Do bicyclists have the right to...?
09-01-18, 01:30 PM
#26
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If I rode the wrong way in the middle of the lane at night with no lights coming over a hill around a corner and got hit by a car, I would get hurt.
If a pedestrian were walking In A Bike Lane (not on an MUP or on a sidewalk—PLEASE keep on point) into traffic up a hill around a corner at night … and we collided … I would get hurt.
So in effect …. I pay for Everyone’s bad behavior.
I don’t see where it is wrong to expect peds to respect thwe Most basic rules of the road.
Cyclists complain about drivers parking in bike lanes … is that also “a dogmatically legalistic viewpoint by ardent cyclophiles, and is not operative in the real world”?
I try to be kind to everyone … stupid, mean people generally need help, not (or not just) a good kick in the butt. But if we are going to improve Traffic Safety, and still allow all the various transport modes to be effective … somehow all the idiots have to be schooled to pay attention.
I am pretty sure, diminutive of James from the vicinity of the city of the first American mass shooting ….. if you were riding your half-priced $8,000 machine in a law-abiding fashion and an ignorant pedestrian walked into you and wrecked you, causing you bodily injury and ruining your bike … you might wish that someone, somewhere had told that person “Walk on the Sidewalk, you moron!”
Assuming the pedestrian survived. or not ....then how would you then feel, if you were sued … and the person (or his family) told you that it was Your responsibility to give way, and then all your savings were drained by a settlement for some guy who was basically walking down the middle of the road into traffic?
We both know this will never happen, and all of us, including the imaginary offender, are glad (but his slimy, greedy imaginary family is disappointed …) but the thought exercise can be instructive.
Imagine being bankrupted because a pedestrian basically walked head on into cyclophile traffic?
I bet you’d much prefer that I ride by and behead the guy with my machete before you get there … so long as you didn’t skid in the blood.
Last edited by Maelochs; 09-01-18 at 01:44 PM.
09-04-18, 10:16 AM
#27
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Someone being an idiot and/or breaking the rules does not justify hitting them with your vehicle. Ultimately, I think it just comes down to that.
09-04-18, 11:25 AM
#28
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09-24-18, 05:12 PM
#29
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In some locales'. The 'powers that be', in the state legislature. Have put it in the traffic code. That for a vehicle to make a right turn. They MUST go into the bike lane before making the right-turn. I hate moronic traffic code like this.
10-01-18, 07:41 AM
#30
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I look at the bike lane like any other lane, no matter WHAT THE LAW says. Since so few infractions are capable of being reported to the law, to me it is COURTESY which rules the road. The law comes into play only when the infractions can be clearly demarcated, for instance by cameras or dash cams.
AS a cyclist, I enter the "car lane, and/or the turning left lane near an intersection," infrequently and intermittently. When I enter it is with the intention to vacate that lane as soon as is practical and safe.
I feel the same way about cars in the bike lane. The bike lane is on the right hand side in most cases, and if you are turning to the RIGHT, it makes sense to get into the rightmost lane on the roadway.
The mentality that I fight hard against is the idea that bikes "OWN THE BIKE LANE," which is exactly the mentality we are fighting with "cars that own the road."
AS a cyclist, I enter the "car lane, and/or the turning left lane near an intersection," infrequently and intermittently. When I enter it is with the intention to vacate that lane as soon as is practical and safe.
I feel the same way about cars in the bike lane. The bike lane is on the right hand side in most cases, and if you are turning to the RIGHT, it makes sense to get into the rightmost lane on the roadway.
The mentality that I fight hard against is the idea that bikes "OWN THE BIKE LANE," which is exactly the mentality we are fighting with "cars that own the road."
10-01-18, 08:19 AM
#31
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IMHO roads would be such a better place if EVERYBODY had to get qualified to ride on a bicycle for a set period, then on a motorcycle before being allowed loose in a motorcar let alone a HGV.
Nothing ingrains awareness for other road users like being one of those yourself.
Nothing ingrains awareness for other road users like being one of those yourself.
10-02-18, 03:36 PM
#33
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The cyclist is part of that live lane of traffic. I get motorists' cutting in front of me. Just because they see no with cutting a cyclist off. Just so they can make it to the exit. Instead of waiting momentarily behind a cyclist, to make that same turn.
10-02-18, 04:32 PM
#34
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If there is a separate bike lane, then cyclists are part of a different lane of traffic. Having cars cut across that lane is dangerous and leads to confusion as cyclists often try to pass turning cars on the right and drivers forget to check while turning. Having a car enter the bike lane first removes uncertainty. Cyclists have to go around on the left (or wait). Cars, making a deliberate lane change are also more likely to look.
10-03-18, 11:06 AM
#35
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Must be nice if the bike lane is twelve feet wide. The bike lanes everywhere I have ever ridden were all four feet wide and a car could not "pull into" the bike lane without blocking two lanes of traffic.
10-04-18, 12:01 AM
#36
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I'm not sure I see the relevance of this. The point is, the car moves all the way to the right before making a right hand turn which prevents cyclists from getting cut off by turning cars. Who cares if it slows a the (non-bike) lane as cars in that lane would have to slow down either way?
10-04-18, 11:24 AM
#37
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I'm not sure I see the relevance of this. The point is, the car moves all the way to the right before making a right hand turn which prevents cyclists from getting cut off by turning cars. Who cares if it slows a the (non-bike) lane as cars in that lane would have to slow down either way?
10-04-18, 12:45 PM
#38
☢
This is in partial response to another recent thread but instead of hijacking it, figured it may be better off as another post.
Granted, the measure taken by the rider in the first video was a bit extreme (honking at everybody who crossed him with a air horn) but a second video showed a gentleman casually singing "Bike lane! You're in the bike lane!" and ringing his bell while weaving through the New Year's crowd. While it was rather tastefully well done on his part I wonder if maybe he would have been just better walking (maybe not, just sayin; I know it can be rather difficult to walk a bike through heavy traffic).
Which got me thinking, is it always the case that cyclists have the right to the bike lane? When driving a car, you are supposed to yield to pedestrians regardless of whether a cross signal is in effect or not, whether the pedestrian is jay walking or whatever. Obviously the police would not look kindly upon the pedestrian if the pedestrian was casually strolling through a highway or busy road and apt to cause harm to themself or cause traffic incidents but for the most part the pedestrian has the right of way.
I used to race cars once upon a time, time trial events where there were multiple classes/cars on the course at the same time. One of the simple rules was if there was an accident, it was always the faster guys fault regardless of what the slower guy was doing and the driver doing the overtaking was ejected from the course for the day.
I read posts on here all the time about "idiot pedestrians" whether in the bike lane or on the MUP. I get it. I commute on an almost daily basis and have to deal with pedestrians all the time, some of who ARE idiots but that doesn't defeat the fact that I should be yielding to them at all times. It can be annoying, aggravating and, admittedly, overwhelming so that it is ignored at times.
[color=brown]How do you feel about the issue?[/brown] Is the pedestrian or cyclists that should be yielding in the bike lane? MUPs? Is it the responsibility of the faster to yield to the slower or vice versa?
Granted, the measure taken by the rider in the first video was a bit extreme (honking at everybody who crossed him with a air horn) but a second video showed a gentleman casually singing "Bike lane! You're in the bike lane!" and ringing his bell while weaving through the New Year's crowd. While it was rather tastefully well done on his part I wonder if maybe he would have been just better walking (maybe not, just sayin; I know it can be rather difficult to walk a bike through heavy traffic).
Which got me thinking, is it always the case that cyclists have the right to the bike lane? When driving a car, you are supposed to yield to pedestrians regardless of whether a cross signal is in effect or not, whether the pedestrian is jay walking or whatever. Obviously the police would not look kindly upon the pedestrian if the pedestrian was casually strolling through a highway or busy road and apt to cause harm to themself or cause traffic incidents but for the most part the pedestrian has the right of way.
I used to race cars once upon a time, time trial events where there were multiple classes/cars on the course at the same time. One of the simple rules was if there was an accident, it was always the faster guys fault regardless of what the slower guy was doing and the driver doing the overtaking was ejected from the course for the day.
I read posts on here all the time about "idiot pedestrians" whether in the bike lane or on the MUP. I get it. I commute on an almost daily basis and have to deal with pedestrians all the time, some of who ARE idiots but that doesn't defeat the fact that I should be yielding to them at all times. It can be annoying, aggravating and, admittedly, overwhelming so that it is ignored at times.
[color=brown]How do you feel about the issue?[/brown] Is the pedestrian or cyclists that should be yielding in the bike lane? MUPs? Is it the responsibility of the faster to yield to the slower or vice versa?
Bike lanes serve a purpose and pedestrian that interfere with that purpose and should be subject to penalties the least of which is a rude comment of gesture.
I look at the bike lane like any other lane, no matter WHAT THE LAW says. Since so few infractions are capable of being reported to the law, to me it is COURTESY which rules the road. The law comes into play only when the infractions can be clearly demarcated, for instance by cameras or dash cams.
AS a cyclist, I enter the "car lane, and/or the turning left lane near an intersection," infrequently and intermittently. When I enter it is with the intention to vacate that lane as soon as is practical and safe.
I feel the same way about cars in the bike lane. The bike lane is on the right hand side in most cases, and if you are turning to the RIGHT, it makes sense to get into the rightmost lane on the roadway.
The mentality that I fight hard against is the idea that bikes "OWN THE BIKE LANE," which is exactly the mentality we are fighting with "cars that own the road."
AS a cyclist, I enter the "car lane, and/or the turning left lane near an intersection," infrequently and intermittently. When I enter it is with the intention to vacate that lane as soon as is practical and safe.
I feel the same way about cars in the bike lane. The bike lane is on the right hand side in most cases, and if you are turning to the RIGHT, it makes sense to get into the rightmost lane on the roadway.
The mentality that I fight hard against is the idea that bikes "OWN THE BIKE LANE," which is exactly the mentality we are fighting with "cars that own the road."
Last edited by KraneXL; 10-04-18 at 12:48 PM.
10-04-18, 01:55 PM
#39
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I read posts on here all the time about "idiot pedestrians" whether in the bike lane or on the MUP. I get it. I commute on an almost daily basis and have to deal with pedestrians all the time, some of who ARE idiots but that doesn't defeat the fact that I should be yielding to them at all times. It can be annoying, aggravating and, admittedly, overwhelming so that it is ignored at times.
How do you feel about the issue? Is the pedstrian or cyclists that should be yielding in the bike lane? MUPs? Is it the responsibility of the faster to yield to the slower or vice versa?
10-04-18, 02:10 PM
#40
☢
Are we talking about children or adults here? Get a clue and stay out of the flow of traffic whether that be the roadway or the bike lane. If it says "Bike Lane" you're not suppose to be there. How hard is that? If you still need help figuring this out hire a babysitter. This vortex of stupid never ends.
11-02-18, 02:32 PM
#42
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I want to get through my cycling day without hitting anybody/anything. Whatever it takes. I don't care about the rules.
11-03-18, 08:32 AM
#43
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it's a war zone out there ... the cyclists don't car about the laws at all. [[Just kidding, @JoeyBike ... I get your meaning, however inaptly it might have been expressed. I think most of us---definitely those of us who ever face dense traffic---have a similar philosophy: If I have to break a rule or break a bone, the rule loses.]]
11-03-18, 12:08 PM
#44
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Riders riding with attitudes like this are the reason New Orleans is a such a dangerous cycling city.
it's a war zone out there ... the cyclists don't car about the laws at all.
[[Just kidding, @JoeyBike ... I get your meaning, however inaptly it might have been expressed. I think most of us---definitely those of us who ever face dense traffic---have a similar philosophy: If I have to break a rule or break a bone, the rule loses.]]
it's a war zone out there ... the cyclists don't car about the laws at all. [[Just kidding, @JoeyBike ... I get your meaning, however inaptly it might have been expressed. I think most of us---definitely those of us who ever face dense traffic---have a similar philosophy: If I have to break a rule or break a bone, the rule loses.]]
11-05-18, 01:04 AM
#45
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I come across pedestrians in bike lanes from time to time--I am sure we all do (Let it be clear "BIKE LANE" and not "MUP.") Basically, they do not belong there. The last time I came across a couple, there was a sidewalk on the other side of the street--it is one thing if it is a "share the road" situation, but .....whatever.
That's why I carry a machete.
That's why I carry a machete.
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12-03-18, 07:01 AM
#46
Cycleway town
You have the right to do what helps everyone get to where they are going, in one piece.
12-03-18, 11:05 AM
#47
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I actually like when cars move to the bike lane before turning right. Keeps them from right-hooking me. They aren't going to use a turn signal anyway. Their position will tell me what I need to know.
12-03-18, 11:26 AM
#48
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Much of my riding hits places where bike lanes merge with road shoulders. And, I pass pedestrians where there are no sidewalks. I don't expect them to dive for the bushes when I pass.
Bike lanes are marked with pretty bike symbols, but they also may be considered "break down lanes". I do think this is better reserved for emergency use, rather than simply parking in the bike lane because it is convenient.
Garbage Cans? A major problem simply because there may be no better place to put them. And, nobody has thought to design a pad or something for them to sit on.
Construction signs. Also a major problem, simply because to be effective, they must be where they can be seen, not off in the bushes somewhere. But, they are often one of the widest obstructions in bike lanes requiring complete merging into the traffic lanes already impinged with construction.
People pushing shopping carts? That is an odd one. But, it may be simply that access to the sidewalks is less convenient than the already flat bike lanes, for many of the same reasons that bike lanes also work well for bicycles.
In all, bikes are in a niche where they must accept what is out there.
Bike lanes are marked with pretty bike symbols, but they also may be considered "break down lanes". I do think this is better reserved for emergency use, rather than simply parking in the bike lane because it is convenient.
Garbage Cans? A major problem simply because there may be no better place to put them. And, nobody has thought to design a pad or something for them to sit on.
Construction signs. Also a major problem, simply because to be effective, they must be where they can be seen, not off in the bushes somewhere. But, they are often one of the widest obstructions in bike lanes requiring complete merging into the traffic lanes already impinged with construction.
People pushing shopping carts? That is an odd one. But, it may be simply that access to the sidewalks is less convenient than the already flat bike lanes, for many of the same reasons that bike lanes also work well for bicycles.
In all, bikes are in a niche where they must accept what is out there.
12-03-18, 12:42 PM
#49
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Yep. And it makes it somehow more natural when you move left behind him, to keep the next guy from rushing up to right hook you.
