J-walking! It has GOT TO STOP!

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Radically Red

would that be the other way around.. Granny smith would need more time to cross... thereby leaving the walk sign on longer?

Agree though sometimes the flashing hand comes on way to quickly sometimes.

No, but I understand where you are confused.

I need 15 seconds to cross, and Granny needs 25. The traffic light (for cars) is green for 45 seconds, so 15 seconds after the walk sign comes up the don't walk starts flashing.

If it was timed for me the walk sign would stay on longer.

But I agree something has to be done about pedestrians thinking they can just walk any where they want. I recall once seeing an intersection (in Saskatoon I belive) where the light had 3 cycles; 2 for the two flows of cars; then all the cars would get red and the pedestrians could cross in all directions.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fredr123

The cyclists bug me more than the jaywalkers. You're supposed to give them room and respect, treat them like other traffic. I've been given a one-fingered salute before for passing them too close but it really frosts my flakes when they come flying in between rows of traffic or cruise down the sidewalk like pedestrians.

My pet peeve; cyclists riding on busy streets at rush hour like 16th Ave NW and Elbow Drive, WHEN THERE IS A FLIPPIN' BIKE PATH 10 meters to the side of the road.

[J pold]

I was in Rome once, a friend I was with thought that he could cross the road all and J walk all you needed was a “have no fear” attitude “they will never actually hit you” needless to say on are walk to the Vatican City he got hit by a car nothing serious but this crazy Italian man came out and started yelling at him in Italian, it was one of the funniest things I have never seen

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

The problem is those things are timed to accomodate Granny Smith's walking speed so they start flashing way too early. I'm not going to stand there staring at a green light for 30 seconds, and then a red light for 3 minutes, just because the hand is flashing.

This really F's up traffic at places like 4th street and 6th ave where people are trying to dual turn onto 6th ave and there is a parade of ######bags that don't want to wait for the next walk light so no one gets to turn on the green light, and on the red light there is way too much traffic to make a turn.

So if I can wait at that red light for 3 minutes in my car, so can you.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by troutman

My pet peeve; cyclists riding on busy streets at rush hour like 16th Ave NW and Elbow Drive, WHEN THERE IS A FLIPPIN' BIKE PATH 10 meters to the side of the road.

agreed. But people will have to start dealing with the fact that more people are going to be riding because of high gas prices, crappy transit, expensive parking, etc. I have way too many close calls from people passing too close (this morning a guy driving a frickin' smart car buzzed my elbow, WTF?!?).

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by troutman

My pet peeve; cyclists riding on busy streets at rush hour like 16th Ave NW and Elbow Drive, WHEN THERE IS A FLIPPIN' BIKE PATH 10 meters to the side of the road.

Cyclists and people who cross roadways diagnolly. A Jay waker who crosses at an angle is just pushing it. I understand you have to cross but take a direct route so you oare on the street as little as possible.

[edn88]

I don't mind there being no fine for jwalking as long as motorist don't get in trouble for hitting them when they do.

Having said that fining people for jwalking is a bit of a joke- because it does NOT deter anyone (but getting hit by a car sure would).

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by habernac

agreed. But people will have to start dealing with the fact that more people are going to be riding because of high gas prices, crappy transit, expensive parking, etc. I have way too many close calls from people passing too close (this morning a guy driving a frickin' smart car buzzed my elbow, WTF?!?).

The thing is; cyclists as a group need to decide what they are. Pick one of the following:

- Motorist/ vehicle operator
- Pedestrian
- Renegade

You cannot attempt to merge from riding down the sidewalk the wrong way on a one way street and then get mad because I don't allow you to merge into traffic.

Once cyclists figure out what they are; motorists will be able to interact with them.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by edn88

Having said that fining people for jwalking is a bit of a joke- because it does NOT deter anyone (but getting hit by a car sure would).

Why do you believe it doesn't deter anyone?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The thing is; cyclists as a group need to decide what they are. Pick one of the following:

- Motorist/ vehicle operator
- Pedestrian
- Renegade

You cannot attempt to merge from riding down the sidewalk the wrong way on a one way street and then get mad because I don't allow you to merge into traffic.

Once cyclists figure out what they are; motorists will be able to interact with them.

Here here! It's the cyclists with the cavalier "I am above the law!" (flips hair out of eyes) attitude that are to blame; not the responsible bicycle commuters who would probably take offence to some of our complaints.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

This really F's up traffic at places like 4th street and 6th ave where people are trying to dual turn onto 6th ave and there is a parade of ######bags that don't want to wait for the next walk light so no one gets to turn on the green light, and on the red light there is way too much traffic to make a turn.

So if I can wait at that red light for 3 minutes in my car, so can you.

Hey I'll wait for a red light but I'm not going to stand there twiddling my thumbs staring at a green light because I didn't time it perfectly to get there inside the 15 second window.

Would you honestly stop and watch the hand for 45 seconds when you know you can easily be halfway down the next block before the light even turns yellow?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The thing is; cyclists as a group need to decide what they are. Pick one of the following:

- Motorist/ vehicle operator
- Pedestrian
- Renegade

You cannot attempt to merge from riding down the sidewalk the wrong way on a one way street and then get mad because I don't allow you to merge into traffic.

Once cyclists figure out what they are; motorists will be able to interact with them.

I'm a vehicle and I expect to be treated as such. when you pass a motorcycle, do you try to force them off the road and crowd them into the curb? If you're passing me, change lanes or give me at least 3 feet. I don't ride on sidewalks. I stop at red lights and 4 way stops. So quit trying to push me off the road!

[ken0042]

That's great Habernac, and my hat is off to you for being responsible while riding.

The problem isn't you; it's with so many other cyclists. And until I see you signalling that left hand turn, then I don't know if you are a jerk type of rider or not.

The ones I pass- I pass with as much room as they gave me. So if I'm at a light and a cyclist squeezes between me and the curb to take the "pole position" or run the red light, they are going to have me whiz by with the same number of inches they gave me. If it's a guy like you who waits his turn in the line of traffic, and I end up behind you; I will give you a minimum of half a lane; more if possible.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

But were you actually Jaywalking?

Yeah, totally...I deserved the ticket....NO question about that. I jaywalk all the time. I just want to know if the cop is proud of what he has become.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by habernac

what's the old saying? Don't do the crime if you can't do the time? Wait the extra 30 seconds and go when the walk light is up.

Nah. A measly $25 fine isn't enough to stop me from doing it. I will continue.

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

Yeah, totally...I deserved the ticket....NO question about that. I jaywalk all the time. I just want to know if the cop is proud of what he has become.

So what do you do for a living?

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by ken0042

When I was in the police station the other day they said there was already 5 or 6 pedestian deaths so far this year. Last night there was another.

It's a hard lesson I had to learn when I moved from Winnipeg; don't J Walk in Calgary.

Disagree. I don't need society when to tell me to walk and not walk. I can clearly see when it is safe to proceed. When it is safe, I go. Plain and simple.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Hey I'll wait for a red light but I'm not going to stand there twiddling my thumbs staring at a green light because I didn't time it perfectly to get there inside the 15 second window.

Would you honestly stop and watch the hand for 45 seconds when you know you can easily be halfway down the next block before the light even turns yellow?

I know what you are saying, and on a regular non-downtown intersection for the most part I agree. Lots of downtown intersections I agree as well, I do it all the time walking along 8th ave because I know I'll make it across no problem.

Actually, I'm going to change my whole stance on it. Put in turn signals at the bad spots. If there is a turn signal (even though it seems useless from a one way on to a one way) then the pedestrians don't get a walk sign until the turn cycle is done, and then they can jaywalk to their hearts content on the flashing hand without screwing up traffic at all.

Done and done.

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

You'd change your story if you stepped out on the road and were squashed by a panel van wouldn't you.

Its a public safety issues, I don't know how many times I've had to jam the brakes because some idiot is too fricken lazy to walk 20 feet to a cross walk and wait for the lights to change.

Sorry man, I don't have any sympathy for you, I'm happy the cops snagged you, but the ticket should have been larger.

PLease refer to my last post. I can judge when it is safe to go. I am a big boy. I have jaywalked at least twice every day for the past 3 years, and never has there even been a close call....I don't need society to tell me when and where I can walk.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

I don't need society to tell me when and where I can walk.

Fair enough. However keep in mind that most of the laws on our books are not there to protect the smart people or those with common sense. It's for the Homer Simpsons of the world who say "See, because of me now there's a warning."