Smart traveling

I’ve never biked through Bloomington, but I’ve walked, driven and ridden the bus, and I can tell you, getting around Bloomington can sometimes be a transportation nightmare.

My preferred method of navigating campus is walking — even in the rain, though I drive to my off-campus job. Several years of living in Bloomington and using multiple types of transportation have taught me a lot, including the fact that a lot of people don’t seem to know what they’re doing.

Walkers: We’re all taught, as new drivers, that pedestrians always have the right of way. This is no longer true, at least in the state of Indiana. As of July 1, pedestrians only have the right of way at crosswalks when they have the “Walk” sign. Otherwise, the car has the right of way, and you’re jaywalking.

I’m not saying pedestrians should only cross at the crosswalk — I’ve argued for years that it’s impractical on campus — but you endanger yourself and drivers when you cross in the middle of the road whenever you feel like it. Look both ways and only cross when there aren’t cars coming. And absolutely do not glare at the driver who stops too close to you when you’re jaywalking. You don’t have the right of way.

Bikers: You don’t belong on the sidewalks (and yes, that includes that walkway next to the theater between Jordan Avenue and the Fine Arts building). You’re going a lot faster than everyone else, and you almost run people over a lot. If you feel you have to cut through on a sidewalk, be polite and walk your bike.

You get the short end of the stick — pedestrians don’t want you on the sidewalks, and drivers don’t want you on the road. However, the road is where you’re supposed to be. If there’s a bike path (and there are a lot in Bloomington), stick to that. Otherwise, stay on the side of the road and let cars pass you when it’s not dangerous.

Also, since you’re on the road, you have to obey traffic laws like the rest of us. That means when a sign says, “No Turn on Red,” don’t turn on red. You also can’t rush through four-way stops like you own the place; wait for your turn.

Bus drivers: I’m not sure whether you’re inexperienced or you think it’s funny, but it’s not cool to stop a hand’s width away from the car in front of you. If you really can’t stop before that, you need to go back for more lessons. If you’re just showing off, cut it out. It’s not funny, and you could really hurt someone — and that someone is the person in front of you, since you can pretty much run over all cars.

Drivers: Pedestrians do have the right of way at crosswalks (unless they have the “Don’t Walk” sign), and that includes the one between SPEA and the library on 10th Street. Stop and let them cross. You have a car; you’ll get where you’re going a lot faster than they will. If you’re in such a hurry and running late, you should have walked out the door five minutes earlier.

Driving can suck on campus, especially during peak hours, but cars are still moving faster than everyone else, so it’s the easiest way to get to my off-campus job. Cutting through campus is usually the quickest route. I never felt sympathy for drivers — who really do go faster than everyone else — until now.

And, if you haven’t figured it out by now, four-way stops mean you have to take your turn. If the car in front of you just went, you have to wait until the cars going the other directions move until you can take your turn. Don’t just rush on through and ignore everyone else. It’s not your turn.

Bloomington is a generally safe place where all sorts of traffic maneuvers are tolerated, but in any other city, we’d be run over (or at least issued a ticket) for the way we travel.

Smarten up and obey right of way, and we’ll make Bloomington a little safer and easier to traverse.

­— hanns@indiana.edu