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I am frustrated and often angry about the freedom cyclists have when riding the city’s streets. More specifically, years ago it was the case that cyclists had to adhere to the same rules as those driving cars. As I have not had to take a written driving test in a long time, I am not sure if this is still the case. I did have an unfortunate mishap many years ago in which a cyclist, who was racing down a hill on the right side of my car , was clipped by me when I made a right-hand turn. I had been completely stopped at the stop sign and had my blinker on but he clearly had no intention of slowing down and certainly not stopping at the sign. He went flying but thank God was not hurt. In the end, my insurance company determined that I was not at fault because I did everything right and he blatantly ignored the rules.
A few months ago I had an emergency with my cat who was having seizures and needed to get to a hospital ASAP. I was stuck behind a cyclist who was riding very slowly in the center of the lane right in front of my car causing a real delay, and overwhelming stress, for me. When I finally got him to his vet I was told that his seizures had gone on too long and that he may have suffered brain damage because of it. I asked what "too long" was and was told that I should have gotten him there five minutes sooner. Had I not been stuck behind that arrogant and/or oblivious cyclist I would have been able to get him there ten minutes earlier.
Every day I see cyclists tearing through stop signs, not signaling, weaving between cars on double-lane streets and I have never once seen the police addressing these practices. No doubt, many people would say that the police have better things to do, but I disagree. These cyclists need to be made accountable just as the driver of a vehicle. Laws should be enforced, that is what they are paid to do.
Every so often there is an upset and the whole cyclists’ rights drama rears it’s head, there’s lots of talk, then it all dies down and no resolutions are made about the rules they have to follow.
While I am all for alternative modes of transportation, I cannot support an attitude of privilege and entitlement either from them or the city government.
Name Withheld
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