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Submitted by JT on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 5:36pm.
When a bicyclist is on the roadway, they are under the rules of the road for vehicles. When they are on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk they are under the rules for pedestrian traffic. Lately, with better weather probably, more and more bicyclists are frequently and rapidly changing from one to another, and violating laws in the process. I have given out a dozen warnings, and thought I would try a public reminder here as well. It isn't illegal to go from the street to the sidewalk and back to the street. You can even do it repetitively and quickly, but you have to obey the laws. I don't believe it's safe to do so, but I'm not your daddy, so you ride as you please as long as you obey the laws and aren't negligent/reckless, endangering both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic. Off my soapbox now, carry on. |
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What are some of the most common offenses?
Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 5:43pm.Right of Way
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 6:02pm.I wish that the rules of the road in regard to bicycle/automobile interactions were more like the rules of the road on the water in regard to vessels that are under motor power v. vessels under sail power.
Sailing vessels always have the right of way over vessels that are under power (although there is a big stipulation in this rule as it pertains to maneuverability.)
Imagine if bicycles were to have the right of way, and that cars would have to slow down to allow for the movement of bicycles on the road. I think we would have safer roads and more humane driving conditions.
It bothers me when motorists get frustrated with bicycles. Anyway, motoring is all too dependent on an outmoded, harmful and unsustainable economic system that is fundamentally dependent on and addicted to fossil fuels.
Bicycling offers a great alternative for local transportation. I am a very careful cyclist, I ride defensively, and legally. What surprises me is that I am uncomfortable with most (although certainly not all) motorists as they operate around me. It would be nice to be able to ride without feeling threatened by automotive traffic.
Thanks. I thought you were supposed to walk you bike
Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 6:13pm.I think it is bad...
Submitted by chad360 on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 6:18pm....form to ride on sidewalks, especially downtown. I'm pretty sure that the tension between human-powered vehicles and motorized vehicles will continue long past fossil fuels fall out use.
BTW: anybody got a line on person-to-person communications systems for bicyclists? I'm looking for something that E & I can sport when rolling~
Chad,
Submitted by JT on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 8:48am.how about adapting one of the systems that motorcyclists use? Lots of stuff in that area to check out.
Also another option is to get the some cheap personal vhf radios and use a hand mike like the cops use that is both a speaker and mike. You could get into a system like that for the short range you would need for under $100.00 for two radios and two handmikes. The motorcycle stuff would be at least twice that, but would be voice activated. Powering the motorcycle stuff might be a problem though, as most use the motorcycles 12 volt system for power.
Check these out, and if you are on a tandem check this system out.
"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.
cool
Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 12:12pm.E & I may patch something together out of our T-Mobile service (w/ Bluetooth headsets)...the power requirements are the main constraint, so thanks for the info.
Yesterday a bicyclist took
Submitted by Merwyn Haskett on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 6:30pm.I have the same question, I think, as Rob R. What's the legal criteria for switching from street to sidewalk and back? Also, I remember back in the 80s when an officer came to Reeves Middle School for the annual safety speech. He told us it was illegal to ride bikes on the sidewalk in downtown. Is that not the case anymore?
When there are no bike lanes
Submitted by jlaing on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 9:21am.It is precisely because so
Submitted by YLlama on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 8:12pm.This vid seems to fit here
Submitted by JT on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 11:41am.the last part of the video is cut off. The cutoff portion says "watch out for cyclists".
"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.
"it's easy to miss something you're not looking for"
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 11:58am.On a side note: remember that carbon pollution is causing global warming, which is having a destructive impact on the Earth's ecosystems. Bicyclists are doing all of us a favor by not contributing to carbon build-up in the atmosphere.
Bicyclists have a right to be on the road just as much as cars. Please respect the bicyclists on the road.
True Bert,
Submitted by JT on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 12:58pm.but it is also the responsibility of the bicyclist to understand they are harder to see, and ride defensively, and don't take unnecessary risks. It doesn't matter what you drive or ride, you can't rely on the "other guy" to always see you. The 4 wheeler operator might be responsible for following the laws and extending some courtesy to bike riders, but only you are responsible for your safety.
"remember that carbon pollution is causing global warming"....I think pedaling up Harrison hill probably causes enough huffing and puffing to melt a glacier or two. :)
"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.
bike laws
Submitted by epersonae on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 12:16pm.State-wide (see Bicycle Alliance of Washington for an easier to read version) From what I've seen, not signaling is sometimes a problem, that and riding without proper lights. (Headlights required after dusk; I use sunrisesunset.com to track daylight hours.)
I've heard that about downtown too (can't ride on the sidewalk) but can't seem to find anything about it. (insert mumbling rant about OMC website.) Maybe an Olympia urban legend?
It's tricky in some places to find where to ride that best balances safety for everyone. Sometimes it's just not safe to ride anywhere but the sidewalk, on streets that are too busy with no bike lane/shoulder. But at the same time, you have to be mindful of pedestrians, and make a judgment call of when to dawdle behind someone, silently scoot around them, or call out "bike on your left!" I even run into that on the trails when the weather is nice.
Totally beside the point, I was in Austin not too long ago and rented a bike to get around, which was fun. I think I saw all of 3 other people wearing helmets, which was a little unnerving.
Nice links E.
Submitted by JT on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 4:56pm.n/t
"I de-clutch, you know." Juan Manuel Fangio when asked how he avoids flat-spotting his tires when he spins the car.