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On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 10:52:32 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
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I pondered where to place this, but this is good, because it definitely has to do with ethics -- how to treat (non-motorized) bikers on the road and how bikers ought to treat pedestrians and vehicle-drivers.
What brought this up? Yesterday -- the most ethical biker I have ever dealt. He actually followed all the rules of the road, was courteous, knew the laws, and dealt with two very difficult traffic situations within half a mile of one another as I was driving. He was, simply put, outstanding. Having once been a biker, and still owning one I need to ride more often, he made me think of other bikers who have not been so smart.
Please, bikers, tell us what we could do better, and auto-drivers, tell us what bikers could do better. I think this will be more and more important as more people take to the road on bikes as the economy makes driving vehicles more difficult.
This is only for non-motorized bikes; there is another thread for motorized bikes.
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 11:05:22 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
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My biggest complaint is about bicyclists who wear dark clothing. That just isn't smart. Even in the daytime, wear bright colors and white so you will be seen. And remember that red looks black at night -- it virtually disappears.
Your light on the front and/or back of your bike is definitely Not Enough! You need lights on the sides, even if it is only reflectors on your clothing and/or bike.
Don't ride up on the right of a car turning right and think they are going to see you!
Don't ride up on the left of a car that is turning left and think they are going to see you!
Don't ride up in front of a stopped car and turn in front of it! You are faster than you think, and they may not be fast enough to stop for your rude behavior.
You have almost the same rights as a pedestrian, but you are a lot faster, so you need to watch out for yourself and not think that because of those rights, you can do whatever you want. You can't, and furthermore, you may not have been seen!
Pedestrians do not have the right to cross on a red light, and you don't either. If you do, don't blame me if I don't see you and hit you.
But bless that guy I saw yesterday! He was not only smart, but he was courteous and followed the laws. Everyone was nervous about him being there, but he did so well. Pardon me, but he was outstanding!
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 11:30:08 AM
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stellaluna
Posts: 4271
Joined: 4/11/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Covaan_Meshuga
My biggest complaint is about bicyclists who wear dark clothing. That just isn't smart. Even in the daytime, wear bright colors and white so you will be seen. And remember that red looks black at night -- it virtually disappears.
Um...yeah. My bike is my primary transportation and I ride wearing whatever I am wearing to work that day.
quote:
Your light on the front and/or back of your bike is definitely Not Enough! You need lights on the sides, even if it is only reflectors on your clothing and/or bike.
I do agree that far too many people ride at night with no lights or reflectors. That's just stupid.
quote:
Don't ride up on the right of a car turning right and think they are going to see you!
Don't ride up on the left of a car that is turning left and think they are going to see you!
Don't ride up in front of a stopped car and turn in front of it! You are faster than you think, and they may not be fast enough to stop for your rude behavior.
You have almost the same rights as a pedestrian, but you are a lot faster, so you need to watch out for yourself and not think that because of those rights, you can do whatever you want. You can't, and furthermore, you may not have been seen!
Pedestrians do not have the right to cross on a red light, and you don't either. If you do, don't blame me if I don't see you and hit you.
But bless that guy I saw yesterday! He was not only smart, but he was courteous and followed the laws. Everyone was nervous about him being there, but he did so well. Pardon me, but he was outstanding!
Some of these things are equally the fault of the drivers. Not all, but some. (See my post above.) If a cyclist is following the law, they are allowed to pull up to the side of you.
_____________________________
Who should be allowed to attend church?
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 11:43:31 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stellaluna
Second of all, if drivers WOULD GET OFF THEIR CELL PHONES AND ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION that would solve a lot of problems. I pass drivers all the time that never see me. Never even look my direction.
Oh, please! Please do! We have a law here that one cannot drive and hold a cellphone to talk at the same time, and one cannot text while driving. Does anyone pay attention? No! Of course not! The officers' hands are tied, because they cannot stop anyone for this offense! You have to do that and ANOTHER stupid thing to get stopped!
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 11:53:45 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1602
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Bikers - Don't ride your bicycle on the wrong side of the road. It's un-nerving to a car driver to see a bicycle coming at you at speed. It is dangerous too.
Don't swerve in and out as you ride on the pavement (side-walk) and the road, then on the pavement again ... at speed. Stay on the road. Or get in the cycle lane if there is one.
Don't follow my car at speed in the middle of the road (i.e. right in the middle of my car). If I stop suddenly you may not be able to. The back of my car is more solid than you are - so you'll get hurt. Also, you're breathing my exhaust fumes - hardly clever !!!
Don't ride your bike whilst listening to music on your personal radio/hifi or whatever. You can't concentrate on riding a bike and listening to music at the same time. Also you will not hear any cars coming behind you.
Finally ... women bikers with short skirts. You're a distraction !!!
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 11:56:49 AM
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mvic
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In the UK the police can stop a car driver speaking on a cell phone. Penalty fines and points on your driving licence for offenders. I think also prison sentences if you caused an accident whilst driving and speaking on the phone.
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/13/2008 12:03:18 PM
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Miss Giggles
Posts: 4272
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: MI
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I agree with all the posts. Here bikes aren't allowed to take the lane, unless there in a group (I think)
I am not that brave to ride on the road because really most drivers don't want bikes on the road..There are too many people drifting into the bike lane because they are on their cell phones.
But there are a few roads here in which people travel at freeway speeds and I honestly think they have a death wish if they ride on those roads.. I had a guy come over a blind hill the other day on that road, no helmet, on the wrong side of the road.. during rush hour There was very little room for him to get by so I went to the edge of my lane, well he was panicking and yelling at people. .. there was a cop two cars behind me - I hope he got pulled over because he stood a very good chance of being killed.
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/16/2008 11:14:20 PM
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ddave12000
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Joined: 3/7/2006
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I live and work in Chicago where there are a ton of bikers. I just wish they would follow the rules of the road. I'm not saying auto drivers are perfect, but driving in the downtown area every day I see so many bikers causing dangerous situations by running red lights and stop signs, darting out in front of cars and pedestrians it makes me sick. Just today I nearly hit one as I was making a left turn from a stop sign when a biker came flying through the stop sign without even an attempt to slow down. He was then kind enough to yell some rather choice words at me. Disgusting behavior if you ask me.
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RE: On the road with bikes - 9/17/2008 12:40:46 AM
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Covaan_Meshuga
Posts: 3647
Joined: 6/8/2005
From: a mother who let me live
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I don't believe for one second that we are ever going to be rid of this type of biker. This is what I am very nervous when I see a fast-moving biker on the street, or even one going the actual speed limit -- which is very unusual.
And the biker I saw the other day was delightful for his actions, so he stood out.
Does anyone have any ideas what we as vehicle-drivers can do to protect ourselves from the other type of biker -- other than having large claws build into our cars that reach out and grab them?
_____________________________
Abiyah
"Ladies and gentlemen, there are things that you will only be able to learn by the weakest among us, and when you snuff them out, you are the one that loses." ~~Gianna Jesson, 1977 LA, CA, saline abortion survivor
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