Why is this such a hard concept for Halifax to wrap their heads around? Why is it so hard for people to keep an eye out for pedestrians at an obviously marked crossing? I can admit being stuck behind a cyclist is about as much fun as being stuck behind a bus. But thats life. You make a conscious decision to operate a motor vehicle, that’s your choice and you must deal with the nuances involved in said choice. We were all hopefully taught to share as children and yet as adults we seem to have forgotten this simple law of the land. But when all is said and done if you can’t deal with a handful of cyclists during your commute you really shouldn’t be driving a motor vehicle. And yes, I realize there are shitty cyclists out there and always will be but looking at in a per capita basis then there are far, far more shitty drivers out there. I could drive from Bayers Lake to Barrington and see maybe one or two cyclists not following the rules of the road. However, I could make the same trip in a car and not even be able to keep track of the amount of drivers not following the rules of the road. The lesson here folks, just share the road, its that easy! —mph
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2015.
Here’s my suggestion: turn Halifax into one giant roundabout.
Is this about pedestrians or cyclists? OB, Halifax hates cyclists… there’s your answer.
Just to preempt the vitriol that is bound to follow, it is not the cyclist’s fault they they are not required to purchase insurance or a “bicycle license”. Blame that on the government, not on the cyclists. Also, disliking the rules is not a valid excuse for endangering the lives of others.
Why is it such a hard concept? Because you guys have absolutely 0 safety protection in traffic, a minor fender bender in a car happens every single day, Hit a bike and chances are its game over for you, Why should my insurance go up a shit ton because you chose a vehicle with no airbags, no safety cage ect? Drivers pay for the roads you bike on, We pay used car tax, MVI plates, Insurance, and permits every two years, We get pot holes that beat our suspensions to pieces and rip up our tires, yet we are suppose to pay for special lanes for your unsafe unprotected method of transportation, We don’t feel bad for you because you chose that risk for yourself… Its like swimming with sharks…. Remember cars have safety stuff to help the insurance companies out too, If I were to ever hit another vehicle with mine, the other driver has 10 air bags and a reinforced safety cage to protect her, Saving my insurance company possibly $500,000 Aka keeping my insurance affordable, Hence why ABS Brakes and Air Bags are mandatory, If I hit your bicycle my insurance company has to pay you 500k in injuries, and WHY? You did nothing to protect yourself from possible harm, Its like calling the insurance company expecting to get reimbursed for theft when the house was left unlocked with the windows open…. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Sure it was wrong for the thief to take your stuff, but you didn’t protect yourself at all, Public transportation, taxis and the side walk are available to you, and used cars that work fine can be had for $2500 despite what people say…. The big bad motorist don’t hate you, we are more scared of you then you are of us!
I guess this two tier system we have set up when it comes to giving people rights while sharing the road with vehicles the law has designated a privilege to operate, isn’t working. Big fat surprise there. It gives those who do not operate vehicles some sort of warped entitlement when it comes to their “rights”, and the ability to exercise those “rights” with relative impunity, as you cannot revoke someone’s cycling license. Only licensing, insuring, and setting up the same punitive system for cyclists will level the playing field as well as legitimize cyclists “claim” to the road.
If we could all learn to share the road, the problems we have addressing the attitudes of the different interest groups would not have degraded to what we have now, and the problem is getting worse. The emotional responses to accidents involving cyclists, like the one on Herring Cove Road a couple weeks ago is a prime example, asking for trucks to be fitted with side panels, protected bike lanes, etc… no mention of cyclists just paying the fuck attention to vehicles making legal right turns. The poor truck driver, whose life and livelihood is likely ruined because of an inattentive cyclist, automatically bares the brunt of public scrutiny and becomes the poster child for greater protection of cyclists. Just another commercial driver’s life and career ruined, move along, nothing to see here. Where’s the protection for people whose job it is to be on those same streets? Just another opportunity for the Cycling Coalition to get some press time and further their subliminal, demonization of drivers campaign.
Cyclists (myself at least) drive cars and pay all kinds of taxes. You may think the rules constitute a two tiered system, but, once again, that is not the fault of any specific cyclist. So, address the issue to your MLA. In the meantime, learn to accept the rules.
Halifax IS one giant roundabout.
One giant roundabout way to suffer from depression, crippling debt, and lack of any forward thinking at all.
If the taxes you pay on having a car go exclusively to owning the roads then where the fuck do my Sweet Chili Heat Doritos taxes go?