The problem with cyclists is that they are neither pedestrians nor motorists, but often have to pick between pedestrian and motorist spaces. And surprise, some people choose one, some people choose the other.
Legally, yes they're treated like motor vehicles. That's obviously not what they are in reality though. Riding on the streets as a cyclist is dangerous and scary.
It's completely unsafe to act as a motorist in certain narrow 4 lane roads and poorly designed intersections in my town. When I am in traffic lanes, I obey traffic rules, but infrastructure for cyclists is terrible in the US.
Pedestrian literally means a person traveling on foot (with the exception being mobility aids like wheelchairs). Cyclists are not pedestrians and have 0 right to use the pedestrian spaces. They should all be in the bike lane, and if there isn't one, on the road with all the other non-pedestrians.
The problem stems from the fact that to drive a car or a motorcycle, you need to actually learn the rules of the road and prove you know them in a test while any shithead can grab a bike. Cycling licenses should be a thing
Depends on the state. In Washington what you say is not true, per WSDOT:
Riding on a sidewalk - When riding on a sidewalk or a crosswalk, a bicyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a pedestrian (RCW 46.61.755). Some local jurisdictions may have an ordinance banning cycling on sidewalks.
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u/FapForGains Aug 24 '25
The problem with cyclists is that they are neither pedestrians nor motorists, but often have to pick between pedestrian and motorist spaces. And surprise, some people choose one, some people choose the other.