Cyclist nearly takes out a kid while running a red light

[annoyedindc]

Cyclist nearly takes out a kid this morning. Ran this light, the next, a couple of stop signs but got passed in the end. SMH.

[dasgeh]

Why isn't there a crosswalk there? Did the kid jaywalk or is it just not painted?

Just curious

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[jrenaut]

Why isn't there a crosswalk there? Did the kid jaywalk or is it just not painted?

Just curious

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Aren't intersections like this considered "unpainted crosswalks" by law in Virginia? It definitely should be painted but I don't think VA law considers it any different if there is or isn't paint.

[ImaCynic]

And your point is? The reality is that there are law breakers riding a bike, driving a vehicle, and walking on feet. I see this as a teaching moment for the kid, to look before crossing, and not just follow the signal. Relying on laws to protect you will kill you, every time.

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[annoyedindc]

There are sidewalks on either side of this intersection with curb cuts. Neither side of the street has marks for crossing Cherry St. though. So, if it isn't a cross walk then there's no way to cross Cherry St. at all.

[bobco85]

Yeah, the crosswalks on Hillwood Ave there aren't painted. The kid did nothing wrong, although they might want to practice not running into an intersection (for fear of right-on-red drivers).

Here's the intersection: https://goo.gl/maps/YSJmDSeFrKG2

Also, why run that red? IME the light cycle there isn't that long.

[Tania]

I see this as another reason "all cyclists" are painted as jerks and scofflaws. The cyclist ran the light - and if he'd hit the runner he (the cyclist) would have been entirely at fault, crosswalk or not.

[lordofthemark]

And your point is? The reality is that there are law breakers riding a bike, driving a vehicle, and walking on feet. I see this as a teaching moment for the kid, to look before crossing, and not just follow the signal. Relying on laws to protect you will kill you, every time.

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There is, pardon me, a proper way to break the law on a bike. When you come to a red, stop, look, then proceed through. IF there is no cross traffic, including no pedestrians. I tend to think its best not to Idaho when there are peds at any corner who might cross, but if that is too high a standard, certainly yielding to a ped who is actually starting to cross in front of you is the right thing.

Note, one of the reasons I support legalizing the Idaho stop, is that I would like orgs like WABA to be in the position to teach riders how to do a proper, safe, Idaho.

Of course people should walk (and bike and drive) defensively, assuming other road users will break the law, do the dangerous thing, etc. But don't doubt, a bike ped fatality is always going to be bad for the cause of cycling advocacy.

[dasgeh]

Yeah, the crosswalks on Hillwood Ave there aren't painted. The kid did nothing wrong, although they might want to practice not running into an intersection (for fear of right-on-red drivers).

Here's the intersection: https://goo.gl/maps/YSJmDSeFrKG2

Also, why run that red? IME the light cycle there isn't that long.

Thanks. I couldn't see the sidewalk coming in to the intersection in the video and didn't know the spot.

But no, one person is not responsible for the stereotypes or generalizations of a another person.

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[TwoWheelsDC]

Aren't intersections like this considered "unpainted crosswalks" by law in Virginia? It definitely should be painted but I don't think VA law considers it any different if there is or isn't paint.

Yep. Basically, a crosswalk exists in Virginia at every intersection of streets or sidewalk and street, whether there is paint or not.