I just wrote about when it’s appropriate to confront shitty drivers. Today while walking I had an interaction that corroborates and refines my reasoning.
I saw a man get in the face of a woman on a bike (who had her kids with her), saying “What’s wrong with riding in the street!?”
She rode off, wisely avoiding this guy. I told him there was an exception to the rule if the road is unsafe. Ford Parkway, where we were, is definitely unsafe. Bringing kids on bikes into the street would be irresponsible on this stretch. I asked him if he often shouted at strangers about what to do and what not to do and he said yes! I don’t think he knew the sidewalk law; all he did was shout, “Call any cop, they’ll tell you there’s no exception!” etc. Then he got in his car and drove off.
But cops can’t protect you from distracted or intoxicated drivers. And there was a bike festival (Tour de Highland) going on that morning a block away, so he should have held his tongue.
The sidewalk was wide and uncrowded. Just that morning I walked through the intersection where a pedestrian was killed in 2012 (the driver was not charged. He would have been punished more if he had damaged a sign instead of killing a person.) (http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-nun-dies-after-being-struck-by-truck/164319406/).
So I will avoid being like this guy, shouting over minor sidewalk courtesies. At least we were arguing over what the law says instead of just telling each other to shut up. I will however continue to confront people when I see something unsafe or illegal.
The real killers (drivers) need to be held accountable. Cyclists, who do not kill people, should not be harassed for keeping themselves safe.
pseudoisaac 