Partaking of the Pedestrian Privilege

 

Where multi-use paths cross neighborhood streets, I've found motorists generally expect pedestrians to come right on into the crosswalk. The runner in the photo hardly broke stride crossing in front of the approaching car. There was a stop sign on his side just like the one you can see facing the camera.

I call this the Pedestrian Privilege.

For most intersections, regular rules apply, but for "recreational facilities", motorists will allow strollers, dog walkers, school children, little old ladies, and even runners to pretend the pedestrian STOP signs aren't there.

I often observe that this privilege is also extended to cyclists. I treat the stop sign as if I were a vehicle. When traffic has arrived at the intersection before me, I stop, put my foot down and shake my head "No" if someone offers me the right of way (particularly if they are on a cell phone). Other cyclists will proceed quickly through the intersection once they see the motorist has hesitated much the same as the runner in the photo.

There seems like there could be an educational opportunity here, but I'm not sure if these intersections make a good classroom. On the other hand, what does make a good classroom?

I'm interested to hear how others approach these motorist/cyclist interactions and whether this provides a good opportunity to socialize certain safe and courteous behaviors.

The following may make a separate post, but it's another angle on the Pedestrian Privilege:

On Monday, another family joined ours on a bicycle Treasure Hunt around Intown Atlanta. The less experienced cyclists behaved like pedestrians. They would stand on the sidewalk at the crosswalk and step into the crosswalk to get cars to stop. The more experienced cyclists would act more like a car, waiting at the intersection for an opening and then proceeding once traffic was clear.

If each of us had big thought balloons over our heads that read "Pedestrian Mode" or "Vehicular Mode", we would be more predictable. A motorist approaching 7 cyclists scattered all over the intersection is justifiably confused and probably feels put out that we can't get our act together. It's certainly not as impressive as a group of cyclists that blends in well with the other traffic making use of the street. And, it's not as impressive as a group of pedestrians taking advantage of the crosswalk.

This is another interaction between motorists and cyclists, another opportunity to socialize safe and courteous behavior and to foster goodwill between the two groups, but again, if this isn't the best classroom, then what is?

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 19.5
Number of Cyclists seen: 7 in the AM, 23 in the PM - large proportion of commuters both ways.
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH trail with extensions
Out-bound Route: Emory via Clifton
Weather: We're getting back to the sweet weather. Mild and sunny with just a slight breeze.