[SDCBC] Why you should look both ways.................

[Gene Carman]

Consider this, there is never a safe controlled time that a cyclist 
can leave the 56 bike path at those intersections to cross the street 
to the rest of the bike path.

When motorists have red lights for the offramps, they still turn 
right on red across the same area that cyclists are going to proceed, 
and of course when the lights are green motorists will turn right.

Never is there a controlled moment for a cyclist to 
cross...  cyclists must always look for safe gaps.  I find it just as 
safe to cross on a red as a green as I am fully responsible for my 
own personal safety no matter what the lights show.

No matter what the condition of the lights there, even when a "walk" 
signal is given, there is no control over motorists.  Walk signals 
provide a false sense of security.

Why does this situation occur?  Why is it that a walk signal does not 
also signal an unconditional stop to motorists?  This situation 
occurs all over town...  I have seen motorists honk at school 
children in a crosswalk, when those children were crossing with a 
"walk" signal.  "WALK" is merely an invitation to step before a right 
turning motorist that failed to actually stop before turning.

Pushing the button for walk on a bike path results in no additional 
safety for a cyclist...  or a ped.

Oh I know what the law says, but how many of you have watched right 
turning motorists come up to a red light, look left and then drive on 
without even glancing right?


At 09:53 AM 7/1/2008, Jon Perkins wrote:
>All,
>
>This accident took place on the 56 bike trail this morning 7-1-08 at 
>the SB 56 off ramp at ?Camino Del Sur?.   Just had enough time to 
>pull out my camera and snap a shot after the ambulance hauled the 
>rider away.  The rider in the picture is in the hospital and not 
>expected to survive.
>
>The vehicle is a Roach Coach (lunch truck).
>
>Lets be careful out there.
>
>jp
>
>
>
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