Comments on: Bikes vs. cars: Here’s what the police say

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:32:08 +0000

Funny how Morg ends his post by stating: “Yep. It’s all about YOU” (referring to cyclists)

Funny how when bicyclists, by law, have the same rights to the roads as autos (except where restricted like freeways)he automatically assumes that the traffic referred to in the law regarding hindering the normal and resonalbe flow of traffic doesn’t include bicycles….

and just what exactly is “normal and resonable”…on Summer mornings in Minneapolis where bicyclists often out number cars we should just assume that the cars are the “norm” and traveling over the 25 mph speed limit is “resonable”

Yep Morg, seems like it’s all about YOU

By: Froggie

Froggie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:02:20 +0000

J asks: “Do you really expect cyclists to stop at all Stop signs, even when there are no cars present???”

My reply:

Absolutely yes. For 2 reasons:

A) it’s against the law to run them, and by doing so you’re making yourself no better than the cars that run them.

B) by doing so, wittingly or not, you’re contrubiting to the poor reputation that bicyclists have amongst drivers. Drivers would have a lot more respect for bicyclists if bikers followed the rules instead of flaunting them (and yes, I know the reverse is true).

By: Pete2

Pete2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:57:24 +0000

I admit I don’t stop at lights/signs when, and only when there’s no motorists (or cops) at or approaching the intersection. It’s not a great excuse, but because I’m commuting on my bike (and keeping one more car off the road), I’m interested in getting from A to B as efficiently as possible. I generally approach an intersection at about 14-18mph. I can stop quickly if need be, and I certainly don’t “blow” the intersection if there’s even a chance I may cross paths with a car, pedestrian, or fellow cycler. Common sense is my mantra. And yes, I’d be willing to say I feel motorists ought to be able to avoid coming to a full stop if the situation warrants a slow-and-go. The difference being, they can accelerate so much faster than a bike and do so much more damage if they cut it too close. I do not, however, drive my car the way I ride my bike. You may call me a hypocrite, if you like, but I’m firmly in the camp of acting accordingly for the given situation. This means, when it’s really, really late at night and absolutely nobody’s around - I (gasp!) don’t always wait for the light to turn green.

By: J

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:31:47 +0000

just trying to stir the pot….

Really, I don’t want to get hit by a car, I have nightmares about being hit by a car on my bike. I do stop at Stop signs if needed, but if I can cross safely I’m going through the Stop sign/light. Do you really expect cyclists to stop at all Stop signs, even when there are no cars present???
Crital Mass is going to be great next Friday >>>

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:50:12 +0000

Well said, Pete2, Cowboy…
DGB, Unless you work for the NTSB or the FBI, there’s no way you can know for certain who scratched your precious ride.
I understand there’s reduced police and more crime, so I’m in favor of a little vigilantism–but only when someone’s safety is threatened.
What you did plants a perception in this cyclist’s mind that it’s more of a bad neighborhood than it really is–and HE too, could begin “carrying tools.”
Job well done, there, DGB. Keep paying that anger forward.

By: Pete2

Pete2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:17:36 +0000

Well said, cowboy. DGB, since you were not there to witness what actually led to the scratching of your car - it was completely wrong for you to take out your anger and frustration on the bike. All your blustering aside, you’d have been a “bigger man” had you actually confronted the cyclist, left a note, or called the police to report the incident. By intentionally vandalizing the bike, and smirking at your assumed revenge, you lower yourself considerably (with or without the suit).

By: cowboy

cowboy — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:50:42 +0000

DGB, like I said before, you really have to together! You can piss & moan about the other guy all you want and when it comes right down to it, YOU ARE NO BETTER! In fact, you are probably worse. The person with the bike probably did not intend that the bike fall against your precious 535i (and by the way, it’s just a car), while you deliberately get out a wire cutter and cut the valve stem of the bike.

You can probably get medication for whatever ails your current state of mind.

By: DGB

DGB — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:16:05 +0000

So what am I to do? Call 911 - wait for the polize? A bike with no license tag?

If I can’t find a parking space, do I park on the sidewalk? Do I park in the street? No, I find a space. It may be blocks away, or a ramp. I don’t decide to leave it where it’s at!

Here’s an example of “I’ll do what I damn well please”. Well so will I. You’re going to have to buy a new inner tube!

By: JH

JH — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:28:15 +0000

Morg, I am not overly wild about sharing the road with bikes, but until it is state law that they are forbidden to be on the road, I will respect their rights. As far as “by causing traffic to have to make dangerous moves to get around them”, that is a bunch of crap. It is just a bunch of self absorbed jerks that think their needs are greater than anybody else’s.
So if MN State Highway Patrol car is the left lane driving the speed limit, do you go into a hissy fit, drive & flip him off, or ride his tail to try and intimidate him?

By: botski

botski — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:23:55 +0000

Morg - “MnBikeCommuter: why do you drive in the left lane at the speed limit, when you know you will be holding up traffic?”

Looks like Morg wants to speed (break the law) all the whilst complaining about cyclists breaking the law. Kinda funny.