Despite knowing this province’s rules, Toronto cycling advocate Alison Stewart says she regularly crosses early with the pedestrian signals.
“It’s much safer. It keeps me in front of car traffic, and gives me the chance to be seen as I cross,” said Stewart, director of advocacy and public policy for Cycle Toronto.
As a cyclist myself, I do agree with this. However, the article also mentioned the scramble intersection at Yonge and Dundas, and in that circumstance, I feel that cyclists should dismount and walk along with the other pedestrians. I feel that way because there are those crossing diagonally, and cyclists weaving in and out between walking pedestrians simply is not good. But, generally, if it’s just a regular crossing (and not a scramble) then yes, cyclists should be able to go early along with the pedestrians.
The default rule should be to allow it. We already have some intersections that are signed to “dismount to cross” -and that signage could be used for intersections like this.
As a cyclist myself, I do agree with this. However, the article also mentioned the scramble intersection at Yonge and Dundas, and in that circumstance, I feel that cyclists should dismount and walk along with the other pedestrians. I feel that way because there are those crossing diagonally, and cyclists weaving in and out between walking pedestrians simply is not good. But, generally, if it’s just a regular crossing (and not a scramble) then yes, cyclists should be able to go early along with the pedestrians.
The default rule should be to allow it. We already have some intersections that are signed to “dismount to cross” -and that signage could be used for intersections like this.
Why? It seems to work pretty well in the Netherlands. Especially at intersections where everyone is going pretty slow anyway.