Trailers are dangerous

[bp fick]

This thread, I assume, is about safe and courteous operation when pulling a trailer. It has instead become mostly an anti-bicycle vent. OK, we all see bicyclists not obeying the traffic laws that they must, but that is an education and law enforcement issue.

These matters gets resolved in a democratic republic through our political/legal system. Freeways and interstates clearly ban slow moving and non-motorized vehicles. Perhaps many other secondary roads ought to follow suit, for safety reasons. Fair enough. But until such ordinances are in place, ranting against bicycles is tilting at windmills. If you don't want bicyclists on certain roads, then initiate a referendum on the matter. The roadways belong to all the people, not just those who pay fuel tax. Fuel taxes merely assist in paying for those roads, not establishing ownership.

In nearby communities, we have Amish/Old Order Mennonites that use horse and buggy and yes, ride a lot of bikes. We have walkers too. In our county, it is also legal to ride a 4 wheeler or ATV on the road.

Point is, use of the public roadways is determined by law. Change the laws, if one can, to one's liking. Enforce the laws as presently ordered. Nonetheless, drive safely, with or with a trailer in tow. I am not about to hit a pedestrian, nor bicyclist, nor horse and buggy nor ATV operator. I don't live on a desert isle and this is part of living in a crowded world.

 

[sld]

I wonder how those dead set against bikes on the road feel about tractors on the road. Many similarities - no inspection, no license, no registration, no insurance required, move slow, slow down others on the road. What if the OP had posted that he was almost run off the road while driving his tractor by a careless driver? What would the response have been? Just food for thought. By the way I enjoyed casual bicycling for several years but have not ridden in about ten years. I primarily stuck to residential areas for safety.

The big difference here is that tractors use the road for necessity and bikes use it for pleasure.

How many people take their tractors for road drives as part of their Saturday morning exercise ritual?

 

[Egon]

Disproportionate amount of taxes paid. Va. has a personal property tax on vehicles, not bicycles.

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:

The big difference here is that tractors use the road for necessity and bikes use it for pleasure.

So, no one rides a bicycle to work or to the store? They only use it to exercise which may have health benefits and reduce the load on the medical system??:thumbsup:

 

[Kaliburz]

Yes, this thread is called "Trailers are dangerous". I will agree with that statement. Anything can be dangerous when not operated correctly. If the driver "forgets" they have a trailer behind them, then obviously they are not using their mirrors enough to notice they have something behind them.

I drive semi truck during harvest for my own crops. Depending on which DOT enforcement officer you get, some overlook the fact I have 105,500 on the license (and yes, it says anything over 40,000lbs needs a CDL). I have a Class B, not the class A. But I've been around farm trucks ALL my life.... from tractors, to pickups and just recently semi trucks with pups. My trailer from the front of the lead to the back of the pup is 65 feet long- NOT counting the truck.

I shall apologize about my 'rant' of the cyclist. Just stating my observation. Heck, I bet you that 7 out of 10 electric brake trailers around here in my area DON"T have working emergency systems. Either no battery, no cable to the emergency switch or bad wiring. Half are probably used occasionally and the owners don't think about it.....

Ya know, I'm surprised they haven't come up with an anti-lock system for electric brake trailers yet. Ya know, similar to the air brake systems. A "controller" that is trailer mounted that "looks" at the wheels and pulses the incoming supply of brake power.

 

[sld]

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:



So, no one rides a bicycle to work or to the store? They only use it to exercise which may have health benefits and reduce the load on the medical system??:thumbsup:

Egon, you are letting the member of the month go to your head.:thumbsup:

This is absolutely the wrong site to argue about bikes on the road. You will lose every time.

 

[Egon]

This is absolutely the wrong site to argue about bikes on the road.

Don't know about winning or losing but I do like to express my "Opinion", as should everyone else.:thumbsup:

 

[archerm3]

Well, while we're ranting, maybe bicycles should be on the bike paths and not the roadways. Md, Va and D.C. have spent tons of money creating "safe harbors" for bicyclists to enjoy their sport/hobby........the Va. crowd that drives over to scenic So. Md. to ride bicycles on our roadways irks me quite a bit. They believe riding in packs gives them "special privileges" to control one lane of a two lane road. Ooh, I know, let's impose a bicycle tax/tag for use on roadways
Bicycle Trails and Routes
Bicycle Trails and Routes
Bicycle Trails and Routes

I agree 100%. Cyclists think that because they are on bikes, they can ride however they want. When they have to pay to use the road, just like vehicles do, including license, insurance and registration, they can have a say in how drivers treat them. Until then, as far as I am concerned, they can get out of the way.

I don't know about your state, but in every state I've lived in Bicyclists have the same rights to every part of the traveled lane as a motorist.

"most" people wouldnt consider passing a motorcycle on a blind curve, but a bicyclist, "MOST" people wouldn't bat an eye.

I'm sorry, as a long time cyclist I am extremely jaded at the level of narcissism and uncooperative attitudes displayed by the majority of American motorists...present company included.

Everyone STILL seems to think that he is the only person that owns the road, and the center of the universe shall revolve around each individual's personal speed.

I don't agree with cyclists using red lights to pass cars to the front of the line, however, I don't agree with car drivers getting upset over bicyclists using the traveled lane the same as a motorist, one that they have a RIGHT to use. Last I checked you needed a license to excercise a "privilege" to operate a motor vehicle, however there is no need to to get a license for a bicycle. Nor is there a license needed for a pedestrian to cross a street. You would think that the person in the vehicle capable of the highest speeds would be the one person with the most patience, but no. God forbid you lose 10 seconds on your 30 minute trip.

 

[archerm3]

This thread, I assume, is about safe and courteous operation when pulling a trailer. It has instead become mostly an anti-bicycle vent. OK, we all see bicyclists not obeying the traffic laws that they must, but that is an education and law enforcement issue.

These matters gets resolved in a democratic republic through our political/legal system. Freeways and interstates clearly ban slow moving and non-motorized vehicles. Perhaps many other secondary roads ought to follow suit, for safety reasons. Fair enough. But until such ordinances are in place, ranting against bicycles is tilting at windmills. If you don't want bicyclists on certain roads, then initiate a referendum on the matter. The roadways belong to all the people, not just those who pay fuel tax. Fuel taxes merely assist in paying for those roads, not establishing ownership.

In nearby communities, we have Amish/Old Order Mennonites that use horse and buggy and yes, ride a lot of bikes. We have walkers too. In our county, it is also legal to ride a 4 wheeler or ATV on the road.

Point is, use of the public roadways is determined by law. Change the laws, if one can, to one's liking. Enforce the laws as presently ordered. Nonetheless, drive safely, with or with a trailer in tow. I am not about to hit a pedestrian, nor bicyclist, nor horse and buggy nor ATV operator. I don't live on a desert isle and this is part of living in a crowded world.

AMEN !

 

[grnspot110]

Bottom line, the trailer isn't the dangerous part, it's the idiot pulling it!!!!

 

[2manyrocks]

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:
?:thumbsup:

Costs more to have EMT's haul off the accident victims.

Okay--now a real answer.

I wouldn't ride a motorcycle on a public highway, much less a bicycle because of all the nuts behind the wheel.

Perfect example this week was a lady who was speeding in her car, flipped it, and threw her 10 YO daughter out because she wasn't wearing a seat beat. The kid nearly died. That's the kind of driver we have on our roads, and that's not the fault of anybody riding a bike. For self preservation, the public roads aren't a good place to ride.