Biker convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter for running over pedestrian in crosswalk

[bcp]

This is a typical road around here. It is a state highway. The fence post tops are about even with the road surface. Nowhere for bikes to go.

Highway 500

 

[aczlan]

This is a typical road around here. It is a state highway. The fence post tops are about even with the road surface. Nowhere for bikes to go.

Highway 500

On that kind of road, I can see not pulling over (I wouldn't bike on such a road if it had any appreciable amount of traffic), but not on the ones like I posted (which are that wide to make clearing snow in the winter easier).

Aaron Z

 

[joshuabardwell]

On that kind of road, I can see not pulling over (I wouldn't bike on such a road if it had any appreciable amount of traffic), but not on the ones like I posted (which are that wide to make clearing snow in the winter easier).

That's pretty typical of where I live too.

 

[JCByrd24]

I live on a two lane secondary rd. It's a very popular rd for bicyclists as it's windy and hilly with no bike lanes. What drives me is when they ride two abreast, or two or three feet in from the shoulder. So instead of waiting for a clear shot and going into the other lane for traffic, I hug the yellow line (I drive a small car) and pass. I don't go over, or slow down. If it's too close for comfort for the cyclist, then perhaps they should reconsider their position on the road. I've been told I'm number one by several! LOL

Before I got my licence to drive as a kid I rode a bike everywhere. When I heard a car coming up behind me, I rode on the gravel shoulder until they passed. Had I not and got clipped, I wouldn't have gotten any sympathy from anyone... parents included.

Your mentality and behavior is exactly why Maine passed the laws that it did that favor cyclists and allow them to occupy the lane. You are taking peoples lives in your hands without considering their vulnerable position. I don't but many people do just what you are saying to be more visible and to force drivers to pass them like they would a car, in the opposite lane, instead of thinking there is room for both car and bike in 1 lane. Most of the roads cyclists would ride on here don't have even the narrow shoulder posted above and the edges are usually in the worst condition, so i'm talking no where for the bike to go, and you as a driver is hoping the road is perfect and you hope everyone stays going perfectly straight and you judge perfectly where your car is. There is much less room for error with both of you in the lane and it's just not a good idea when 1 is a cyclist. When I'm in a car i dont want the risk on me so I do not pass unless there is no incoming traffic and I can go into the other lane. Its much less of a hassle than passing granny going 10 mph less than you want in a car. Actually in maine there is also the 3 ft law now, so it's basically illegal to pass a bike without crossing the line on most of our roads. An attempt to dissuade people for behaving like you and potentially killing someone.

 

[Don87]

Hmm, when I'm out west - in states with automobile speed limits posted at 70, 75, even 80+ MPH, I have to sit behind trucks doing 55mph (the truck speed limit on the same road), making me late for my appointment.

Don't you think that "Speed limits on any highway should be adhered to by anyone using that roadway" ?

Or should trucks alone be exempt?

That would be the fault of your state for making a 'split speed limit' which has been proven in test after test to cause more fatal accidents than when the speed is the same with cars and trucks.

 

[SageBrush]

If your considerate and share the road there is no issue. Block the road like a jerk and you will be treated like a jerk. I bicycle, mostly on trails though, I ride motorcycles on and off road, I drive cars and trucks, tractors of all sizes. I do my best to be a considerate user of the roads, yet I can't stand some prick who thinks they own the road.

People frankly are selfish and don't care if some one else needs to go on. That goes for all types of travel on public roads. If I'm blocking traffic with my tractor I get on the shoulder briefly and let the cars pass. Never understood the farmers who block traffic for no reason either. Saw one yesterday, JD with a disc mower holding up over 20 cars and class 8's for no reason at 8 mph mile after mile. Plenty of room for the tractor to let people by, had to wait for a straight to pass the whole bunch, no one would pass the tractor operator with no manners. Even here in the SE people show no basic manners usually, it surprises folks when you hold the door open for them.

Bicycle riders are no different than the average prick driving a car. The ratio of selfish people increase every generation and bicycles riders are not exempt. I rode a bicycle daily for years and then motorcycles daily later in life, it does make you more aware of your driving style. Just treat people like you want to be treated. Wanna be treated like a jerk? Act like one, jerks are every where, just laugh at them and go on. The stupid will do stupid things, always will. I feel better... rant off.

 

[arrow]

Nope, never been to Alaska... Lived here in NY for most of my life, but have also spent significant amounts of time in GA, ME, UT and Argentina.
Here is an example of what is considered to be a "narrow" shoulder for a "major" non-limited access road around here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.8...,0,0&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.81331,-77.32998
And a "Normal" one from a slightly larger road:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.8...,0&t=h&z=13&layer=c&cbll=42.881321,-77.316784

The "narrow" one is wide enough for one rider to ride on the shoulder to let cars pass. The "normal" one would let 2-4 bikers ride on the shoulder to let cars pass.

Aaron Z

Sorry Aaron. I got you mixed up with AKfish. You know AC...AK. Both say "ack". That was enough for my brain to dipsy doodle. Typical. At any rate I hope you enjoyed your stay in Alaska. "Doc says to patient: "I have good news and bad news" Ok doc, what's the bad news "you have cancer". What's the good news? "you have Alzheimers" whew..glad I don't have cancer!