Charm Offensive

For the last couple of years, I've been going out of my way to help pedestrians.  When I see someone waiting at a crosswalk, I take the lane, signal a stop, stop, and then ask the pedestrians if they would like to cross.  Almost always I am rewarded with a big smile and an enthusiastic "Thank you".  (If you've seen a dorky looking guy on a Pedersen bike doing this, it was most certainly me...)  Of course, some drivers get pretty angry about actually being forced to obey the law, and they sometimes honk horns and yell obscenities, but none have killed me (yet).

Since I started doing this, I've seen a few other cyclists do it, too.  This has to be good for the public's perception of cyclists!

I would love it if Chainlinkers became known as those nice people who bring some civility to our streets.  Any ideas how we can get more cyclists to ally themselves with pedestrians, and also how we can get this practice associated with Chainlink?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on August 21, 2013 at 1:01am

Nice. :)

 

I would think the place where this would be most necessary and helpful to a pedestrian would be on four-lane roads. But would it be possible for one cyclist safely and effectively to stop two lanes of traffic?

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 21, 2013 at 1:42am

Love this!

Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 21, 2013 at 2:23am

I do this occasionally, but mostly on streets with slower speeds. The pedestrian's response is often one of disbelief followed by a thank you.

I would agree that your own safety is paramount.

Maybe to identify yourself as a Chainlinker you can hand them a little flier while they pass in front you?

"This safe crossing brought to you by The Chainlink"

Permalink Reply by Eli on August 21, 2013 at 2:30am

What a great idea.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 21, 2013 at 3:11am



Duppie 13.5185km said:

Maybe to identify yourself as a Chainlinker you can hand them a little flier while they pass in front you?

"This safe crossing brought to you by The Chainlink"

Business cards.  We need business cards.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 21, 2013 at 5:04am

Even on a 2-lane street like 99th, speed and failure to yield is a significant problem. I've done this as a cyclist and as a pedestrian for elderly folks and kids. 

When I'm trying to cross 99th at an uncontrolled intersection, I find it interesting to observe circumstances when drivers are less or more likely to yield.  It's often impossible, even on a weekend afternoon, to make a direct crossing.  I have better luck making a right turn, then stopping on the center line at the next intersection, using my left hand to signal a left turn.  Best luck: right turn then left, waiting on the center line with my trailer in tow, loaded with groceries.

Jeff Schneider said:

It's needed everywhere.

I've noticed that once I stop, others on the road get shamed into stopping, too.  Especially if the group of pedestrians includes kids.

The big problem is the speed of the car traffic.  On some streets (think Ashland or Western), the drivers will kill you if you try to take the lane.  By the time they look up from the phone and realize that you are stopping, they will be on top of you...

I don't take big risks and wouldn't want anyone else to do that, either.  I would just like us to do what we safely can.

Permalink Reply by John on August 21, 2013 at 3:02pm
Influence by example is subtle, but even incremental improvement is just that. I often wind up riding with a pack of cyclists within a mile of leaving home. I try to always stop behind the line, while many bikers block the crosswalk or blow through. I have found that after a few traffic lights or stop signs, more people will stop behind the line. Not a word said or look given. We all still get to the next intersection together.

Signaling upcoming turns while stopped has resulted in quite a few cab drivers across the intersection who were not turning to wave me through and wait until I turned before proceeding. It amazed me at first, but when someone else knows what you are going to do they may be inclined to cut some slack. No guarantees of course, just from observation.

If you want to be treated like traffic, it helps to act like traffic.
Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on August 21, 2013 at 5:27pm
Oh, amen. I like your style.


John said:
Influence by example is subtle, but even incremental improvement is just that. I often wind up riding with a pack of cyclists within a mile of leaving home. I try to always stop behind the line, while many bikers block the crosswalk or blow through. I have found that after a few traffic lights or stop signs, more people will stop behind the line. Not a word said or look given. We all still get to the next intersection together.

Signaling upcoming turns while stopped has resulted in quite a few cab drivers across the intersection who were not turning to wave me through and wait until I turned before proceeding. It amazed me at first, but when someone else knows what you are going to do they may be inclined to cut some slack. No guarantees of course, just from observation.

If you want to be treated like traffic, it helps to act like traffic.
Permalink Reply by Tim on August 21, 2013 at 5:50pm

Right, because everyone in this city knows what cab drivers are going to do....

Permalink Reply by Richard on August 22, 2013 at 2:11am

I LOVE THIS! Pedestrians -- by law -- have the right of way. But sometimes they take great personal risk to use that right. Also too those pedestrians are voters. Every time we're riding, it's a small PR campaign.

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on August 22, 2013 at 3:21am

Ha! I started doing this too, on Clark around A-ville where pedestrians are abound and not a lot of red lights.

I like the responses I get from pedestrians.

One was even shocked that I stopped for her and her little sons. And just this morning, one sarcastically said that she didn't think bikes had brakes :)

Permalink Reply by Shaun Jacobsen on August 23, 2013 at 4:25am

I always try to do this, too. It is especially effective on two-way two-lane streets. That way I can stop at least one lane while the pedestrian crosses.

It's harder on two-way, four-lane streets (which I try to avoid anyway). Sometimes the car in the centermost lane does not stop. But I stop anyway. I would like this treatment as a pedestrian (and I am mostly a pedestrian), so I try to do it for others.

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