Moral dilemma

[Pedal Wench]

What would you do?

I live in a small subdivision (two streets that form an 'L') that dumps out into a larger subdivision. I've noticed my neighbor's kids slowly learning to ride their bikes over the years. I barely know this family - the mother doesn't speak very much English, the father speaks more, but I rarely see him. The two boys speak Japanese and English, but never talk to me because I used to have a huge dog that scared them.

So, today, I was walking my not-so-big-and-scary dog outside of our subdivision, and I saw the older son on his bike, riding on the wrong side of the street. If he comes out of our subdivision, he can keep making left turns and get back into the hood, so I understand why he stayed on that side.

The dilemma: do I try to tell him, or his parents, how much safer he would be riding with traffic as opposed to against it? Or, should I just mind my own business?

[velogirl]

I live in a Mexican neighborhood and folks are always riding on the wrong side of the street (and on the sidewalk). There was an article in Bicycling last year called "the invisible riders" -- all about those who ride for transportation, primarily Latina cultures. If I recall, they highlighted a LA community. They mentioned in the article that it's common to ride facing traffic in Central and South America. Made sense to me and explained the behavior I've seen in my neighborhood.

I've made attempts to explain to riders why it's unsafe, but no one seems to care.

[CyclChyk]

I know if it were me, it would depend on what type of "relationship" I had with the neighbor. If it was someone I wave to on an almost daily basis, and have had conversations with at one time or another, then yes. I would tell them of my concerns and why it might be safer riding on the correct side of the road.

If it was a neighbor that I never wave to and have never spoken with except once or twice, then no. I would say nothing as it might be misinterpreted and create animosity.

But that's just me. And I am not known for being the nicest person on the block.

[BeeLady]

What about inviting the kids (with parent's permission) to go for a short ride with you around the immediate neighborhood while you are wearing all your cool gear? If they will ride with you they'll have to follow the traffic laws . I'm thinking they might automatically just follow you without you saying anything.

Worth a try; otherwise I don't know. Some parents are kinda touchy, but they may view you in a positive way as an "authority" if you talk to them while you are wearing full cycling gear.

[Lifesgreat]

What about inviting the kids (with parent's permission) to go for a short ride with you around the immediate neighborhood while you are wearing all your cool gear? If they will ride with you they'll have to follow the traffic laws . I'm thinking they might automatically just follow you without you saying anything.

Worth a try; otherwise I don't know. Some parents are kinda touchy, but they may view you in a positive way as an "authority" if you talk to them while you are wearing full cycling gear.

I second this.

[Pedal Wench]

I was hoping he would come back around for a second lap, because I was gonna do just that - hop out and see if he wanted to follow me. I don't have a rapport with them - wave to them when I'm out with the dog, but that's about it. They're Japanese, and I don't think the wife speaks English, but honestly, I don't know.

If I see them out, I'll try to talk to them. Casual-like. They do see me outside in all my gear, so they know I ride.

Thanks - I knew I could count on you to offer opinions.

What about inviting the kids (with parent's permission) to go for a short ride with you around the immediate neighborhood while you are wearing all your cool gear? If they will ride with you they'll have to follow the traffic laws . I'm thinking they might automatically just follow you without you saying anything.

Worth a try; otherwise I don't know. Some parents are kinda touchy, but they may view you in a positive way as an "authority" if you talk to them while you are wearing full cycling gear.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think that talking to the kids might be a fine idea. Inviting them to ride with you, even with asking the parents first- might be seen by the parents as an odd thing to do. I myself would have second thoughts about letting my kids go riding with a strange adult, even a woman. But their being Japanese immigrants makes it even more tricky, as Japanese people tend to maintain more formal boundaries (so my Japanese sister in law tells me). I can also easily imagine that their first reaction might be worrying that their kids had done something wrong and were creating trouble. The kids speak better English, so your communications with them will be much less likely to be misunderstood. Maybe the simpler you keep it the better the outcome under these circumstances.