As an experienced cyclist that has ridden in many cities, both bike friendly
and not so bike friendly, my observation is that blame needs to be shared
equally between the cyclists and the motorists.
In Minneapolis many of the cyclists cocnsistently break the rules of the
road. However, to not do so, quite often ends-up putting your life in
danger, as a large percentage of motorists totally ignore a cyclists' right
to even being on the road.
I took a short ride last night (about 25 kilometers) and was nearly struck
no less than 5 times by motorists that do not believe (I am sure) that
cyclists have any rights whatsoever to be on the roadways. In one instance,
some knucklehead came from behind (I was probably going about 15-18 mph) and
sped-up so the could make a righthand turn in front of me (cutting me off).
I slammed-on my brakes and missed their rear bumper by about 3 feet. I get
the distinct feeling that this is great amusement to some motorists.
As far as the law goes, I should have been given the same consideration to
get through the intersection as an auto, or pedestrian.
Consequently, there are numerous strecthes of roadway, where although I
don't like to do it, I feel much safer riding the sidewalk than I do the
roadway.
My absolute favorite pet-peeve is instersections where I have the right of
way and am going through the intersection, only to have to swerve to avoid a
motorist that has pulled-out (from the stop sign) believing that I need to
yield my right-of-way to them.
dennis plante
lind-bohanon
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