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Drivers: Be courteous to bicyclists, pedestrians

Updated: Monday, July 21, 2008 6:27 AM PDT

I'm writing in response to the article, "Police pose as pedestrians to nab errant drivers."

I've been meaning to address the issue of pedestrian safety and discourteous drivers in Lodi for a long time.

I know well the law that pedestrians have the right of way if in a crosswalk. However, as a bicyclist and pedestrian in Lodi, I have found that few drivers know of this law, or if they do know of this law, they don't care. It shouldn't even have to be a law; it's common courtesy to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross, especially in a crosswalk, especially in the rain, especially in the heat. I know that I must be off my bike for a car to have to stop for me in a crosswalk. It doesn't bother me to wait for a clearance in traffic when on my bike, but I've encountered some really discourteous drivers in Lodi.

Just recently I was in a crosswalk, off my bike, bags full of groceries hanging from my handle bars, the temperature over 95 degrees and nobody would stop for me on Lodi Avenue and then again while crossing Ham Lane. I can't change their behavior, but I certainly think the Lodi Police Department needs to address this issue. I've been pulled over on my bicycle and hassled by the Lodi Police Department three times. Why? I always wondered how many suspended drivers were driving by or how many people were trying to cross in a crosswalk while those police were focused on me and other bicyclists.

Please, Lodi drivers, try to be courteous to those of us who are bicyclists and pedestrians.

Patricia Hadsall
Lodi

Reader Feedback

girard74 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:07 PM:

" Let's also face it - there's a lot of irresponsibility to go around when it comes to driving our conveyances.

While pedestrians do have the right of way and bicycles that have no motors also fall into that same category, there is no doubt that although they may be legally right as they step into that crosswalk in front of motor vehicles that should stop for them, they will ultimately lose the war if they get hit.

All it really takes is a little attention paid to what is going on outside of the confines of our cars. Unfortunately it usually takes a tragedy for many of us to wake up. "

Jeff wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:12 AM:

" Let's face it - most driverss are unaware of the laws they must obey. They, for the most part, think that they should not have to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. I rarely see a person on driving a car stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk; they just blast through thinking, no doubt, that they have the right of way. And who really cares that the letter writer esplicitly writes that she had been off her bike to walk it across the street as a pedestrian? It's 95 degrees? So what, I'm important and am in a hurry. Get a basket for your bike and shop when it's convenient for educated reader. Stop blaming others for educated reader's stupidity! "

educated reader wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:19 AM:

" Let's face it - most bicyclists are unaware of the laws they must obey. They, for the most part, think that automobiles should stop for them. I rarely see a person on a bicycle stop at a STOP sign; they just blast through thinking, no doubt, that they have the right of way. And who really cares that the letter writer is riding in 95+ degree weather with heavy packages on her handle bars? Get a basket for your bike and shop while the weather in cooler in early morning or late afternoon. Stop blaming others for your stupidity! "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:36 PM:

" Cj, I've been laughing all day. "

cj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 7:27 PM:

" cogito...you can have the last laugh. "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 6:37 PM:

" AHHH yes, it's funny how some people fail to look at the person in the mirror when it comes to name calling. "

cj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I guess so, girard74, it must be in the water. It must be infectious, and I must be getting it by reading and blogging on this site. It is time for a period of withdrawal. By the way, I was thinking exactly what you said in your first blog on this page. That is, why was Ms. Hadsall pulled over by the police 3 times. "

girard74 wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:21 PM:

" cj suggested, 'You were probably thinking the "B" word while reading the letter this morning.'

Wow! What's with all of the prognosticating on these boards?!? Is it something in the Lodi water that gives certain people this incredible power of clairvoyance? If it's a special brand of beer or wine, then please someone tell me where I can get a bottle or two!! "

cj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:58 PM:

" Sorry Cogito, I spelled your name wrong, my typing error. I am not perfect and admit it. "

cj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 2:58 PM:

" Conito...why, just because they think other news was important too. Some people can actually think more than one piece of news is important without being a heartless,self-important jerk. You were probably thinking the "B" word while reading the letter this morning. "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:08 PM:

" Also cj, in the other article, I apologized for my assumption that someone else was racist. I based it on her latent lack of compassion for seven people who died, who happened to be Latino. Mainly because I realized, she could just be a heartless, self-important jerk. "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:00 PM:

" Cj, the word "heritage" was used in an attempt at humor, and is not a racist word. I never mentioned race. I was being tongue in cheek, not nasty. YOU are the one who reads things that aren't there. No matter what your background or racial makeup is, we all have a heritage. I ride my bike thousands of miles a year too, but I stay out of the way of traffic and follow the laws. I have never had a cop hassle me while I was riding my bike, not even once. "

wtf wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:04 AM:

" Patricia isn't too clear on whether she's aware that bicycle riders have to follow the same rules on the road as vehicles. Bike riders are not the same as pedestrians. Bicycles are supposed to ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic, stop at lights, and follow similar procedures as vehicles at stop signs, etc. Perhaps someone from LPD could write an article on rules for cyclists in their Behind the Badge column. "

cj wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Cogito...there you go again, getting nasty, and bringing up race/heritage again. If you don't know what I am talking about, you haven't read my other comment on another letter to editor letter. I think you may be the racist....you are always mentioning race. "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:51 AM:

" P.S., you are NOT superior to us drivers, stop acting like it. And you look goofy as heck in those tight little shorts and shirts, wearing that brain bucket. "

Cogito wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:47 AM:

" With more and more bicycles on the streets due to the high price of fuel, we're going to have to learn to share. Bicyclists, listen up, if you ride side by side and wander into traffic, drivers have the right to honk at you, question your heritage, familial relationships, and point out your resemblance to certain anatomical parts. Besides, if we meet, so to speak, you lose every time. So, know your place in the traffic pecking order and stay in your lane. I promise to stop at crosswalks for you. Sounds fair. "

girard74 wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:44 AM:

" The author wrote, 'I've been pulled over on my bicycle and hassled by the Lodi Police Department three times. Why?'

While I agree with the majority of your letter, Ms. Hadsall, you raise an interesting question that you failed to answer: why have you been pulled over by the police three times and hassled? Surely they gave you a reason for their actions; would you mind sharing them with us. I believe they might be relevant to your intentions behind this letter to the editor. "

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