@PacificNic @reinhilde @jay_chi @VisionZeroYVR @jamesglave Not as dangerous as crossing at a red light IMO. You should respect the road code whether in a car, on a bike or on foot!
There's plenty of idiots who drive and there are also plenty of good drivers who respect cyclists. Similarly there's lots of cyclists who respect the rules and there are those who don't know how to ride a bike.
Blaming one part or the other doesn't solve problems unfortunately.
Also the grab a brick idea is dangerous. I suspect it would cause way more accidents than it prevents
@nicolaromano @jamesglave Why do you suspect that’s more dangerous? From your car or trying to cross the street? I know from experience that if a driver gets a warning by a pedestrian who wants to cross, he stops the next time - without a warning. I once stood at a zebra waiting for cars that refused to stop. I didn't have a brick, but I did have my voice. So I shouted very loud and the next car stopped. Scream, brick, a psychological effect. Pedestrian is seen and safe, driver is more alert.
@suzantepas @jamesglave If I were in a car and saw someone waving a brick I would probably be scared and might break all of a sudden, which might be dangerous for those behind me. Also, if I saw someone waving bricks at cars I would probably call the police, which is probably not the desired outcome here. I think we should educate people more (everyone, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike) on how to behave on the road.
@nicolaromano @jamesglave Thank you.
The thing is, would you be scared if you were in a car and saw someone trying to cross the street, almost getting hit? I think you're getting into the seat of the driver too easily, and 'to educate people more' has not helped with most car drivers. Because when one of them doesn't stop, the next doesn't. They're not acting like individuals, they're acting like car drivers. Pedestrians don't need 'education', that's fake 'both sides'. Pedestrians need safety.
@suzantepas @jamesglave Sure I would be scared, but if I see someone trying to cross and I am driving I stop and let them pass. However, I still don't think that "throw something at the ass driver" strategy is very good.
I think we need to be fair though; I have seen plenty of people crossing the road, maybe at a red light, whilst looking at their phone, or listening to music or both, and not paying the slightest attention to what is happening on the road. Sure, cars should stop, but sometimes it might not be safe to do so, or maybe simply you don't expect someone crossing the road when the light is red. There are many different situations and generalisation is always problematic.
Similarly, I see plenty of cyclists going out at night with no lights/no reflective clothing/no helmet. Sure, cars should be more careful when driving in the dark, but you should not go out at night without lights either.
As I said, there are plenty of car drivers who do not behave properly, and there are plenty of cyclists and pedestrians who also don't. I am just saying that education is important and a much better solution than trying to scare other people off.
