Dear Sidewalk Bicycle Rider

I nearly ran you over in a car this morning. I was pulling out of our parking lot onto Houston Street, and as I pulled up the curb cut, you zoomed right past my hood, probably 1' in front. The reason this happened is because our building is right on the street. We are in the West End and there is no front setback requirement for our building.

I know the street was clear of vehicular traffic because of the sight lines from the drive. The sight line is not as good for pedestrians on a sidewalk, but they move slower and so the sight line can be shorter. The sight line is not long enough for a fast(er) moving vehicle like a bicycle. Your (apparently expensive) road bike is probably capable of moving 20mph or more on flat terrain. You do not belong on the side walk at those speeds.

If you want to piddle around in a grocery getter bicycle with fat tires and a wicker basket in the front, be free to SLOWLY move along the pedestrian path. Otherwise, it's time to move into the street or amend your riding habits if you value your life.

As a fellow cyclist, I understand the fears of riding on the road. But whatever your fears might be of being on the road, they probably would not compare to the very real fear of someone like me plowing into your side with a 2,000 lb machine.