Sharing the Road (I don’t wanna)
I grew up in a part of Canada that has lots of highways (freeways). Generally, no matter where I went that was more than 10 minutes away, I took a highway. Given my need to speed and my beautiful Ford Mustang, it worked great.
Since moving away from Ontario, to Winnipeg, then Calgary and now back to Winnipeg again, those beautiful highway days have gone. Now I must battle with all other other city drivers and… horror… cyclists and pedestrians.
First – kudos to people who cycle every day. I know it’s good for the environment and good for your health. You’re not always good for my santiy but really, you’re not the biggest problem.
Here’s the issue with cyclists that frustrates them probably as much as it frustrates me. They’re so unwanted. Cars don’t want them on the road. Pedestrians don’t want them on the sidewalk. What to do?
Cyclists really should follow the rules of the road. As a driver, I get that. Here’s my problem – Hey cyclists! You CANNOT just pick and choose what rules you follow!! Signal! Don’t scootch up beside cars at stop lights! Pretent you’re a car. That also means checking your blind spot before changing lanes. It also means that you don’t get to run red lights.
And for the LOVE OF GOD please learn how to ride your damn bike. Nothing worse that trying to gently pass a cyclist that’s weaving all over the freaking road. THAT’S how people get hurt!
Okay. Let’s shift to pedestrians for a moment. You would think this wouldn’t be so bad since they have sidewalks almost everywhere – really, you only have to deal with them around intersections. Again, pedestrians always have the right of way so driver’s get a bit screwed over here. But with a few simple rules, we can all get along harmoniously right?
WRONG! Let me tell you about a scenario I witness on my drive home from work the other day. I’m sitting at a red light. The pedestrian signal for the opposite traffic (which currently has the green) is a solid STOP hand. I see this couple get to the corner. Stop. Look at the SOLID stop hand. Look at the light which just went yellow for them. Then they proceed to cross anyway! So of course, my light goes green but I can’t go anywhere because of these inconsiderate pedestrians who figure they’re too good to follow the rules.
Unfortunately, I see this far too often. I *don’t* get it.
Anyway. I need to go drink or smoke or something.
Happy Canada Day tomorrow everyone!!
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