NBC New York: The Latest Salvo in the Bicycling Wars
This news article featuring Bob Mionske has been reproduced here for our media archives. To access the original article, follow the link.
NBC New York: The Latest Salvo in the Bicycling Wars
It's well-treaded territory, and the issue of bicycling in New York City remains a hot topic. Just take a look at the NYPD ticket blitz targeting bicyclists who run red lights in Central Park.
Bicycling Magazine blogger Bob Mionske joins the fray, dissecting the arguments -- from politicians, drivers, pedestrians -- made against dedicating road space for cyclists in New York City. He asks:
What is it about cycling that engenders such animosity in New York? The usual angry rhetoric accuses New York’s cyclists of ignoring the laws. But here’s the thing: ALL New Yorkers, pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists alike, disregard the traffic laws.
So if New York cyclists disregard the traffic laws, how does that make them any different from any other New Yorker?
And when it comes to the most serious consequence of breaking traffic laws -- deaths -- cyclists, Mionske argues, bear hardly any responsibility. While 18 of the 269 people killed in crashes in New York City last year were cyclists, no figure could be provided on how many of the total deaths could actually be blamed on cyclists because they were "so insignificant a factor."
He continues:
Everyone has a duty to observe the traffic laws. They are an essential component of public safety and should be enforced. But what’s happening in New York is different—the traffic laws are being strictly enforced against cyclists, while pedestrians and motorists get a pass to continue to ignore the traffic laws.
We need laws to make these arrogant sons of bitiches on wheels know 100% of the responsiblity lies with them!!!
Your premise that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way is simply not correct. Pedestrians are subject to the traffic laws, just as cyclists and motorists are subject to the traffic laws.
A pedestrian who steps out into traffic without first yielding to traffic that is too close to safely stop does not have the right of way (note, however, that oncoming traffic does have a duty to avoid hitting the pedestrian, if it is possible to do so).
Similarly, a pedestrian that is crossing against a red light does not have the right of way (and note again that oncoming traffic does have a duty to avoid hitting he pedestrian, if it is possible to do so).
Outside of a crosswalk, the pedestrian may or may not have the right of way, depending upon state law.
On the sidewalk, or in the crosswalk, the pedestrian does have the right of way. In a bike lane, the pedestrian likely does not have the right of way, unless state law expressly grants the pedestrian right of way.
So, if a pedestrian steps out into bike lane traffic, without having right of way, and the pedestrian gets hit, who has liability for that injury? If the cyclist was able to avid a collision, but didn't, both the cyclist and pedestrian would bear some responsibility for the collision. If the cyclist was unable to avoid a collision, then 100% of the responsibility would go to the pedestrian.
In my own cycling experience, pedestrians are notorious for crossing against a red light without even bothering to look for approaching traffic. they just step out into the street and cross without first looking. And as a pedestrian, I've had close brushes with cyclists who have crossed against a red light. For that matter, as a cyclist I've had my right of way violated by other cyclists. And whether on foot or on bike, I've had my right of way violated by motorists.
In short, it's not too hard to find "arrogant sons of bitches" driving, riding a bike, or walking. It's not the mode of travel that is the problem, it is the attitude of the person doing the traveling-- as this video makes clear:
http://vimeo.com/24572222
In any event, I do not make a case for obeying such laws as they exist. I speak to changing the law so there is no equivocation in the matter. CHANGE THE LAW. Pedestrians in NYC must ALWAYS have the right of way. If the laws are not changed, I for one will take the law -- and my self-preservation -- into my own hands. BIKERS BEWARE THIS PEDESTRIAN HAS TEETH !
Good luck with that line of "reasoning"... and better get your meds checked.
Rick
when you cross my path and I slap you down, you'll be needing the meds. Talk to me then about reasoning.
Your claim that bicyclists are arrogant is laughable. You are clearly the most arrogant person in this discussion.
You say that Rick (or presumably anyone else) does not know what may compel a pedestrian to cross against a light. There is only one reason that pedestrians cross against a light -- because waiting for the light to change is inconvenient. There are no other reasons. Clearly, you think that a pedestrian's convenience is more important than that of a bicyclist. It's clear that you suffer from delusions of entitlement; that you shouldn't have to wait for red lights like everyone else. Sorry but that just doesn't fly. Bicyclists have as much need to get where they are going as you do. The lights give people their turn. You'll need to learn to wait just like everybody else.
Your threats of violence are ill advised. I know a number of cyclists who are very large and would squash you like a bug. A number of NFL players use cycling as part of their training program. I've also heard too many stories over the years about bicyclists who carry guns due to violent threats by psychos like you.
Bicycle registration has been tried and it failed. Practically all jurisdictions that had it have abandoned it.
Liability insurance for bicyclists would be low priced if it were required because bicyclists present a very low risk factor to people around them. Your claims that they are a huge danger to other people are delusional, ignorant and insane.