GriddleCakes

In 16 years of driving I've twice been hit from behind while waiting at a light, once by a Dodge Ram 2500 doing around 25 MPH, which certainly qualified as being "smashed" (totaled my truck, at least, and did a pretty good number on the car that I got pushed into). Even if you don't go looking for trouble (by running reds, for example), it can still find you.

I guess the only solution is to never leave the house? =/

unterhausen

as a certified cheapskate, I support the manufacture of red tires so I can buy them cheap when they don't sell. That's how I got my spare -- it's yellow, marked down 50%

GriddleCakes

The manner in which you filter might never inconvenience anyone, might even facilitate traffic flow, and would still be considered rude by the people that you pass; it's a perception thing. Same as how some people get pissed at late mergers, even though studies have shown that the traffic system as a whole moves more efficiently when all lanes are used at optimal capacity; that is, merging early, while seen as polite, under-utilizes the road's capacity and lengthens the bottleneck resultant from a reduction of traffic lanes. To drive all the way to the front and merge at the point of restriction is the most efficient for everyone, but is perceived as jumping the line over those who merged as soon as they saw the "lane ends, move left/right" signage.

DX-MAN

Only when you wear the black dress without the ankle straps and the green thong.

idc

Anecdotal evidence is just anecdotal evidence: I've been hit by a car (taxi actually) from behind while waiting at a red light. On a brand new bike I literally just picked up from the shop. Luckily it wasn't very hard and the driver apologized profusely. And I've only really commuted maybe 5 years total, less than that if you count full-time years - a lot less than your 40 in any case.

Anyway, I've learned in DC that if I wait in line at a red, 3-5 other cyclists will go past me (although I often catch up pretty quick). But I know the traffic patterns and red light cycles on my commute very well. There are some intersections I always wait line for, and some I never wait for. I believe I actually end up inconveniencing drivers less the way I ride, legal or not.

spudston

I do the filter to the front of the turn lane thing too. I think it inconveniences car drivers less than taking my turn in line because I can quickly get out of their way after the green light. Otherwise, the ones behind me have to wait for my sorry slow posterior to accelerate, such as it is, down the turn lane and across the intersection to let them by. Of course, as I do so, they are probably greatly entertained by my 2w Cygolite HotShot taillight merrily blinking away in front of them....

Digital_Cowboy

The sad thing is that even IF "Mr. Red Tires" is here is that he'll think that he didn't do anything wrong, and that his actions don't affect anyone but him.

Digital_Cowboy

Sadly, they don't think that Darwin's Theory will catch up to them, because they think that they are acting in a "safe" manner. As well as they think that they are actually doing cycling a "favor" by running red lights and/or stop signs. And yes, those scofflaw motorists DO have/cause a bad rep in the eyes of some people out there.

Digital_Cowboy

It DOES?!? Where the bloody hell is that written? The last time I checked the motor vehicle law in most IF not ALL states, says:

<quote>
Every person propelling a vehicle by human power has all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as to special regulations in this chapter, and except as to provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.
</quote>

I see NOTHING in there that says that cyclists get a "free pass" to the front of the line. So please show us where it is written that cyclists get this "free pass" to the front of the line.

Snowman219

I don't run reds bcos I R slow.

chipcom 

if u r slow u can run reds bcos u ain't worth many pts.

chipcom 

I've been rear-ended a few times at lights in a motor vehicle too. Once was when I was a kid in a 76 Pinto...yes one of those that were recalled because they would blow up if rear-ended! Only damage was a minor dent in my bumper, probably because I saw it coming, took my foot off the brake and at least rolled forward, even if I couldn't escape. Monitoring what's coming up behind you while stopped is a good thing and I have been doing it ever since.

Mr IGH

If the traffic is that fast and you're that slow, perhaps it's time to find a new route or take the sidewalk. I don't have any trouble holding the lane in 35mph traffic (riding at 22~25mph), once the speed limit moves up to 45mph, I use the sidewalk and the pedestrian crosswalk.

Hippiebrian

Anyone else old enough to remember when the "reds" were the things that made you slow? Ahh, the brain cells killed in the '70's...

alan s 

Around here, at least, cars pass me in my lane all the time. That's why I ride to the far right of the lane.

When they are stopped at a light I pass them in their lane in return. No difference in my mind.

Must be legal, beacuse I've never seen anyone pulled over for doing it in a car or on a bike.

chipcom 

If the lane is wide enough to share, I'll filter up too...paying close attention to potential right-turners though.

dynodonn 

I doubt that this cyclist even tunes into BF, and doesn't even know about the conversation going on about him.

Though, he's probably wondering why his ears are having a burning sensation as of late.

pityr

I ran 5 stop signs this morning. neener neener neener...

No I dont have red tires.

Kojak

At times like these I have to remind myself of the following:



No matter how much I wish it weren't so, I don't think anyone is going to listen to my advice and as to why they shouldn't be a jackass (riding a bike or otherwise).

weshigh

In my state it is perfectly legal to filter through traffic to the front of the line. I got my "free pass" yesterday right by a police car.

matimeo

Um, we're not talking about filtering down the bike lane or the shoulder. We're talking about taking the lane then making an illegal left turn from the straight lane, left in front of traffic.

weshigh

That is fine, I was responding to a comment that appeared to be made in a much large sense.

Your original post did not make it clear he was taking the lane while making this maneuver. There are times when I am filtering past traffic in the left turn lane when I go into the straight lane for a bit. Times when I might do this. No cars in straight lane behind me, or if going the same speed or faster than cars in straight lane. I do always merge back into the left turn lane before I make my left turn though. Cutting across is dangerous.

matimeo

I think it's dangerous to be going in and out of the main lane and the left turn lane. Seems like all kinds of bad things could happen. It's not as if there is a designated space in the left turn lane for bicycles to buzz past the cars. My understanding (at least in my state) is that cyclists should obey the same rules and have the same responsibilities (a few highlights below from the Oregon Driver's Manual):

Bicycle use on streets and highways is growing daily, both for exercise
and transportation in city areas. The same traffic rules and regulations
apply to both bicyclists and vehicle drivers.
A major problem for drivers is the ability to see bicyclists, especially
at night. Sometimes they may be in the blind spot of your vehicle (exactly what this Fred was doing). When
you approach a bicyclist, keep on the lookout and slow down. To avoid
conflict, drivers of motor vehicles need to know the rules:



As a bicyclist in Oregon, you must be aware that bicycles are considered
vehicles. You have the same rights, duties, and responsibilities as
vehicle drivers.
Bicyclists must ride in the direction of traffic and as near to the right
side of the road or street as is practical. On a one-way street in a city, a
Bike Box83
bicyclist may ride as near as practical to either the right or left side of the
street or roadway.

Other rules include: always keep at least one hand on the handlebars,
don’t carry more passengers than there are seats available, yield to
pedestrians, have adequate brakes, and never perform stunts while riding
on streets or highways.
Signal your intentions clearly and in plenty of time. There are two ways
you may signal a right turn. Use the standard, upturned left arm signal
(see drawing on Page 38), or extend the right arm straight out to the right

fastbartender

If you are that envious of the people running the reds give it a try. Look both ways first though. That's what really bothers the people in cars, that they can't get away with it too.

alan s 

It would help your case tremendously if you could point to a law making it illegal for a car to pass a bike in the same lane, or for a bike to pass a car in the same lane.