Bike Riders of lemmy, you okay with me riding my eScooter in the bike lane?

Submitted ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨ericbomb@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨[deleted]⁩

The sidewalks are really dangerous where I am, where they are super uneven, have “artistic” curves, and trees that are overhanging really low so like will hit my body.

I go max 15 MPH on my escooter and if I hear a ding ding I jump onto the sidewalk and go a bit slower until you guys pass, since I’m slower and can dismount easier it only makes sense for me to make room. I figure as long as I make room it “shouldn’t” be a problem.

But just wondering if there are any bike riders that are just like shaking their fist at escooter riders.

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DrMoronicAcid@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
In my eyes having someone on an escooter in front of me is no different to having a slower cyclist in front. So it wouldn’t bother me.

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- obinice@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Slower? The guy said he does 15mph, that’s pretty standard bicycle speed for me, I could go faster if I’m trying to really race somewhere but then my leggies get tireds >.<
  
  Electric motor scooters are pretty neat, I wish I had one, but they’re sooo expensive :-(
  
  One day, after the apocalypse makes money obsolete, I’ll take one from an abandoned shop while I’m scavenging for food :-D
  
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  - Eideen@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    25 km/h (15miles/h) is slow. A racing bicycle will without sweet do 40-50 km/h.
    
    flobikes.com/…/6750279-how-does-your-average-bike…
    
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  - Blizzard@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    Have you figured out how you will keep charging it after the apocalypse?
    
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uniqueid198x@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Thingsthat go bicycle speed belong in the bike lane. Things that go faster go in the car lane. Things that go slower belong inthe people lane,

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- corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Bundle the squishy things together on a segregated path.
  
  Make the squishy things who invade the 2-ton hard things’ designated areas attract a penalty except at marked crossings. Double that penalty when they whinge in that privileged voice.
  
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  - thorbot@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    Yeah because every road has a segregated pedestrian path, no it fucking doesn’t
    
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ericisshort@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
It’s not really up to Lemmy.

Please check your local laws regarding scooters and other electric powered vehicles bike lanes. If it’s legal, go ahead and ride there all you want.

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- ericbomb@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  No laws against it, but I’m just curious if I’m angering the faster and more athletic folks!
  
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  - 1st@kbin.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    I'll be much more irritated if you're on the sidewalk. It's more dangerous for pedestrians and for you. When you're biking you expect to have to pass people whether it's because they're a slower cyclist or using a escooter. My old apartment had an exit at a blind corner and dealing with escooter riders on the sidewalk was hellish. I would pull out slowly so that pedestrians had plenty of time to stop, but when scooters became popular I had to start creating forward at a painfully slow pace because people going bike speeds somehow thought it was okay to be on the sidewalk.
    
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robocall@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Please ride in the bike lane, not the sidewalk. Go whatever speed feels safe for you.

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- andrewrgross@slrpnk.net ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Not only do I agree on the basis of everyone’s safety, but I WANT to see crowded bike lanes. Because eventually, I’d like bike lanes to replace cars, and outgrowing infrastructure is a basic part of expanding and changing it.
  
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  - Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    i love crowded bike lanes (well, multi-use paths in sweden) next to slower roads, because it gives me the justification for biking on the road.
    
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  - Resistentialism@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    As someone who doesn’t ride bicycles. What’s the huge issue with cars? They’re a ton more effective than bikes.
    
    I think motorised vehicle owners and cyclists just have a universal hate for each other. Well a lot of people do. There’s a ton of people on bikes that are absolute cunts, and that comes from bad experiences with them.
    
    Maybe if we all use the things how we’re supposed to, a lot of this hate would disappear.
    
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benwubbleyou@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I cycle every day to work and back and see e scooters everywhere, doesn’t bother me none as long as they follow road signage.

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ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago

Bike Riders of lemmy, you okay with me riding my eScooter in the bike lane?

As far as I’m concerned, you’re just another bike :)

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- DogMuffins@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  … with tiny wheels 🛞
  
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twistypencil@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I don’t mind bikes, E or otherwise, in the bike lane, I do mind gas powered scooters, vespa etc. I’m not sure I can put a pin in why, except they stink and often are riding too fast and weaving in and out wrecklessly and just using the bike lane as a passing lane, returning to the regular road when they can

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- PeterLossGeorgeWall@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Why? Because the gas ones will actively ruin the bike path. They are much heavier and will cause much quicker wear and tear. Of course you also shouldn’t have to breathe the fumes from them.
  
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- electromage@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Noisy and stinky should be enough. But yeah they often seem to be driven by people who don’t regard others.
  
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- RBWells@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  It’s illegal here. Motorized vehicles must ride in the road and obey traffic laws. Bicycles must ride in bike lane or road and obey traffic laws. Sidewalk for walking people or wheelchairs or similar.
  
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  - twistypencil@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    But electric is ok? Is it just combustion engines?
    
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- Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Hell i don’t even really mind electric golfcart-like vehicles on bike infrastructure, so long as they’re for commercial use, there’s enough space to very comfortably pass them, and they go really slow.
  
  Way i see it that just means businesses are going to be pushing for more and better bike infrastructure rather than expanding the roads.
  
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- Resistentialism@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  If it’s a 2 stroke vespa, yeah, they have that smell. It’s also an easier way to differentiate between old classics and new ones. I don’t have any experience with new vespas, but I think they would’ve gone to 4 strokes now.
  
  I’ll also point out. At least in the UK, 50cc riders tend to be absolutely brain-dead morons.
  
  You can usually tell which ones are the culprits because they’ve fucked their exhaust. And ride around like, “yeahhh look at me, I’m so cool with my shit sounding underpowered bike.” No mate, you get maybe 35mph if you’ve de-restricted it, and you’re borderline red lining it. Calm down. You just look stupid. Same goes for 125’s sure they get a bit of extra speed and can get to 70, but it’ll take like 2 minutes to get up to speed and abusing your engine.
  
  Fuck most delivery drivers as well.
  
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- redballooon@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  They’re faster than a bike, but not by much. That guarantees you have their stink in your nose for a long while, usually until paths separate.
  
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- ShustOne@lemmy.one ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  My thoughts exactly. I welcome my scooter bros.
  
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Rivalarrival@lemmy.today ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
It matters less where you’re riding and more which set of rules you are following. If you’re on a sidewalk, or opposing traffic, you need to behave as a pedestrian. If you’re riding with traffic, you need to behave as a vehicle.

There is one rule underlying all traffic rules: Be Predictable. Even if you’re following all the applicable laws and regulations, if people can’t figure out what you’re trying to do, you are wrong.

To that effect, if you hang a red light on your ass and a white light up front, everyone will expect you to operate like a vehicle.

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Nioxic@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
In Denmark youre essentially considered a bike.

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vinceman@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I’m not in a major city but I absolutely believe you have full rights to use the bike lane, no questions asked. I would say you’re going far above and beyond by jumping off for a second and letting people pass.

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- AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  As long as you limit weaving side to side. I generally wouldn’t mind pedestrians except they’re so damn unpredictable
  
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win95@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I’m the Netherlands where everyone and their mom rides bikes and we have bike lanes everywhere, escooters / ebikes / regular scooters all go on the bike lane. It’s less dangerous to go a bit slower than a fast biking person (like a grandma on a regular bike) and just staying on the right, than the dangers on the sidewalk.

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radix@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I say it’s perfectly fine to be in the bike lane. Much better than the sidewalk, when you’re going at that speed.

However, I would like to emphasize the importance of staying to the right at all times unless passing someone. Cyclists, bikers (less adept cyclists), and escooter riders should all adhere to this, but in my experience escooters are far less likely to do so. Same with signaling — tell people around you with hand signals which way you’re going to go well in advance, and go (gradually, carefully) toward that side of the bike lane / bike path before turning to ensure you don’t cut anyone off. Don’t weave between people. Be aware of your surroundings. Please don’t kill or maim anyone.

Good luck out there! Welcome to the land of the free from cars!

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MeanEYE@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
We just had law amended to take into account eScooters. This is the exact thing they decided was okay. Up to 25km/h on bike lane or bike track or 6km/h (walking speed) on pedestrian paths. So I don’t personally mind eScooters as long as they behave properly, signaling turns, paying attention and not dangerously overtaking. This also applies to cyclists and all the other users of these lanes.

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garyyo@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
15 mph is plenty fast enough to belong in the bike lane. You’re good bro.

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RubberElectrons@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Just give me some notice you’re passing me, that was always my fucking gripe with the food delivery guys in NYC. They just show up in your periphery and scare the fuck outta you. Ring a bell! Say hello! I’ll say hello back! Goodbye!

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gmtom@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Yeah go for it, but I need you to know you look goofy af

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- Mr_Blott@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  What, even next to the lycra-wrapped cyclists with that “I’ve just shat myself” seat taint pad in their shorts?!?
  
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- ericbomb@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Haha well I feel less goofy than having a dumb car.
  
  I do not like cars. Glad I got rid of my car and feel much happier with my scooter.
  
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regdog@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
It annoys me that now in 2023 we have so many vehicles that we call “scooter”. I can think of three different types that fit the description.

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- I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  I don’t think they’re talking about a rascal. And a vespa type would be in the car lane, not sidewalk.
  
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  - bob_wiley@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
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Airazz@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
In my country electric scooters are classified as bicycles, so they must use bicycle lane if one is available. To clarify, E-scooters like this one, not like electric Vespa or something. Their top speed must be limited to 25 km/h.

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DrSleepless@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I don’t care where you ride it as long as you don’t act like a douchebag

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boyi@lemmy.sdf.org ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
in the Netherlands, scooter can ride on the bicycle lane.

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NarrativeBear@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Bike lanes IMO are good for anything that needs a even level surface (as long as it’s not a car).

Most sidewalks I come across always seems to ramp up and down for driveways. I would even say a mobility scooter or even a wheel chair is perfectly acceptable in a bike lane. Most sidewalks are way go narrow unfortunately.

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- awwwyissss@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  People really shouldn’t be in a bike lane on a wheel chair when there’s a sidewalk.
  
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  - muddybulldog@mylemmy.win ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    Highly depends on the quality of the sidewalk. While I love the aesthetic of my neighborhood much of the sidewalk is barely maintained brick and cobbles. Wheelchairs are safer in the road in many areas.
    
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- corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  
  way to narrow
  
  You need to go to Lubbock. And then it’s on Broadway, right new Avenue N.
  
  Now you know the way to Narrow.
  
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PieMePlenty@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Shouldnt be called bike line. It should be called “faster than walking lane”, “above 15km/h” lane or something. The point is, it is for object going faser than walking. No, i dont mind.

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- Rogue@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  That’s an interesting thought but I’m not sure I agree. Should runners use bike lanes? I’d say it’s more to do with the danger each transport poses.
  
  A runner is very capable of avoiding people walking, and even if they were to collide the impact is minimal.
  
  A cyclist is much less capable of dodging a pedestrian, hence why they don’t belong on a pavement. Same would apply to scooters.
  
  Cars and large goods vehicles are a threat to cyclists due to the speed disparity.
  
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  - njordomir@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    Someone on a different thread explained to me that runners do this for visibility. Its still annoying though to be riding down a bike lane at 20-30 mph and all of a sudden someone is jogging the other direction. I have to remind myself that pedestrians are vulnerable road users and its actually the cars I should be ticked at, not the joggers who are just trying to avoid getting smooshed.
    
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  - PieMePlenty@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    I mean theoretically, if a runner goes as fast as a bike they wouldnt interfere with each other but I get your point. A bike hitting a runner is gonna be a bad time. Maybe maneuverability is more important than speed.
    
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  - Rivalarrival@lemmy.today ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    
    Cars and large goods vehicles are a threat to cyclists due to the speed disparity.
    
    If you’re worried about getting hit, you’re not bright and flashing enough. I’ve never feared being hit by a car while wearing red and white strobes and a reflective vest.
    
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alokir@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
It doesn’t bother me unless you go super slow, which is rare.

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Critical_Insight@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
15mph is usually at where ebikes are limited to aswell. Not many cyclists are passing me at those speeds.

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- corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  
  aswell
  
  Nope. They can’t go into the swells. The salt water will wreck them.
  
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JoBo@feddit.uk ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
You should not be on the sidewalk so, if there is a bike lane, where else would you be?

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StereoTrespasser@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Scooters are fine with me. What I can’t stand are boneheaded joggers thinking the bike lane is some extension of the sidewalk.

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- phoneymouse@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Love it when they run in the opposite direction too
  
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Iam@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Not legal transport in my country. BUT out of the choices of road, pavement or cycle lane, escooters are at less risk and are less danger in a cycle lane.

In my mind and as a cyclist , cyclists would be more likely to manage the presence of scooter riders than motor vehicles or pedestrians.

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kambusha@feddit.ch ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
For me, bike lanes should have a weight limit (<100lbs / ~50kg or so). It seems like you’re talking about the handlebar scooters as opposed to vespa scooters. Those are fine in my opinion. You’re going fast enough to not cause a traffic jam and you’re smaller than a bike, so you’re not taking up any more space. In my city, the eScooters are usually faster than most bike commuters.

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fubo@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
The best place for electric scooters on most city streets is in the regular traffic lanes. This is also the best place for bicycles in most cities. Unless your particular city and route have actually safe bike lanes, you’re better off just acting like any other vehicle, using the regular traffic lanes, and following all traffic laws and signs.

(Yes, you’re slower than cars; but so is a horse rider, and they’ve been allowed on city streets since long before cars existed.)

Many sorts of “bike lane” make the streets less safe for cyclists and scooter users. Lanes that are also used as streetside parking are not safe, as attempting to use them requires swerving in and out between parked cars. Narrow lanes that are adjacent to streetside parking are not safe, because of the “door zone” problem. “Lanes” that are really part of the gutter are not safe, because they accumulate debris (tire chunks, mufflers, road sand) – all of which are much more dangerous for cyclists and scooter users than for drivers.

There do exist high-quality bike lanes in some cities. They are clearly marked and separated from the regular traffic lanes (sometimes with barriers); they don’t share space with streetside parking; they often have their own traffic signals.

If there are safe bike lanes, then yes, they’re an appropriate choice for electric scooters. The reason for this is that the speed, maneuverability, and vulnerability of electric scooters are much closer to those of bicycles than to either cars or pedestrians.

But if there aren’t safe bike lanes on the specific route you need to take, just use the “slowest” (in most of the world, rightmost) regular traffic lane. Most of the time, be in the center of this lane, not hugging the right edge; this makes you more visible, keeps you out of the “door zone”, etc. You may move right to allow faster traffic (i.e. cars, trucks, motorcycles) to pass, if it is safe to do so.

(Note: In some places, such as California, cyclists are required to stay to the right insofar as it is safe. This does not mean biking in the gutter or “door zone”, because those are never safe.)

Like bicycles, electric scooters should never be ridden on city sidewalks adjacent to buildings, due to the risk of colliding with pedestrians coming out of building doors. Blind pedestrians, very elderly pedestrians, pedestrians pushing delivery carts, nearsighted pedestrians who have lost their glasses, and other pedestrians with limited eyesight are all legitimate users of sidewalks. Do not expect that pedestrians can see or dodge. When using pedestrian features such as sidewalks or crosswalks, both cyclists and scooter users should dismount and walk their vehicle.

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- ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  
  Yes, you’re slower than cars; but so is a horse rider, and they’ve been allowed on city streets since long before cars existed
  
  “Allowed” isn’t really the most important metric for me when I’m trying to work out where to ride. I’m mostly interested in being less likely to be hit by a car. It sucks for me and the pedestrian if I hit a pedestrian. It sucks if I come off my bike from hitting a piece of rubbish in the kerb and channel alongside the road. But I die if I get hit by a car who isn’t paying attention when I’m in a car lane, even if I’m doing everything right.
  
  Like bicycles, electric scooters should never be ridden on city sidewalks adjacent to buildings.
  
  In my city, it’s illegal to ride a scooter on the road (aside from dedicated bike lanes). If there is no dedicated bike lane, then the sidewalk is where you are legally required to use the scooter.
  
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RecursiveParadox@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
NL checking in here, under the circumstances you describe you are all cool and the gang. Do not ride on the sidewalk!

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