Support from the police
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Support from the police
One thing that has bummed me out about bicycle commuting is the lack of support from the police.
On my commute today, two lanes in my direction, narrow lanes, parking on the right, so I center in the lane.
I'm going 20+ mph downhill. This stretch of road has "Bicycles may use full lane" signs.
Ponch and John pull up next to me and Ponch says, "Hey buddy, get in the bike lane." I reply, "There is no bike lane." Repeat exchange. They drive off.
From my point of view, I am surrounded every day by irresponsible people operating heavy machinery.
I have no way of protecting myself. Killing a human being with an automobile is not a crime.
From their point of view, I am just a nuisance.
On my commute today, two lanes in my direction, narrow lanes, parking on the right, so I center in the lane.
I'm going 20+ mph downhill. This stretch of road has "Bicycles may use full lane" signs.
Ponch and John pull up next to me and Ponch says, "Hey buddy, get in the bike lane." I reply, "There is no bike lane." Repeat exchange. They drive off.
From my point of view, I am surrounded every day by irresponsible people operating heavy machinery.
I have no way of protecting myself. Killing a human being with an automobile is not a crime.
From their point of view, I am just a nuisance.
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Everyday I ride I'm reminded that my legal right to safely ride on the streets is not important enough to be protected, and ride accordingly.
#8
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In Toronto, we do have police support. It's a start.
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/06/15/parking-enforcement-officer-takes-to-twitter-and-two-wheels-to-zap-bike-lane-invaders.html
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/06/15/parking-enforcement-officer-takes-to-twitter-and-two-wheels-to-zap-bike-lane-invaders.html
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Steve
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If there were a bike lane they'd be riding in it
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Genesis 49:16-17
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Is it worth it to contact the police and say "Hey, I'm having an issue with some people passing me by inches, could you maybe consider a speed trap for a few days to make my commute safer?"
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classic
cops in MA are awesome
cops in MA are awesome
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Visit Fort Worth. Our police are good folks. Some of 'em even ride with us.
Recently I had my first verbal altercation with a driver since I resumed cycling a couple of years ago. The guy was spouting the usual B.S. about bikes not belonging in the vehicle lane, blah-blah-blah. Never mind that it was a nearly deserted road and he was 50 yards behind me when I actually came to a complete stop at the stop sign while taking the lane. I've been right hooked at that intersection before, so taking the middle of the lane briefly at the stop sign is safer. As soon as I'm into the intersection I move right. He was never inconvenienced.
Nope, he had to be the self appointed hall monitor. Brush by pass, honking the horn, then stopping at the next sign to wait for me so he could fuss some more.
I told him I'd be happy to call the police and set him straight on the law. It wasn't a threat. I was confident the police would support my appropriate use of the road.
The driver just took off.
But it felt pretty good to realize that I'm in a town that's actually supportive of cycling, with a mayor who sometimes rides with us, and bicycle mounted patrol officers.
Huge improvement over 30+ years ago, the last time I tried cycling in Texas.
Recently I had my first verbal altercation with a driver since I resumed cycling a couple of years ago. The guy was spouting the usual B.S. about bikes not belonging in the vehicle lane, blah-blah-blah. Never mind that it was a nearly deserted road and he was 50 yards behind me when I actually came to a complete stop at the stop sign while taking the lane. I've been right hooked at that intersection before, so taking the middle of the lane briefly at the stop sign is safer. As soon as I'm into the intersection I move right. He was never inconvenienced.
Nope, he had to be the self appointed hall monitor. Brush by pass, honking the horn, then stopping at the next sign to wait for me so he could fuss some more.
I told him I'd be happy to call the police and set him straight on the law. It wasn't a threat. I was confident the police would support my appropriate use of the road.
The driver just took off.
But it felt pretty good to realize that I'm in a town that's actually supportive of cycling, with a mayor who sometimes rides with us, and bicycle mounted patrol officers.
Huge improvement over 30+ years ago, the last time I tried cycling in Texas.
#17
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(They'll just laugh at him if they don't hang up.)
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I don't like to get into altercations at all, and I'm not a particularly imposing person. If someone harasses me while on the road, I usually just wave and gradually slow down. Without fail, they don't want to slow down themselves, especially if there's more traffic behind them, so they just leave.
I wouldn't do this in a dangerous area -- in fact I generally avoid dangerous areas. Of course you have to use your own best judgment as to whether this is a good approach or not.
I wouldn't do this in a dangerous area -- in fact I generally avoid dangerous areas. Of course you have to use your own best judgment as to whether this is a good approach or not.
#19
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A lot of cops believe that cyclists should not be on the roads and if they are they should stay hard to the right and out of the way of the motor traffic that really and truly rightly belongs on the road. I'd not count on these to be of any help.
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#21
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The difficulty of 3FP enforcement is why I advocate for "repeal and replace", putting "change lanes to pass" laws into place instead.
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In Toronto, we do have police support. It's a start.
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha...-invaders.html
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha...-invaders.html
First ticket, $150. Multiples up every time. next one is $300, then $450, 600, etc.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
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How would a speed trap solve the problem of close passes? For one thing, speeding and buzz passing are very different things. And for another thing, it's nearly impossible to gauge a car's passing distance to a cyclist, while sitting in a stationary vehicle off the side of the road. And even then the pass would need to happen right there within the LEO's left-to-right field of vision.
The difficulty of 3FP enforcement is why I advocate for "repeal and replace", putting "change lanes to pass" laws into place instead.
The difficulty of 3FP enforcement is why I advocate for "repeal and replace", putting "change lanes to pass" laws into place instead.
#24
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My feedback:
1) What did they do before bike lanes? Block the traffic lanes? Jump curbs to block pedestrians? Go back to that. Don't block the bike lanes.
2) Go look for a parking pad. Pay the parking fee, take out your trolley and make your deliveries from your parking space.
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I recall reading that years ago, I assume before bike lanes, delivery vehicles just parked in the travel lanes, blocking up traffic.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.