News

Writer Nathan Whitlock is a cyclist and a driver who offers advice from both sides of the transportation debate.

His conclusion? Let's all just get along.

Where do you stand? Or sit?

Join the driver v. cyclist etiquette clash. Villainous (or perhaps long-suffering) pedestrians, we want to hear from you too.

Leave your opinions here using our comment function.

As readers submit their ideas and stories, check back here to read what they have to say. We'll post the latest offerings at the top.

Posted Wednesday, Aug. 27

Voxgravis from Toronto: I may have missed it, but so far no one has addressed the root problem here: Law enforcement.

All of the traffic infractions flung back and forth between cyclists and motorists will go away when everyone drives their vehicles as if there is a police car following them constantly.

This will never happen. Too many bike and auto drivers are lazy, negligent, careless and vindictive. There will never be enough police enforcement to curb these tendencies.

Gird yourselves for endless road warrior bickering, injuries, lawsuits and the occasional death.

It's the way we choose to live.

Posted Monday, Aug. 25

Scrappy T writes: To Matt Smith.. 'Given that I am paying the same amount in taxes'. Have you never heard of gasoline tax, car licences, driver's licences? Which of these do you have to pay to ride a bike???? Maybe if bike riders had to be more responsible and more financially liable we could then discuss your riding on the same road as me. Mandatory bells and lights might be a good start.... When cyclists have to take and pay for a driver's test, have to pay for driver's licence, vehicle licence and gasoline tax for road maintenance then we can be on a level playing field. Just having to have a bell and light would be a start.

Katie T writes: I would be happy if cyclists just obeyed the rules of the road, as any driver — on a bike or in a car — is supposed to. I can't count how many times I've seen cyclists barrelling through a stop sign as if it did not apply to them. It's ridiculously foolish and dangerous, both to themselves and other drivers around them. Riding on the right side of the road would also be nice.

John Peterson from B.C. writes: Whether or not one drives or bikes doesn't matter to me. It is one's choice in most cases I would think. What almost always surprises me is the lack of concern that many bike riders show for their own well being. The phrase 'dead' right always comes to mind. Driving along side of clueless drivers scares the hell out of me and I am in a vehicle. Bike riders suffer the same fears I am sure but have no protection what so ever. And many seem to want the four thousand pound vehicles that greatly outnumber them to bloody well show great concern for the fact that they don't have any protection while breaking every driving rule in the book. I give bikes all the room they need. But I can't always say the same for them. They seem to go from traffic rules to pedestrian rules in a heartbeat, riding in crosswalks and sidewalks and then back on to the roadway again. I would like to see bikes have licence plates so that the police can police them. If a vehicle drivers doesn't behave a cyclist can report him by plate number. If a bike rider had the same deterrent perhaps things would be better for all concerned.

M Meleskie from Ottawa writes: I started cycling to work this summer. I am lucky in that my route has large paved shoulders, bike lanes and bike paths. It has been a learning experience for me since to survive, I have had to become a defensive cyclist. When coming up someone on a bike path I am going to pass, shoulder check so that some other cyclist is not going to try to pass you at the same time. Always watch that car beside you to see if it is slowing down (getting ready to turn). Make liberal use of your bell when passing people at potential path intersections (pedestrians don't always check if a bicycle is coming on). Obey all traffic rules (OK I bend the stop sign at all way stops if I can see the way is clear, My bad). As a cyclist, I cannot change what people are going to do right or wrong however I can compensate for it by always assuming that they will do the unexpected.

Maria Olenick from Chilliwack writes: Obviously always going to have cars and always going to have bicycles. Why can't we all just remember the rules when on the road.

L T from Canada writes: I drive a car as well as ride a bike. I also respect the rules of the road either when driving or when cycling, i.e. I stop at all red lights, I signal my attentions, I don't ride on sidewalks and I even stop behind the doors of streetcars when they are dropping off and picking up passengers. But I've seen both terrible drivers and cyclists - it is unfortunate that each side is sometimes blind to their own faults. I would agree with a couple of posts that perhaps it it time to license cyclists but it's also time that we educate drivers... having been nearly sideswiped once and hit by a car once by a driver who didn't check his blind spot, I can attest that there is an arrogance on both sides; the drivers who believe it is their road and they have right-of-way and cyclists who believe they are above the law. Neither of these attitudes will help us deal with the fact that there are more, and different types of, vehicles on the road. If we are to share the road, then we have to build knowledge and respect both sides.

Posted Sunday, Aug. 24

Keystone Provincial from NOT Winnipeg writes: It's not really just cars and bikes, the problem is evident everywhere on the roads these days. People seem to be so insulated in their own world that they ignore others around them. The car/bike thing is most dangerous because of the possibility of death being so high. If drivers and cyclists alike would turn off their cell phones, unplug their MP3s and actually look at the other human beings they share the road with life would be a lot safer and more congenial. But that means giving up the illusion that they are the most important creature in the universe. Join the world, people. We are all here together, striving for the same basic things.

Rusty Shackleford writes: When I was a kid we rode our bikes in the gravel shoulder on the side of the highway, never got into screaming fits with drivers, and developed some fierce muscle on our thighs. If the point of riding a bike is to get exercise, get some.

Sally Stink from Edmonton writes: Frankly when I am driving, a bicyclist on the road in the middle of downtown rush hour traffic really scares me. ...... because there doesn't seem to be any co-ordinated rules for the cyclist. And I ask, why do these cyclists not have to take a driver's test, learn the road rules, be licensed and insured? Because bicycles are causing accidents, are leaving scratches on autos and are causing road rage. Time to act?

Darcy McGee from United States writes: Seriously, who's recommending this article? It has no information. Nonetheless, Emma, your comment about a few cans of paint isn't really going to do it. A line of paint on pavement isn't going to prevent a driver from hitting me. Truly safe cycling routes have physically separate lanes for cyclists, not just lines painted on the road. It's been demonstrated also that safety (not weather, or geographic features such as hills) is what people value most in cycling. Make it safer, and more people would do it. Not all the time, but more. I'm tired of paying for roads and getting treated as a second class citizen.

Susan Rogan from writes: When I lived in Toronto, I had a cyclist flip over the front of my vehicle while he was weaving through parked traffic. He actually yelled at me, for being in his way I guess, while he was getting himself up off the ground and getting his bicycle off the hood of my car, then he rode on weaving his way through the traffic again. What a miserable thing he was. Then I felt like firing up my car and running him over Anyway, cyclists are not saints. That said, I think there should be designated lanes for cyclists. Also, the cyclists should have to stay in them. Every time a new road is built or renovations are done, the non-motorized lane should go in too, and I mean along highways and the whole bit.

Ed Butts from Guelph writes: I ride a bike and I sometimes drive. As a cyclist, I occasionally feel myself endangered by drivers who seem to think I'm invisible. Whether I'm cycling or driving, I often see cyclists who pay no attention whatsoever to stop signs or traffic lights, and who generally behave as though the rules of the road do not apply to them. I would like to see more of those idiots charged.

Roger Lecocq from Winnipeg writes: I'm a driver, cyclist, and pedestrian. I love cycling but I do not believe that all cities are bike friendly, and as such they can be problematic. When cyclist use major arteries in rush hour that are just too narrow for both cars, and cyclist the bikes become a nuisance. At these times, and on these routes they should stick to the sidewalks as they disrupt the flow of traffic. Imagine that they also share the bus lanes. I'd hate to be a bus driver trying to stick to a schedule. As a pedestrian, would it be so hard for cyclists to use a bell or at least slow down when passing from behind? I have also seen cyclists trying to run yellows. Get a brain before you lose what little you have I also do not believe that bikes should be used on our congested streets in Winter. Get real, the snow clearing is barely adequate much of the time and two lanes are quite often reduced to one lane. That is just stupid, and dangerous. As a cyclist, drivers could be a little more careful about cutting cyclist off when making a left turn in front of the bike. Also when you share a bike path as a pedestrian, could you please be courteous enough to walk single file as a bike is passing instead of walking two abreast so you effectively force the bike off the path? We can all just get along if we all use a little common sense, and courtesy.

Bob Campbell from Surrey writes: I am a frequent bike rider/commuter etc. I own four bikes. I get steamed when I see bike riders riding on the sidewalk, without helmets, going the wrong way down a street, riding down the street like a car and then using the crosswalk like a pedestrian, etc, etc. These people give the idiotic 10 per cent of car drivers a valid reason to be angry at people on bikes and unfortunately they get angry at all cyclists, not just the donut brains who don't respect the rules. Unfortunately, cyclists must be held to a higher standard than car drivers; partially out of fear for our lives, but also because we need cycling to be seen as a responsible alternative to cars so we can better bike lanes etc. My suggestion: have police ticket bike riders that give all cyclists a bad name. To those idiotic car drivers...you actually do have the extra three seconds it takes to make sure you don't kill that cyclist.

Dan Needham from Victoria writes: I am a commuting cyclist who also drives a car in the evening and on weekends. There are drivers who are a menace to cyclists. Bad drivers' mistakes fall into three basic categories: They are impatient; they turn across multiple lanes; and/or worst of all, they don't feel obliged to signal their intentions. There are also cyclists who are a menace to cyclists and bad cyclists' mistakes are legion. I won't dwell on the bad drivers' mistakes except to say that they are also endangering themselves and other drivers. But I will offer my favourite pithy comment for drivers who don't signal: 'Excuse me, but I have to mention that your signal light doesn't seem to be working; it could be a loose connection, but I think that it's more likely a loose nut behind the wheel.' I won't dwell on all of the types of mistakes that bad cyclists make: from riding on sidewalks and crosswalks; to not staying the same distance from the curb at all times. However, I will offer a solution: rider and cycle licensing. If we cyclists had to pay a fee and pass a test, we'd be legitimate and we would also be better trained. Legitimate in our eyes and in the eyes of the drivers. Trained to watch for drivers who make mistakes and trained not to make mistakes. Bicycle plates would give drivers recourse; they could report traffic violations, and would uncloak cyclists from their dangerous veil of anonymity. When cyclists have to pay for the privilege of being on the road, they will become more responsible and they will be better protected. We will truly be equal partners on the pavement.

Beth Martin writes: I am a pedestrian, and am constantly amazed at the myriad of bikers who fail to stop at stop signs, four way stops, red lights and pedestrian crossings. Why is this? Because the vehicle has only two wheels as opposed to four the rules of the road presumably do not apply?

Matt Smith from Toronto writes: Given that I am paying the same taxes as the driver, I should be able to use the same road as them. I don't own a car but do own a few bikes which I use to regain my lost youth. Interestingly, in Italy with its chaotic traffic, cycling is extremely safe. Maybe it is because they respect cyclists for the athletes they are. There I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder for cars. Here a driver with three empty lanes of roadway to drive on will scream at you to get off the road or buzz you with centimetres to spare. Given that Toronto is very pedestrian unfriendly (I have lost count of pedestrian crossing signals you have to push a button for otherwise the pedestrian crossing won't change from don't walk to walk even when the main light is green), it is no wonder that drivers believe they should have sole access to the roads. I give drivers the respect they deserve. I just wish they would give me some.

Posted Saturday, Aug. 23

The vegan ninja from Nirvana writes: Sure some cyclists don't ride properly, but bikes don't kill people, ruin our cities, countryside, environment (and finances) the way cars do. They are the future, suburbanites better get used to it, and to a LONG bike ride to work

Jay Skeptic from Canada writes: First and foremost, I couldn't agree more with the sentiment of 'let's all get along'. I am a driver, bike rider and pedestrian but don't happen to live in a part of Canada where riding a bike is feasible all the time due to climate. I also don't happen to live in the heart of a large city or even in the suburbs anywhere, so simply tossing away the car isn't an option. While there are plenty of inconsiderate drivers, I honestly think there are more problems with bike riders but before everyone has a fit, I'll qualify it by saying it seems it may have more to do with not understanding the rules of the road than anything. People on bikes do actually have to signal, stop when required, etc and there seems to be some unwritten rule that precludes bike riders from these laws. I'm as courteous as the next person but I have not developed mind-reading skills. Lights at night and walking bikes across pedestrian crossings are other danger points that are commonly disregarded in this city. I actually love to see so many bikes on the road and for the most part common courtesy prevails but there really are too many exceptions and while I may not be at fault if I hit someone, it is the last thing I would ever want to do.

Chris C from Alberta writes: Generally I find most drivers to be courteous and considerate. About 10% of drivers are idiots. I'm sure the idiots annoy the other drivers too - it's just that cyclists are considerably more vulnerable to the idiot drivers. There is an increasing amount of road rage out there. When you see people ranting at the traffic lights you have to know that it's nothing personal when they rant at you too - but again cyclists are more vulnerable to angry drivers. Wider shoulders on the highways would help. I wonder about the people who design roads - where do they think the cyclists will ride when they take the shoulder away completely in sections with passing lanes? Let's face it - they don't think about cyclists at all.

David Saad from Toronto writes: As I am also both a driver and cyclist I eagerly read the article on how drivers and cyclists should get along. I have to say though that I was more than a little taken aback by the photograph of the author riding along NOT WEARING A HELMET I know that a lot of people think that helmets cramp their style, but brain damage isn't sexy. I HATE wearing a helmet, they are hot and they are not cool looking. But I wear one every day, no matter where I ride. Not wearing a helmet is about as cool as smoking.

Emma Hawthorne from Canada writes: With a few cans of paint, Toronto could make city streets much safer for cycling.