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April 8, 2014 at 6:34 pm #610971
Ms. SparklesParticipantSemi Rant, but mostly a request for info:
Yesterday just before 6:00pm as I was waiting the C line to West Seattle at the Second and Columbia bus stop down a man riding his bicycle through the large crown queuing for the bus was frantically ringing his bike bell.
Exasperated he said loudly “Jesus Christ people!” Hopped of his bike with a sigh and started walking it through the people actively trying to board the bus.
As he cut me off with his bike just as I was trying to board the bus he said “Excuse me” to which I replied “Yes excuse you indeed.” I was already on the bus when he shouted back “I’m a pedestrian, read the law.”
My question is what did he mean he’s a pedestrian? I know that bikes are allowed to ride on sidewalks, but I thought they still had to give right-of-way to actual pedestrians. There isn’t some crazy Seattle law that says bikes have right of way over pedestrians is there?
April 8, 2014 at 6:45 pm #806713
wakefloodParticipantUnfortunately, arrogance and “me first” attitudes are prevalent and encouraged throughout society. I suspect that whatever the law reads, this guy, like many others, only uses it when he thinks he can twist it to support his position.
April 8, 2014 at 7:06 pm #806714
sacatoshParticipantI think you ran into the very invasive “douchebaggus domesticus” – they’re very aggressive and will take over the native species and infect them if we’re not careful. ;-)
April 8, 2014 at 7:07 pm #806715
AlParticipantWell, he was just a jerk. Yes, cyclists can ride on the sidewalks in Seattle, so long as they yield to pedestrians. Once he’s walking his bike he is a pedestrian and mingles as such. Basically he is just a jerk; on or off his bike. Just like the driver of the blue Ford something-or-other car who decided to cut me off by pulling into the street in front of me as I rode in the bike lane because his 0.02 seconds were more important than my right of way.
Self-important people are everywhere. You just have to let it roll off.
April 8, 2014 at 7:51 pm #806716
amaliaParticipantI love that this thread (short as it is) points out that this guy is an arrogant, self-absorbed PERSON, not cyclist. Commenters are absolutely right, jerks occur over all sectors of society, regardless of their mode of transportation.
I have a tough time dealing with arrogance and inconsiderate behavior. I just tell myself that these people are losers and be grateful I’m not one of them.
To respond to your question, cyclists can ride on sidewalks, like Al said, as long as they yield. It’s not always a good choice if the cyclist is in a hurry. But being polite is always a good choice, even if you technically have the right of way (any situation).
April 8, 2014 at 8:28 pm #806717
miwsParticipantsacatosh FTW! :-)
because his 0.02 seconds were more important than my LIFE.
FTFY, Al.
I swear one of these days, I’m going to use such a comment on someone, as I am pedestriating across the street, legally with the WALK light, as they blast into the crosswalk to make their precious Right Turn on Red, totally not caring that I’m there.
Mike
April 8, 2014 at 9:34 pm #806718
AlParticipantYeah, miws. I decided to not be dramatic as we were both not moving fast; decided it wasn’t a life or death instance – just annoying. There are other cases however….
April 8, 2014 at 9:38 pm #806719
Alki WarriorParticipantWe are in prophetic times folks. Lunar eclipse is part of the Blood Moons, a sign of prophecy especially when you’ll get not one, but four lunar eclipses in a short amount of time. The end is coming.
April 8, 2014 at 10:41 pm #806720
pigeonmomParticipant“douchebaggus domesticus” — Haha! I’m going to use that one. :-)
April 8, 2014 at 11:32 pm #806721
wakefloodParticipantAlki, the end is ALWAYS coming… But HBO just greenlit the sequel. ;-)
April 9, 2014 at 12:19 am #806722
JanSParticipant:-
April 9, 2014 at 12:39 am #806723
HMC RichParticipantJanS. Sorry you had to deal with that guy. He truly is a jerk. I wish someone would have said, Hey buddy, Your fly is open! Made you look!!!
April 9, 2014 at 7:54 pm #806724
metrognomeParticipantThere is a legal concept called ‘pedestrian interference’; I assume this jerk was trying to use the sidewalk to walk his bicycle to get from point A to point B (the intended use for sidewalks) and felt the obstructees should make a path for him; I guess you all who wait for the bus should expect to be arrested and fined:
Seattle Municipal Code
Title 12A – CRIMINAL CODE
Subtitle I – Criminal Code
Chapter 12A.12 – OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER
12A.12.015 Pedestrian interference.
A. The following definitions apply in this section:
4. “Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic” means to walk, stand, sit, lie, or place an object in such a manner as to block passage by another person or a vehicle, or to require another person or a driver of a vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical contact. Acts authorized as an exercise of one’s constitutional right to picket or to legally protest, and acts authorized by a permit issued pursuant to the Street Use Ordinance, Chapters 15.02 through 15.50 of the Seattle Municipal Code, shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
5. “Public place” means an area generally visible to public view and includes alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks and streets open to the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
B. A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he or she intentionally:
1. Obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic; or
2. Aggressively begs.
C. Pedestrian interference is a misdemeanor.
Actually, this is in the ‘panhandling’ ordinance, so if you’re not soliciting fellow psgrs for money to pay your fare, you’re probably safe.
Here’s what the state has to say; I defy anyone who isn’t an attorney to explain it in layperson terms:
RCW 46.04.672
“Vehicle or pedestrian right-of-way” means the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.
Al — happened to run across this on a recent state Supreme Court decision; thought you’d be interested:
Bike Trails for Transportation or Recreation — When Does Recreational Use Immunity Apply?
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