As a non-car owner, I spend a lot of time walking and riding my bicycle. Both are great ways to get fresh air and exercise. Lately, though, I am finding that I have to be on high alert whenever I take to the street or sidewalk.

I constantly hear drivers complain about pedestrians and cyclists not watching where they are going or paying attention to the rules of the road. However, I am experiencing more and more drivers not doing something as simple as signalling when they are going to turn. It makes an encounter at a four way stop a guessing game when I am on my bike.

Crossing at a designated crosswalk has also become more of a challenge. I literally take a few steps, stop, and look directly at the cars coming in my direction to ensure they have seen me and actually are going to stop. I have seen a few cars actually speed up while approaching a crosswalk after I have already started to cross. I don’t know if this is some sort of weird game of chicken or the drivers just have no clue as to what they are supposed to do.

The streets and roads belong to all of us, and we have to look out for each other and make sure that we are paying attention to and following the rules. I get equally angry when I see a fellow cyclist doing something in the wrong way at the wrong time, or when pedestrians cross where and when they should not. That being said, cyclists and pedestrians do not have the benefit of tons of metal surrounding them. What could be a minor mishap to a motorist could be fatal to us. We all need to pay attention and share the road.