Drivers make it too dangerous to cross
On my way into the office this morning, I witnessed yet another near accident on NE MLK Blvd. A group of five bicyclists were waiting to cross in the crosswalk. They were all off their bikes. One car stops to let the group cross, but out of nowhere comes a red car that if that woman’s brakes weren’t in good order would have hit someone.
On the stretch of road between the lights located at NE Alberta and at NE Prescott, there’s a lined crosswalk with the appropriate street sign where drivers are supposed to stop when a pedestrian or bicyclist enters. Operative words are supposed to stop.
Sadly, most don’t and there have been many occasions where I’ve attempted to cross the same stretch of road, only to wait until there were no cars coming because no one stops. Worse, is when one lane of cars stops to let me cross, and either the car behind it swerves into the next lane to speed up and drive through, or the second lane fails to stop altogether.
Perhaps I should take comfort in the event I’m hit and injured/killed, the law would be on my side since cars are supposed to stop.
Those crosswalks are definitely needed on MLK Blvd, if only to stop pedestrians from illegally crossing the tree-lined barriers at other parts along the street. However, if drivers aren’t stopping for pedestrians or those on bikes where we’re legally supposed to cross, what else can be done?
In downtown, I have been known to throw my coffee at those drivers. Maybe next time you’re out and about, bring water balloons. It sure will get the driver’s attention.
Also, after last week’s WWeek article about the law and that us peds have the ability to write a citation against a driver, I think I may begin taking down license plate numbers.
I may be mistaken, but I believe mounted bicyclists are treated like any other vehicle under the law, not a pedestrian.
Steve, not sure if you were referring to Diesel’s comment or my entry. As mentioned in the article, the bicyclists were off their bikes and attempting to cross at the crosswalk.
I should have clarified. I was referring more to the crosswalks on MLK and not the bikes. I am usually footbound and see the cars not stopping.
I’ve actually seen all the drivers stop for pedestrians, only to see a bicyclist blow through the crosswalk.
The reality is none of us (drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists) are as vigilant as we should be, regardless of what mode of transportation we are using at any given time.
I’ve been guilty in a car, on a bike and on foot.
I’m not alone.
Thanks, Talea. However, in this specific example, there was a driver who clearly could have injured some people had she not pushed on the brakes in time. Again, I’ve been in a similar situation and because I don’t want to get hit, I’d rather wait a few minutes than dart out in front of an oncoming car.
All that said, generalizing it to the point of “we all do it” really doesn’t address the question I posed, which is essentially asking what can be done to make it safer?
I was responding to: “…there’s a lined crosswalk with the appropriate street sign where drivers are supposed to stop when a pedestrian or bicyclist enters.”
Not trying to start an argument, just trying to be clear. I had a mounted bicyclist give me some angry gestures the other day as he was waiting to cross Interstate to get to the Albina MAX stop. He was mounted, and my understanding is that the law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks (both marked and unmarked), not other vehicles.
@A. L. Venable - A.L., I understand. But the reality in Portland, where all sorts of “drivers” share the road, is to be more careful — regardless of which mode of transportation we are using.
I try to make eye contact. It works well. If I can’t make eye contact, I don’t go - either on foot, bike or in a car.
I’m not defending drivers (and in the interest of full disclosure, that’s the main way I travel). A lot of drivers in Portland are amazingly clueless and don’t seem to practice what used to be referred to as ‘defensive driving.’ And usually they are yakking on their cellphones. I’m actually more careful as a pedestrian here than I’ve been anywhere — rural, city (including NYC) or suburb.
I find that little factoid interesting. Considering this is a city that prides itself on “multi-modes” of transport.
YES, drivers must yield to peds. However, pedestrians don’t help themselves by not being assertive. In Toronto, pedestrians must use the finger (no, not that one) when at cross walks so that drivers understand wtf is going on.
I cross at a crossing once a day and cars do yield if you make eye contact and have clear body language. That…and the battleaxe I routinely brandish.
I was almost hit today on the crosswalk on 10th Street NW near the Safeway. I had pushed the button and the light was flashing, but this driver came at me full speed, and then stopped at the last minute. She then unrolled her window can called me an a**hole. I was a little bit traumatized to say the least. I wrote down her license plate number, but I guess it doesn’t do much. I wish there was a website where we could post the license plate numbers of people who drive dangerously.