Cyclists don't belong on the road
A nearby town has passed an ordinance making it a violation for cyclists to ride anything other than single file on a public way. This kind of makes sense to me. It did cause a huge public outcry (which was then ignored by Selectmen) when it came up for debate.
"Cyclists are "smarter than the people in the cars," claimed resident Carol O'Leary"
Not sure I'd want Carol defending my position but for what it's worth you can find the whole story here.
Why is such a law so objectionable?
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by stargazer1:
I'm in Il, and as a cyclist... I'm pretty sure 90% or drivers don't know that law exists.
Believe it or not, which I am sure no one will-I am very respectful of cyclists on the road. I don't want to hurt anyone. This is why I get so furious with cyclists. Despite my best efforts, they go out of their way to do whatever they want and ultimately I'm the a-hole if one gets hurt since I am the motorist.
Out of curiosity, what happens when to a cyclist when one plows into me (which will eventually happen)?
As I pointed out above in another post, if a cyclist is insured, their car insurance handles it. If not, then they will pay the fines, you can take them to civil court as you would in a vehicular accident and hope you have uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage. A friend who was struck by a cyclist in her car had the damages paid for by his insurance and he was fined by the responding officer. Of course, her damage was a dented side panel....not, you know, death.
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by lysistrata:
Let me know when you have to go register for the draft and serve on the front lines.
Point taken, although I'd argue this is a far cry from the discussion at hand.
Although I should add, and I should have been clearer-if I commit murder I don't get off with a little ticket while a man gets life in prison.
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by stargazer1:
I'm in Il, and as a cyclist... I'm pretty sure 90% or drivers don't know that law exists.
Believe it or not, which I am sure no one will-I am very respectful of cyclists on the road. I don't want to hurt anyone. This is why I get so furious with cyclists. Despite my best efforts, they go out of their way to do whatever they want and ultimately I'm the a-hole if one gets hurt since I am the motorist.
Out of curiosity, what happens when to a cyclist when one plows into me (which will eventually happen)?
I've seen it happen. You have to make a police report and an insurance claim just like any other accident. I'm not sure if a ticket was issued, but the cyclist is responsible for the damage.
I think I have come up with a plan that everyone will agree is fair!
From now on, cyclists will have to slow down and yield to motorized scooters and/or lawn mowers who will be allowed to use the bike lane or the full lane as they might prefer.
Cars will have to slow down and yield to cyclists who will be allowed to use the bike lane or the full lane as they might prefer.
Cyclists and cars can pass a slower vehicle when they have a dotted yellow line and there is no oncoming traffic.
Everybody's unhappy!
*dusts off motorized bar stool and zooms away*
I am going to ride down the street standing on my regular lawn mower.
I hope you all appreciate the time I'm taking away from work to dedicate to this thread. I have a lot of CC time to make up.
Original Post by kelrantymus:
*follows in armchair cruiser: http://www.armchaircruisers.com/*
Yeah, it's a thing...who knew....
o.O
Original Post by kelrantymus:
*follows in armchair cruiser: http://www.armchaircruisers.com/*
Yeah, it's a thing...who knew....
Kel, I would be the envy of my entire community if I had one of those.
*imagines*
*gets goose bumps*
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by lysistrata:
Let me know when you have to go register for the draft and serve on the front lines.
Point taken, although I'd argue this is a far cry from the discussion at hand.
Although I should add, and I should have been clearer-if I commit murder I don't get off with a little ticket while a man gets life in prison.
Here is the story of an Illinois cyclists that one of my Facebook friends posted a link to this morning. I literally cried when I read it. I don't know this guy but I race against Team Mack riders all the time. It might put some prospective on this topic.
The thing is we all share a responsibility when we are on the road. I have very few complaints of the way motorists interact with cyclists most places I ride. This may be due in part to the fact the I take "Share the Road" as being a message not just to motorists but to cyclists as well. I ride responsibly and interact as safely as I can with other vehicles. However, I won't stay off the road as some motorist suggest I should do and if you flip me off as you pass I will simply wave back. Bad things, like the story above do happen. But if we all embrace the concept of sharing and having respect for one other there would be fewer problems. And I fully acknowledge that many cyclist are guilty of not sharing well.
Original Post by spirochete:
I am going to ride down the street standing on my regular lawn mower.
I hope you all appreciate the time I'm taking away from work to dedicate to this thread. I have a lot of CC time to make up.
We do. We haven't seen you around here much lately.
Funny you mentioned Team Mack... it reminded me..
We have quite a few members of that team in our town, they trained at the local park because it was a perfect circle for them to time themselves.
They actually were told they could no longer ride there because they were too fast and could hurt somebody.. guess where they train now? The roads.
Original Post by trh:
Original Post by spirochete:
I am going to ride down the street standing on my regular lawn mower.
I hope you all appreciate the time I'm taking away from work to dedicate to this thread. I have a lot of CC time to make up.
We do. We haven't seen you around here much lately.
With the exception of frequent appearances in Zombie threads.
Original Post by lysistrata:
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by lysistrata:
Let me know when you have to go register for the draft and serve on the front lines.
Point taken, although I'd argue this is a far cry from the discussion at hand.
Although I should add, and I should have been clearer-if I commit murder I don't get off with a little ticket while a man gets life in prison.
well look at that, I CAN do whatever I want! I don't even know where to start, gonna be a busy week.
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by lysistrata:
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by spirochete:
Original Post by lysistrata:
Let me know when you have to go register for the draft and serve on the front lines.
Point taken, although I'd argue this is a far cry from the discussion at hand.
Although I should add, and I should have been clearer-if I commit murder I don't get off with a little ticket while a man gets life in prison.
well look at that, I CAN do whatever I want! I don't even know where to start, gonna be a busy week.
Let me send you my card.
I'm going to shoot and mug people while cycling because then I'll get double immunity. No one can touch me!
We'll just explain to the jury that you were PMSing.
Or that she used some bath salts.... by accident of course.
wait... wrong thread ;)
I don't care what we say as long as I get my way. Like a cyclist.
I don't understand why (well, I do, but for the sake of argument) bikers have all the same rights as vehicles in many cases yet do not need the insurance and the training (testing/licensing), involved with motor vehicles. they can cause the same if not more disturbance on the road if improperly used.
