Curious if anybody is following the Tour De Lance

Bird · Jul 27, 2004

( The law gives bicycles the same rights as a car )

Yep, that's a fact, but what most cyclists seem to have never learned is that the same responsibilities go with that.

bcarter · Jul 27, 2004

Yep, that's a fact, but what most cyclists seem to have never learned is that the same responsibilities go with that. 

Here, here, Bird!

From my experience both as a motorist and a cyclist, most cyclists will loudly proclaim that the law gives them equal rights to the road, but will conveniently forget that that same law requires them to ride single file; as a slower vehicle, ride as far to the right of the road as possible (note that this does NOT include the shoulder); and as a vehicle using a public way, follow all traffic laws (stops signs, use of turn signals, etc.).

We get a lot of club rides around here and they almost aways are seen in a large pack, 2 and sometimes 3 abrest. They will only stop at a stop sign if there are cars coming, they sometimes signal their intentions, and they are often "militant" about their "right to the road".

Now I understand where the militant attitude comes from (most motorists don't understand that the bikes have the same rights that they do), but as a cyclist I know better and should be setting the example...

My $0.02

Golfgar4 · Jul 27, 2004

( From my experience both as a motorist and a cyclist, most cyclists will loudly proclaim that the law gives them equal rights to the road, but will conveniently forget that that same law requires them ...... as a vehicle using a public way, follow all traffic laws (stops signs, use of turn signals, etc.).
)

Bill,

You are absolutely correct. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

One of my many responsibilities is to take new employees through our Defensive Driving Program. A few years ago, I had reached the section of the class where we talk about "sharing the road" with other users, including motorcycles and bicycle riders. I had just finished asking the question, "Does anyone know if a bicycle rider must follow all of the rules of the road that apply to motor vehicle operators?"

A young fellow in the class responded with a very strong "Yes, they do!"

I said, "Well, you said that with a lot of confidence. How can you be so sure?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper he waved in the air and said, "Because this ticket I got this morning while riding my bike here convinced me that they do!"

He went on to explain that a Police officer had stopped him after he rode through a stop sign. He also explained that the officer was "kind" enough to explain that he would lose exactly the same points off of his license as if he had been driving his car! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Oh, one more thing. I asked the young man if he had thanked the Police officer for giving him the ticket. The young man seemed surprised at that, and said that he had not. I suggested that maybe he should have, because in all probability, the officer probably saved his life. Maybe not on that particular day, but on some day. After all, from that day forward, the young man probably would not break any more traffic rules while riding his bike again, and the traffic rules are in place to keep people safe. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm not a bike rider. And yes, they way some riders take up the road does occassionally irritate me. However, I try to remind myself that if there's a confrontation between my vehicle and a bike rider, I'm pretty sure I know who'll be the one to lose that confrontation. And I'm not willing to live with the results, regardless of who might have been right or wrong.

We ALL should be able to share the roadways in a safe manner. But it does take all of us together, not just one group. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 27, 2004

You keep lists?--- 

Yep, and your on both of them /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hope Lance shoots for the seventh /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

bcarter · Jul 27, 2004

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper he waved in the air and said, "Because this ticket I got this morning while riding my bike here convinced me that they do!" 

Now I've never had this problem before (since I always follow the rules /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif), but I've heard that as a cyclist you shouldn't carry your driver's license for this exact reason. If you et stopped and show an officer your license as ID, you can get a ticket...without the license you can't.

Bird · Jul 27, 2004

( Defensive Driving Program )

Garry, my wife and I are scheduled to go to a defensive driving program next month just so we can get the insurance premium reduction. Of course, I took the course to be an instructor many years ago, but that won't get the insurance reduction; have to attend a program every 3 years for that. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

( he would lose exactly the same points off of his license as if he had been driving his car! )

Hmm, makes me wonder if that law's changed, too, in Texas. We used to occasionally issue traffic citations to bicyclists, but those did not go on their driving record (had to be a "motor vehicle" for that to happen). When we issued such a citation to an adult, of course, a fine was involved, but when we issued them to minors, there was no fine; they just had to go to the court on a Saturday with a parent or guardian and got a safety lesson.

fishman · Jul 27, 2004

I tell you what I dislike. It's all those slow cars getting in my way when I'm bike riding. They never move over to the shoulder and let me pass . . . I always have to zip around them in the left lane. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 27, 2004

Levity is good /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Not to mention the health hazards breathing exhaust until it's safe to pass.

Golfgar4 · Jul 27, 2004

( If you et stopped and show an officer your license as ID, you can get a ticket...without the license you can't.
)

Never heard that before. Not being a rider, I can't say whether that's true or not. And of course, it may different in your neck of the woods than in ours.

I do know that, at least in our community, all bicycles are supposed to be registered. If a rider is stopped and the bike is found not to be registered, the rider gets some kind of "fine" - like $10.00 or something.

( When we issued such a citation to an adult, of course, a fine was involved, but when we issued them to minors, there was no fine; they just had to go to the court on a Saturday with a parent or guardian and got a safety lesson. )

Bird,

I believe that when a minor is stopped (in Wisconsin), the citation is issued to the parents. I don't think they have to go to court, but I could be wrong.

And as far as the bike rider losing points off his/her drivers license, well that may have changed also. Dunno. Can't keep up with all of the changes! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

slowrev · Jul 27, 2004

Nope don't follow Lance. Too busy working 60 hour weeks at my paying job to support my farming habit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif which seems to take up about another 60 hours a week in the summer.