Same rules, same road. BUT DIFFERENT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT! As a biker (spandex shorts-type) I must respect the REAL traffic. Lots of vigilance, but I'm not above flipping off cars that try to cut you off.
Bikers on Roads
- Thread starter SplitIdentity
- Start date
You're not wrong. I've seen many bikers do the same thing and they need to get their heads out of their arses. But when biking, I have many the same issues on the other side of the fence.
For instance, the number top things I have to worry about.
1) Drivers don't realize where they are required to stop. I am continually cheating death with drivers who "roll through" stop signs or lights - particularly when making that right turn on red. It's almost inevitable that I will get bounced over a hood because somebody will creep through that intersection as I'm coming through along the shoulder or through the cross walk (which is another downfall of bike paths).
2) Some drivers get the insane idea that because they're in a car, they have some sort of precedence over bikers. I had a City of Urbandale Garbage truck that came up behind me at the corner of Douglas and 100th last summer. Light turns green and he decides he has the right to go through the interesection and cut me off (damn near squash me in fact). Now I'm 6'4", 260 and ride a 60 cm bike and geneally wear bright clothing. I AM NOT HARD TO SPOT. :wink:
4 way stops are the same. Or even at a 2 way stop or T and I have the right of way through the intesection, too many drivers will think they can just go. Why I'm supposed to stop with no sign is something that just baffles me. BTW, this is an excellent example of why it's better for a biker on the street to ride more in the middle of the street and not on the curb, and especially not on the sidewalk. They are more visible and thus everyone is safer for it. This does NOT give them license to impeed traffic however and IMO.
Maybe it's because I'm a biker and I have a better understanding than most - I don't have the issues others seem to. Personally, I want to run down more pedestrians who do dumb arse things, than I do bikers (yes, there are a few bikers as well...)
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Did you consider that multiple hills were involved? If I could draw you a picture I would....
It's real easy folks, your bigger you have a greater responsibility for the protection of human life regardless of personal opinions.
In the same why a trucker wouldn't take out your Saturn like a tin can when you make a traffic error.
I'm sure they think it sucks to deal with you too.
In the same why a trucker wouldn't take out your Saturn like a tin can when you make a traffic error.
I'm sure they think it sucks to deal with you too.
I just dont see that the risk/reward for bikers on rural higways is benefical to the bikers. So what if its the cars fault? A lot of good that does you and your family when you are brain dead in a hospital or layed out in a funeral home. I dont like seeing bikes on the highway. I have no anger towards them, rather I get nervous when passing. What if they hit some loose gravel and lose control of the bike in front of me and I cant avoid hitting them? Now 2 lives are changed forever. And for what? Exercise? I dont get it. Use the trails or stay in town.
"The taxes I pay as a bicyclist, driver, consumer, etc pay for roads."
That is BS! I pay the same taxes and I still have to pay license fee's on both cars and my motorcycle. You can't tell me a motorcycle is going to ware a road any worse that a bike and we can follow the RULES! Single file and wait your turn a stop lights. I could pass at a stop light but I have respect for my life and other drivers.
That is BS! I pay the same taxes and I still have to pay license fee's on both cars and my motorcycle. You can't tell me a motorcycle is going to ware a road any worse that a bike and we can follow the RULES! Single file and wait your turn a stop lights. I could pass at a stop light but I have respect for my life and other drivers.
Honestly, I'm more concerned about deer and squirrels on the Great Western or about any other trail than I am about motorists on roads. That is unless I'm forced (and I mean FORCED) to take a very busy road. And I will avoid those as best I can. Most do.
You don't need to. I know what you are saying.
However, if you are can't avoid an obstacle in the road you are driving to fast.
However, if you are can't avoid an obstacle in the road you are driving to fast.
WRONG! Sidewalks are for pedestrians. Walkers and runners... not someone on wheels with the capability to go 20+ mph
I pay my taxes, vehicle registration and gas taxes. I drive a lot, but when I bike, I bike on the road. I'm using less of the road and causing virtually no wear and tear to the road. That's ridiculous. I can use them just as much as you can, I paid my taxes. That argument holds no water.
Agreed... you're SMALLER you have a greater responsibility for the protection of YOUR human life regardless of personal opinions.
In the same way when around 3 18-wheelers on I-80 in your Saturn you drive with more alertness...they can crush you like a tin can.
I think this thread has veered slightly off course (as expected), but I do want to voice an irritation of mine regarding what I've seen by some bicycle riders here in Ames: the misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of proper arm signals.
They ride up to a stop sign, stop, signal with their right arm straight out that they're going to turn right, and then do.
Does anyone other than me remember learning the correct arm signals to use for stops and turns when riding bikes? All use the left arm because it's closest to traffic: down to the left--you're stopping; straight out to the left--you're going to turn left; and right angle up--you're going to turn right.
They ride up to a stop sign, stop, signal with their right arm straight out that they're going to turn right, and then do.
Does anyone other than me remember learning the correct arm signals to use for stops and turns when riding bikes? All use the left arm because it's closest to traffic: down to the left--you're stopping; straight out to the left--you're going to turn left; and right angle up--you're going to turn right.
For a bike you have both hands available ... can't exactly reach out of the right hand window of a car. I think it probably better lets the drivers know, a large percentage of people wouldn't be able to tell you the proper "right hand turn" signal, but they get what the biker means if he points right.
dumb. watch out for your fellow humans. bikers are not breaking laws by being on "your" road.
This argument doesn't come down to the legality of bikers being on the road, nor does it come down to the fact that they don't have to have a license (although, I think they should to ride on county roads). What it does come down to, is bikers put themselves in danger by riding on roads where vehicles are going 35-40 mph (at the very least) faster than them, and they're putting the drivers in a position to put them in danger.
That's why bikers on roads are annoying to me. I'm often going 40 mph faster than these folks, and when I come up over a hill and see 2-4 bikers riding side by side and refusing to move over, not only am I upset that I have to slow down to a granny-crawl, but I'm also pissed off because I came within a few seconds of flattening these guys out because I didn't see them until I came up over the hill.
These bikers are right - stricter laws need to be put into place. Bikers should need insurance to ride on the open road, as well as a license. Just like any other vehicle out there.
your posts can't get anymore...short sighted at best.
you going to administer the test to your kid? Just what is needed is more laws to protect self-admited crappy drivers from running over objects they are to stupid not to hit. Maybe we should make all deer get licenses-and enact legislation against them crossing roads in the dark. Damn this has to be the most ******** thread!
p.s. here is a note from the shop that had the most riders impacted at the scene:
Last night, right after the story was on the news, we got a call at the shop from a very angry gentlemen, who cussed me out for 15 minutes. He wanted to know why "we" (bikers) couldn't stick to our trails and off the road. Also he questioned how we expected to get anything changed, by having this bike rally. He also wanted to know why he should have to yield to bikers, when they are just out there playing. We got another similar call today that Jeff took care of, this guy was more cordial, but he wanted to defend the farmer. With Doug being an excellent customer of ours, and with so many of you representing our shop, we just want to remind you to do so respectfully. We don't want to hear about anybody taking this issue to far and doing something that impacts our business. Now ride for Doug, but do so the way he would want, with respect and hopefully we can see some change.
Thanks,
Adam
Yeah sure they are, it doesn't matter my 2000 lbs car or your 23 lbs bike. What is going to win. Think this all you want but get the hell over and ride single file.
It all comes down to this- I don't like bikers on the road at all either. However, they are taking a risk riding on the road anyway. Although I don't like it, they have a right to use roads too. The main problem is the few bikers that are stupid and don't follow traffic rules and refuse to be safe.
Gosh this sounds an awful like...well an Iowa football player raping a girl "I am bigger, you have no rights-so spread 'em-and if I hurt ya' well its your fault."