The Chainlink

Today I was talking with a disabled friend who gets around in a wheelchair. He was telling me about a dark side to our new protected bike lanes, something that hasn't been adequately addressed. If he parks next to a parking-protected lane and deploys the ramp on his van to reach the curb, he sometimes gets yelled at by cyclists using the lane - not for creating a dooring or impact risk, but simply for using the ramp. Sometimes that's the only place for him to park.

While I have a problem with able-bodied drivers blocking bike lanes, if a disabled person in a wheelchair needs to use a ramp to use the curb, yelling at that person is just plain mean. An able-bodied cyclist has the option of going into the traffic lane to go around, or picking up their bike and walking briefly on the sidewalk, then returning to the bike lane. Someone in a wheelchair doesn't have that option. Let's not be mean, folks. A little bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way.

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Makes me sad to read this. Completely agree with you Anne, we can all be kind and compassionate.

It's an exception that no one should need be told to make. Really, it doesn't matter whether he could park elsewhere. Unfortunately, riding a bike doesn't make people magically evolve. ;) 

Unfortunately, riding a bike doesn't make people magically evolve. ;)

I wish that weren't so true.

This happens to me if I am riding on Wells.  I will stop at a crosswalk (stop sign or mid block) to allow people to cross, and other cyclists will buzz past them.

This happens to me everywhere where there are a lot of cyclists. =( Drivers are no better. 

It comes down to the fact that its the same dang species on bikes as in cars. ;)

Those who drive carelessly and flagrantly on the streets in their cars ride the same way on the paths and trails.  I've seen it over and over again.  But we have to be better than these, whether there's any benefit to it or not (as we might see it), for the betterment of the society at large.

Yes to ALL of what you said, especially what I emphasized in bold.

Or you could simply not build bike tunnels that force you into the path of the disabled.

I am not an urban planner but have a couple years of experience on the road with wheels of all kinds and feet. There can always be an improvement in roads, paths and sidewalks. Either way, we have to proceed with our hearts and eyes open. We cannot just assume we have the right of way. We should ALL look including the disabled guy using his  ramp, the mom with a buggy, the passenger getting out of a cab and yes, the cyclist in a perceived hurry. Unless you are on your private estate you are  on a public way that  you are sharing with million of  your closest friends.

Well said as always.  One of the most important things for us to remember (especially when we face challenges) is that our streets, sidewalks and paths are SHARED spaces that we all need to use.  Some users are more vulnerable than us and deserve special consideration.

Very well said.  If only we could all be more humane to each other.

"Cripples"?  You may want to reconsider your choice of words, just a friendly suggestion.

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