Pedestrians taking up whole lane

[Digital2k2]

I'd like to get some thoughts on pedestrians walking side by side taking up the entire lane in a residential neighborhood.

90% of the time they wear reflective vests and will not move even if there's traffic coming in the other direction, forcing you to either stop or hit them.
There are a few hills that makes it impossible to tell if there's oncoming traffic too, which could someday result in a collision due to them walking literally in the middle of the road.

I know pedestrians have the right of way, but does that include impeding the flow of traffic and forcing oncoming vehicles to the wrong side of the road?

 

[Mr Nice]

What gets me very mad is when pedestrians are crossing the street and they drag their butt as if there are no cars approaching. I mean if you cross a busy street.... wouldn't you want to get the [censored] out of the way of speeding vehicles approaching ?

I saw a woman, her 3 kids and an older man (probably the grandfather) almost get run over by a few cars cause they leisurely crossed a busy 4 lane road.

 

[chet2]

i walk a lot wearing a reflective vest and i get as far away from traffic as i can but for some reason cyclists dont which i consider selfish...the motorist may get a dent but odds are i will be dead so i really try to pay attention outof self preservation

 

[eljefino]

Law generally says as close to the shoulder as practicable unless they're blind or have a parade permit.

However if there's no shoulder, like on a narrow bridge, and they feel threatened, a pedestrian, equestrian, or cyclist doesn't have to yield anything. Defending this zone often appears boorish to the "I never exercise" crowd.

Remember the quasi-common law thing about pedestrians having rights, while motorists privileges.

 

[whip]

In certain areas that I live, the youths like to walk in the middle of the street all the while ignoring the perfectly usable sidewalk. There are times I'd like to just run the idiots over and demonstrate Darwinism to them

 

[Digital2k2]

There's even about 6ft of grass in most areas that they could walk on when there's traffic. When I'm walking I make it a point to get on the very edge or in the grass if there's traffic coming in both directions.

We have some kids that can be a little bad about this too, but most of the time once they pay attention they'll at least move over.

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: Digital2k2
I'd like to get some thoughts on pedestrians walking side by side taking up the entire lane in a residential neighborhood.

90% of the time they wear reflective vests and will not move even if there's traffic coming in the other direction, forcing you to either stop or hit them.
There are a few hills that makes it impossible to tell if there's oncoming traffic too, which could someday result in a collision due to them walking literally in the middle of the road.

I know pedestrians have the right of way, but does that include impeding the flow of traffic and forcing oncoming vehicles to the wrong side of the road?


[removed the sarcastic comment so that no one takes it as a serious advice].

 

[sciphi]

If there's a sidewalk they should be on it. Otherwise they should be as close to the shoulder as practicable, while walking against traffic.

Now a person on a road bike going 15-20 mph with traffic not being on the shoulder, taking up part of a lane I can understand. They're concerned about popping a tire from the immense amount of junk on the shoulders of most roads. Plus at that speed they're no more of an impediment than a piece of farm machinery or disabled car moving at that speed, IMO. (Been on the bike and in the car in those situations) If I need to I'll take up part of a lane on my road bike. I ride as far right as practicable. Sometimes "practicable" means taking over the lane, other times riding close to the right-hand side of the road. It depends on the road condition, the condition of the shoulder, traffic, and terrain. Some roads have great shoulders where riding is practicable, other times there's no defined edge to the road which means that the bike will be occupying part of a lane.

There's no reason cars and bikes and walkers can't co-exist on most roads at most times. Would I recommend biking down a major thoroughfare during rush hour? Not unless it's legal, there are no other alternate routes, and the cyclist does their best to move at the speed of traffic.

 

[wrcsixeight]

When I first moved to California, I was flabbergasted at the seeming ignorance of the basic pedestrian. They will just step out into a crosswalk without even looking, walk right in front of you in a parking lot sure in the knowledge that you will stop.

Try that in NY or NJ, and BOOM!!!

I learned how to cross streets when young, I basically act like I'm invisible, and do not expect anything from drivers except to just continue their vector.

Out here, when I stop and wait for a car to drive by so I can walk behind it and cross the road, they stop and wave me across.

This annoys me greatly, but when I'm the driver I also do it, because it is what's expected by the majority of sheeple.



Now the Bicyclists out here are the worst. Even if there is a debrisless, empty bike lane, they will ride 3 feet outside of it, basically taking up a whole lane of traffic.

Then of course when they have to stop for a red light or stop sign, they don't.

 

[Herz]

run them over when no one is looking. Less incosiderate people to worry about.

And keep in mind now that our highschool students have to be escorted by the bus driver across the street.

Which in turn causes them to be retarded when they have no one to walk them across the street.

 

[cchase]

As a cyclist and a driver I'm aware of the problems that come about on road usage.

Remember everyone here (or learn it if you don't know it) that a cyclist has the right to the entire lane in most, if not all states and that your course of action is to wait until it is safe to pass... not try to cut the cyclist off so you can make your pass with a car coming in the opposite direction.

As far as pedestrians taking up the whole road, there are laws that say they have to be as far right as possible and may not walk abreast when traffic is around.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I always see these morons on bikes on VERY busy major roads actually *in* the lane with cars at red lights. I`m like,huh??????? And then I`ll see people walking across crosswalks with their heads straight up their *you know whats* without a care in the world,not paying any attention at all.

Sure,they have the legal right to be there but that doesn`t mean it`s smart and sure as heck shows absolutely NO common sense whatsoever. There`s nooooooooooooooooooo way I`m going to wrestle with a 3000+ machine. Let`s see,me (200 lbs) vs a car (3000+ lbs)................hmmmmmmmm I wonder who would win?

 

[Spazdog]

Yes, the cyclist has the same rights as a motor vehicle on many roads.

I'm a cyclist too. I don't ride road-bikes, too fragile for me. But I still like the roadies

But I gotta' wonder why the big packs of asphalt bunnies choose the roads they choose.

I mean you crest the hill on a 2-lane blacktop at the speed limit and there they are. Big pack of them. Blocking the whole lane. I'm paying attention and I have to brake fairly hard. What's going to happen when a soccer mom crests the hill trying to separate her fighting kids in the back seat and doesn't see them? Or worse, a drunk driver.

For whatever reason, they won't single out (which is especially weird to an MTB-er that is happiest on fast hard pack singletrack.)

 

[hr1940]

I have to drive 3.5 miles of hills and sharp curves when I turn off the highway to go home. People that are training for bike races will often ride 3 or 4 across a narrow road. Single line does not bother me because I can pass them. The speed limit is 45. This goes on from spring until late fall. They like this area because it has some pretty steep inclines. I complained once and was told there is nothing that can be done. The same goes for runners that are always taking up the entire lane. The scenery is beautiful but I am usually in a hurry.

 

[Lurch]

Originally Posted By: Digital2k2
I'd like to get some thoughts on pedestrians walking side by side taking up the entire lane in a residential neighborhood.

90% of the time they wear reflective vests and will not move even if there's traffic coming in the other direction, forcing you to either stop or hit them.
There are a few hills that makes it impossible to tell if there's oncoming traffic too, which could someday result in a collision due to them walking literally in the middle of the road.

I know pedestrians have the right of way, but does that include impeding the flow of traffic and forcing oncoming vehicles to the wrong side of the road?


No, not in my opinion. If it was me I'd probably lay on the horn, roll the window down, and give them a few choice words. IMO, the road is made for cars and the sidewalks / side of the road are for pedestrians. They can walk in the road if there's no traffic, but if there's traffic they should stay OUT of the road, IMO.

Motorists can be as rude as pedestrians. It depends on the person.

 

[Hokiefyd]

In our neighborhood, the kids like to walk 2 or 3 abreast down the road. I honestly think it's an intimidation thing; they walk like they own the place and want to look the part as well. I think they think they "win" when you slow down and wait for oncoming traffic to pass them, rather than get out of the vehicles' way.

They'll grow up some day, and I'm sure they'll remember what they did as youth when they see the same thing 20 years from now.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Yes, the cyclist has the same rights as a motor vehicle on many roads.

I'm a cyclist too. I don't ride road-bikes, too fragile for me. But I still like the roadies

But I gotta' wonder why the big packs of asphalt bunnies choose the roads they choose.

I mean you crest the hill on a 2-lane blacktop at the speed limit and there they are. Big pack of them. Blocking the whole lane. I'm paying attention and I have to brake fairly hard. What's going to happen when a soccer mom crests the hill trying to separate her fighting kids in the back seat and doesn't see them? Or worse, a drunk driver.

For whatever reason, they won't single out (which is especially weird to an MTB-er that is happiest on fast hard pack singletrack.)


I've never understood that either, to me I'm not sure whether they're oblivious (which is no excuse given their situation relative to vehicles) or arrogant (which a lot are, it seems).

When I ride in a group (usually only of 2 or 3) we're over to the right as soon as we hear a vehicle coming from the back. But I've run into what you and Bill describe many times in a vehicle.

 

[yeti]

whip and defektes -- good posts. unfortunately, in canada and the u.s., there are rules that prevent us from thinning the herd of morons.one of the disadvantages of living in a civilized country.
in an ideal world, there would be a bounty on these people. possibly, bring in an ear of an idiot that you ran over, and collect $100.food for thought.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
In our neighborhood, the kids like to walk 2 or 3 abreast down the road. I honestly think it's an intimidation thing; they walk like they own the place and want to look the part as well. I think they think they "win" when you slow down and wait for oncoming traffic to pass them, rather than get out of the vehicles' way.

They'll grow up some day, and I'm sure they'll remember what they did as youth when they see the same thing 20 years from now.


I always found dropping the Mustang down into second and stuffing the pedal made them move REALLY fast. They expect you to stop/slow/yield, not give'er.

 

[Papa Bear]

Don't share all our Canadian traffic control methods with the world......