The Gazette recently published a letter by Yanira Kilgore arguing that “dangerous bicyclists” need to share bike paths with pedestrians. (“Dangerous bicyclists need to learn to share the path,” Sept. 12.) What constitutes as “dangerous” for Ms. Kilgore is her observation of a cyclist who, while avoiding hitting a group of pedestrians clogging the path, told them to “Watch out!”
It is unclear how the cyclist utilizing a designated bicycle path is the one posing the dangerous threat in this situation. Rather, it is pedestrians that need to be more aware of the danger they cause when using bike areas.
The Southwest Corridor path is a major commuting route with two clearly separated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. Any cyclist can attest to the fact that no matter how much signage there is, you must always be on alert for pedestrians. In my experience, those using bike paths are generally considerate of one another. What becomes exasperating, however, is when pedestrians ignore cyclists, and disregard the fact that they are utilizing a space that was not designed for them. This is creates a dangerous situation for everyone—and it is a situation caused by pedestrians such as Ms. Kilgore, not cyclists.
Cyclists typically ride at speeds much faster than walkers and joggers, between 10 and 15 mph, often in two directions at once. It is for this reason that lanes are designated along these pathways. It is unfortunate that Ms. Kilgore’s doublewide stroller does not fit onto the sidewalk, but putting her children at risk by using a bike path seems an odd solution. Using her logic, a cyclist could arguably ride down the middle of Route 93 and be miffed at those “dangerous” drivers honking their horns. “It’s everyone’s road! Bikers’ rights!”
Ms. Kilgore’s allusions to the brutality she would inflict upon cyclists was even more troubling—speaking of pushing people off their bikes, throwing sticks to cause crashes, and hitting cyclists with her “thousand-pound car.” It is disappointing that the Gazette would print a letter riddled with such misdirected and violent speech. While cyclists may yell at those whom they just avoided crashing into, this is simply out of frustration for everyone’s safety. No one wants injure themselves, or anyone else—aside from Ms. Kilgore, apparently.
We cyclists don’t want to run you over. We just want to enjoy the beautiful pathways of this city in safety. Instead of taking your anger out with threats, you could consider joining your fellow neighbors. Purchase a bicycle from one of the many great shops in JP, get out there and ride. You might just love it! When your kids are old enough to ride, I am sure you will appreciate that there is a safe path available just for their use.
But until then, take a closer look at your own actions. Look into purchasing a thinner stroller that accommodates both your children and the sidewalk—which, coincidentally, the law states cyclists are allowed to ride on as well.
But don’t worry, we never do that. It’s far too dangerous.
Erin McCutcheon
Jamaica Plain
View Comments (6)
I can't figure out why, every morning on my bike commute to work, I encounter a group of up to 20 school kids walking south from Green St. station around 7 a.m. who insist on walking side-by-side and taking up the entire bike path. Usually zero are using the sidewalk 10 feet away that runs in parallel. As I come from behind them, since many have headphones on, I usually have to stop and yell loudly "coming through" or "excuse me" until they begrudgingly move. I've tried telling them this is a bike path and they should use the sidewalk (clearly marked for their respective uses by signage), to which one mouthed back that I should take the sidewalk.
Even from a purely selfish perspective, I don't understand why they would want to deal with the hassle of having to move over for every cyclist coming through (I do meet several other cyclists on this stretch coming from the opposite direction) when there is an empty sidewalk that could be all theirs.
Erin writes: "What becomes exasperating, however, is when pedestrians ignore cyclists, and disregard the fact that they are utilizing a space that was not designed for them."
This is patently false and is exactly the kind of entitlement complex cyclists can fall prey to in the same way people speeding up behind you on Mass Highways flashing brights to mow you over and out of "their lane" want you to think. That moving faster means "I don't need to watch out for you, you must watch me blazing my glorious path through you!" It's a sick disease in any mind to think you don't share any road you are on operating machinery powered by gas or pedal, or manual push and that this overrides the tendency to slow down not just shout louder and issue commands.
Many parts if not most of the SW corridor are shared not split and designed for ALL.
I don't care how great "we cyclists" think we are. We slow down for
anything that presents a complexity in the road ahead, and if we don't
eventually it is "we" who are responsible for resulting damages.
Have you ever met a friendly easy going speeder on any transport
device who was relaxed and not an ego-freak?
I see far more cyclists expecting a pedestrian to hear them coming right up on them
and to just dash out of the way without any give and startled by
not knowing they are coming up so fast.
Actually Erin's statement is factually correct; your comment is 'patently false': "Many parts if not most of the SW corridor are shared not split and designed for ALL."
Signs clearly distinguishing pedestrian from bike paths are on every single block.
"Many parts if not most of the SW corridor are shared not split and designed for ALL."
False.
Dear Erin,
Please don't worry that I will inflict harm on cyclists. I'm actually a peace loving individual, but after seeing someone almost get hit and the cyclist not showing that she cared beyond the fact that someone was in her way was frustrating and troubling to me. As a lifelong pedestrian I have followed the rules of the road and common courtesy. As for putting my children in danger I don't walk near the south corridor any longer. I walk on the sidewalks of Washington Street. I did go get my permit for a driver's license, but not to hit anyone or anything. I just want to get my kids home and start dinner.
Yanira Kilgore
Just not something to joke about. Would you take kindly to me joking about killing your children because they behaved badly in the store where I work? Seriously, would you be cool with that? Well, I'm somebody's kid, and when you joke about inflicting injury or death on me because of the mode of transportation I use, it's personal.
Also, stop saying you obey the rules. Walking on a designated bike path is against the rules, double wide stroller or not.