[SDCBC] Ped mode strategy, was "Tikit" folding bike review(e)d.

[Jim Baross]

The demonstrated quick shift to pedestrian mode reminded me of one of 
my fun strategies to get across lanes of busy arterial traffic from a 
cross street where arterial traffic is not controlled by traffic 
lights, stop or yield signs and there's no gap in sight.

I get off the bike, become a pedestrian and walk (carefully and 
visibly) into the stream as an assertive pedestrian. Though sometimes 
grudgingly, motorists on the whole realize their responsibility to 
yield/stop for pedestrians... they have little if any responsibility 
to yield to someone on a bike, so it's important/valuable to clearly 
be walking, not astride the bike.  I get across safely while those 
that had been waiting with me in their cars (or on their bikes) are 
left behind.

I should remind/warn folks though that when the cross traffic has 
multiple lanes, extra care is needed when about to enter/cross that 
next lane; some motorists don't know they are supposed to stop in 
those situations and may continue without looking/yielding. Yikes!

Jim (rolling and sometimes stepping) Baross

At 09:57 AM 6/10/2008, Serge Issakov wrote:
>I found this video on youtube showing how quickly the Tikit  folds and
>unfolds.  Very impressive.
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQscBxx7wLE
>
>Serge