Author Topic: Traffic Laws (Read 10850 times)

Cuervo · « **on:** April 16, 2008, 01:21:00 PM »

hey guys I am just curious about an interesting discussion about cyclists and traffic laws...weigh in~!

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:08:13 PM »

I always do, except when I'm with the group and the group decides to run stop signs.

I'm also a fierce proponent of people adhering to right-of-way, which tends to piss off drivers who think they are being nice by treating me like a pedestrian.

Mario · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:41:42 PM »

I do agree.Behavior like that causes disorganization and chaos.

Plantains · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2008, 02:57:05 PM »

If you mean ACTUALLY stopping at all stop signs then I never do because it causes so much more of a flow problem than if I simply slow and pause. Since cars have more acceleration than cyclists care to use on a more consistent basis, stopping at all the stop signs is just going to impede flow.

Nearly 90% of people on bicycles signaling also don't use the proper signals. They simply point the direction they're turning. That frustrates me.

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2008, 03:04:20 PM »

I usually lack faith in drivers understanding what the "proper" right-turn signal actually means, so I point.

I make it a point to stop at stop signs because I want to show drivers that I can understand and follow the rules of the road, and they should be able to as well.

Plantains · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2008, 11:21:52 PM »

Right but r u going to unclip and put a foot down?

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2008, 07:31:57 AM »

Why would I do that? I can trackstand for a second with my wheels stopped and then continue.

Plantains · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2008, 10:47:56 AM »

Thats like saying why would I stop at a stop sign when no cars are coming?

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2008, 11:04:59 AM »

Quote from: Guardrail on April 17, 2008, 10:47:56 AM

Thats like saying why would I stop at a stop sign when no cars are coming?

Practice.

Plantains · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2008, 11:06:19 AM »

tuche

Toaster · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2008, 01:34:00 PM »

I used to follow traffic laws pretty loosely, but since I pretty much started bike commuting all the time, my attitude towards traffic laws has gotten much more conservative. I figure, if I expect cars to follow the rules to a T, I should at least follow them as closely as is practical for a bike. In other words, I don't always stop 100& for stop signs when there are no cars around, however I do slow way down. If there are other cars at the intersection and they have the right of way, I stop completely so as to not have any confusion about weather or not I'm going to stop. If I have the right away, I usually stop about 90%, but keep it rolling so that I don't cause too much of a delay for other traffic.

ajekt · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2008, 02:30:22 PM »

I dont follow them very closely, though I think I should start following them.

dakotaZX3 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2008, 03:22:21 PM »

agreed w/ ajekt.

pmp6nl · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2008, 06:03:12 PM »

I for one am someone that needs to work on that.

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2008, 01:37:27 PM »

Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon has some things to say about a recent TV news piece on bicycles breaking the law. There are also some interesting laws coming out of Idaho.

http://secondward.blogspot.com/2008/05/when-bicyclists-break-law.html

pmp6nl · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2008, 11:29:40 AM »

I had a guy on a bike cut me off the other day. Good thing I pay attention when I drive, someone else may have him them.

Plantains · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2008, 01:43:46 PM »

I would've hit him.

pmp6nl · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2008, 11:49:11 AM »

Quote from: Guardrail on May 19, 2008, 01:43:46 PM

I would've hit him.

I felt like being nice.

Sal Atticum · « **Reply #18 on:** May 26, 2008, 10:43:51 AM »

Quote from: Sal Atticum on May 10, 2008, 01:37:27 PM

Minneapolis city council member Cam Gordon has some things to say about a recent TV news piece on bicycles breaking the law. There are also some interesting laws coming out of Idaho.

http://secondward.blogspot.com/2008/05/when-bicyclists-break-law.html

Here are the official Idaho laws. I think it would be interesting to get similar laws enacted in ND. I have not, however, checked up on the number of accidents/dismemberments/deaths in Idaho from bicycle-car interactions. As far as I know, ND has about 0 a year.

Plantains · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2008, 10:56:08 PM »

The trouble is clearly illustrated with the "failure to yield" aspect. In traffic, stopping at stop signs completely (as is the law) is far more of a neusance than simply timing the stop sign for your turn.

The issue is making yourself predictable and visible. If a car is stopped appropriately at a stop sign, they probably wouldn't see me as I tried to approach and time out my turn. But if I was going an appropriate speed... say 10-15mph as I rolled upto the stop sign, I'd become visible. Plus, as Im approaching, Im adjusting my speed to make myself fit into the rhythm of the intersection. Its all timing. Then, you have the battle of going fast enough where they realize you're going to go through the stop sign, but going slow enough to be manageable within the realms of traffic.

That's why I'm such a huge advocate against stopping at stop signs. Plus... if I actually had to stop, I'd never get a good workout. I'd hit at least 15 packed 4 way stops in the first 5 miles of my route to anywhere.

Poll

How Frequently do you follow traffic laws as a cyclist?

Author Topic: Traffic Laws (Read 10850 times)