Short rant

[oldredfordette]

Drivers need to start looking out for bikes and pedestrians, every day you see more folks on bikes, I'm sorry, taxpayers on bikes. While we're at it, everyone needs to obey traffic rules.

[Vox]

I think that's the telling/controversial part of your message.

Sounds like you meant that only cars belong in the street.

What's so controversial? Cars and bikes should be in the street. People, not so much. I never understood why people walk down the middle of the street. I believe it's related to either one of 2 things, a power trip, or fear of dogs.

[JStone]

I apologize. Did I say bikes? I meant skateboards.

[sumas]

Past century or two, Gentleman walked between the sidewalk street/ road to protect ladies from pigs, goats, horses, mud and dung. More recently men walked on the interior of the sidewalk to protect women from assault by humans.

Maybe people walk the streets in summer and winter to protect from assault too? Or maybe in winter to avoid unshoveled snow.

Why would a road passage, protect someone from a wild dog pack?

Just saying pedestrians should be on sidewalks or now called safety paths. Safety rules should be followed by all. Even skateboarders!

[Fury13]

While we're at it, everyone needs to obey traffic rules.

The use of turn signals before making a turn [[imagine that!) would be a nice start.

[Gistok]

What's so controversial? Cars and bikes should be in the street. People, not so much. I never understood why people walk down the middle of the street. I believe it's related to either one of 2 things, a power trip, or fear of dogs.

Vox.... it seems that walking in the street seems to be prevalent in the 'hood. Perhaps it gives people reaction time in case one is being ambushed from behind foliage and blind spots... Also there are a lot of subdivisions in the outer burbs where there are no sidewalks... so their walking on the sidewalk is not an option.

[sumas]

Good points made by all. I do stroll around my neighborhood. If I need to cross a major street, I prefer to cross at a light, if one isn't close by, I do cross anyway but run like hell to get across.

My sister in law likes to jog in the dark, early am, in the street. GPW, She has been hit a few times, fortunately nothing too serious. Here is a "healthy" activity that can get you killed. If pedestrians want to share the road, please at least be visible.

Did forget that outer burbs do not have sidewalks.

[East Detroit]

So, sumas, did you mean that bicycles don't belong in the street?

[sumas]

I believe I have already stated that I don't mind sharing the road.

[East Detroit]

Was hard to figure out where you were talking about cyclists and where you were talking about pedestrians.

I kinda do mind sharing the road with cars when I am on my bike, but it's the law that both belong in the street so I guess I will allow it... even if there is a lot of stupid arrogance on their part.

[Django]

I kinda do mind sharing the road with cars when I am on my bike, but it's the law that both belong in the street so I guess I will allow it... even if there is a lot of stupid arrogance on their part.

Im with E.D.
Gas guzzling smog making, oh my life should be easy, drivers.

But seriously, the sidewalks in Detroit are like walking a rocky path. You have some nice smooth lengths but then the nice and smooth always turns into uneven and broken. If you're like me trying to walk a good distance it gets to be twice the work stepping over tree roots that have displaced concrete and roughly 75% of the sidewalks that are unshovelled.

Im guilty of riding my bike with no reflectors and in my Black Carhartt. I always take side streets if I can, otherwise I ride against traffic so I can see what's going to run me over if I don't pull over and out of the way.

What bikers and peds need is those blinking red lights that clip to your jacket or hat. I plan on getting one soon before theres a thread about how Django has passed.

[eriedearie]

http://www.gearbuyer.com/c/cycling/reflective_tape/

One of our sons rides his bike all over the place. He swears by the products he has bought from this website.

Django - get to shopping buddy. I don't wanna be reading such a thread.

Everyone stay safe. Please.

[Ray1936]

We've had a couple of old duffers run down out here in Las Vegas recently who were driving those handicap-scooter thingies. I've seen a few acting like they own the roads while on a 75-pound electric cart. Scary, to say the least.

And, of course, when they 'drive' through the casinos, beware! They dodge for no man.

Hope I never need one.

[eriedearie]

We've had a couple of old duffers run down out here in Las Vegas recently who were driving those handicap-scooter thingies. I've seen a few acting like they own the roads while on a 75-pound electric cart. Scary, to say the least.

And, of course, when they 'drive' through the casinos, beware! They dodge for no man.

Hope I never need one.

Ray, OMG YES!

We were at Caesars Windsor and they treat that place like it's Milan Dragway! They zoom around there so fast you can feel the breeze as they go past you. You better get outta their way or they will mow you down.

Something's got to be done about those before someone really gets hurt. Like maybe the manufacturer of those vehicles should lower the top speed to a leisurely walk.

[stromberg2]

I think grabbing them and throwing them to the ground might be fun!!

Stromberg2

[Dent]

The ironic thing is: many people in Detroit don't use the sidewalk, they walk, [[jog) in the street, even at night. I rarely see people look "both ways" or "stop,look,& listen" before crossing, as we were taught to do in school. Oddly,the few who do use the sidewalk are the ones who do stop and look;they walk a few feet, stop and look behind them for what I presume must be a car on the sidewalk, and then repeat the process. It would serve them better to use this tactic while walking in the road where many of the cars drive. So it seems to me that if one wants to avoid hitting a pedestrian in Detroit, drive on the sidewalk.

[ResurgetCineribus]

I think walking in the street is mainly a safeguard against being jumped. I have also heard of homeless people walking in the street so they don't upset homeowners. It probably has just become a norm since so many people do it.

I can't say I've ever had a problem sharing the road with cyclists in Detroit. The streets are too wide and my headlights have always been enough for me to see them. It's more important to concern yourself with being a more careful driver than to wish others would live up to your standard of safety.