[Carfreeliving] Extremists?

[Mike Sallaberry]

I used to play football/baseball/frisbee in the middle of the street in 
the Sunset when I was growing up.  The argument could be made that the 
streets are to be kept clear of such activities so that they can be used 
more easily by people wishing to travel.  I'm generally not a fan of 
having segregated space for every use or group...there's a natural 
fluidity to how space is used.

There's a give and take inherent to city life.  If people react strongly 
everytime someone else breaks a rule/law, people would constantly be at 
each other's throats.  The message I was hearing from some folks is that 
sidewalks can NEVER be used by motor vehicles or anything other than 
cyclists, period.  I don't think that's a realistic position to take.

An example on the other end of the spectrum:  People who argue strongly 
cyclists should come to a complete stop and put their foot down at every 
stop sign regardless of the situation/conditions at the time or be 
ticketed are extremists in my book too.

To me, nearly all rules and laws are sources of guidance, not something 
that should be blindly adhered to.  What should rule overall is common 
sense, respect, and civility, especially in a city where people are 
crammed together and unique situations constantly arise.

And for the record, I've called in my fair share of cars on the sidewalk, 
and do not believe they should be used as personal parking spaces.

Mike
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