Admiral Beez
Superstar
The driver is fixated on ensuring traffic on the left has stopped, after likely checking that nothing was on the right about to cross the road. But after the right side check, the cyclist rides up on the sidewalk and the driver didn’t check again before proceeding.^In that video a) what the heck is that driver doing b) what the heck is that cyclist doing. Terrible examples of both
The driver is at fault, as they didn’t check all was clear before turning. But what the heck is that cyclist doing on the sidewalk and then in the pedestrian crossing? I have far more sympathy for pedestrians than cyclists, since the latter is operating under the HTA, same as me on my bicycle, motorcycle or in my automobile. I don’t want anyone to get hurt, but I’m growing frustrated as cyclists seem to traverse our city with a sense of impunity; coasting through stop signs, streetcar doors and red lights, using sidewalks and crosswalks as traffic hacks. I try my utmost to follow the HTA no matter my mode of transport, but it’s nuts when I come to a legal full stop on my bike, motorcycle or car, and three or four cyclists race past.
Anyway, what we need are far more traffic cops. No, not the $100K a head TPS officers, but $50K traffic cops, armed, full benefits, etc., just at a level we can afford in plentiful numbers. Anyone who visits Manhattan must be struck by the number of police, with seemingly one or two standing on every major street corner, enforcing traffic laws, and helping or at least watching pedestrians. When was the last time you saw a TPS officer out standing on the street, without a police vehicle, who wasn’t on paid duty?