I’d rather be out in the lane, where motorists can see me, than on a sidewalk or adjacent/arterial path that routinely pops me blindly into traffic at every intersection. When I deliberately choose to avoid the path and take the lane, I inevitably get honked or yelled at by passing motorists. Which sucks, of course, but I have a photographic memory for license plates and vehicle descriptions, and a BlackBerry in my bike bag that I’m only too happy to use to call 911 if I feel especially threatened.

A tiny piece of irony: years ago, while riding on the Rachel Street path in Montreal’s East End, I was t-boned by a motorist too busy arguing with his wife to notice me on my banana yellow mountain bike in the middle of the intersection. He blew the stop sign and accelerated right into me. I haven’t used on-street paths since.

And the next time I see a cyclist on the sidewalk, I’ll seriously let my dog chase him

Thanks for saying it like it needed to be said. Sure wish more motorists would read and appreciate.

Having an opinion is a lovely thing to say but it doesn’t make you right despite what your VIP teacher may have told you (speaking of which, I really need to get around to writing a post about that soon).

I don’t mind you commenting but I will be filtering any further comments that contain sexist or homophobic language.

however, bicyclists are a menace to themselves and others when they ride on the road. and ignoring bike paths is just insanely rude; the city didn’t build them as scenic works of art. in my opinion, bike riders who choose not to use them should be ticketed and for a larger amount than those who ride on the sidewalk.

small world.