Pedal vs. Metal

We're all in a hurry, but there are two things to remember... simple courtesy and physics. Simple courtesy means you are ALWAYS aware of others around you and yield the right away not only as law but as courtesy. Bicycles are more vulnerable but they can often (not always) stop more quickly more easily unless they're pedaling all out... which they shouldn't be. It's called having your vehicle under control at all times. Motorists should watch for bicycles when the car is entering/exiting the roadway, and bicyclists really should keep to the extreme edge of the roadway, in their 'paths' if provided. Then there's Physics... CAR BIGGER, Bicycle smaller, bicycler squishier. Don't challenge tons of steel with your body because you believe the law says you have the right of way. Right of way does not mean that a bicyclist can withstand the impact of tons of metal. Right of way doesn't mean that you can 'bump' a bicyclist with your car or bull your way around. Regardless of right of way... everyone should be prepared to stop, you are supposed to be 'alert', aware... and if you're impeding traffic, PULL OVER... don't put yourself at risk and don't make cars swerve to avoid you or stomp their brakes... that just means someone behind or beside them will probably crash into them, or get hit, etc. GROW UP. Bicyclists can use reason, and 'pause' or 'slow' for stops when there's NO ONE around, in range, etc. (famous last words)... but -really- pause/slow/look. Bicycles just need to yield more often for their own safety, cars need to be more aware because it's just the right thing to do. And if bicyclists are on the road, they need insurance and property licensing to pay for the privilege. Driving IS a privilege. I once came around a corner to find school kids riding their bicycles down the MIDDLE of the lane of a busy paved main road... because their teacher said they had a right to ride on the street. I told them not to ride in the middle... basically ;). Learning/teaching takes some effort, belligerence doesn't. It's not about 'rights'... 'us' vs 'them'. Bicyclists have to yield to physics, Motorists have to yield to safety... not just what some law says we have the right to do. Lastly, in my opinion, bicyclists do have to respect that motorists are the primary users (yes, they are)... and I like bikes. Unfortunately too many people lack simple courtesy, patience, good will, etc.

As an avid cyclist I am often ashamed of my fellow cyclist for their disregard for motorists. I strongly believe in the phrase "Share the Road" and see many of my fellow cyclists riding two abreast and not allowing cars to pass them safely, not using hand signals, not stopping at lights and other asocial behaviors. In my many years of cycling I have only been accosted once by a motorist and he was obviously drunk. Share the Road means just that. As cyclists we can do much more to make the roads a safer place for all users.

They need to liscense and tax bikes. Bicycle plates may make them more respectful of cars and the law. I live in Chicago and the bikes here are very out of control. I think the cities (all of them) should fine bikers for not obwying the very same laws they expect cars to obey. In the end I think they are mainly just abucnh of spoiled, arrogant jerks with no real cause so they take this one. I CANT STAND CYCLIST!

I live in Knoxville, Tennessee where most of our cycling takes place outside of the city. In the spring and summer there are many cyclists dressed up in there Tour de France clothes pedaling around Knox County. Problem is that Knox County is an urban environment with a rural road system. My biggest complaint is that these bikers feel that they are completely above any traffic laws. They blow through stop signs and red lights. They change lanes without warning. They block traffic. I understand that motorized vehicles must yeild to bike traffic but it seems that bicyclist feel that this means they can run all over motorists. I think it is the errogance of the cyclists that burns most people. I dirve around seeing motorists throw thrash out their winndows at cyclists. Blow their horns at them, Curse them. It is a new road rage brought on by the cyclists disregard for traffic laws, general safety and errogance.

I live in Knoxville, Tennessee where most of our cycling takes place outside of the city. In the spring and summer there are many cyclists dressed up in there Tour de France clothes pedaling around Knox County. Problem is that Knox County is an urban environment with a rural road system. My biggest complaint is that these bikers feel that they are completely above any traffic laws. They blow through stop signs and red lights. They change lanes without warning. They block traffic. I understand that motorized vehicles must yeild to bike traffic but it seems that bicyclist feel that this means they can run all over motorists. I think it is the errogance of the cyclists that burns most people. I dirve around seeing motorists throw thrash out their winndows at cyclists. Blow their horns at them, Curse them. It is a new road rage brought on by the cyclists disregard for traffic laws, general safety and errogance.

I live in okc,ok and ride my bicycle just about everywhere,and the drivers here rude crude and need to stay off the cell phone when they are driving.They also should give us bicyclists just a lilltle room on the road,and keep your commets to your self.Is it really the hard to use your turnsignals when driving?and stopping at stpolights and stop signs?If you want to say something to a cyclist just say hi or have a nice day,nothing else.

I ride a Harley and I have to obey the Laws the same as if I were in my 4 wheeler and these Bycyclists act like they are above the traffic laws
They do not stop for red lights or stop signs or at RailRoad crossings let alone signal for turns on top of all that for the most part they are very RUDE and think that they own the road..... Shame on you Biker Trash

I live in oklahoma and ride a bicycle just about everywhere,the drivers here are not bicycle friendly,Ive been run off the road yelled at cussed at, but have not been hit yet.We have very few bike lanes,some pathe along the rivers and just last year they just put bike racks on the busses.T o the people driving cars if you want to say something to a bicyclist just say hi or have a nice ride,nothing else.

I feel if cyclists are going to use the same street's / road's that motor vehicles use.The cyclists must be required to carry vehicle insurance / operators license / vehicle tags.Just think of the additional tax revenue this would create for all of the city's.

I feel if cyclists are going to use the same street's / road's that motor vehicles use.The cyclists must be required to carry vehicle insurance / operators license / vehicle tags.Just think of the additional tax revenue this would create for all of the city's.

I know it's old school, but there ARE road rules for byciclists too! Stopping at red lights, watching the area aroung you, hand signalling for turns, riding you bike with traffic and not against it, etc. are all things that we learned back in the day.
If this is going to become the "norm", there has to be a courtesy between bicyclists and drivers. What would happen if a car pulled out in front of a bike??

Hell, thought they were talking about M/C bikers. Some of those peddlers have a real attitude worse than us H-D riders.

Hell, I thought they were talking about us bikers (MC). Just as bad some new bikr riders have attitude.

GOD demands the glory from great people..HENSE GREAT LOVERS: BIKES tend to "look:" bad. Praise Jah!!

GOD DEMANDS THE CREDIT FOR GOOD PEOPLE...HENSE GREST BICYCLERS "LOOK" BAD PTL!!!!!!!

Weaving in traffic, riding up the right side while traffic is stopped into a right turn lane that cars begin to fill, riding up the left side through a left turn lane, riding between traffic at a light, not allowing traffic to pass on hills or narrow roads. The majority of bike riders on public roads are ignorant of the laws and think they have the right of way and get special treatment. A better understanding on both sides is needed of the laws. In most cases there is very few differences.

All roads with 2 lanes or more should have 1 lane dedicated to Bikes, Mopeds, Skate boards and any other means of transportation that either uses no fuel or gets atlease 70 MPG. They should be monitored with cameras and heavy fines issued for voilators who drive a car in this lane.