a different kind of bike lane conflict

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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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 26, 2015 at 2:14am

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

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Permalink Reply by Steve G on October 26, 2015 at 2:32am

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. ;)

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 26, 2015 at 4:10am

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

I wish that weren't so true.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy on October 26, 2015 at 5:38am

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.

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Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on October 26, 2015 at 9:43am

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

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Permalink Reply by Steve G on October 26, 2015 at 11:59am

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

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 29, 2015 at 8:21am

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.

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Permalink Reply by This PBL dosnt make me feel safe on October 26, 2015 at 12:22pm

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

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on October 29, 2015 at 6:30am

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.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 29, 2015 at 8:23am

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.