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.

Cycling Friendly Cities

This 16 minute video gets beneath the surface of cycling in a city and finds what I believe to be the soul of cycling: the sense of community fostered by getting people outdoors, face-to-face, and engaging one another politely.

City centers are about gathering places where people can meet, discuss, play, or simply watch. Cities that get people out of their cars do a better job of providing those spaces.

Watch and listen to an Urban Design Architect in Copenhagen, an Urban Planning Consultant in Amsterdam, and a past mayor of Bogota talk about why cycling-friendly means people-friendly.



Some points made:

• Even though the average wealth of a resident of the Netherlands is higher than that of the US citizen, a large number of those residents choose not to own a car. (Perhaps cars are not a good way to build wealth?)
  
• There isn't a "cyclist" type in the Netherlands. All people, young/old, rich/poor, janitor/executive ride bikes.
  
• A government's investment in cycling and pedestrian facilities strongly supports the equality of all citizens by avoiding automobile favoritism.
  
• Try to find an overweight person.
  

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 22.9
Number of Cyclists seen: 20
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Grant Park and then Emory via Clifton
Weather: Humid and cloudy but warm

Pedestrian Pace

The towns along the BRAG route always welcome us with open arms, but some do a better job than others. Different folks have different likes and dislikes, so I'll speak only of my own preferences, preferences fortunately shared with those I was riding with.

Douglas was our favorite overnight spot for a long list of reasons, but near the top of that list was the lively and walkable downtown.



This image was taken at "Douglas Beach". A band, concessions and of course, a great big pile of sand, turned a small parking lot off of the "Main" street into a beach party. I should have taken more pictures.

The trees, isolation from traffic (just beyond the trees in this photo), and human-scaled and bench-laden streetscape made this an excellent place to gather outdoors to enjoy music, food, and each other's company. At intersections, the rounded curbs were turned into brick planters and pedestrians were funnelled to the crosswalks. This turned a dangerous interface between cars and people into a more friendly and safe environment for both. The greenery at the intersection was pleasing at any speed.

The walk to downtown was along a path reclaimed from an abandoned rail corridor. Here we walked behind the commercial buildings, isolated from motor vehicular traffic. The birds liked it there as well.

In contrast, some towns "center of activity" was car-oriented. Lots of drive-throughs, no sidewalks, parking lots turning visible light into infra-red heat, and no place to gather or even sit outdoors. We got fed, but it was entirely indoors. We were fortunate that in one of those towns, waiting for the shuttle was in a shady spot in front of a motel that did understand the value of providing benches for people to congregate. I'm sure it was not co-incidental that this town's center of activity was an interstate exit. These merchants made their dollar from motorists.

I had posted some time ago about whether or not streets are for people or cars. I hope we can find more ways for merchants to cater to pedestrians instead of motorists.

The post referenced above is also interesting for its comparison of pedestrian spaces and college campuses. I kept thinking about that as we strolled around South Georgia College in Douglas, and Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. Indeed there are worlds where you can get around most nicely without motor vehicles.

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 17.9
Number of Cyclists seen: 17
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Emory via Clifton
Weather: Not too hot for June

Great Streets

This post falls under the "help lights shine brighter" category.

On the blog Bike Year, I ran across an architect's view of streets. What caught my attention was the term "pedestrian nostalgia", loosely defined as that good feeling we remember about being able to walk everywhere. What kept my attention (besides the 47 comments) was getting into the head of someone who designs these spaces for a living.

The author describes a meeting held to discuss the importance of green spaces and how bureaucracies can be worked to make the green space a reality. It turned into a disappointing meeting, but several good points were brought out:

• Are streets for people or for cars?
  
• College campuses as the ultimate human-scaled living spaces.
  
• What makes a great street, and especially, how is community fostered?
  

The article takes a pedestrian's perspective, but the discussion is completely appropriate for cyclists as well. The comments move the discussion forward into other interesting nooks and crannies.

This is my photo offering for the day. This is the entrance to the Lullwater Conservation Park. It makes a good example of a space with human scale.

Commute Summary

Round Trip Distance: 15.0
Number of Cyclists seen: 13
In-bound Route: Lullwater/PATH
Out-bound Route: Highland Automotive to pick up the car
Weather: Sunny, dry, warm

I got a kick out of showing up at the automotive shop on a bike. The car needed some work and my wife was busy so I picked up the car on my way home. Reminds me of the days when I kept a bike in the back of the car in case the car broke down.

This morning before I left the house, I kept getting calls that kept me near the home computer. It was getting close to lunch time and I was considering just working from home, but I really wanted to get outside on my bike. I should probably post this separately: a guy who could have been working from home, but decided to go into the office because he enjoys his commute so much.