Cyclists

[GlynMeek]

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Jeremy Clarkson, who is the obnoxious (but I LOVE him!!!) TV journalist who runs the BBC TV show 'Top Gear', and is an exotic car NUT, but he has a "Highway Code" on cyclists which goes something like this...

"Trespassers in the motorcars domain, they do not pay road tax and therefore have no right to be on the road, some of them even believe they are going fast enough to not be an obstruction. Run them down to prove them wrong."

Now, I have to agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment, especially here in "Lance Armstrong's town". These people are EVERYWHERE in their yellow spandex outfits, fingerless gloves, goofy looking helmets, poofy little shoes, cluttering up the road, slowing down traffic and generally poluting the environment for us long suffering motorists. I am preparing a short brief for the Mayor of Austin, and eventually the Governor of Texas to propose the following...

1) All cyclists must pay a $50 per year road tax before they are allowed on ANY roads
2) They must pay to have their bicycles 'inspected' once a year at specially designated "CIP" locations (Cycle Inspection Posts). $10 inspection fee
3) They must get insurance before they are allowed on the roads. Insurance will vary depending on the age and experience and cycling record of said cyclist. Minimum annual charge of $100
4) They must buy a specially engineered bracket ($15) to display their inspection stickers and their road tax licenses

Just think of the increased tax revenue which would perhaps a) help pay for better roads and b) reduce the road fees WE innocent motorists have to pay.

The insurance companies would get more revenues (like they NEED that????) and perhaps reduce the insurance costs of us innocent motorists.

We could increase employment with all the mindless bureaucrats needed to enforce the new regulations.

I see this as a complete win-win situation here...either that, or cyclists should be declared 'fair game', and we should be permitted to at least 'clip' them with a front fender on passing, just to serve them right!

Why is it that they don't at least have to pay road tax...they USE the roads don't they????



Glyn

[trularin]

Imagine if you would; if such a proposal were to be approved, the state would be obligated to provide for cyclists on all roads. Whether it be a side road, paved, or added yardage for them to peddle along side traffic, they paid the tax, they would be entitled.

Possibly an effort to provide a side road on only the heavier traveled roads would be an alternative where the cyclists can travel at their own pace...away from car/truck traffic.

The expense would kill this effort in most cases. Most likely, an effort from cyclists as the roads are improved to add the side pathes, would be easier to put forward.

[427sharpe]

Glyn;
We have the same trouble in DFW. As a rule I like to travel some of the backroads to get home and more times than I can count I have crested a hill or come out of a blind turn to see a pack of these idiots fanned out across the ENTIRE roadway. Sooner or later, somebody is going to get killed and I doubt it is going to be the guy in the car/truck. I especially adore the ones who form a pack of 30 or so and get on narrow 2 lane roads so that they can block traffic for MILES behind them in a no pass zone. In our area we have built bike specific paths and 'rideways' for these guys that are almost always vacant while the FM's and country roads are cluttered. Maybe that arse Clarkson has a point......

[BeanCounter]

He's got my vote.

[imagine2frolic]

If you have ever driven hiway1 in Northern Ca. You will be able to appreciate this. Single bicycle riding between S.F. & Mendicino somewhere. The road is full of switchbacks, blindspots, hills, etc. etc. There is a long line of cars crawling along, and the source of this was a bicyclist with no courtesy.

One man became a local hero for a short time. He was driving a large delivery truck with a stick. When he finally got past the bicyclist he pulled over. Got out of the truck, knocked the guy off the bike, and then threw the bike over the cliff. I understand he was honked at, and cheered for a long distance as traffic began to move along.

[Scott S]

There is a huge bicycle event coming this weekend on the back roads near my home here in rural Oregon. I live in grass seed country and it is now harvest time with dozens of combines traveling from field to field. The farmers here get a real kick out of taking up all the road and then some during the races.

Scott S

[GlynMeek]

427sharpe...YES, I hadn't even thought about the damn 'bike paths' and rideways. They are all over the place down here as well, and you think they'd allow cars on them, at least at weekends, but "OH NO"...cyclists ONLY.

More of my tax dollars at work building useless paths to nowhere so a bunch of "Tour de France wannabees" can pursue their hobby at MY expense!!!!! Perhaps we should ask the local councils to build "Cobra only" lanes on the freeways...hmmm...now THERE'S AN IDEA...

ROFL...so heartening to see other curmudgeons out there who agree with me...ah, time for a long cold beer to celebrate...

[Ron61]

About a year ago they spent several million dollars taking away two of the 4 lanes on the heaviest traveled Boulevard here that goes over to Shasta Dam and putting in sidewalks and a bicycle lane. The sidewalks are a joke as you may as well put them along I-5, not one time have I seen one of our many bicyclists in the bicycle lane, they still ride in the single remaining car lane. And the police will cite any car that pulls into the bicycle lane to get past one of these idiots, but not say a word to the bicyclist.

Ron

[63mercury]

maybe some hi-pressure water jets on the front of the cars would help get the bikes out of the way when they discover they are getting wet they would pull off to see what is going on. Maybe some real smelly water would work best.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by 63mercury

Maybe some real smelly water would work best.

With purple indicator dye added to it that way you would know them in the grocery store.

Scott S

[Wayne Maybury]

I don't know about where you live, but up here I have never seen a cyclist ever obey any rules of the road. They never stop at stop signs or red lights unless they are going to get mowed down by the cars. Normally they just breeze right through like the signs aren't there. They drive on either side of the road, the wrong way on one-way streets, on side walks, etc. Then they get pissed when a driver opens the door on his parked car just as they are about to go flying by.

Wayne

[Cobrabill]

By Al:"I'm sure the freight train incident was scary. The difference is that you were 10 feet away and the train is on tracks. That train isn't going to jump out and hit you.

Sigh.........a 80 car train passing at 75 mph creates enough suction as it passes to pull you under.


When you let loose with the horn hope that the cyclist is by himself. I'm sure with witnesses your horn honking could get you in trouble if you caused a crash. Now all you need is a big dog in the back of your truck barking."

I have a lid on my truck bed.Nice try-any more non-sequiturs?
__________________________________________________ __________

Thank you for taking the trouble to look up the statutes regarding traffic laws. Do they have any about obeying the speed limit, too?

And thank-you for your vain attempt at deflecting the point.There are no references to speed in the statutes pertaining to bicyclists.
__________________________________________________ _______________
By Al:
My point is we all bend or break traffic laws occasionally, and that is what the police force is there for. If some vigilante gets upset by being passed by a group of Cobras doing 100 mph, does he have the right to do physical harm to the cars and/or drivers if he catches them?

Another non-sequitur.A group of Cobras passing at 100mph effects no-one(assuming no physical contact).However,bicyclists spread out 2,3,4,5,6 abreast as mentioned previously DO effect others.
With regards to your use of the word"occasionally",yes,everyone does "occasioally' break the law.But bicyclists do it CONTINUALLY.

[dbockman]

I agree with Al, you hot heads scare the crap out of me. Not just as a cyclist but to think you are part of our society in general. I wouldn't want to meet you on the road in a CAR.

[427sharpe]

It has been brought up many times that 'bicyclists have a right to the road' and I do not agree with that. An automobile driver does not have a 'right' to the road, it has been rehashed in court innumerable times that use of the road is a 'priviledge' not a 'right'. To obtain that 'priviledge' a car owner must get vehicles inspected, registered, licensed (plates) and maintain proof of financial responsibility (insurance) AND obtain and maintain a drivers license. I would say that for a bicyclist to share the priviledge of the road he should have do do the same AND be bound by the same types of laws and regulations. I would like to see bicyclists ticketed for illegal riding or riding in the street lane where a bike lane or path exists and I would like the fine to be as substantial as a car owner faces for similar acts.
Finally; yes, motorhomes a semis torque me too!! The difference is that THEY get tickets for being idiots. I see semis pulled over in the glare of the red and blue but for some reason I don't see pedal jockeys..why?

[392cobra]

I'll try to be as PC as I can.....

I have no tolerence for bicyclists anymore. They are arrogant, disobey traffic rules. Run stop signs and stop lights.
That's why I carry a sawed off broom handle to shove in their spokes.

If you want to be on two wheels on a narrow road,get a Harley so you can keep up with the traffic flow.

[Al Bockman]

Sharpe,

I used the word "rights" because that's what they're called here.

From Colorado Statutes : TITLE 42 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : ARTICLE 4 REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : PART 14 OTHER OFFENSES : 42-4-1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.

Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles

1) Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.

5) Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right-hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder. These provisions shall apply, except under any of the following situations:
(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
(b) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
(c) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards.

(6)(a) Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file; except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances:
(i)When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic; or
(ii)When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(b) Persons riding two abreast shall ride within a single lane.

(12)(a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.
(b) Any person riding a bicycle who violates any provision of this article other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except the section 42-2-127 shall not apply.

(13) Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.

(I left out a few not germane to this thread.)

See full text at: http://bicyclecolo.org/page.cfm?PageID=45

Rights, not Privileges.

Wow, 392!

Are you serious? Please tell me you won't be spending your summers in Colorado like the rest of Texas does. All of your complaints about cyclists easily transfer to motorists.

How many wheels have you shoved a broom handle into? Ever hear of anger mangement? You might benefit from a class or two.

I'm done. Some of you are serious sociopaths. Please seek professional help before you kill somebody.

Al

"Lighten up, Francis." Sgt. Hulka, from the movie "Stripes"

[392cobra]

Al,
Sorry to get your Peddle Pushers in a wad.

[4RE KLR]

It just burns my ass to see those MORONs on a bike in the street. They run red lights and stop signs and go through intersections without looking.

Honk my horn, bet your ass. Maybe one day when we do run out of gas the cities will impose rules on bikes like they do on cars.

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by 4RE KLR

It just burns my ass to see those MORONs on a bike in the street. They run red lights and stop signs and go through intersections without looking. Honk my horn, bet your ass. Maybe one day when we do run out of gas the cities will impose rules on bikes like they do on cars.

Speaking of those morons running red lights and stop signs.
They also create another problem when they do that.Seeing as how they aren't required to carry insurance like I am,who is suppose to repair my bumper when I flatten one of them after they run the light or sign ?

[bomelia]

Well, I am going to join Al on this one. Ain't fair of you all ganging up like this. But, I will admit that there are plenty of jerks out there, both on bikes and in cars. See them all the time. What we are really talking about here is stupid people vs conscientous people. Could be that riding with a 2x1 stuck up your butt causes brain deterioration, specially if one's brain is located in said area. I have seen threads just like this regarding stupid drivers. Throw a biker in the mix, and it seems like everybody has an opportunity to have a crap fest, since us car folk are obviously the smart folk.

Mike