Posted on September 21 at 10:33 a.m.

italiansurg wrote:
"While cars are a lot more dangerous…"

Motor vehicles have been the least threat to me while bicycling, though I'm including my beach bikeway stats and so this isn't relevant if comparing only motorists versus bicyclists; also, the downtown area where I do much of my bicycling is particularly safe for bicyclists because motor vehicle speeds are low in comparison to other areas.

In ten years of nearly daily bicycling downtown and on the beach bikeway I've been involved in three minor accidents, only one of which — the least serious — was with a motor vehicle:

(1) A skateboarder on the beach bikeway suddenly veered into my lane; I was knocked down and hit my (helmeted) head on the ground.

(2) A child bicyclist on the beach bikeway suddenly veered into my lane causing a non-injury collision which necessitated replacing my rear wheel.

(3) A car traveling northwest on State Street approaching Victoria Street apparently misread my legal speed as I was traveling southeast (i.e. downhill), and initiated a left turn in front of me, causing a non-injury collision which did not knock me down and caused no damage to either vehicle (one of my rear panniers slammed into the car). (I replaced my brake pads the next day after I realized that, though the motorist was at fault, I probably could have avoided that accident with better brakes.)

On Police Crack Down on Bad Bicyclists

Posted on September 21 at 8:01 a.m.

italiansurg wrote:
"...if drivers were doing the same thing we'd have 20 people per day run over..."

Probably more road rage as well.

My favorite, while bicycling State Street downtown, is the very frequent occurrence of bicyclists who seem to suddenly become stupid when stopping at a red light, moving from the bike lane to the right turn lane for no useful purpose, thus blocking motorists from turning right on red.

As this is only annoying rather than dangerous, I'd support a fine of less than $400 ;-).

Seriously, I agree with italiansurg that traffic fines have become much too high, though maintain my view that they should be the same for both classes of traffic, as they have the same rights and responsibilities and are using the same space.

On Police Crack Down on Bad Bicyclists

Posted on September 20 at 2:12 p.m.

I’ve lived three blocks from downtown State Street for ten years, use a bicycle exclusively for transportation every day, and follow the rules of the road 100%, including the State Street mid-block lights.

I’m thoroughly sick of the rogue bicyclists who not only endanger all three classes of travelers, but also cause motorists, with good reason, to treat all bicyclists they encounter as the criminal, rogue, and rude bunch until proven otherwise, thus slowing traffic for all.

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles, including using left turn lanes and, in fact, taking entire motor vehicle traffic lanes (not sidewalks, most particularly in a pedestrian-heavy business district) anytime the bicyclist has good reason to not feel safe otherwise, or to pass.

A little courtesy wouldn't hurt as well; I routinely signal motor vehicle drivers when appropriate and when knowing doing so will expedite the motorist's travel.

Regarding the fines: they're the same as for motor vehicles, as they should be, especially in an area where a rogue bicyclist could seriously injure or kill a pedestrian.

On Police Crack Down on Bad Bicyclists

Posted on August 3 at 9:24 a.m.

Sure, Priceless, what's occurring in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria is all happening due to insufficient local law enforcement.

But congratulations for showing us what watching the corporate nightly news does to one's view of the world.

On Chalk Body Outlines Appear on City Sidewalks