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I don't cross the ATT often, but it seems like almost every time I do, bicyclists come riding out into the crosswalk at the last minute, I have to jam on the brakes, and they look at me like I'm doing something wrong. I'm not speeding, I'm *trying* to yield to people in the crosswalk, but they're leaving me zero time to react.
Aren't people supposed to stop before crossing, regardless of the fact that cars should yield to the crosswalk? There are stop signs on the ATT at each intersection, correct?
I mean, they are crossWALKs. If bikers want the right of way, they should dismount and walk their bike across. The ATT crossing on Olive Chapel Rd (45 MPH) is getting crazy with all the new developments out there.
The one on O'kelly Chapel has a flashing light which is nice. Otherwise I just slow down as I approach because I don't trust anyone not to come flying out.
They're putting in a light on Morrisville Parkway where someone in a golf cart got hit.
I mean, they are crossWALKs. If bikers want the right of way, they should dismount and walk their bike across. The ATT crossing on Olive Chapel Rd (45 MPH) is getting crazy with all the new developments out there.
Right - someone walking and approaching gives the driver much more time to react and stop.
Quote:
Originally Posted by twingles
The one on O'kelly Chapel has a flashing light which is nice. Otherwise I just slow down as I approach because I don't trust anyone not to come flying out.
They're putting in a light on Morrisville Parkway where someone in a golf cart got hit.
Does the light have to be manually activated? If so, none of the problem bikers are going to stop to press the button.
I do slow down, but even if you're going 20mph it takes some time to react and stop. Maybe it's best to just crawl through the crosswalk, but it would be helpful if bikers also stopped since they actually have the stop sign.
I find that most bicycle riders just ride around like they are the only ones around and everyone should cater to them while they ignore traffic laws, run stop signs, stop lights, etc
I don't cross the ATT often, but it seems like almost every time I do, bicyclists come riding out into the crosswalk at the last minute, I have to jam on the brakes, and they look at me like I'm doing something wrong. I'm not speeding, I'm *trying* to yield to people in the crosswalk, but they're leaving me zero time to react.
Aren't people supposed to stop before crossing, regardless of the fact that cars should yield to the crosswalk? There are stop signs on the ATT at each intersection, correct?
I'm surprised more people don't get hit.
OT - My roommate in college did his Econometrics Thesis on this exact thing. He tried to statistically analyze UMass' approach to "pedestrian" right of ways to the number of people who get hit by cars there.
Pedestrians literally walk out in front of cars on campus believing that the law will stop a 2,3,4,5K lb vehicle in its tracks. Shockingly, perhaps, it doesnt
But yes, you are supposed to stop before crossing. That part of the mechanics of it all doesn't seem to sink in the way "State Law! Stop for pedestrians" does
Right - someone walking and approaching gives the driver much more time to react and stop.
Does the light have to be manually activated? If so, none of the problem bikers are going to stop to press the button.
I do slow down, but even if you're going 20mph it takes some time to react and stop. Maybe it's best to just crawl through the crosswalk, but it would be helpful if bikers also stopped since they actually have the stop sign.
IDK but I've seen them flashing before bikes cross which makes me think there is a sensor.
I don't cross the ATT often, but it seems like almost every time I do, bicyclists come riding out into the crosswalk at the last minute, I have to jam on the brakes, and they look at me like I'm doing something wrong. I'm not speeding, I'm *trying* to yield to people in the crosswalk, but they're leaving me zero time to react.
Aren't people supposed to stop before crossing, regardless of the fact that cars should yield to the crosswalk? There are stop signs on the ATT at each intersection, correct?
I'm surprised more people don't get hit.
Avid cyclist here, and you are 100% right. To my knowledge there is NOWHERE on the ATT where trail users of any type have right of way over vehicles, except where manually activated signals have been triggered, and even then, I always make sure that the drivers are stopped, because let's be honest, a lot of drivers (also) fail to recognize the rules of the road, and I don't want to get hit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CalypsoNotch
I find that most bicycle riders just ride around like they are the only ones around and everyone should cater to them while they ignore traffic laws, run stop signs, stop lights, etc
Most? I think that is a gross generalization. I definitely agree that some cyclists act that way, just like some (probably a higher percentage) motorist act like they are the only ones on the road and that everyone should cater to them while they ignore traffic laws and run lights. Don't believe me, roll down I-40 at rush hour, and that's just car to car. Car to bike is WAY worse.
The fact is that all these groups are made up of people, and some people are rule followers and some are not. Some are jerks and some are not. That applies to cyclists just like everyone else.
Like most things in life, the ones who ruin it for others seem to be the ones we remember. I can guarantee you for every 10 (20? 30?) cyclists who blast an intersection, the rest of them stop, and you just don't notice them because they are not making any trouble. True for the motorist too, not all of them are passing us with less then the legal 3-4 feet of space, not all are honoring the crosswalks and signals, and not all of them are going the speed limit, but most are. This is why I disagree that "most" cyclist are like this. I think it is a minority that ruins it for the rest. Most (certainly not all) that I know are safety minded, and we follow the rules. Speaking for myself, I never enter an intersection without checking, EVEN IF I HAVE GREEN LIGHT, A WHITE CROSS SIGNAL and 'THINK' I'M CLEAR.
But to OP: Yes, they should stop, even if they have (in this case they don't) the right of way. It's just survival 101, "Make sure it's clear before you go".
I don't cross the ATT often, but it seems like almost every time I do, bicyclists come riding out into the crosswalk at the last minute, I have to jam on the brakes, and they look at me like I'm doing something wrong. I'm not speeding, I'm *trying* to yield to people in the crosswalk, but they're leaving me zero time to react.
Aren't people supposed to stop before crossing, regardless of the fact that cars should yield to the crosswalk? There are stop signs on the ATT at each intersection, correct?
I'm surprised more people don't get hit.
If you are jamming on your brakes, yes you are doing something wrong. It is a crosswalk, you do not have right of way, you must yield to anyone in it. You should be slowing so that you can stop if someone enters it, just like with a yield sign.
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