vernon and jubilee crosswalk, 1ish pm, monday. i am on my bike, i am the first to the line by far, and i had just finished waiting for a pedestrian to cross and for the crossing guard to return to his sidewalk post. i make my move forward, while signaling my turn onto vernon, i thought this was well established, i am in motion, it is my right of way. light grey car passes me straight, i think okay, you’re rearing to go and a bit of an asshole, but you’re not going to kill me, i am in the middle of the road, after light grey goes, i am turning really obviously, and slowly because i see you, dark grey civic, straight from the mouth of hell. you are not stopping as i am turning onto vernon, you are so very fucking close to me. so, what happened? why? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU, SLIMEY DICKBAG. ARE YOU SO UNBELIEVABLY PRESSED FOR TIME THAT HAVING MY BODY AND BIKE ON YOUR CAR WOULD BE LESS OF AN INCONVENIENCE THAN WAITING YOUR FUCKING TURN FOR A QUICK 2 SECONDS!?? learn how to drive you absolute spawn of satan. —valuing my life, and absolutely cursing yours
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2015.
Oh, my stars. Drivers in this city certainly are rude.
Beware those dark grey, four-way intersections; they will get you each time.
I don’t drive a lot and have frequently had close calls as a pedestrian myself so I am sympathetic to this bitch. However, I can’t help but think that the OBs anger is a bit misplaced. It assumes malicious intent or denial of his “right of way” but it may simply have been that the drivers were simply distracted, not thinking they were putting the cyclist (OB) at risk, or misinterpreting the cyclists intent.
I would love to see any measures that make it safer for cyclists (barriers for cycling lanes, etc.) but I still think it is foolhardy for cyclists to assume that it is safe to go just because they have “the right of way”. It’s a losing proposition in a collision.
As a pedestrian I have learned to anticipate that the driver hasn’t noticed me and will not stop. So I don’t cross until I have made eye contact with the driver or seen them come to a full stop – regardless of “right of way.” I think cyclists need to be even more cautious. It’s not about “rights” and being disrespected – it’s about staying alive.
MY EYES
I say, old chappie, I’d have to agree with Spiggy on this one…….certainly an ill-behaved lot!
Fine day, what?
I am jack’s complete lack of surprise.
OB. Could you in the future compose your thoughts in a more comprehensive manner.
I almost went into a coma from all the commas.