Bicycle safety incident - almost hit on 3rd st downtown « Columbus Underground Messageboard

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Bicycle safety incident - almost hit on 3rd st downtown

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Started 4 years ago by Paul
Latest reply from Coremodels

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Paul
Vancouver, BC
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I was standing in front of my friend's building on 3rd Street around 2:00 AM on Saturday, saying goodbye to some friends that were getting in their car to leave. I'm on the sidewalk, and as I take half a step backward after saying goodbye I'm almost run over by someone on a bicycle who was hauling ass at full speed on the sidewalk (probably because they wanted to go the wrong way up 3rd) who did not even try and slow down or avoid the group of people I was in. Had I not stopped myself from continuing to take a step backwards, I would have been plowed into by this hipster guy with his 'bicycling hat' and get-out-of-my-way attitude.
As many of you know, I ride very frequently, and downtown quite a bit as well. I will ride on the sidewalk if I feel it is safer than the street, even though I know it's illegal, but I always ride more slowly than I would on the street, and if I am passing a pedestrian or especially a group of people, I ride very cautiously and am aware that they have the right of way and I am in a position to injure them if I'm not careful.
I was going to yell something at hipster boyskie, but thought better of it. It's people with that attitude that make the entire bicycling community look bad.
Just like cyclists struggle to get the respect they deserve from cars, I feel like pedestrians in this city are now struggling to get the respect they deserve from cyclists who are content to zip around town like the world belongs to them.

Posted 4 years ago #
brothermarcus
West Siiiide
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Sunday was my first day in years where I put my helmet on and started riding on the street again. I had a really good day- after riding to Goodale I decided to just ride around and went up to Clintonville and all over areas West of High St. All the drivers were really courteous and I never had any problems getting over into the left turn lanes, and even when I got on Kenny and was a bit nervous about the speed of vehicle traffic everything went fine.
The only disappointment I had was with the other cyclists I saw on the road. People going the wrong way on one-way streets, riding through red lights and stop signs, I basically only saw a handful of other cyclists acting like they were a vehicle sharing the road with other vehicles. Definitely disappointing in that respect, but I personally did have a good experience out and about on the road for the first time in a long time.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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There's always going to be someone to ruin things for everyone else.
Glad you didn't get hit, Paul. :?

Posted 4 years ago #
AmyArt21
Short North
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Walker wrote There's always going to be someone to ruin things for everyone else.
This is why we can't have nice things.

Posted 4 years ago #
michaelcoyote
!seabus
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Paul wrote I'm on the sidewalk, and as I take half a step backward after saying goodbye I'm almost run over by someone on a bicycle who was hauling ass at full speed on the sidewalk (probably because they wanted to go the wrong way up 3rd) who did not even try and slow down or avoid the group of people I was in.
Yeah, I hate those guys.. srsly..
I've seen plenty of bad behavior this weekend. I'm guessing that all these 'fashion bikers' seem to have gotten their bikes out for the summer because it's "nice enough to ride out".
Paul wrote
I was going to yell something at hipster boyskie, but thought better of it. It's people with that attitude that make the entire bicycling community look bad.
First things first, I'd at least yell "Hey". Get it out of your system... "Hey you dropped something" is better because he'll have to slow down :-)
Second thing is as far as making cyclists look bad, there are plenty of drivers out there to make people in cars look bad, and the motorcyclists that weave through traffic at 110 make motorcyclists look bad. As for pedestrians, I know I've had a few dart in front of me. I try to keep in mind that these people aren't representative of the whole.
I'm sorry that some asshole tried to run you over, but please keep in mind that the rest of us just want to safely and quickly get to our destination with the least amount of hassle to and from others.

Posted 4 years ago #
Matthew
Hilltop
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Paul I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Posted 4 years ago #
laChewla
Victorian Village, The Heart Of It All
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I little bird told me that there was a game of Bike Capture The Flag going on downtown that night?
PS - Certainly this fella was doing the wrong thing - but I don't think you have the right to make assumptions regarding the entire group of people who spend time stylizing their cycles. Nor do you know how often they are riding. Suck it up dude. We're glad you didn't die.

Posted 4 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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laChewla wrote PS - Certainly this fella was doing the wrong thing - but I don't think you have the right to make assumptions regarding the entire group of people who spend time stylizing their cycles. Nor do you know how often they are riding. Suck it up dude. We're glad you didn't die.
Well said.
Glad you are OK, Paul. I am sure we could probably have a 30+ page discussion if everyone posted their bad driver or bad cyclist story. People are idiots and thats all there is to it.
You even admitted to cycling on the sidewalk yourself. No matter how safe you think you are riding and how courteous you are to pedestrians, don't you think there is someone out there who probably thinks you may have ridden to close?

Posted 4 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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Paul:
Next time throw a branch in his deep velocity spokes. Or take one for the team and sue him for his net worth: all $17. It is not OK as a cyclist to endanger others by riding fast in pedestrian only areas.

Posted 4 years ago #
marymo

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Glad you are ok! I agree with everyone that there's always plenty of bad eggs in any bunch. As a cyclist who stops at every red light and stop sign and doesn't weave through cars I get frustrated when I see the folks giving all cyclists a bad name.
I've been hoping to have an opportunity to share an interesting story, though. The night of the ride of silence I happened to be driving home from work at the same time that the ride was going down Front St. There were cyclists numbering in the dozens riding 6-7 abrest, which wasn't a problem at all for cars because of the mutli lanes and practically nil traffic. I got stopped at a light with about 2 dozen cyclists in the lane to my right. Three cyclists went right through the red light. The other twenty or so stopped and waited. Mind you, there were no cops or cars coming in the other direction. It was great! Obviously this was a unique situation and if you're going to be extra cautious, the ride of silence is the place to do it. Still, it reinforces my notion that cyclists riding recklessly might be a minority that you just tend to notice more.

Posted 4 years ago #
Paul
Vancouver, BC
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Thanks first off to MatthewJR30 and everyone else who responded saying they were glad I wasn't hurt, I appreciate it.
michaelcoyote wrote I've seen plenty of bad behavior this weekend. I'm guessing that all these 'fashion bikers' seem to have gotten their bikes out for the summer because it's "nice enough to ride out".
From the way he was dressed, the bike he was riding, where/when he was riding, and the way he was riding, this guy was far from the type of person you're talking about.
michaelcoyote wrote I'm sorry that some asshole tried to run you over, but please keep in mind that the rest of us just want to safely and quickly get to our destination with the least amount of hassle to and from others.
I am the rest of us! That is exactly what I do every day on my bike. That's why guys like that particularly upset me.
laChewla wrote PS - Certainly this fella was doing the wrong thing - but I don't think you have the right to make assumptions regarding the entire group of people who spend time stylizing their cycles. Nor do you know how often they are riding. Suck it up dude. We're glad you didn't die.
My point exactly. The guy was a very poor representation of the cycling community on the whole. What assumptions did I make about the entire group of people who stylize their bikes?? I didn't mention anything about his bike being styled, nor about people who style their bikes...
This kind of reminds me of the murder shows where the cop says, "Where were you last night when she was killed?" And the guy responds, "Yo, I couldn't have stabbed her! I was at work all night!" And the cops says, "I never said she was stabbed."
Also, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to suck up? Almost being hit and seriously injured by someone who was riding illegally and dangerously? Would you tell that to someone who was on a bike and almost hit by a car? "Suck it up, dude." Somehow I doubt it. The injuries you'd sustain from getting plowed into by a bike going 15-20mph are not as serious as from getting hit by a car, most likely, but serious nonetheless.
lifeontwowheels wrote You even admitted to cycling on the sidewalk yourself. No matter how safe you think you are riding and how courteous you are to pedestrians, don't you think there is someone out there who probably thinks you may have ridden to close?
There is a difference between someone possibly thinking something (people are free to think anything they like) and something actually being the case. I never ride fast past pedestrians and I have never been even close to hitting one.
The argument that I, and I would say most reasonable cyclists, occasionally ride on the sidewalk is tantamount to saying that most everyone speeds on the freeway. While I'll do 75 on the freeway, I won't do 100mph weaving in and out of cars almost colliding with them. And that is the difference.
Merc, thanks for the reply. Couldn't agree with you more.
Marymo, it is always good to hear stories of cyclists riding responsibly, which I feel is more representative of the cycling community on the whole.

Posted 4 years ago #
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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Sadly, this is a problem everywhere, just like people who will run over pedestrians in a crosswalk. I think a "Hey asshole!" would be appropriate. There are alleys east and west of 3rd to go on. I personally think 3rd St needs a major make-over whether it stays one-way or not. There should be parking available on both sides of 3rd and narrower lanes with wider sidewalks. Of course, even perfectly planned city streets don't make assholes disappear. Maybe some sidewalk speed humps to slow them down? :lol: A clothesline might be more effective though. But really, if you're going to be whizzing by people at least ring your damn bell or something.

Posted 4 years ago #
kessler
Georgian Heights
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Glad to hear your alright,
I started cycling with bike to work week. I have been commuting 18m round trip everyday.
I've noticed since then more bikers then before, guess it's just from being more observent. Guess all the defensive driving from drivers ed stayed in my head and i've cycle-converted it.
seen many cyclist riding the wrong way toward traffic, no helmets, lights etc. Saw 2 cylclist cops on west broad riding on the sidewalk (wanted to yell to them thanks for helping motorist become more cycling aware. Thought better of it though.
I feel guilty when I do hit a sidewalk. The only time I do is that freakin hill trying to get the better of me by rhoades park. or when I'm at my destination getting ready to lock it up.
I also haven't seen to many cyclist using hand signals ex. stop turns etc.
I've been using them, also I've tried to not run any redlights. Some lights are not bike friendly! :evil: I waited at the light at 18th and main for like 6 minutes. The bike and I weren't heavy enough to trip the acuater ?sp? to change the light.
Just glad you and yourfriends are okay!!

Posted 4 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Kessler (and others) I think one of the reasons we see so many "bad" cyclists is that it is a product of childhood. Think about how most (though not all) were taught to ride: against traffic (you are supposed to walk against traffic), on the sidewalk and through the crosswalk.
I think there needs to be some understanding that bikes, while vehicles under the law, have different considerations than the cars. Lights, for example, are horrible here in the city for bikes. Keep in mind, car or bike, there is a provision in our city code to treat lights as 4-way stops if they malfunction. I have done this a number of times, especially on weekends, when it appears that the light won't cycle for me. Another option is to use the pedestrian walk light-just pull off to the side, hit the button and use the cross walk.
Hopefully with the gas spike, we see more seeking out the right education to ride properly and (for the most part) legally.

Posted 4 years ago #
mightymighty
North Side
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Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Posted 3 years ago #
captain janks
south side 4 life
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i didnt know it was illegal to ride on the sidewalk. i always though that bicycles were the only vehicle allowed to operate on a sidewalk...
but just looked it up and apparently it IS illegal. who knew?
someone should tell that to the two bike cops i just saw riding down the sidewalk on campus :roll:

Posted 3 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Thats one of the beefs a lot have. Then again the police typically are "above" the law. I saw a cruiser pull off Livingston and drive down the multi-use path.

Posted 3 years ago #
joev
Merion Village
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Columbusite wrote I personally think 3rd St needs a major make-over whether it stays one-way or not. There should be parking available on both sides of 3rd and narrower lanes with wider sidewalks.
Do you ever DRIVE on 3rd Street? That's my main route home from any trip to the North, and I think those lanes (especially south of State Street) are REALLY narrow. People swerve, and try to get over 4 lanes with or without turn signals, and I always feel like I'm going to get hit. I usually find myself clinching my teeth and holding my elbows in close to my body. I'd rather have fewer but wider lanes.
Also, I'm sorry about your near accident, Paul. I had a similar run in inside Schiller Park yesterday. People really shouldn't barrel through there at 15 or 20 mph.

Posted 3 years ago #
laChewla
Victorian Village, The Heart Of It All
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captain janks wrote i didnt know it was illegal to ride on the sidewalk. i always though that bicycles were the only vehicle allowed to operate on a sidewalk...
but just looked it up and apparently it IS illegal. who knew?
someone should tell that to the two bike cops i just saw riding down the sidewalk on campus :roll:
Actually,
I just had a brief Q&A with those very cops! I saw them riding up the sidewalk between 12th and 15th on High, so I turned off the street and caught up with them.
"I don't mean to bother you, but why do you guys ride on the sidewalk all the time even though it is illegal?" (question posed as I ride next to them on the sidewalk 3 abreast).
"Because we are the police. We need to be able to talk to everyone on the street."
"I understand that, but do you think it furthers the idea that bicycles don't belong on the road?"
"Well - we are the police. That's why we ride on the sidewalk."
"THANK YOU officer."
Any questions?

Posted 3 years ago #