Blog: Davis Road Rules (& Rage)

Dear White Pickup Truck Driver – Yay, I’m not dead! That’s because I saw your headlights accelerating towards the yield sign, and so didn’t take my right of way.

Just FYI? Although both are yellow, the “yield sign” and the “yellow light” should be treated differently.  Aside from not killing me, you also reminded me that I wanted to write about Davis Road Rules, so now I’m sort of sorry that I yelled cuss words at you. But only sort of.

For everyone who isn’t the Driver of the White Pickup Truck, here’s what I want to say about traveling in Davis.

To the  City of Davis: Please don’t build bike paths that just end without warning. You don’t build roads that way. We’re vehicles too. Also, if it’s necessary to close a bike path, please warn people at the intersection before the closure, so we can choose a different route. And when you cone off part of the street so you can do sidewalk work, it would be great if you didn’t force bikes and cars into one lane.

To the City of Davis Bike Coordinator: Welcome to Davis! Could you issue a ruling about pedestrians on bike paths, the direction thereof? I don’t really care if they walk with traffic or against it, but I’d really really like people to pick one and go with it.

To Pedestrians: Do not stand in bike paths. Do not park strollers in bike paths. Do not play catch across bike paths. And (and this is the most important one) when I say “On your left, DON’T MOVE LEFT.

To other people-powered-wheels: Wheelchairs excepted, if you’re moving on wheels you are a vehicle. (Wheelchair drivers may decide which they want to be, and then act accordingly.) Get off the sidewalk, even if the City of Davis did make the bike path end in the middle. Follow traffic rules, including 4-way stops. Get a bike light and use it.

To the drivers of cars: You are legally required to stop to allow pedestrians to cross at ANY street corner. (Slowing down does not count. You are not “being nice” if you do it – it’s the law. Look it up.) Please don’t open your door into the bike lane and kill me. Please don’t double park in the bike lane, because we are riding there. I realize that not all bicyclists follow traffic rules (and I’m sorry) but once I have indicated that I am following them, how about if you follow them too – it’s not necessary to waive me into an illegal left turn, or refuse to take your turn at the 4-way stop. Last, but not least, please lift your hand and use your turn signal. Trust me, all the cool kids are doing it.

There, that’s better. I’m sure I missed a few – feel free to chime in!