Bicycle question

[quicksandfarmer]

Around here bycicke riders have the same rights as vehicles .They are also suppose to obey the same laws.But, I have never seen one get a ticket for running stop sign, red light,speeding etc,.

Our local police department just released statistics on its latest enforcement blitz. Cyclists represent 1.2% of the vehicles on the road and got 4% of the tickets.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

That's something that they were not able to answer up at town hall.

I asked since bikes have the same "rights of the road" as cars, what if they aren't maintaining a minimum speed limit? Can't a car be ticketed for driving at an unsafe slow speed? Town hall told me yes to that question. I then asked well if a bike is going 20 mph under the speed limit (35 to 45 mph speed limit) on a rural road, isn't that driving at an unsafe speed?

If you look at your state code (it's real easy now, they're all on the web), almost certainly you'll find that the slow driving statute says nothing about an "unsafe speed" but instead will be about unnecessarily impeding traffic. (It'll also probably specify that it only applies to motor vehicles -- California is the only state I'm aware of where the slow driving statute applies to non-motorized vehicles.)

The key word there is "unnecessarily." And it's not about whether you need to use the road or not, the presumption is that if you have a lawful vehicle, you're allowed to use the road. The question is whether you're using the road in the least disruptive way possible for that vehicle. The law recognizes a difference between operating a slow-moving vehicle and just driving slowly.

It is possible to close roads to slow-moving vehicles, but lawmakers are reluctant to do so, because it angers powerful constituencies. But it's not cyclists -- they're at the bottom of the pecking order, and disorganized to boot -- it's trucking and agricultural interests primarily that keep the roads open to slow vehicles.

 

[Bird]

It sounds like it was an organized event and perhaps they had permits, if not the cops should have been there stopping it. We have many rides in our area like this and the organizers warn the riders to follow the law if not the local cops start handing out tickets.

Would you have a different opinion if it was part of the Memorial Day parade or the local Harvest festival parade? I hate to wait for them so I find a different route on those days.

I'm talking about roads that are outside city limits; actually state owned and controlled roads. I have no idea whether they had any kind of permits or not, and I never saw a police vehicle anywhere. But you're right about it being some kind of organized event.

And no, I would not have a different opinion if it was a Memorial Day, Harvest Festival, or anything else if they block what was just about the only route for 20 or more miles with no advance warning to the public.

There were possible alternate routes, much longer distances, but I would have even done that, started earlier, etc. if there'd been any warning that the idiots would have the road blocked. Almost any other "organized" activity would have been posted in the local newspaper, but I subscribed to the paper and never saw anything about the bikers. And since bicycles have the same "rights" without the same responsibilities on the roads, I doubt that they had any kind of permit or anything else, because it would not have been required, and I can't imagine that kind of people doing anything they weren't absolutely required to do.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

And no, I would not have a different opinion if it was a Memorial Day, Harvest Festival, or anything else if they block what was just about the only route for 20 or more miles with no advance warning to the public.

Then isn't it kind of irrelevant that they were on bicycles? Would it have been any different if the same number of people had showed up driving Winnebagos, motorcycles or even tractors? Or even just walking down the road?

I used to live near a church that would have a huge parade every Memorial Day. They would block the streets for hours, with no permits, no notice in the paper, no attempts to let the neighbors know. Unless you remembered, the first notice you would get would be when the marching band went by your house, and by then it was too late to get out. Do I blame by association all Christians, or even all Baptists? No. Do I blame the church leadership? Yes.

 

[turbo36]

I'm talking about roads that are outside city limits; actually state owned and controlled roads. I have no idea whether they had any kind of permits or not, and I never saw a police vehicle anywhere. But you're right about it being some kind of organized event.

And no, I would not have a different opinion if it was a Memorial Day, Harvest Festival, or anything else if they block what was just about the only route for 20 or more miles with no advance warning to the public.

There were possible alternate routes, much longer distances, but I would have even done that, started earlier, etc. if there'd been any warning that the idiots would have the road blocked. Almost any other "organized" activity would have been posted in the local newspaper, but I subscribed to the paper and never saw anything about the bikers. And since bicycles have the same "rights" without the same responsibilities on the roads, I doubt that they had any kind of permit or anything else, because it would not have been required, and I can't imagine that kind of people doing anything they weren't absolutely required to do.

Actually the bikes do have the same responsibilities if they wern't living up to them then they were wrong. The organized rides in our area usually have signs posted warning divers there is a ride in progress as well as SAG vehicles with warning signs and often yellow caution flashers.

It is unfortunate if you were late for your fathers doctor appointment but what if there had been a major accident and the road was closed, wouldn't the outcome be the same? The real issue is that you don't think the reason you were late was a valid use of the road. It was legal but not valid in your opinion.

Here is a link to some of the organized rides in Texas

Bicycle Texas Texas Road Rides Page

 

[Egon]

Just wondering why Bicycle riders wearing spandex are all considered Yuppies???

 

[Bird]

Just wondering why Bicycle riders wearing spandex are all considered Yuppies???

That ain't what I consider'em, Egon.

 

[davitk]

WOW 5 pages already, must've touched a nerve

 

[quicksandfarmer]

WOW 5 pages already, must've touched a nerve

That's nothing, you should see the threads about tractors on BikeForums.

 

[turbo36]

That ain't what I consider'em, Egon.

Heres a couple spandex wearing yuppies for you. incase you don't recognize them that's President Bush and Lance Armstrong. Bike riding isn't just a liberal activity.

 

[Sigarms]

Here's what I don't get: Why so much anger?

I cycle, but I also drive. I live in a place that's popular with cyclists, especially in the summer. When I encounter one, I slow down, wait until it's clear to pass, and pass. Elapsed time: usually less than ten seconds. I can never remember being held up by a cyclist for even as long as a minute. In any given year, I'm held up far more waiting for cars to make left turns than I am by cyclists.

Why so much anger? Common sense.

You mention when you encounter "one" cyclists. I'm not talking about one, I've got no problem with one, two or three. What I've got the problem with is a group of riders who take up the whole lane and you get stuck behind them.

Guess I was never one for people who always had to do sports activities as a group (when it's an "individual" sport), for whatever reason. Sort of like the ski/kayak clubs of the world whose primary responsibility seemed to be running social functions rather than the sport itself. You have some people who like to be a big fish in a small pond by being the group leader of the "pack". You will litterally have 20 cars or so on a regular basis drive miles upon miles with their bikes so people can ride together. Personally, I think they're wussies. Hey, you got a bike, ride it from your house. Why make a social event out of it? Put it to you this way...if you've got to drive your car carrying your bike to ride that bike a shorter distance than your going to drive...well, find another sport or move. Why am I angry? Because it seems like everyone in the city of Winston Salem, North Carolina is driving to Lewisville or River Park to ride their bikes on the roads that I use to get home or go into town and I end up getting behind them, and those people on bikes don't seem to give a crap what space they take up.

Personally, I loved to ride a bike for the sake of riding a bike and pushing myself. Having a road race is one thing, having 10 or more cyclists out for a "fun ride" is something different. You love the sport? Why do you need people around you to participate/practice in it? As mentioned, when I rode, I rode DEFENSIVLY and not like I owned the road. I knew I could get hit very easily. My buddies and me (when we road together) always got into single file when any cars where around us to let them pass us easier. What do mulitple riders do now? Absolutely NOTHING. Hey, it's their road as well and they have every right to be on that road. See, that's the difference. I never thought I had a "right" to use the road for a road bike. I thought when I used the road that it was my duty to make sure that I didn't make an obstical (sp?) for cars.

Heck, why not allow skateboards on the road? How about unicycles?

As far as tractors? Heck, I'm in the country, thus that farmer was here long before me. I'm lucky enough that I don't have to rely upon the land and livestock to make a living. I figure a man riding a tractor on the road is using that road to get to some land he needs to work, and in most cases when I get beind a tractor, it's only for a couple of miles max. As mentioned before, most guys on tractors will try to make room for you to pass as well. Bottom line..people on tractors seem a lot nicer than people on road bikes in my area.

 

[turbo36]

Why so much anger? Common sense.

You mention when you encounter "one" cyclists. I'm not talking about one, I've got no problem with one, two or three. What I've got the problem with is a group of riders who take up the whole lane and you get stuck behind them.

Guess I was never one for people who always had to do sports activities as a group (when it's an "individual" sport), for whatever reason. Sort of like the ski/kayak clubs of the world whose primary responsibility seemed to be running social functions rather than the sport itself. You have some people who like to be a big fish in a small pond by being the group leader of the "pack". You will litterally have 20 cars or so on a regular basis drive miles upon miles with their bikes so people can ride together. Personally, I think they're wussies. Hey, you got a bike, ride it from your house. Why make a social event out of it? Put it to you this way...if you've got to drive your car carrying your bike to ride that bike a shorter distance than your going to drive...well, find another sport or move. Why am I angry? Because it seems like everyone in the city of Winston Salem, North Carolina is driving to Lewisville or River Park to ride their bikes on the roads that I use to get home or go into town and I end up getting behind them, and those people on bikes don't seem to give a crap what space they take up.

Personally, I loved to ride a bike for the sake of riding a bike and pushing myself. Having a road race is one thing, having 10 or more cyclists out for a "fun ride" is something different. You love the sport? Why do you need people around you to participate/practice in it? As mentioned, when I rode, I rode DEFENSIVLY and not like I owned the road. I knew I could get hit very easily. My buddies and me (when we road together) always got into single file when any cars where around us to let them pass us easier. What do mulitple riders do now? Absolutely NOTHING. Hey, it's their road as well and they have every right to be on that road. See, that's the difference. I never thought I had a "right" to use the road for a road bike. I thought when I used the road that it was my duty to make sure that I didn't make an obstical (sp?) for cars.

Heck, why not allow skateboards on the road? How about unicycles?

As far as tractors? Heck, I'm in the country, thus that farmer was here long before me. I'm lucky enough that I don't have to rely upon the land and livestock to make a living. I figure a man riding a tractor on the road is using that road to get to some land he needs to work, and in most cases when I get beind a tractor, it's only for a couple of miles max. As mentioned before, most guys on tractors will try to make room for you to pass as well. Bottom line..people on tractors seem a lot nicer than people on road bikes in my area.

Pretty narrow minded outlook in my opinion.

 

[Sigarms]

Pretty narrow minded outlook in my opinion.

Your opinion.

Someone asks me why I'm angry, I'm being honest.

I also don't think making the comment that road bikers seem inconsiderate is narrow minded, just an observation.

 

[kenmac]

Bicycle riders have been cited many times for traffic violations.



Mabe in your town but, not here

 

[Sigarms]

Actually the bikes do have the same responsibilities if they wern't living up to them then they were wrong. The organized rides in our area usually have signs posted warning divers there is a ride in progress as well as SAG vehicles with warning signs and often yellow caution flashers.

Now I know why you think I'm narrow minded, you like organized group rides

Honest questions...

1. When you ride in a group with more than two abreast and take up the whole lane, don't you feel guilty at all if there is a car behind you that can't pass?

2. When a car gets behind you and can't pass, don't you try to make room so the car can pass, or if you can't, do you feel at like you're holding that driver up?

3. Do you feel that the road is your right to ride a bike?

4. What's the maximum amount of riders riding together that will form a single file so cars can pass, or do you form a single file at all?

5. How many miles do you drive your car to ride your bike? (you don't have to answer that one )

Just curious.

 

[Bird]

I'm like Sigarms in that bicyclists with any degree at all of decency and common courtesy are fine with me, but the kind of people we most frequently find on the bikes are not that type; sure, some are, but many are not.

I currently live in town and it's less than 3 miles from my house to much of our shopping. I'd like to get a bicycle to ride to and from the grocery store myself, but nearly all that distance is 2 lane streets with no shoulder and a 30 mph speed limit without a lot of traffic. So, yep, I could legally do it, but I certainly wouldn't want to be the one holding up traffic, and with the reputation of most bike riders, I wouldn't want to be the one everyone is hoping will get run over.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I could never understand a bicyclist or group of them that blocks the road. In good weather, I run down our local roads for miles. Something I always keep in mind, if there is a collision between me and something much larger, what will be the damage. Machine- 1, me- splat. So, common sense dictates that I take every precaution to move out of the way.

I was riding with a friend in his car one day when he encountered a bicycle that would always ride the middle of the road. My friend cured him of this with no damage done. He got up to about 50 mph, got close behind him, and absolutely locked up the brakes, screeching and swerving to a stop. This guy had no clue what was going on and swerved almost into the ditch. My buddy stopped and told him that next time his bike is in the middle of the road, he may not be able to stop his car in time. I never saw the bike in the middle of the road again.

 

[Sigarms]

and with the reputation of most bike riders, I wouldn't want to be the one everyone is hoping will get run over.

Funny Bird, you made me think of another general observation about bike riders.

Seems that when you have only one or two bike riders, they are more apt to know their surroundings and be careful of approaching cars from either the front or back. As I mentioned before, I never seem to have ANY issues with one or two riders on the road, even if I come across mulitple riders on the road riding in pairs (not always the case, but in general).

Seems that there is a "hive" mentality with group bike riders that there is safety in numbers, and with that "percieved" safety, they feel like the road is now theirs. Again, perhaps legally that's true, however the cemetary is full of people who were right (something my father taught me). One reason why I rode defensively (sp?).

Come to think of it, the fancier the rider is dressed, the more gonads he has riding with cars on the road

Gosh darn it, I may run for local political office under the banner of trying to make road bike riding illegal in my county. Don't laugh, you don't know my county, and I may just win