Vancouver cyclists... WTF?!

[Miss*Bijou]

Can someone explain what the deal is with Vancouver cyclists riding on the sidewalks instead of the street?

I'm not exactly sure why after 2.5years here, I am only noticing this now (probably because I had a car and didn't do as much walking downtown!) but yesterday I must have seen 5 different idiot cyclists riding on sidewalks packed with people having to move out of the way to let those goombas on bikes go by. WTF is that about?!?

Honestly, I've never seen this before and I don't know about any other cities out there, but if anyone dared to try this in Montreal, they'd be lucky to get an earful from the pedestrians, but most likely to get pushed off the sidewalk! No one over the age of 6-7 would even try this! (No training wheels = no sidewalk!) Instead cyclists stick to tormenting drivers and leave pedestrians alone. I'm guessing it isn't a huge deal here and ignorant cyclists get away with this because there are nowhere near as many cyclists in the Vancouver downtown area than for example in Montreal, but is this legal?


What I am getting at is... can I rightfully push them off? HEHE
OK..fine.. Can I yell at them to get off the damn sidewalk and leave it to pedestrians, and get on the road where bikes belong?
Or is this actually allowed?

 

[Goldenrod]

I hate cyclists

 

[ghostwind]

I hate cyclists

Spoken like a truly uneducated troll! Have you ever tried cycling in Vancouver on the streets? Vehicles seldom give cyclists sufficient room to share the road with them, making it quite dangerous to ride on most roads. But at the same time, there are also people who ride on busy roads who do not have sufficient skill to do so either, which also creates a hazzard...

Can someone explain what the deal is with Vancouver cyclists riding on the sidewalks instead of the street?

I think it is likely because it is dangerous to ride on the roads for most cyclists. It really is a double-bind for cyclists. They ride on the sidewalk because it is dangerous to ride on the road; this pisses off pedestrians. Conversely, if they try to ride on the road, they just end up pissing off the drivers... it is a lose-lose situation

 

[Goldenrod]

Spoken like a truly uneducated troll!

I'm uneducated and a troll because of my impatience with cyclists???

Um'k then

 

[Pantherdash]

It is illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk...unless you're 5 years old with training wheels on it.

Cyclists and motorists must learn to share the road but this isn't always easy. Cyclists abuse motorists and vice-versa. Actually, it's the cyclists that should be extra careful for obvious reasons but in Vancouver cyclists and pedestrians have this, "hit me and I'll sue you" attitude. Well, I doubt they'd be able to do much when they get their melon squashed and splattered all over the road when a hummer or a Mack truck drives over it!

And you're right Miss Bijou, I've NEVER seen a cyclist ride on the sidewalk in Montreal. I saw it in Ottawa, but not Montreal.

Panther

 

[Bartdude]

In Calgary the cyclists are terrible, and few follow ANY rules of the road. They cut in and out of lanes, run red lights, don't yield, you name it.

But if you honk at them when they're being assholes, they give you the finger or that "stop persecuting me because I'm a cyclist" look.

Listen up, airhead cyclists:

FUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFFFUCKOFF

 

[eurhythmia]

Sometimes I ride on the sidewalk but that's only when the traffic on the road is particularly treacherous. But if there are pedestrians I will walk my bike.

For me it is generally a life or death or getting maimed decision.

As a pedestrian I get truly annoyed at the assholes who ride their bike on the sidewalk and expect others to get out of their way. I don't step aside but am prepared to knock them off their bikes. (But given the fucked up justice system here be sure to make it look like they hit you. Otherwise you can be charged with assault.)

A contradiction in this post, sure. I'm deep and complicated.

 

[LittleAsianGuy]

I actually got hit by a cyclist and this asshole got off the bike was a total prick. Ended up punching this guy at downtown granville street

 

[MrPeterNorth]

Roads are for cars - period. Cyclists should use the sidewalks. I think it's safer to get hit from a bike on the sidewalk, than it is for the bike to get hit from a car at higher speeds. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing 3 cyclists ride tandem and take up an entire lane acting as if everyone should be inconvenienced to get around them. Guess what guys... that's the shit that gets you killed.

 

[Pantherdash]

Roads are for cars - period. Cyclists should use the sidewalks. I think it's safer to get hit from a bike on the sidewalk, than it is for the bike to get hit from a car at higher speeds. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing 3 cyclists ride tandem and take up an entire lane acting as if everyone should be inconvenienced to get around them. Guess what guys... that's the shit that gets you killed.

It's a sideWALK not a sideBIKE. By law, cyclists are required to use the road and NOT ride 3 in tandem. Also they must follow the rules of the road even though they think they OWN the road and think they have more rights than motorists.

Panther

 

[DQ Guy]

I agree the Bikes shold stay on the street.. But..........
I also feel if you can't do 60 get the fuck off the road.
that goes for some drivers too.
If you are riding on the side walk i feel a little consideration should be given to the people walkin.
I sure as hell wouldn't ride my bike on the streets. too many drivers out there like myself.

 

[AA_Train]

Being a cyclist myself (although in the burbs) most drivers in the Lower Mainland have ZERO respect for cyclists. Driving on the sidewalk is the only safe course of travel. I ride on the shoulder most of the time but there are situations where it's sidewalk or die. Cars don't see you., cars don't respect you, gotta survive somehow. Same with pedestrians. At a marked crosswalk, 3 cars drove through it while a guy was crossing. He didn't get hit, but was mighty disgusted. If it were me, I'd make try to make sure the drivers got some face time with sweet lady rock. The Lower Mainland has Canada's most ignorant drivers, bar none. What the GVRD should do is make marked bike lanes on the shoulders of all major roads in the Lower Mainland. They all want us to drive less, why not give us a better, safer option? Sounds like a fucking plan to me.

 

[Bartdude]

Being a cyclist myself (although in the burbs) most drivers in the Lower Mainland have ZERO respect for cyclists. Driving on the sidewalk is the only safe course of travel. I ride on the shoulder most of the time but there are situations where it's sidewalk or die. Cars don't see you., cars don't respect you, gotta survive somehow. Same with pedestrians. At a marked crosswalk, 3 cars drove through it while a guy was crossing. He didn't get hit, but was mighty disgusted. If it were me, I'd make try to make sure the drivers got some face time with sweet lady rock. The Lower Mainland has Canada's most ignorant drivers, bar none. What the GVRD should do is make marked bike lanes on the shoulders of all major roads in the Lower Mainland. They all want us to drive less, why not give us a better, safer option? Sounds like a fucking plan to me.

Perhaps you can talk to the asshole dickhead cyclist who, the other day, rode in and around a dozen cars stopped in traffic, sped up on the right of the line, ran a red light, and then, about a half km ahead, forced the cars to wait, going 10 km/h in rush hour. He had a continuous one-finger salute for the infuriated motorists honking at him as they tried to pass him.

 

[MasterRPC]

Roads are for cars - period. Cyclists should use the sidewalks. I think it's safer to get hit from a bike on the sidewalk, than it is for the bike to get hit from a car at higher speeds. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing 3 cyclists ride tandem and take up an entire lane acting as if everyone should be inconvenienced to get around them. Guess what guys... that's the shit that gets you killed.

Cyclists have the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle. The laws that govern cyclists are contained in the BC Motor Vehicle Act [RSBC 1996]. Certain sections of the Act are exclusively for cyclists and excerpts are provided below. Some jurisdictions in BC also have bylaws specifically for cyclists. It is wise to check with your local police department or municipality for cycling-specific bylaws in your area.
Motor Vehicle Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 318 Part 3
Reproduced with permission of the Province of British Columbia.
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF OPERATOR OF CYCLE
183 (1) In addition to the duties imposed by this section, a person operating a cycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle.
(2) A person operating a cycle
(a) must not ride on a sidewalk unless authorized by a bylaw made under section 124 or unless otherwise directed by a sign,
(b) must not, for the purpose of crossing a highway, ride on a crosswalk unless authorized to do so by a bylaw made under section 124 or unless otherwise directed by a sign,
(c) must, subject to paragraph (a), ride as near as practicable to the right side of the highway,
(d) must not ride abreast of another person operating a cycle on the roadway,
(e) must keep at least one hand on the handlebars,
(f) must not ride other than on or astride a regular seat of the cycle,
(g) must not use the cycle to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped, and
(h) must not ride a cycle on a highway where signs prohibit their use.


As you can see one by the highlighted portion this is law. Now picture if you will a car driving down the road see the light change to red hops the curb drives down the sidewalk to the light speeds off when it turns green. Same car drives down the sidewalk again and drives across the street using a crosswalk demanding others car to stop. IF this was happening they would lose their privilages to drive so why can bikes do this?

Yes cyclists save the air and are defiantly better for the environment but you are covered under the Motor Vehicle Act Now I give wide berth to a cyclist when I pass the only to have to do it again and again and again because of stop light. I passed you once now stay behind me. Usually I squeeze the curb so they can’t go past me unless the use the sidewalk.

Now on the other side take the lane you are entitled to it

 

[ASHLEYM]

Perhaps they should learn how to drive their bikes? I do believe in certain city's there are specific bylaws about not being allowed to ride on the sidewalks

 

[wolverine]

I actually got hit by a cyclist and this asshole got off the bike was a total prick. Ended up punching this guy at downtown granville street

I've been tempted to do that with some of the bike couriers here in Edmonton.

 

[GoodKat]

I've been tempted to do that with some of the bike couriers here in Edmonton.

What, make up a story and post it on the internet?

 

[turquine]

... they ride down the hill from Broadway and few of them even bother to look and see if a car has the right of way as they cruise through the 4 way stop at 7th.

But if somebody in a car doesn't give them the right of way they're all righteous about obeying the rules with liberal hand gestures thrown in.

Just run the fuckers over. Good cyclists are like good pedestrians or good drivers: they obey the rules and are considerate.

All of the inconsiderate ones just need to be selected out of the gene pool. The occasional beating with a tire iron works too.

 

[deke]

Car vs Bike - Car wins

Bike vs Pedestrian - Bike wins

I can see why so many ride on the sidewalks.

I don't bike btw.

 

[ghostwind]

R-e-s-p-e-c-t

I think the problem between cyclists and drivers is clearly demonstrated here: there is a lack of respect between both parties. I think both sides need to think twice (including myself) before condemning the otherside to asshattery.

As an avid cyclist, and ex-racer, I do ride quite abit. I seldom have issues with drivers, except when they break the law (eg. going the wrong way around traffic circles; Cabbies ::cough: or underestimate the speed of a road bike (which can easily hit 70+ km/hr in the right hands). One thing I have noticed is that many, if not most cyclists in Vancouver do not ride with authority. They take their time, and do not appear to be cognizant of what is going on around them, which is really dangerous. Leaving a driver unsure of how to proceed around a cyclist leads to driver mistakes... For instance, if I am riding along, and a car wants to pass me, I will wave them past me if it is safe for them to do so.

With petrol prices rising, there are going to be more and more bikes on the road; hence drivers are going to have to deal with us/them. At the same time, cyclists need to be aware of their presence on the road, and act accordingly.

Does this make sense?


-gw