Sometimes cyclists act just like pedestrians

While at lunch one day I was traveling west on Union in the left (inside) lane. A cyclist was traveling north on a crossing street. Going at a pretty good clip!

The cyclist drove up the handicap ramp at the corner; down the ramp into the east bound lanes on Union (now occupying the pedestrian crossing); and proceeded to cross directly in front of my vehicle. I had to hard brake to avoid him! He proceeded up the ramp then back down the ramp onto the street continuing north.

Doing this he (in my mind) wrongly considered himself a pedestrian thus avoiding the need to stop at the intersection and wait for a clearing in traffic to cross Union.

Now for the question… Had I not been able to brake in time, and struck him; or if the car in the right lane had been closer to me from behind thus not even able to see him and struck him; who would have been at fault?

To me, and from my old learning, a cyclist is supposed to:

▪  Ride on the road not the sidewalks;

▪  Obey all traffic signage/signals just as any other wheeled vehicle;

▪  If a cyclist is using a crosswalk they are to walk their bike across the street when traffic is clear.

These are the cyclists that give cyclists a bad name/reputation!

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Sometimes cyclists act just like pedestrians."