Observing how the Waymo's behave in urban traffic, it strikes me that 3 or 4 creative cyclists could easily herd one of them. I wonder if any one has considered organizing Waymo Herding competitions (sort of like sheepdog trials, only with AVs and cyclists).

And of course bonus points if you gather more than to AVs together through a specific intersection.

@SafeStreetRebel ? #Biketooter

@PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel as a pedestrian I am safer around Waymos than cyclists. Your suggestion affirms my opinion.

@nobhillsal
Gee nobhill,

First, I a) don't have a car b) don't have a bicycle c) walk most places I go within a 1 mile distance, for longer trips frequently take the bus.

Second, fully agree that bicycles and e-scooters on sidewalks are a significant problem

Third, I cannot go anywhere in SF for 15 minutes without having at least one observation of hazardous moving violation by cars, and probably every week actually experience a near miss event where a driver fails to yield - primarily right on red instances, the occasional left turn, and frequently running stop signs. Had I not been paying attention, I would have been hit.

Please tell me what routes you take where the bicyclists in the street are more hazardous than the cars.

And, oh yes, I have had the Waymo make a right turn as I was entering the crosswalk . I stopped, not the Waymo.

@PaulWermer car-free as well, walking from California to Folsom betwren 7:00-8:00 it's necessary to dodge bikes on the sidewalk as well as cyclists who don't think traffic lights, traffic direction, and crosswalks don't apply to them on the road.

@nobhillsal thanks. I fully get the sidewalk issue , and I haven't been in that area in that time window. And I remembered an interaction with some MAMILs down in the Marina - 4 guys, weekend outing, competitive. 2 stopped for me, 2 just blasted through the stop sign/crosswalk. But in my experience, the exception, not the rule.

And I wish the "public safety" crew were actually concerned about the sidewalk riding. It's a problem, especially for anyone with hearing or balance limitations, and definitely a threat.

@nobhillsal @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel maybe direct your anger at the right people. Cyclist don’t have proper infrastructure to ride safe (assuming you are in the US, as waymo only operates there).

I’m from the Netherlands and here cyclists very often have their own lanes meaning they don’t have to break rules to make cycling safe.

@Thekingoflorda @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel I am directing my ire to the people who do not follow traffic rules regardless of their mode of transit. If there is a bike lane stay off the side walk and follow the rules of the road. Organizing to attack vehicles, the original post I commented, on does not sound like a reasonable solution.

@nobhillsal @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel

The “if there is a bike lane” part of that sentence is doing some heavy lifting there. Also, calling surrounding an automatic vehicle “attacking an vehicle” is a bit overreacting isn’t it?

@Thekingoflorda @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel yes and the areas I mentioned have bike lanes.
@nobhillsal @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel oh, I didn’t see you mention any regions. Well yea, obviously cyclists should use bike lanes if they’re safe and available (:
@Thekingoflorda @nobhillsal @SafeStreetRebel
As I regularly see vehicles stopped in unprotected bike lanes, which forces cyclists into the traffic lanes in San Francisco, that "Safe and Available" is a significant variable.
@PaulWermer @nobhillsal @SafeStreetRebel yep, luckily in my country (almost) everyone is a cyclist so it happens way less often
@Thekingoflorda @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel I've cycled in Germany and Denmark, the cycling infrastructure there is amazing. The auto industry sabotaged public transport in California in the 50s. I've never owned a car and luckily, in San Francisco, it's very easy to be a pedestrian.
@Thekingoflorda @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel also suggesting herding or sheep dogging cars and people in them can clearly fall under the category of attack
@nobhillsal @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel mwah, I disagree. But that’s more an opinion. I also wouldn’t call blocking a street when protesting “attacking the street”.
@Thekingoflorda @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel I don't either, I am very proprotest. I am not in favor of trapping people in cars because you don't like cars just like I don't like vehicles and bikes interfering with pedestrian traffic
@nobhillsal @PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel uh, I didn’t see him mention people inside the car. I assumed they where talking about Waymo’s without people in them.
@nobhillsal @Thekingoflorda
Are bike lanes there a place you would be comfortable walking?
Unless there's flex posts at bare minimum, it'd be a terrifying experience here, and it's not really better on a bike. same risk from dumb fucks in huge cars trying to "squeak around someone", just as scary going out into traffic to get around a car "just stopping for a sec to pick something/someone up".
If you want the inconsiderate cyclists off the sidewalk, give them an easier, safer place to be.
@rileywd @Thekingoflorda as I mentioned earlier the area I described has bike lanes and sidewalks and part of it, Market Street, is closed to private automobiles. I stand by my comments, as well as understanding the need for cycling infrastructure. If you want to cycle up a 20% grade in traffic, more leg power to you.
@PaulWermer license plates for bikes in 1, 2, …
@PaulWermer @SafeStreetRebel I propose a special category in this competition where contestants use actual trained sheep herding dogs to herd Waymo's.