Result.........this will is what will exactly happen.

can't pass them......

I'm for sharing the road but I think it's time cyclist pay like the rest of us to share the road in DMV fees. Also cyclists need to be Licensed and registered like a Motorcycle.


ferrarichat.com/forum/california-nevada-southern-sponsored-fast-cars-ltd/458246-09-16-14-3-foot-gap-between-bike-car-law-starts.html

 

Yeah I have a lot of mixed feelings on this whole cyclist vs Auto issues. My wife is a serious cyclist and we have had 2 friends in the last 5 years that were killed on the road.

At the same time, while cyclists "technically" have the right to be on just about any road (at least where I live) it doesn't always make it a wise choice to always ride when and where you want.

After a lot of soul searching, I have come to the personal conclusion: You can make all the laws you want, but at the end of the day if cyclists value their own lives... they need to take more responsibility for making wise choices as to where and when they chose to ride. Unfortunately for a lot that is after work in the afternoon which coincides with heavy traffic. Or sometimes that is mid day on a nice Saturday where lots of drivers have the same idea.

That doesn't mean cyclists don't have the right to share the road, but it is a question of: Do you want to be alive? Do you want to trust your life to some idiot..? Someone who is texting, on their phone or simply incompetent? You can't legislate common sense.. As one of the comedians said.. "you can't fix stupid.."

Half the drivers I see on the road... I fear sharing the road with them while protected in a car.. So getting on a bike completely exposed just becomes an exercise in Darwinism..

That isn't to say cyclists shouldn't be on the road.. but it is the choice of road and what time. And the bottom line, if you try to share a busy and narrow road with cars.. It will never come out well.. In my wife's case we have made the choice to only ride on certain roads and on busier roads early in the morning when there is minimal traffic.

The other night on the way home from work I saw something that is way to common. A busy, parkway that is absolutely packed with cars on their way home from work, no shoulder or bike lane going up a fairly steep hill and a cyclist riding up that road created a huge cluster of cars behind him who are frustrated jockeying to get a round him.. Just nutty that anyone would think that it was a good idea to do that.

As I mentioned the cyclists have rights.. but it isn't always smart to use them. Unfortunately the militant cyclist activist seem to push the rights and legislation but not their own responsibility as well.. Simply passing laws just exacerbates the problem by creating a false sense of security to a rider.. where the more applicable solution is to simply fear for your life and do what is smart..

 

Well said, scatkins. I have mixed feelings regarding this issue, too. What bothers me is that most cyclists exhibit an "I own the road" attitude. Instead of "sharing" the road like they expect automobile drivers to do, they rarely practice common road manners. I think that's the reason behind the negative feelings most drivers have toward cyclists.

 

In my area cyclists cry all day long about "equal rights" as cars, but then they blow through red lights and stop signs like they don't exist. They want the best of both worlds.

 

Yes, the red light running, especially when cycling en masse, is so irresponsible.

Sadly it all comes down to education for all road users (or the lack thereof.)

 

^ This. Plus they'll ride two wide so they can chat while they bike with no regard for holding up traffic, because it's their "right."

 

Yes, and they dont show any regard for pedestrians either.
They wont stop or slow to let a pedestrian cross in front of them.

I like cycling, but too many cyclists are intent on endangering themselves and others.

For instance, storming down hills feeling no responsibility to stop or slow for cars, merging onto the road, is just crazy.
They value momentum over saftey.
They need to realize cars wont always see them and ride accordingly at speeds that allow them to manuver and stop if needed.

 

We love you too.

Cyclists are not going away. Deal with it.

I like riding. I've been riding a bicycle for over 55 years. It's great exercise. I often commute to my office 10 miles each way in all weather conditions with the exception of snow and heavy rain.

I would prefer to ride on dedicated bike lanes.

The current junta ruling the state and federal legislative bodies prefer to spend money on things other than dedicated bicycle lanes.

I ride in the street.

I am entitled to ride in the street.

I also pay for the road through my taxes.

I do not own the road

You do not own the road

I am happy to share the road with you.

The reason why there is a Four Foot Law in Pennsylvania is that a number of folks cannot seem to control their motor vehicles in a fashion which is safe for cyclists.

My greatest fear is that incredibly skinny blonde lady drinking a latte, smoking, texting, talking on the phone while driving a 6000 pound SUV.

I often say you can't argue with 6000 pounds of steel and stupid.

I pull over to allow cars to pass.

I do not hog the road.

Although the law allows riders in Pennsylvania to ride two abreast, I do not.

You want to be angry, don't be angry with riders. Call your state senators, representatives and assembly persons and ***** to them for spending money on their free cars, perks and other such nonsense and not on dedicated bike lane.

Oh, and if you want to race, book track time.

Attached is a photo of my other ride: a 15 pound custom made Merlin Cyrene titanium and carbon fiber frame, Zipp carbon fiber wheels, Zipp crank and Campy Record Grouppo gears and Negative G Brakes. It costs more than a set of center lock Porsche wheels and rides a lot smoother.

My 2 cents.

 

rnl, I wouldn't take these comments personally. You're a rider, but so are many others that we know and share lives with (my best friend being one of them).

The problem is the attitude that a good amount of riders have. This has nothing to do with you; per your own honest comments above, you check all of the boxes for a "model" rider, but you should acknowledge the existence of the other half of your community who ignore road rules and hog the road without ever pulling over. Much like us "drivers," we enthusiasts also consider ourselves good drivers and responsible motorists. That doesn't automatically exclude the other half of motorists who, as you correctly pointed out, drink their hot coffees while they apply makeup or text their friends.

 

Why are most cyclist such snobs is what I would like to know. They almost ran over an old lady the other day who was just trying to cross the road. They yelled and screamed at the poor thing like she was an animal. What ever happened to being respectful of others?? I can understand them being rude to a strapping handsome man such as me but a little ole defenseless grandmother...come on!

 

^^^^This exactly...I absolutely abhor 99% of them. Follow traffic rules until it does not suit them, then up on the sidewalk and dodge around the pedestrians etc....Really, the only place for you to ride your bike is on a main road???

 

I do agree with you.. What disappoints me in this country (the US) is the lack of respect by both divers and riders (actually I'd argue it is a minority, but it doesn't take many to cause a problem).

I did a cycling trip in Italy/Tuscany a couple of years ago (a group led a leader).. Nothing hardcore, but there I saw a much more significant respect for cyclists (and for drivers by cyclists)..

I was scared senseless at first riding down small narrow roads with many cars.. but with no exceptions, drivers that were inconvenienced by cyclists did't seem to mind.. they would patiently drive behind for a long time and pass when it was safe.

And by the same token, the riders weren't being d!cks either and riding 3 wide.. So there just seemed to be more mutual respect which I liked.

And I became very comfortable with the drivers there. But there is absolutely no way I would ride in that type of situation at home.

I don't know, and that's why I have mixed feeling.. it seems to be there are different attitudes in different places. I really wish there was a better coexistence but I'm just not seeing it.

But unfortunately I don't see laws as ways of fixing it. I'm not against the laws because they are just common sense stuff I would assume everyone should do anyway.

 

All I am saying is that the road is for all to use. I drive at 15 mph in my Porsche behind a obvious bike novice struggles while he struggles up a hill. How long does it take? 50 seconds?

I have been on the receiving end of a reckless a$$hole while riding my bike. I wear reflective gear, I have a 3 watt red strobe flashing on my bike and on my helmet and I still was knocked and a clueless blonde made a right hand turn just behind me as I was crossing an intersection with a green light. She clipped my tire and I went down - hand broken, bike was unscathed. Yes, I sued her (actually, my law partner did)

Am I taking it personally - yes I am.

Bike snob, bike jerk, bike novice, - you hit them with your car at best they are injured, worst, they are dead and your PORSCHE IS DAMAGED.

Take your time.

Turn on the radio.

Remember you will be miles away from them in minutes.

 

Couldn't agree more wth RNL. I am a cyclist and am constantly being cut off - I have right of way going straight and person making left can't wait 5 seconds to let me pass - instead guns it and I have to brake hard. We have no protection and even a little nudge can be catastrophic and even deadly. Give me a little honk and I will move to the right to let you pass. And don't paint with such a broad brush -- not all cyclist are bad just like not all car drivers are bad. Given that, per the video, I would have moved to the right to let cars pass. Even as a cyclist, I think what the guy is doing is wrong.

 

Really? Most serious riders don't ride on sidewalks or do anything illegal. It is usually the bike messenger type but certainly you don't ever exceed the speed limit of do anything illegal.