Comments on: Bikes on the road: a TV report and ‘optional’ stop signs

By: Erik_Hendrickson

Erik_Hendrickson — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:47:22 +0000

When I roll through stop sign on my bike it is to keep up with the pace of traffic and not have to make a line of cars pass me as Im speeding up from a complete stop. Sure it may not technically be legal but it is ‘Sharing the Road’.

By: FOX

FOX — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:23:57 +0000

When was the last time anyone saw a cop pull over a car for rolling a stop?

When I stop, cars do not stop behind me they roll right up next to me. So when I am clipping in, getting back up to speed and wobbling a little, I have the car right there. If I can keep a little forward momentum I stay in a straight line and am much safer.

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:39:45 +0000

Thanks for the copy of Idaho’s statue on optional stopping. It makes sooo much sense that it hard to believe it’s actually a law! As a cyclist that is EXACTLY how I treat stop signs. If there is no other vehicle at the intersection what would I be stopping for?? However, I have seen cyclists blow stop signs when there are other vehicles at the intersection. This is a major no no and if we, as cyclists, want to share the road we need to stop this behavior. From reading the comments at the KSTP site there appears to be some very pissed off drivers in MN. Good luck riding a bike there.

By: Josh R

Josh R — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:27:07 +0000

I recall reading once that between the paperwork onsite and the paperwork back at base, a cop can spend 45 minutes to an hour on each traffic stop. I don’t know if it was true, but it would explain why I sometimes see officers ignoring traffic infractions, particularly toward the end of a shift. Few cops would be terribly happy to spend an extra 45 minutes on the clock to finish the paperwork on an illegal U turn ticket.

By: Greg P

Greg P — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:02:32 +0000

Finally got around to watching the piece. Did you notice in the last shot when the cyclist comes to a complete stop the car rolls through the intersection? Guess the reporter didn’t notice either. Bikers are easy targets, and there are many flagrant violators. However, drivers are just as bad, and they’re way more dangerous with that 3000 lbs of metal.

By: Devin Quince

Devin Quince — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:13:15 +0000

The best was today when a car turned right on red at the 50th and Minnehaha pkwy right in front of a MPLS traffic cop who did nothing, that is right nothing. Must have been donut time.

By: Josh R

Josh R — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:18:07 +0000

As someone who rides the bus on Nicollet mall I got a good laugh out of the article. We could certainly use a “For the love of Christ, don’t just wander in front of the freaking bus you moron!” safety campaign around here.

By: DGB

DGB — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:21:39 +0000

Hey botski,

I think it’s a good link.

I grew up in Philly, and my old man had an extensive vocabulary for unaware drivers, and pedestrians.

My favorites were: “they drive just like they walk”, and in the super market “they push that cart just like they drive”. Those folks who would park their cart in the middle of the aisle, and stand back scanning the shelf for what seemed to be an eternity. Once in a while my old man would give them a choice quote or two.

By: botski

botski — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:45:51 +0000

Upon further review, I see the link isnt very family friendly either, to say the least. You can delete that if you want, RG. Sorry.

By: botski

botski — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:43:30 +0000

Some would see this as satire. Reading some of the posts in the blog make me believe some would see it as the God given truth.
(language not entirely safe for work, depending on where you work of course)
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/new_get_the_fuck_outta_the_road

“a mascot called Tire-Tread Teddy”. Oh the humanity!