Cyclists VS. Cars: Who rules the road?

Author

The Pulse by DB8
July 11, 2023

Cars VS. Cyclists. A rivalry as old as time, *fuelled* by strong opinions, heart-stopping close calls, and an orchestra of honks and flying middle fingers. Buckle up, today’s Pulse is a juicy one.

The Pulse Results (42 Votes) 📈

Side A 45.24% - Bikes don’t belong on the road, it is way too dangerous for them

Side B 54.76% - Cars need to learn to share the road with other vehicles, including bikes

Poll closed: July 12, 2023

Published on: June 15, 2023
Published by: CTV News Kitchener

Buckle up, kids, because we’re about to hit the road and explore the timeless debate of cars versus bikes in today’s Pulse.

With the warmer weather finally here, we are starting to see more and more bikes on the roads. It seems like more people are hopping on the budget-friendly and eco-friendly transportation bandwagon.

But here in Canada, sharing the road isn't as straightforward as it may seem in theory. We're not exactly accustomed to it year-round. While cyclists and cars peacefully coexist in many countries around the world, it's always been a contentious issue, stirring up opposing opinions on safety and convenience. Some countries have mastered the art of coexistence, while others aren't exactly crazy about the idea.

On one side of the argument, we have those that are on ‘Team Cars’. They’re throwing shade (or more like throwing ‘the bird’) at those two-wheeled daredevils who they believe are clogging up their precious streets. They argue that the roads are way too dangerous for bikes and suggest that they stick to the empty sidewalks. Safety first, they say, but it could very well be that they're just worried about getting stuck behind a slow-pedalling cyclist during their morning commute.

On the other hand, we have those that are on ‘Team Cyclists’. They firmly believe that bikes have every right to share the road with other vehicles. They claim that drivers need to show some respect and give cyclists the space they deserve. After all, if this concept works in other countries, why is it so challenging for us to wrap our heads around it?

So, what do you think? Can cyclists and cars find a way to peacefully coexist in Canada?

The Debate Showdown

Side A: Bikes don’t belong on the road, it’s way too dangerous for them

  • Canada is not accustomed to having bikes on the roads year-round like they are in some European countries. With a climate that only allows for biking during a small portion of the year, drivers are not used to sharing the road with cyclists and there is too big of a learning curve involved. Look at what happened when we introduced roundabouts… people STILL don’t know how to use them properly.

  • Cyclists need to use the sidewalks, there are barely any people on the sidewalks anyway… it is much safer away from the cars. Dodging a few pedestrians is way less risky than dodging thousand pound vehicles.

  • Cyclists pick and choose when to follow the rules of the road and when not to - they are unpredictable. They ride alongside cars on the road, and then quickly hop into pedestrian walkways to bypass red lights. It’s chaotic and downright dangerous for everyone.

Side B: Cars need to learn to share the road with other vehicles, including bikes

  • Bikes are legit vehicles that have an equal right to be on the road. Just like cars, busses, and motorcycles, bicycles should be recognized as a valid mode of transportation deserving of respect and space on the road.

  • In many countries around the world, bikes on the roads are a common sight and drivers have learned to coexist harmoniously with cyclists without losing their absolute sh!t whenever they pass one. North Americans should follow suit, embrace the learning curve, and understand that accommodating cyclists benefits everyone in the long run.

  • The rising cost of gas and the growing concern for the environment are driving a shift towards more eco-friendly and budget-friendly transportation options. With the sun shining and the warm weather calling, it's only fair that those who choose to ride their bikes feel safe doing so.

Previous Debate

Is Meta's 'Threads' the final nail in the coffin for Twitter?

The battle of the billionaires continues as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg take their rivalry to a whole new level with Meta's release of Twitter competitor: “Threads”. This wasn’t exactly the cage match we were waiting for… but we’ll take it.

https://debates.db8.com/p/will-metas-threads-final-nail-coffin-twitter

The Pulse Results (49 Votes) 📈

Side A 42.86% - The timing of the Threads launch is perfect, this will be the final kill shot to Twitter

Side B 57.14% - Threads is just another one of many Twitter competitors that won’t last

Poll closed: July 8, 2023

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