Cyclists & traffic laws

[Sherlock]

Just got home from a conversation with a co-worker regarding the conduct of bicycles as it relates to traffic laws...

As I understand it, bicycle riders are vehicles and thus are required to obey all traffic laws, including stop signs and traffic lights...

I suspect we've all seen cyclists who will stop at a red light, check traffic, and if no one is coming will proceed through that red light, which makes me rather upset when I see it, it's called a lack of respect...

<span style="font-weight: bold">Stop signs you say? </span> A few years ago I driving along a road in the inner city, approaching an intersection where the majority of traffic turns right to jog over to another road, plus there is the option to go straight if heading into the neighbourhood... As I approached to turn right (there is a stop sign on my left), a guy on a bike flew through the stop sign without even blinking almost immediately to my left, can you say dangerous?

I've talked to some of these cyclists before and they have all sorts of excuses, but ultimately they have no respect and feel like they are above traffic laws and even feel superior to the cars and trucks around them, strange isn't it My co-worker defended such actions as the <span style="font-style: italic">privilege</span> of riding a bike, at that point I realized there was no way I was going to change his mind and he even wants to get his drivers license, wonder if he'll change his mind then...

And just for the record, I go out of my way to be courteous to cyclists when I'm driving, so I'm not anti-bicycle

 

[JPSmit]

here they don't stop at all - though the other week I did see a cop with a cyclist pulled over - and a friend pulled a $300 ticket for running a red. (made me happier)

 

[AngliaGT]

James,

I have the same feelings about cyclist.

- Doug

 

[Sherlock]

Just had to rant, thanks for letting me... My co-worker is a rather idealistic young man who is never wrong about anything - if you know what I mean, what can you do with people like that?

 

[racingenglishcars]

I ride the bicycle 5000 km per year to work and back. I love riding the bicycle, but I absoutely hate those cyclists who think they are above the basic traffic laws. Sure they have privelages. They are not bound by one-way streets, and ride through parks, but even here they can't make a right turn on red. (Neither can cars.) But they also have disadvanteges. Any conflict with a car can be fatal to the cyclist. (When was the last time a car driver was injured by a bicycle hitting his car?)

My opinion is that bycycles are among the only forms of transportation that is completely sustainable and therefore should be promoted.

But lack of respect for the laws should not be tolorated. I must also insist the same for cars.

 

[Banjo]

I'm in the same boat. I love cycling, I hate cyclists that have no regard for traffic laws. I believe the police should step up giving tickets. the message may get through if it costs enough.

 

[vagt6]

City Police here have begun ticketing errant cyclists, mostly due to the death of a cyclist last year who ran into a huge City truck (cyclist simply wasn't looking, truck driver totally not at fault).

A cop friend of mine says they ticketed several bicyclists for running red lights downtown.

EXCELLENT!

In VA, cyclists must obey the same traffic laws as cars. You'd never know it from watching them ride around here . . .

 

[AngliaGT]

Here in California,they don't seem to know the laws.
You are supposed to ride with traffic,on the same side of
the road.And I see a lot of kids riding without helmets.

- Doug

 

[startech47]

New Va. laws in effect July 1

Updated: Thursday, 30 Jun 2011, 6:37 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 30 Jun 2011, 5:01 PM EDT

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia State Assembly voted on hundreds of new laws in their last session. The new laws will all go into effect July 1.

Here are some of the laws you need to know about.

A new law allows people on motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles to go through red lights at intersections after coming to a complete stop and waiting at least 2 minutes or through two cycles of the traffic light, whichever is shorter.

The Assembly approved this law, after many two wheeled riders complained about light signals failing to trigger without the weight of a much heavier car.

 

[DNK]

2 minutes. Around here that means you can blow a stop light off.

 

[aerog]

A cop friend of mine says they ticketed several bicyclists for running red lights downtown.

EXCELLENT!

Good!

I think it's a situation where a few bad apples ruins the bunch. I already ranted about it in another thread, but since then I saw yet <span style="font-style: italic">another</span> interesting biker-trick.

The other night I was following a guy on a fairly narrow road, riding down the middle of the traffic lane so nobody could pass him. Got to the stop sign at the end of the street where it intersects with a higher-speed road. This guy didn't slow down at all, just whipped the bike over to the left, crossing the left land right in front of a big truck that was turning right onto the road we were on. If that wasn't bad enough, the biker decided he was in the wrong lane and then crossed over to the other side of the road, cutting in front of yet <span style="font-style: italic">another</span> truck.

People do dumb things without meaning to and accidents happen, but I see that stuff far too often. I just hope one of them doesn't decide to pull something like that in front of me :frown:

 

[John Turney]

I, too ride a bike quite a few miles per year. I also think cyclists should be ticketed for breaking traffic laws. I know many cyclists who run stop signs, but:

<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]We have a stop sign at the end of our street.
[*] 80% of drivers don't stop.
[*] If you count the "sort of stop" California stop as a stop, 50% don't stop.
[*]Many don't even slow down.[/list]

Also, how many drivers don't obey speed limits?

There are places where I will go through a stop light after looking to see no one is coming because: 1) Why stop traffic if you don't need to? 2) Bicycles can't trip the light sensors unless they are designed and adjusted to.

I think disregard for traffic laws and disrespect for others isn't limited to cyclists.

 

[Basil]

Also, how many drivers don't obey speed limits?

Well, if you count all states, there must be dozens!

 

[Basil]

I think disregard for traffic laws and disrespect for others isn't limited to cyclists.

Don't think that's being suggested. But the consequences for a biker can be deadly (more often than not). A man named Jose (American who came here from Mexico many years ago) played guitar and sang at one of my birthday parties a few years ago. He was very good and a very nice man. A few days after singing at my party, he was killed while riding his bike. So for crying out loud folks - be careful!

 

[Steve_S]

Problem is, the ones that do annoying things are the only ones people notice. The other 95% are never thanked for being responsible.

 

[Basil]

Problem is, the ones that do annoying things are the only ones people notice. The other 95% are never thanked for being responsible.

That's true in anything I'm afraid.

 

[aerog]

Problem is, the ones that do annoying things are the only ones people notice. The other 95% are never thanked for being responsible.

That's true in anything I'm afraid.

Like I said, a few bad apples...

 

[Basil]

Problem is, the ones that do annoying things are the only ones people notice. The other 95% are never thanked for being responsible.

That's true in anything I'm afraid.

Like I said, a few bad apples...

Auto drivers as well. I think most people at least try to be decent drivers (well, California excepted of course ), but it only takes a few idiots to make it seem like you're surrounded by idiots.

 

[Nunyas]

Problem is, the ones that do annoying things are the only ones people notice. The other 95% are never thanked for being responsible.

That's true in anything I'm afraid.

Like I said, a few bad apples...

Auto drivers as well. I think most people at least try to be decent drivers (well, California excepted of course ), but it only takes a few idiots to make it seem like you're surrounded by idiots.

or quit smoking and suddenly ~everyone~ on the road is clearly a blatant idiot...

 

[Basil]

or quit smoking and suddenly ~everyone~ on the road is clearly a blatant idiot...

It's been over 20 years since I quit, but as I recall it wasn't just drivers who were idiots!