Trailers are dangerous

[DIRTROAD]

Bicycles SHOULD be subject to the same requirements as a car/truck as far as inspection sticker, registeration, insurance, licensed driver if they want to be on a road that was built for vehicle traffic.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[FlaDon]

"The Cyclist on the road debate" is always amusing.

The "Don't pay taxes" is always good for a chuckle or two or even three.

It would indeed be very surprising if only the money paid by Motor Vehicles was the only money spent on highways???

Now I'm thinking maybe there should be separate roads for each category. One road for trucks as they are heavy requiring a much more expensive road. The truck drivers would probably even like this.

Then a road for private vehicles. This one does not the need near the expensive requirements that truck do.

The farmers will also need their own road. This need only be well drained gravel road. Not that high on the cost factor.

Pedestrians require a walking path. If it is built properly it can easily be shared by skaters, joggers, cyclists and all the other man powered devices of transportation. This road will also be very inexpensive to build but should have a hard surface.

Next we need a roadbed for the railway tracks so the trains can travel hauling goods and people. Train tracks would be much cheaper to build and maintain than the Truck and private vehicle roads.

So, one can note all could be happy and accommodated.:thumbsup::thumbsup: Very costly of course but all the egos can be satisfied.

Next one should stand back and look at these systems. It's intriguing no less!
We take the Truck, Private vehicle, Pedestrians and others and place them on the train. All being transported by one roadway!!:thumbsup: All these driver's, walkers and cyclists can spend time relaxing, watching scenery and may even sit in the bar car if that is their fancy.:thumbsup:

With enough of these rail lines the distance to transport heavy goods would be limited to mostly towns as would the needs of other occupants of the train.

So, we then have to go through the same cycle again in town and low and behold there will be a public transportation system that really works. The populace will be able to ride public conveyances. The urban community will become centralized. Urban Sprawl will be a thing of the past. Less fossil fuels and resources used as the need for the beloved vehicle is reduced. Transportation cost's should nosedive as the very costly network of roads is not required. Acres and acres of double or triple overpasses and intersections could be converted to Housing areas or reacreation land.

And believe it or not it's coming. Many big cities are in planning stages for better public transportation to eliminate personal vehicles from the core!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Many years ago, most of the US had interurban rail lines that did just that.

As for bicycles. Bicycles safest place to ride is 2/3rds of the way from the edge of the road in the lane of travel. Bicycles are subject to all rules of the road while being ridden. When being walked across intersections, they have the same rights and rules as pedestrians. Having said that, I've nearly run over bicyclist when they've run the stop signs at 4-way stops. And I got there first. And gotten the finger for it. I pulled up alogside of the group and reminded them that if they want to live, don't argue with someone in a 6000+ lb vehicle at a stop sign. Because just because you are on a bike doesn't give you the right to run that stop sign. And Florida does have a way for them to do it legally. They have to hire police for the intersections. And register it as a race.

 

[Bret Mc]

I would bet that the person that flew by you on the Interstate today at 20+mph. over the speed limit and looked at you like you were a complete idiot and in their way was that cyclist that you followed for MILES yesterday!

 

[buck12]

I wonder how those dead set against bikes on the road feel about tractors on the road. Many similarities - no inspection, no license, no registration, no insurance required, move slow, slow down others on the road. What if the OP had posted that he was almost run off the road while driving his tractor by a careless driver? What would the response have been? Just food for thought. By the way I enjoyed casual bicycling for several years but have not ridden in about ten years. I primarily stuck to residential areas for safety.

 

[buck12]

The title of this thread, "t��railers are dangerous" implies that the trailer poses the danger when in fact it is the operator of the vehicle which poses the danger. Not to split hairs but our society tends to blame objects not people. Kind of like saying guns kill people.

 

[Iowachild]

The title of this thread, "t麹railers are dangerous" implies that the trailer poses the danger when in fact it is the operator of the vehicle which poses the danger. Not to split hairs but our society tends to blame objects not people. Kind of like saying guns kill people.

Excellent point!

 

[MFRED]

The title of this thread, "t麹railers are dangerous" implies that the trailer poses the danger when in fact it is the operator of the vehicle which poses the danger. Not to split hairs but our society tends to blame objects not people. Kind of like saying guns kill people.

2 posts, beat me to it. Most people can't drive a car or truck without issues. Then you can just pull in, hook up to a trailer and all the sudden you're a heavy hauler. I can't even count the clowns I've seen that either didn't have a brake control unit to operate the trailer brakes, or didn't know how to use one. Most think just because the truck has the trailer plug, they just work through the truck brakes.
Those clowns are the danger. They wont get bothered around here, no brakes, Wal-Mart 1" tie downs, half the lights not working and probably soft tires, and don't ask them to back up, it's straight ahead only.
I get nailed if one of the 4 chains I use isn't tagged.
I wont even start on campers.

 

[czechsonofagun]

OK, I stand corrected and yes, that's what I really meant. There are drivers who are not aware of the trailer and they drive like there is nothing towing behind the truck.

How many of you, when you pull slow let cars behind you pass by pulling to the side? I do it when i pull a trailer. because I care. But a lot of Americans don't give a hoot about anybody else on the road! Only in America you can find somebody blocking left lane because he can and because he wants to - so he drives the speed limit or little less and blocks everybody from passing. Just look at any major interstate. Cars go in packs, because there is always somebody who blocks the fast lane. In civilized country - Germany for instance - is the left lane for passing and if you are slow, you just don't drive there.

 

[tlbuser]

The "Don't pay taxes" is always good for a chuckle or two or even three.

It would indeed be very surprising if only the money paid by Motor Vehicles was the only money spent on highways???


And believe it or not it's coming. Many big cities are in planning stages for better public transportation to eliminate personal vehicles from the core!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Disproportionate amount of taxes paid. Va. has a personal property tax on vehicles, not bicycles. Maybe things are better or different in the great white northernpart of the continent. Unfortunately, the OP and I are both in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Bicyclists almost flat out refuse to use bike paths. Rock Creek Parkway is a prime example. The park is loaded with hiker/biker and horse trails, yet bicyclists feel entitled to use the parkway during peak useage times.For the most part, the unused bike paths parallel the roadway. The parkway is closed on Saturdays and Sundays for bicycle only traffic.
In Charles County, millions were spent removing the old Indian Head rail line and replacing it with a paved hiker/biker path. The local police force has added ATV and bicycle patrols for these areas. The local rescue services are in the process of purchasing better off-road equipment to access these confined areas. All this is being done for the hiker/biker community, yet the bicyclists are still on the roadways.

No, there is a huge amount of all tax monies spent on too many things that the chosen few get to decide is best for everyone.

Public transportation has yet to be effective in this area. The gov't. entities wait until after an area gets over developed, then they decide it's time to upgrade the transportation system.

BTW, Va. is fairly well known for being horse country. No. Va. is somewhat of a cross connector for the surrounding areas to get into and out of the horse areas.

 

[tlbuser]

they should be treated with the same respect.

It does not really matter if the driver with a trailer passes a bike, motorcycle or a pedestrian. If you pull a trailer and forget the trailer is there, you are a bad driver and there is nothing else to say about it.

"they should be treated with the same respect." this implies that they have a right to be on the roadways and it's not a priviledge. All roadway traffic is priviledged, not a constitutional guarantee.

Was it a red Dodge QC dually and a large white gooseneck ? Or a Blue Ford CC dually pulling a silver and white gooseneck?

 

[bp fick]

This thread, I assume, is about safe and courteous operation when pulling a trailer. It has instead become mostly an anti-bicycle vent. OK, we all see bicyclists not obeying the traffic laws that they must, but that is an education and law enforcement issue.

These matters gets resolved in a democratic republic through our political/legal system. Freeways and interstates clearly ban slow moving and non-motorized vehicles. Perhaps many other secondary roads ought to follow suit, for safety reasons. Fair enough. But until such ordinances are in place, ranting against bicycles is tilting at windmills. If you don't want bicyclists on certain roads, then initiate a referendum on the matter. The roadways belong to all the people, not just those who pay fuel tax. Fuel taxes merely assist in paying for those roads, not establishing ownership.

In nearby communities, we have Amish/Old Order Mennonites that use horse and buggy and yes, ride a lot of bikes. We have walkers too. In our county, it is also legal to ride a 4 wheeler or ATV on the road.

Point is, use of the public roadways is determined by law. Change the laws, if one can, to one's liking. Enforce the laws as presently ordered. Nonetheless, drive safely, with or with a trailer in tow. I am not about to hit a pedestrian, nor bicyclist, nor horse and buggy nor ATV operator. I don't live on a desert isle and this is part of living in a crowded world.

 

[sld]

I wonder how those dead set against bikes on the road feel about tractors on the road. Many similarities - no inspection, no license, no registration, no insurance required, move slow, slow down others on the road. What if the OP had posted that he was almost run off the road while driving his tractor by a careless driver? What would the response have been? Just food for thought. By the way I enjoyed casual bicycling for several years but have not ridden in about ten years. I primarily stuck to residential areas for safety.

The big difference here is that tractors use the road for necessity and bikes use it for pleasure.

How many people take their tractors for road drives as part of their Saturday morning exercise ritual?

 

[Egon]

Disproportionate amount of taxes paid. Va. has a personal property tax on vehicles, not bicycles.

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:

The big difference here is that tractors use the road for necessity and bikes use it for pleasure.

So, no one rides a bicycle to work or to the store? They only use it to exercise which may have health benefits and reduce the load on the medical system??:thumbsup:

 

[Kaliburz]

Yes, this thread is called "Trailers are dangerous". I will agree with that statement. Anything can be dangerous when not operated correctly. If the driver "forgets" they have a trailer behind them, then obviously they are not using their mirrors enough to notice they have something behind them.

I drive semi truck during harvest for my own crops. Depending on which DOT enforcement officer you get, some overlook the fact I have 105,500 on the license (and yes, it says anything over 40,000lbs needs a CDL). I have a Class B, not the class A. But I've been around farm trucks ALL my life.... from tractors, to pickups and just recently semi trucks with pups. My trailer from the front of the lead to the back of the pup is 65 feet long- NOT counting the truck.

I shall apologize about my 'rant' of the cyclist. Just stating my observation. Heck, I bet you that 7 out of 10 electric brake trailers around here in my area DON"T have working emergency systems. Either no battery, no cable to the emergency switch or bad wiring. Half are probably used occasionally and the owners don't think about it.....

Ya know, I'm surprised they haven't come up with an anti-lock system for electric brake trailers yet. Ya know, similar to the air brake systems. A "controller" that is trailer mounted that "looks" at the wheels and pulses the incoming supply of brake power.

 

[sld]

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:



So, no one rides a bicycle to work or to the store? They only use it to exercise which may have health benefits and reduce the load on the medical system??:thumbsup:

Egon, you are letting the member of the month go to your head.:thumbsup:

This is absolutely the wrong site to argue about bikes on the road. You will lose every time.

 

[Egon]

This is absolutely the wrong site to argue about bikes on the road.

Don't know about winning or losing but I do like to express my "Opinion", as should everyone else.:thumbsup:

 

[archerm3]

Well, while we're ranting, maybe bicycles should be on the bike paths and not the roadways. Md, Va and D.C. have spent tons of money creating "safe harbors" for bicyclists to enjoy their sport/hobby........the Va. crowd that drives over to scenic So. Md. to ride bicycles on our roadways irks me quite a bit. They believe riding in packs gives them "special privileges" to control one lane of a two lane road. Ooh, I know, let's impose a bicycle tax/tag for use on roadways
Bicycle Trails and Routes
Bicycle Trails and Routes
Bicycle Trails and Routes

I agree 100%. Cyclists think that because they are on bikes, they can ride however they want. When they have to pay to use the road, just like vehicles do, including license, insurance and registration, they can have a say in how drivers treat them. Until then, as far as I am concerned, they can get out of the way.

I don't know about your state, but in every state I've lived in Bicyclists have the same rights to every part of the traveled lane as a motorist.

"most" people wouldnt consider passing a motorcycle on a blind curve, but a bicyclist, "MOST" people wouldn't bat an eye.

I'm sorry, as a long time cyclist I am extremely jaded at the level of narcissism and uncooperative attitudes displayed by the majority of American motorists...present company included.

Everyone STILL seems to think that he is the only person that owns the road, and the center of the universe shall revolve around each individual's personal speed.

I don't agree with cyclists using red lights to pass cars to the front of the line, however, I don't agree with car drivers getting upset over bicyclists using the traveled lane the same as a motorist, one that they have a RIGHT to use. Last I checked you needed a license to excercise a "privilege" to operate a motor vehicle, however there is no need to to get a license for a bicycle. Nor is there a license needed for a pedestrian to cross a street. You would think that the person in the vehicle capable of the highest speeds would be the one person with the most patience, but no. God forbid you lose 10 seconds on your 30 minute trip.

 

[archerm3]

This thread, I assume, is about safe and courteous operation when pulling a trailer. It has instead become mostly an anti-bicycle vent. OK, we all see bicyclists not obeying the traffic laws that they must, but that is an education and law enforcement issue.

These matters gets resolved in a democratic republic through our political/legal system. Freeways and interstates clearly ban slow moving and non-motorized vehicles. Perhaps many other secondary roads ought to follow suit, for safety reasons. Fair enough. But until such ordinances are in place, ranting against bicycles is tilting at windmills. If you don't want bicyclists on certain roads, then initiate a referendum on the matter. The roadways belong to all the people, not just those who pay fuel tax. Fuel taxes merely assist in paying for those roads, not establishing ownership.

In nearby communities, we have Amish/Old Order Mennonites that use horse and buggy and yes, ride a lot of bikes. We have walkers too. In our county, it is also legal to ride a 4 wheeler or ATV on the road.

Point is, use of the public roadways is determined by law. Change the laws, if one can, to one's liking. Enforce the laws as presently ordered. Nonetheless, drive safely, with or with a trailer in tow. I am not about to hit a pedestrian, nor bicyclist, nor horse and buggy nor ATV operator. I don't live on a desert isle and this is part of living in a crowded world.

AMEN !

 

[grnspot110]

Bottom line, the trailer isn't the dangerous part, it's the idiot pulling it!!!!

 

[2manyrocks]

Whats the difference in road requirements and damagers to said road between a vehicles and bicycles??:thumbsup:
?:thumbsup:

Costs more to have EMT's haul off the accident victims.

Okay--now a real answer.

I wouldn't ride a motorcycle on a public highway, much less a bicycle because of all the nuts behind the wheel.

Perfect example this week was a lady who was speeding in her car, flipped it, and threw her 10 YO daughter out because she wasn't wearing a seat beat. The kid nearly died. That's the kind of driver we have on our roads, and that's not the fault of anybody riding a bike. For self preservation, the public roads aren't a good place to ride.