Bicycles Must Respect Pedestrians

I narrowly escaped being hit by a car last week.

As I was crossing Telegraph on Dwight Avenue, a car was pulling up to the red light, the driver apparently lacking any driving ability whatsoever. Really, he must know that he had to stop before entering the crosswalk. He passed a driving test to get his license, right?

Instead, he plowed through the crosswalk, all the while looking to his right to make a right turn-with oncoming traffic to his left. If I had been a fraction of an inch further along on my journey, who knows what damage he would have wreaked on my fragile body.

Pissed at his recklessness, I yelled expletives at the driver, after which he had the gall to look at me as if I was the jerk in this situation. Think again, buddy.

Unfortunately, this happens all the time. As a regular pedestrian in Berkeley, I am constantly jumping out of the way of cars and bikes whose drivers have no respect for the rules of the road, possibly even no knowledge of them.

Bicyclists, did you know you have to obey traffic laws? Unsure as to what they are? In the UCPD headquarters in Sproul Hall, you can pick up a copy of Rolling Through Berkeley, an informative safety pamphlet. Too busy or lazy to pick up a copy? Here are a few laws that I see you constantly violate on your bikes.

First, ride with traffic. This means ride in the street and follow the direction of traffic, even on one-way streets. Take a cue from the cars traveling south on Dana between Bancroft and Dwight-bicyclists should be southbound, too.

Although you should stop at all stop signs and traffic lights, I'd break into song if I witnessed a bicyclist just slow down. You know, other people use the intersections, too.

Lastly, invest in a headlight and use it! What makes you think I can see you barreling towards me in the dark? I'm sure it never occurred to you that these laws exist to protect people. You probably don't think about the serious injuries you might inflict on a pedestrian, another bicyclist, or yourself in a collision, but try to make the mental leap to the possible consequences of your actions.

By the way, if I'm crossing the street in front of you because you have a stop sign-the one you're blowing through-don't come within inches of me as you ride by. I don't need to feel the swoosh of air as you pass. You needn't intimidate me to teach me a lesson-apparently, a lesson just for crossing the street.

If you insist on continuing to break the law and giving Berkeley's bicyclists a bad reputation, at least take responsibility for your actions.

Case in point: I was walking by Barnes and Noble Bookstore on Shattuck Avenue when, all of a sudden, a bicyclist was coming right at me! His tires screeched and he paused in front of me, wobbling on his bike. For a minute, it looked like he would have to put his foot down to keep from falling over-the horror!

After regaining his balance, he shot me a dirty look and, as he rode away, he yelled back, "Watch where you're going!"

Watch where I'm going? Clearly, he was confused. I wasn't in his way; he was in mine. Remember, it's the sidewalk. The next time you almost hit someone while breaking the law, don't blame the pedestrian.

Instead, own up to your carelessness and apologize for being so selfish that you could not be bothered to adhere to traffic laws. We'll understand. No one wants you to put yourself out.

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