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Why do cyclists argue with drivers, pedestrians with cyclists and scooterists with everyone?

A recent (and I’ll admit, immature) debate on my neighbourhood Facebook page got me thinking.

I’ll give you some background. A member posted about feeling unsafe walking with her baby stroller at night, due to driver inattention and speeding.

You probably know where this led…

Replies about how pedestrians shouldn’t wear black. And they need to stop looking at their phones. And cyclists gotta stay off the sidewalk. And drivers have all the responsibility. And how about those darn e-scooters?!

And on and on and on…

Nothing new, right? We all know that drivers hate pedestrians. And pedestrians hate drivers. And they both hate cyclists. And damn transit busses get in our way. And why is there so much traffic? ARG!

But what’s the root cause? Drivers hate pedestrians because they perceive them to be “in the way” or “a danger.” After spending 30 minutes in a downtown traffic jam, the last thing you need is to have to stop for a crosswalk. You’re late! And you’re supposed to be responsible for this person’s safety—and they won’t even wear neon at night?

Drivers also hate cyclists because they’re in “the way,” and they’re often perceived to have special entitlements they “don’t deserve” (bike lanes, right of ways) or “lawless” (Idaho stops).

Pedestrians hate cyclists because they sometimes ride on sidewalks or roll through stop signs.

And everyone seems to hate e-scooters for a whole litany of reasons.

But why? We all actually want the same thing.

Fewer cars on the road.

Yes, even you, Mr. Daily Driver.

Drivers want to cruise the streets unencumbered by traffic jams.

Pedestrians want to stroll the boulevard without fear of being run down.

Cyclists want to freely pedal without the burden of two-tonne menaces breathing down their throats.

Transit operators just want to do their bus route without road rages erupting all around them.

My guess is that if you cycle, walk or ride transit—I don’t have to convince you there should be fewer cars.

But if you drive exclusively—answer this: would you like more cars on the road, or fewer cars on the road?

Well, what if I told you that every bike lane built takes cars off the road. Every walkway built takes cars (Ubers and taxis!) off the road. Every dollar spent into public transit takes cars off the road.

And every commuter dreams of car-free roads. Roads they themselves drive on, sure, but wouldn’t 30 percent fewer cars make you at least 30 percent happier?

We fight one another in the streets. But we all want the same thing.

Fewer cars.

So why aren’t we on the same team?