07-11-2015, 09:40 AM
I confess that I approach bike issues with the mindset of a kid. I guess that’s because the bike has been utilitarian and pleasurable for me since the formative years when I used it to travel to school from the (then) outer limits of Waterloo to downtown Kitchener.
I am watching with interest the growing bicycle culture and the evolution of attendant infrastructure and etiquette. But my own rules of bike conduct are just common kid-sense.
As to sidewalk access, I use it humbly whenever required. For example, a recent work-path from Uptown Waterloo to suburban Kitchener could not avoid crossing over the expressway on Ottawa Street. I do not have a death-wish, so I unapologetically diverted to sidewalk until I reached a tributary community trail. When I met Ottawa-pedestrians, I moved onto the grass well in advance and slowed down ostentatiously in the kid-posture of submission. I have never had anyone give me a dirty look for sidewalk biking.
I can see that bike infrastructure will grow thanks to the noble efforts of cycling activists. But until it reaches fruition, I will create my own etiquette to fill in the gaps, and I don’t think I will give much offense. Any contemporary bike warrior or bike commuter who claims the right to maintain speed and path on a sidewalk will just give us kids a bad name.
I am watching with interest the growing bicycle culture and the evolution of attendant infrastructure and etiquette. But my own rules of bike conduct are just common kid-sense.
As to sidewalk access, I use it humbly whenever required. For example, a recent work-path from Uptown Waterloo to suburban Kitchener could not avoid crossing over the expressway on Ottawa Street. I do not have a death-wish, so I unapologetically diverted to sidewalk until I reached a tributary community trail. When I met Ottawa-pedestrians, I moved onto the grass well in advance and slowed down ostentatiously in the kid-posture of submission. I have never had anyone give me a dirty look for sidewalk biking.
I can see that bike infrastructure will grow thanks to the noble efforts of cycling activists. But until it reaches fruition, I will create my own etiquette to fill in the gaps, and I don’t think I will give much offense. Any contemporary bike warrior or bike commuter who claims the right to maintain speed and path on a sidewalk will just give us kids a bad name.