ride a bike? Did you when you had toddler use the sidewalk - I hope not. " Mostly when I was in elementary school. I lived out of the catchment area because my daycare was closer to another school. After I no longer went to daycare (age 10 or 11) I had to get to and from school myself. Guess where I rode my bike? On the street. I didn't use a crosswalk and if I ever did, I walked my bike.     As for when my child was a toddler, I walked with her and always got her to get off her bike to walk across a crosswalk.     Not all the difficult to do and doesn't take all that much longer to get across. " You walked on the road with her, as you said you never used sidewalks. That would be pretty scary I would think. "

Bikes don't legally have to be on the road. She was on the sidewalk. When we came to a crosswalk, she got off and walked her bike.  
 
Keep at 'er Brenda. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes. But I'm not entitled to pick and choose laws/rules as I see fit. So I'll keep not stopping for cyclists trying to ride through a crosswalk and you do what you want.  
 
Have a good week!

*enter name here* said "    Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "    Brenda said "    *enter name here* said "Nope, not in a hurry at all. Crosswalks are meant for walkers. If someone in front of me stops for a cyclist, I stop. But I refuse to stop if someone can't follow the rules and get off their bike. You can't pick and choose rules as you see fit. Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.     It also drives me mental that people don't follow road rules while drive either. But all I can do is follow them correctly myself. That is a whole other discussion though. " Do you ever ride a bike? Did you when you had toddler use the sidewalk - I hope not. " Mostly when I was in elementary school. I lived out of the catchment area because my daycare was closer to another school. After I no longer went to daycare (age 10 or 11) I had to get to and from school myself. Guess where I rode my bike? On the street. I didn't use a crosswalk and if I ever did, I walked my bike.     As for when my child was a toddler, I walked with her and always got her to get off her bike to walk across a crosswalk.     Not all the difficult to do and doesn't take all that much longer to get across. " You walked on the road with her, as you said you never used sidewalks. That would be pretty scary I would think. " Bikes don't legally have to be on the road. She was on the sidewalk. When we came to a crosswalk, she got off and walked her bike.     Keep at 'er Brenda. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes. But I'm not entitled to pick and choose laws/rules as I see fit. So I'll keep not stopping for cyclists trying to ride through a crosswalk and you do what you want.     Have a good week! "

as your previous post said: Either be on the road where you're supposed to, or if you're going to use the sidewalk like a suck, get off your bike to cross a crosswalk.  
 
Using the sidewalk like a suck?  
 
 
Anyway, I will continue to stop if safe to do so. I would rather not be in any terrible accidents and I always have lots of time to get where I am going. So, if I have to stop once or twice, not a big deal to me. Ride it across, walk it across, I will be on the watch to avoid any accidents.

Maybe if the city would paint the lines I would know where the crosswalks are, By the time they get them painted they will be all be white anyways ...covered in snow.

We need better crossings with high tech solutions that engage our current technological and social trends. In my view I see these improvements as important, if not necessary.  
 
1) Retrofit most if not all with high visibility LED signals that start/timeout when and if when people enter/leave intersection.  
3) Make signals at eye-level for truckers and traffic; do away with large expensive upright signal crossings that that are "dimly" lit and "poorly" timed to be properly followed by traffic at all times.  
4) Educate users to pre-notify intentions, make eye contact, wait and cross. This should be part of our educational curriculum until people get the point.  
5) Make seniors with mobility or cognitive issues a funding priority for assisted outings.  
6) Make crossing signs more noticeable by making the stop mark sign yellow and red in alternating strips.  
7) Make signalled pre-stop notification that flash orange LEDs to give advance notice of people in the crossing zone.  
 
Basically ditch our current antiquated system of unsignaled or poorly lit overhead signal crossings. Instead, adopt SMART signals that make both technological systems such as LEDS, sensors and microcontrollers.  
 
For curiosity sake, if you do a Google search, you can see that there are modern wireless micro-controller systems that have smart sensors that can illuminate, detect, and respond to the motion of humans.  
 
Examples:  
 
http://elteccorp.com/warning_systems/pedestrian-crossing-systems/  
https://www.lightguardsystems.com/  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_traffic_light  
http://www.interprovincial.com/files/crosswalk_signs/LED%20Pedestrian%20Signs%20Brochure.pdf  
* http://www.ledpedestriancrossing.com/index.html * = "My personal favorite from first view"  
 
For me, these SMART microprocessor based IOT systems are a logical next step in-terms of mitigating crossing risks at our uncontrolled crossings.  
 
The the problem remains trying to sell the powers that be on change and the costs associated with the change. Some are very "expensive" public goods.  
 
As an active pedestrian and cyclist, I personally don't like our current system of uncontrolled and largely unsignaled crossings is inadequate.  
 
I think a fix should be considered and implemented for the good of the citizens that rightfully utilize these important traffic crossings.

D Sloane said "We need better crossings with high tech solutions that engage our current technological and social trends. In my view I see these improvements as important, if not necessary.     1) Retrofit most if not all with high visibility LED signals that start/timeout when and if when people enter/leave intersection.   3) Make signals at eye-level for truckers and traffic; do away with large expensive upright signal crossings that that are "dimly" lit and "poorly" timed to be properly followed by traffic at all times.   4) Educate users to pre-notify intentions, make eye contact, wait and cross. This should be part of our educational curriculum until people get the point.   5) Make seniors with mobility or cognitive issues a funding priority for assisted outings.   6) Make crossing signs more noticeable by making the stop mark sign yellow and red in alternating strips.   7) Make signalled pre-stop notification that flash orange LEDs to give advance notice of people in the crossing zone.     Basically ditch our current antiquated system of unsignaled or poorly lit overhead signal crossings. Instead, adopt SMART signals that make both technological systems such as LEDS, sensors and microcontrollers.     For curiosity sake, if you do a Google search, you can see that there are modern wireless micro-controller systems that have smart sensors that can illuminate, detect, and respond to the motion of humans.     Examples:     http://elteccorp.com/warning_systems/pedestrian-crossing-systems/   https://www.lightguardsystems.com/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_traffic_light   http://www.interprovincial.com/files/crosswalk_signs/LED%20Pedestrian%20Signs%20Brochure.pdf   * http://www.ledpedestriancrossing.com/index.html * = "My personal favorite from first view"     For me, these SMART microprocessor based IOT systems are a logical next step in-terms of mitigating crossing risks at our uncontrolled crossings.     The the problem remains trying to sell the powers that be on change and the costs associated with the change. Some are very "expensive" public goods.     As an active pedestrian and cyclist, I personally don't like our current system of uncontrolled and largely unsignaled crossings is inadequate.     I think a fix should be considered and implemented for the good of the citizens that rightfully utilize these important traffic crossings. "

costly though. I notice that you mention "social trends" at the start: interesting that most of the posters here seem to ascribe to a social trends saying "do whatever you want & to he** with the law". IMHO all the updated tech equipment won't change that thinking. This is about cycling on crosswalks, not whether or not crosswalks are highly visible etc.  
I'm still waiting for anyone to come on & say why it's okay for cyclists to break the law & why their wanting to ride across is more important than mine as a driver to not stop to let them. Anyone????

Don't think we will ever get an answer to that question MDG.  
 
Apparently bicycle riders believe they are just too special to follow the rules, which is about the only answer they can give.

It's very simple, MDG. If I am sitting on my bike, I do not expect anyone to stop. But if they do stop, I figure that they would rather stop for a shorter time rather than wait for my slow walking. So I try to speed up their commute by riding across. I know when I'm in my car, I really don't care how the person gets across and would rather get moving sooner instead of wait longer.  
 
90% of drivers go over the speed limit and don't come to a full stop at stop signs. Clearly, most drivers would rather save a few seconds instead of obey the law. No point in unnecessarily slowing them down.

ultraguy said "It's very simple, MDG. If I am sitting on my bike, I do not expect anyone to stop. But if they do stop, I figure that they would rather stop for a shorter time rather than wait for my slow walking. So I try to speed up their commute by riding across. I know when I'm in my car, I really don't care how the person gets across and would rather get moving sooner instead of wait longer.     90% of drivers go over the speed limit and don't come to a full stop at stop signs. Clearly, most drivers would rather save a few seconds instead of obey the law. No point in unnecessarily slowing them down. "

Finally, an answer. Interesting though that your breaking the law somehow translates into doing the "law-breaking" drivers a favour.  
Still, I do appreciate your point about waiting until a car stops for you. (Perhaps they expect you to walk your bike across??).  
I think this is a dead issue: cyclists get to "win".

Apparently bikes or walking drivers aren't stopping for anyone! I will not take my children across a crosswalk until I know the car is stopping. people seem to think they don't have to stop unless you're on the street already. I won't take that chance, already 3 times this last week we were at a crosswalk waiting to cross and the drivers just kept driving by. In fact last night coming from the fair we were almost hit crossing at the lights on Queens by a driver turning left. To that driver: I was yelling at you because you almost hit my kids and sat there staring ahead like you weren't the wrong one! Not even an apologetic gesture. We weren't being a nuisance by crossing (we had the signal) YOU WERE BEING DANGEROUS by trying to beat us or whatever the h*ll you were trying to do. This city is too concerned with getting somewhere and getting there fast that they are not paying attention to their surroundings which put everyone's safety at risk.

since people in Brandon don't respect cyclists. This whole discussion is tough I mean. I don't feel comfortable biking around here and if I thought it necessary to use the crosswalk I would and I would thank you to take your useless bitching elsewhere.

about the "useless bitching" part. Horribly unfair though to say that "people in Brandon don't respect cyclists". All I've posted about is the legality aspect. When I'm driving, I stop for anyone on a crosswalk even when they're on a bike so don't lump us all in your opinion.  
Having said that, I can't keep track of the # of times I've sorted cyclists not stopping at stop signs & blasting through a 4 way stop behind the car that just went. Same with walking my little dog on the sidewalk & I'm not talking about kids; these are adults going full speed. As drivers, we need to have another 4 sets of eyes. Useless bitching??? You're correct because it seems that a lot of cyclists believe they can do & be whatever & wherever they want.

That should read: "dodged cyclists not stopping at stop signs". . . .