Bicyclists should yield to pedestrians on sidewalk
Emily Breuker’s Thursday column about bicycles on sidewalks is such a slap in the face of common sense that it’s hard to tell whether she wrote it seriously or with tongue-in-cheek.
Unfortunately, she seems to be serious in her assertions that pedestrians should look left right and left before crossing the sidewalk and that the burden of improving sidewalk conditions lies in the hands of walkers rather than bicyclists.
Traditional common courtesy of the world requires that larger or motorized vehicles yield to smaller or non-motorized vehicles.
Therefore, cars yield to bikes and pedestrians, motorboats yield to rowboats, and yes, bikes yield to pedestrians.
Perhaps bicyclists would be persuaded by Illinois law, which requires “a person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk . . . (to) yield the right of way to any pedestrian.” Evanston City Code contains a similar provision.
Pedestrians are entitled to walk on a sidewalk without worrying about when the next bicycle will pass. Although a bicycle may be difficult to maneuver on a crowded sidewalk, pedestrians do not bear the burden of preventing a collision. Instead, cyclists undertake a duty to control their bicycles when they ride on a sidewalk.
With the convenience of the bicycle comes the responsibility of operating it safely.
If students find that riding their bike on crowded campus sidewalks is difficult, perhaps they should consider riding only on streets and less crowded sidewalks. Although bicycles are prohibited on Sheridan Road along campus, students can easily use Orrington Avenue or North and South Campus drives to avoid the Sheridan sidewalk.
John R. Labbe
Law student
Americans should realize value of U.S. citizenship
Art Janik was exactly right in Wednesday’s column: Having U.S. citizenship is considered a superiority in many countries.
I am from Taiwan, and I know many people there are willing to pay millions of dollars just to have U.S. citizenship. People fantasize about the United States and think it is the ultimate place to live, which is true in many instances. In fact, it is now considered a standard in Taiwan to study abroad in the United States after receiving an undergraduate degree. My aunt, although greatly in debt, insisted that her daughters study here.
I also know quite a few people from China who, like Janik’s parents, became “tourist” immigrants. One of them did not return to China when his father passed away because he would be jailed in China if he went back. But many people are willing to take this risk in exchange of living in a country that is superior in many ways.
It’s true that most Americans do not realize how valuable their little blue U.S. passports are.
In the case of my family, we waited for exactly 10 years — from the time I was born until fourth grade — for our permanent resident status. My father, with limited English-speaking ability, managed to pass the citizenship test and was naturalized recently. He was the happiest man after he took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and received his “little blue U.S. passport,” which he must have shown proudly to at least 100 people. I don’t have mine yet, but I look forward to having it someday.
Tony Lin
Music sophomore
NU courtesy campaign will improve the campus
In response to Kate Rawsthorne’s Wednesday column “Rude NU could learn lessons in simple courtesy”: Props to you, Kate Rawsthorne, for suggesting a Northwestern “courtesy campaign.”
I’m happy to say I’ve heard “please” and “thank you” a lot on campus, but I’ve rarely witnessed much else in the way of common courtesy.
How about a “hello” every once in awhile? Maybe a smile? A nod, a wink, a wave? Or even — just for kicks — some eye contact?
Sure, it’s tough to look at anything but the ground during one of Chicago’s rainstorms or snowstorms. But hey, I think it’s worth it if this campus gets a bit friendlier.
Besides, it won’t take more than a second of your time — then you can go back to your studying.
Lillie Askari
Medill junior
