Bicyclists must follow rules of the road

I had a pair of near misses with bicyclists last summer. While I feel I wasn’t at fault, if bicyclists had followed the rules of the road I wouldn’t have had two somewhat frightening experiences. Story number one. I was turning right out of a Dufferin Avenue business and was creeping closer to road. I looked to my left and saw that I was clear to go. Just as I headed into the road, someone on a bike came from my right on the sidewalk and went right in front of me.

I hit the brake and let the bicyclist go by. He shot me the finger and yelled at me to pay attention. A pedestrian gave me a “what’s-wrongwith-you” look.

However, if I was driving my car on the sidewalk, going the wrong way, in the middle of the afternoon, do you think I would get any sympathy if I had a close call? Story number two. I was driving into Chatham early in the morning last summer. It was still dark out. After I passed WalMart, I could see just a small glimmer in the distance. I slowed down and just in time I saw two guys on bikes dragging a shopping cart. They were wearing black, had no lights and had no reflectors. If I was unaware, it could’ve easily been a tragedy.

I pulled beside them and yelled out, “I can’t see you at all.”

Judging by their goofy laughs I don’t think they understood they were near-invisible to traffic that was approaching them from behind.

It is incumbent upon all road users to obey rules, regulations and safety practices. There are rules that everybody must follow. Bicyclists disobey road rules with more impunity, whether it’s ignoring red lights, stop signs or other basic rules of the road. I have witnessed a number of near misses as cyclists breeze through red lights at intersections, oblivious to oncoming cars.

Cyclists are also required to ride safely and follow the Highway Traffic Act, as well as municipal traffic bylaws. This includes stopping at stop signs and stop lights, signaling turns, and having proper reflectors and lights to enhance visibility.

Respect is a two-way street. We live in a carcentric society and close calls go both ways, but it’s imperative for cyclists to follow the rules of the road.

When it comes to car-versus-bike collisions, the car always wins.