I'm grateful to have a bicycle today

[nyankoframe]

I normally go to work on NE 40th Street and then through the Overlake Transit Centre Center to work. Most days, I cycle on the road (after making a left turn from 148th) and then take the pavement sidewalk through OTC into the Microsoft campus.

Today, though, I took the road as usual and promptly got stuck in traffic because they had closed two lanes of the overpass above 520 (there was only one turn lane and one through lane). So I just hopped off the road and cycled on the sidewalk until I got to OTC. It was priceless. D:

It's cleaner (less chance of inhaling noxious fumes) than cycling on the road, although the tradeoff is that sidewalks tend to be more uneven (they have a lot of ups and downs, as well as having to wait for traffic lights) and there are pedestrians too, which makes it slower. One good thing though is that you won't have angry/impatient drivers honking at you, flipping you off, rolling down their windows to throw things at you (!!!) or getting out of their cars to talk to you (!?!?!). Not every place has a sidewalk wide enough, though...

I did get a little bit wet on the way, but I don't really care about that, since I'm in my "heated" office right now (I have 8 computers which are all on). ^_^

Comments

[testing4l.livejournal.com]

It's also *technically* illegal.

Not that anyone cares, has cared, or ever will care. But the point stands 8)

[nyankoframe.livejournal.com]

Wait, what's illegal? :P

[testing4l.livejournal.com]

Driving a motor vehicle on the sidewalk. Bicycles are classified as motor vehicles.

[nyankoframe.livejournal.com]

I'm too lazy to look up the RCW (Revised Code of Washington) right now, but I believe there's an exemption made for bicycles. However, they have to act as pedestrians when they're on the sidewalk (crossing only when the walk sign is on, etc.).

[wyndie.livejournal.com]

Plus, less cabs on the sidewalk. Notice I said less and not none. :^P

[nyankoframe.livejournal.com]

I can't say I've ever seen a cab on the sidewalk, so maybe that's something that happens elsewhere? :P

[summercomfort]

Yay bikes! But wait, there's no bike lane?

[nyankoframe.livejournal.com]

Not on this particular street (or several others); Redmond and Bellevue are inconsistent in that way. :/

Most new streets are getting bike lanes, though.

[wao.livejournal.com]

I see your true colour color shining through! ;(

Also what on earth do the drivers talk to you about o_O