As a recreational cyclist who puts on between 1,000 to 2,500 miles per year, I've seen my lot of good riders and bikers. I detest seeing bikers who break the laws and give a bad name to the rest of us on our bikes. But it still amazes me how many angry auto drivers are out there, who have actually swerved at me, swore at me, and thrown things (coke cans, etc) at me while I rode, mind you, at the 25 mph speed limit along a parkway.
I admit, that bikers tend to do a "rolling stop" through stop signs, but only when there is no apparent harm or even inconvenience possible from the act. That bikers don't hide behind a steel weapon I believe is often the point of difference between these modes of transportation. But I hope that doesn't make either of the two operators any less responsible nor tolerant of one another. -- Steve Kotvis > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2002 12:03:55 -0600 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [Mpls] Cycling in Minneapolis > > Steve Sumner: > However, it seems to me that a lot of bicyclists have a purposeful > disregard > for even the most basic of traffic laws. I have even heard a few tell me > that the laws don't apply to them. It seems that every time I see a > bicyclist on the road they don't regard the laws at all. It doesn't even > seem that they pay attention at intersections (the example that I cited of > near misses). Typically, with all due respect to the people who emailed > me, > the argument that "car drivers break laws too" has been one that I've heard > from the people who say the laws don't apply to them. > Point: Everyone needs obey the traffic laws, even bicyclists. > > Kris: > It seems to me you don't make your point very well when you go on to lump > all bicyclists (or at least all the ones you see!) into a "laws don't apply > to me" category. As a road cyclist and racer I am bummed out to be lumped > in that category. I have lots of personal experience with reckless > endangerment by vehicles on the roads of Minneapolis but not by all > motorist that I see! I have also experienced cyclists and motorists that > do not obey traffic laws. > > Instead of pitting cyclists against drivers (most do both!), report > reckless driving of any individual vehicle if it makes you feel better. In > MN, a bicycle is considered a legal road vehicle, and just like road > vehicles, has certain rights and must obey all traffic laws. See MN > statutes (69.222?) if you are curious about bicycling rights and > obligations on the roads. Also, no matter how mad you are at that cyclist > on your road, you have a legal obligation not to endanger them. No matter > what. > > Email me directly if you would like information on Minneapolis cycling > resources and I'll try to help out. > road cycling can be a silent sport too! > Kris Musser > Linden Hills > > _______________________________________ > Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy > Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: > http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
