i am cyclist, hear me rawr

[RivaOni]

I think, in most countries, bike lanes are needed, they are common place in most large cities in the UK, but again not on every single route, usually its just a painted line on the pavement (sidewalk) splitting the area in two.

Univerisity cities like Oxford and Cambridge are very cyclist friendly. Where do you guys stand on motorcyclists though?

[Ming]

Scrums, you make some valid points. I guess I just took everything the wrong way because I do obey the rules of the road and I do respect bikers, and that made me feel like EVERY driver was at fault for driving a car. I still feel somewhat the way I feel, but I'll be sure to take your concerns more to heart.

I apologize if I offended in any way, particularly with that "not being able to afford a car" comment. I know bikes are expensive. That was just some uneccesary venom on my part due to no real reason at all I guess, other than being caught up in the moment.

To quote Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart in "The Wedding Singer"...

[FawkesFyre]

[Kudasai Hiroki]

I used to bike everywhere I went. That usually translated into about 60 miles a day. I've been meaning to get a bike and start riding again but unfortunatelly it's pretty low on the priority list at the moment.

[RivaOni]

[Doot]

I guess it's because there is no clear definition for that "perk" of beng on a cycle (of either type).

Bicycle Laws:
New York
Mass. One that says you may pass cars on the right (but not specifying those which are in a queue at a red light - and later says you must obey all traffic laws)
Florida - Now this one mentions passing on the right (page 2) but mentions it in "proceeding" situations - which to me sounds like "in motion" not stopped at a light however, it also says that "the bicyclist must comply with any official traffic control device." Meaning - no runny red lights.

So for the cyclists, the laws are pretty much the same from state to state. I agree there are special accordances for cyclists, I just know, as with any motorists, and unfortunately for most cyclists, there are folks that abuse it.

As for motorcyclists: Now the laws may vary but something is pretty clear.

Lane Splitting
40-6-312 (b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.

It's the most dangerous part of being a motorcycle as I've seen more accidents by the operators of bikes pulling these stunts than anything else.

[Kugyou]

Doot - I've nearly made road pizza of a few motorcyclists who felt that double-yellow meant "motorcycles can pass, as long as they're going nearly 80 in a 35". This is not an exaggeration, either - you ought to see some of the bikers down in Union City.

Riva - I lost a cyclist friend to a truck when I was 16. In my case, it was unfortunately almost entirely his fault (the truck had no lights on at night, but my friend was cycling through a crosswalk without reflectors and running a red light at the same time), and further cemented in my mind the fact that cyclists need to understand that their privileges in traffic situations are just that, privileges. Same as with any operator of any vehicle - while you may technically be allowed to act in a certain way, when doing so puts yourself or others at risk, there are times when right-of-way should be yielded for short-term survival. With the way people drive near where I live, I find myself yielding a clearly-held right-of-way due to the dangers inherent in attempting to take it from someone who refuses to respect it. I figure pushing it just because you can is reckless - seriously, what good's the high road when you're dead?

[ScrumYummy]

I feel the need to clarify something about that article. I didn't mean to come off sounding like all motorists were evil or didn't know how to drive, and bikes should get to do what they want. I wrote it to point out that bikers get herassed by motorists and that when motorists break small traffic laws or don't look where they're going (or even when they open their door), it puts the lives of bikers at risk.

It's also kind of angry sounding because I wrote it one night after a d***ch in a truck tried to take me off the road. He appearantly thought playing with my life was a fun game, and it wasn't the first time that it had happened. And people yelling/honking/throwing things happens on a near daily basis.

So I apologize if any motorists were offended by this article. It wasn't an attack on motorists, just on the stupid ones, and like I said at the bottom the people that really need to read that never will.

[Ming]

[Blackmage]

Uhm here's my .02c

If you wanna ride a bike, move to a major city in Calif, they have bike lanes and all sorts of rules guiding cyclists and motorists. If not then complain to your local officials and get things change.