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NYC Cyclist Explains Why "Frightening Pedestrians" Is Important
By
John Del Signore
Published May 15, 2013
Modified May 15, 2013
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 15, 2013
Modified May 15, 2013
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Yesterday's article featuring etiquette tips for bicycling—don't ride on sidewalks, be humble in elevators, etc.—sparked a wide range of reactions, from recommendations that cyclists ride three feet away from parked cars to pleas for the city to abolish bike lanes. But one thing everyone seemed to agree on is that cyclists should respectfully give pedestrians a wide berth—or so we thought. As a counterpoint, local cyclist Gene Boccialetti emailed us this modest proposal for ways to deal with oblivious pedestrians:
"As an avid cyclist, I’m glad to see almost any article that does something to support cycling. However, I’m also dismayed by the near total absence of articles that address drivers (of cars), and pedestrians. I know there are many cyclists who are two-wheeled terrors but it, nonetheless, remains an unbalanced conversation.
Why is everyone so silent on educating drivers and pedestrians?
Making way for jaywalking pedestrians is an insane encouragement. Pedestrians routinely, look at me and then step in front of me when I have NO CHANCE of stopping and am following the laws of the road and moving through an intersection with the light. I am no longer willing to put myself on the pavement to prevent hitting them. I used to do that. But, it seems cyclists have no rights that anyone is bound to respect, even when I’m obeying the law and they are ignoring it!!
How about (just a few of the threats) :
- Pedestrians who don’t even look for oncoming traffic;
- Parked cars and cars standing/idling astride of the bike lane that forces us out into traffic (where moving vehicle drivers get pissed off);
- Drivers inattentively or intentionally driving astride the bike lane; using it as another lane for travel;
- Cars racing ahead of me and pulling in front of me, jamming on their brakes is also common;
- Cars racing ahead of me and taking a turn in front of me (forcing urgent braking, often a skid);
- Drivers racing ahead and pulling into the bike lane b/c they see, think they see, a parking space; They could as easily get that parking space by pulling in behind me;
- Pedestrians who smash glass, throw tacks in the bike lane.
While I’m a relatively respectful rider, I cannot, will not allow other people to endanger my life. I’ve been put in the hospital three times by the stupid, indifferent and malicious behavior of drivers and pedestrians. Every time, the other party walked away unhurt. Honestly, it has radicalized me since no one seems to think drivers, pedestrians need to be more respectful of cyclists.
I think perhaps many pedestrians & drivers who are non-riders don’t realize modern bikes are easily capable of speeds in excess of 25 mph. They don’t just stop on a dime. I recently had a car pass me, pull in front and hit their brakes. I locked my brakes up and the bike slid for thirty feet (on clean dry pavement).
If I’m forced to get what I need and deserve by frightening them, I’m willing to do that. It’s not my first choice but the alternatives are much worse."
—Gene Boccialetti, Ph.D.
Asked to clarify what he meant by "frightening" pedestrians, Boccialetti tells us, "By frightening, I mean shout…nothing obscene but a short sharp 'YO!' in my deepest and angriest tone. They usually jump. Sometimes they feel the breeze too but I always move to pass behind, not in front of them. I want to be sure I’ve eliminated the possibility of collision. Last time I had a collision, it ended with six fractures for me and three months of not leaving my apartment."
And by the time he got back out there on his bike, you know pedestrians were walking around like they owned the place without a trace of fear.
Tagged
bicycles
cyclists
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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