With the high cost of gas, I want to ride by bike, but I don't want to get KILLED, so what should I do?

Question

I have decided to ride my bicycle to work (work is only about 5 miles away). The sidewalks are absolutely empty of people at the times when I am on them but the law says that I need to stay on the roads, the same 4-lane roads that are packed with huge dump trucks and transport trucks hauling their loads to the factories in the area. So far about 6 bicyclists have been killed in this area this year alone while obeying all the laws of the road and driving within 2 feet of the curbs. (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada). The transports often have their tires rubbing up against the curbs, so the bicyclists don't have a chance of surviving. But police often give out $120 tickets for bicyclists who are found riding on the empty sidewalks. I guess it is better to have a dead cyclist ?

My rules are these: If there is ANY pedestrian on the sidewalks, I MUST either get off my bicycle and walk, or get completely off the sidewalk 10 car lengths before I reach the pedestrian.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Geez! And I thought my counties roads were terrible...I'd say just walk buddy...

If you really are that worried and their really are that many trucks that drive so close to the curb...

your basically playing "Frogger" in reality.

Try riding on the grasss, it will suck. Or maybe get a scooter.

Answer 2

Wow, what a horrible situation.  I think riding your bike to work is a great idea, and more and more people are going to be doing it so cities are going to have to re-think some of their biking laws.

I would also be tempted to just ride on the sidewalk, go slow, get a bell, smile a lot so people are more kind.  I'm sure that children are allowed to bicycle on the sidewalks, right?

Unless your town puts in legitimate bike lanes, then they really can't force you to ride on those crowded roads, what with all the accidents that have already occurred.  I'd love to see that go to court.  Courteous man on the sidewalk vs. bike-vehicle accidents on the road.

Can you leave for work early enough to avoid some of this traffic?  Maybe be able to leave earlier as well for the same reason?

Make sure you are highly visible with some day-glow clothing and very shiny, reflective helmet.

Happy trails!

Answer 3

DUDE PVO!! pure vegetable oil! buy and old diesel car and convert it. the newer ones don't work as well. an old diesel mercedes would work really well

Answer 4

F- the police I would ride the sidewalk and go slow, if the way does not have a shoulder.  If you are going to work hey got to do what you got to do.  Drivers can be rude during rush hour.  If a cop is that desperate enough to give a guy going to work on a bike a ticket during rush hour so be it.  Wear a helmet, get some lights, get a bell, be careful you will be ok.