Bicycles on the road.....

[kaytieeldr]

I don't understand why non-cylists are so adament about cyclist not belonging on the roads. The roads around us are heavily used by many very experienced riders.

Actually, I support bicyclists using the roads - safely and in consideration of all traffic laws. That's the problem, as Mermaid02 points out. Many use the road when it's convenient (although not always safely/legally) alternating with the sidewalk when that's more convenient for them.

If a cyclist is on the road, then all rules should be followed as if he/she were driving a vehicle. I say that with my fingers crossed because if there is no one around and I come up to a stop sign (obviously, not a busy intersection), then I will slow down first, make sure no one is around, and then proceed through the stop sign/light. The local officials are OK with this. However, if just one vehicle is nearby, I stop.

Glad to see you admit you're keeping your fingers crossed with this claim, escape because we both know you know that each vehicle is required to come to a full stop at a stop sign, wait three seconds, and then proceed only if the road is clear

 

[escape]

Actually, I support bicyclists using the roads - safely and in consideration of all traffic laws. That's the problem, as Mermaid02 points out. Many use the road when it's convenient (although not always safely/legally) alternating with the sidewalk when that's more convenient for them.

Glad to see you admit you're keeping your fingers crossed with this claim, escape because we both know you know that each vehicle is required to come to a full stop at a stop sign, wait three seconds, and then proceed only if the road is clear

Yep! Same rule should apply to runners and walkers and little old ladies in scooters, I suppose. If the local cops tell me it's OK to proceed with caution vs. a full stop, as long as I follow traffic laws when other vehicles are around, then I'm going to do just that.

 

[FireDancer]

The vast majority of cyclists I know are courteous on the road and very aware of what is around them. We know that even if we are in the right it is meaningless when the coroner is scooping what is left of our brains into a baggy because of an accident.

Does that mean on a deserted road I sit at every red light? No. In some states that isn't even necessarily the law for cyclists (Missouri for example). I don't blow stop signs or lights when I am anywhere near traffic though because the possible collision isn't worth the couple of seconds it saves me.

After doing some cycling in Europe they I can say the drivers over there are much better with knowing how to interact with cyclists. We were never honked at and we were never passed when it wasn't safe. Even on the winding roads of Tuscany cars would wait behind us until it was safe to pass and almost all of them gave us a smile and a wave. I do the same when I come upon a cyclist while driving. Cities like Boulder, Portland, and Davis in the states are very good and a lot like the European roads.