Why do bikers use car lane.
- Thread starter iseeu1001
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Joey D
Premium
- 47,506
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
People that ride bikes on the road irritate me, mainly because I see just about all of them ignore traffic laws. Just because you're on a bike doesn't mean you can blow through stop signs or red lights. Also just because you're on a bike doesn't give you the right to go 35mph in a 25mph zone because you're going downhill or go 15mph in a 55mph zone. If you want to share the roads with bikes, you should then follow all the traffic laws like everyone else.
- 5,077
- Panama City, FL
Bicycles are supposed to obey all regular traffic laws, just as if they were vehicular traffic. They should keep to the side of the roadway, but they have no obligation to ride off of the roadway.
Most municipalities make it illegal to ride them on the sidewalks. All you need to ruin your day is to step out of the door of your bank and get mowed down by a cyclist, or have him plow into the door you just opened.
That said, many riders, in the interest of not having to actually stop, will maneuver in ways that are quite dangerous and take paths they shouldn't, just to keep moving. As a cyclist myself, it's understandable. Riding is rhythm, and stopping or slowing breaks the rhythm. As a cyclist who's been struck 3 times by cars, I'm quite interested in avoiding further such confrontation.
Most municipalities make it illegal to ride them on the sidewalks. All you need to ruin your day is to step out of the door of your bank and get mowed down by a cyclist, or have him plow into the door you just opened.
That said, many riders, in the interest of not having to actually stop, will maneuver in ways that are quite dangerous and take paths they shouldn't, just to keep moving. As a cyclist myself, it's understandable. Riding is rhythm, and stopping or slowing breaks the rhythm. As a cyclist who's been struck 3 times by cars, I'm quite interested in avoiding further such confrontation.
- 87,563
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
- 3,679
- Warwick Uni
- lbsf1 GTP_lbsf1
- obsmu (my brothers acount)
In an ideal world you would have specific cycle lanes on all roads, however in lots of places that is infeasible and thus you are left with the choice of either foot paths (Thats the UK term and it describes their purpose pretty well) or the roads for cyclists. Additionally on many roads there isn't a foot path and thus the cyclists would end up on the roads anywhay even if you said by default they had to stick to foot paths.
Also if you think about it this way. How many people would be injured by having fast cyclists on foot paths?? lots. Then think about how many cyclists (I'm assuming the car drivers won't be injured) are currently injured on the roads??, the answer is nwhere near as many. Thus if you purely think of it from a life preserving view then having cyclists on the road is best.
However I do think that possibly there should be free road cycling safety courses that are run to help those who otherwise don't know the rules of the road be able to cycle safely. If these courses were publicised widely then I think many people may take part in them and thus reduce the number of "untrained" cyclists on the roads.
Also if you think about it this way. How many people would be injured by having fast cyclists on foot paths?? lots. Then think about how many cyclists (I'm assuming the car drivers won't be injured) are currently injured on the roads??, the answer is nwhere near as many. Thus if you purely think of it from a life preserving view then having cyclists on the road is best.
However I do think that possibly there should be free road cycling safety courses that are run to help those who otherwise don't know the rules of the road be able to cycle safely. If these courses were publicised widely then I think many people may take part in them and thus reduce the number of "untrained" cyclists on the roads.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,318
- United States
Here in Phoenix (and I'm sure other cities) we have "Bike lanes" for them to ride in. Personally I ride a BMX and due to the fact that my brother was hit by a car before while in the bike lane, I ride on the sidewalk. I'm courteous to those walking on the sidewalk and drop down to the street if needed to give them room. Other than that, on the sidewalk most of the time. Hardly anyone walks around here, I pass maybe 1 or 2 people on the sidewalk every day. Sometimes it's another cyclist.
Danoff
Premium
- 34,039
- Mile High City
I don't mind bicyclists in the road. And I don't particularly mind them on the sidewalk (as long as they don't try to go the aforementioned 30 mph on said sidewalk). What I do mind, quite a lot, is bicyclists that transition from pedestrian to car when it suits them, and vice versa.
Ever seen a bicyclist approach a red light, dart over to the crosswalk where there is a walk signal, and then dart back into the road when he's done pretending to be a pedestrian in order to run a red light? That's what I'm talking about.
If you're pretending to be a car, be a car. Ride fast enough to keep up, signal, stop for stop signs, stop for stop lights. If you're pretending to be a pedestrian, be a pedestrian. Ride slow, wait for your walk signal, stay off the road.
I can't tell you how many bicyclists have tried to kill themselves on my car by darting into a crosswalk from behind me while I'm about to make a right on red. It's so common, I'll even look for it.
Ever seen a bicyclist approach a red light, dart over to the crosswalk where there is a walk signal, and then dart back into the road when he's done pretending to be a pedestrian in order to run a red light? That's what I'm talking about.
If you're pretending to be a car, be a car. Ride fast enough to keep up, signal, stop for stop signs, stop for stop lights. If you're pretending to be a pedestrian, be a pedestrian. Ride slow, wait for your walk signal, stay off the road.
I can't tell you how many bicyclists have tried to kill themselves on my car by darting into a crosswalk from behind me while I'm about to make a right on red. It's so common, I'll even look for it.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,318
- United States
I don't ride in front of cars at an intersection or if they are pulling out of a driveway unless I make eye contact with them. If they are not looking my direction, I go around the back of them. Don't trust anyone.
Had an issue the other night I was sitting on the corner of an intersection waiting for the crosswalk to say "walk". After it lit up I started to go and some crazy lady came up really fast to make a right turn and almost hit me. How she didn't see me sitting there I have no idea. I usually just glare at them and shake my head as I pedal away.
- 3,155
- 49°16'43.22"N 81°37'50.21W
- mikeybc
Up here you see bikes riding along the Trans-Canada hwy which in Ontario is mostly 2 lane opposing traffic travelling around 65 mph. A very dangerous situation, especially with all the truck traffic. As far as I know in Ontario bicycles are only restricted from 400 series highways (4 lane expressways) or roads with no bike signs and I've never seen a no bike sign on the 2 lane sections of the Trans-Canada highway, even though the speed limit is only 90 km/h (55 mp/h) traffic is usually going on average 105 km/h (65 mp/h).
I think bikes should be restricted to secondary roads with 30 - 40 mph speed limits or less and/or bike paths.
I think bikes should be restricted to secondary roads with 30 - 40 mph speed limits or less and/or bike paths.
- 17,865
- 509
As a sometimes cyclist who has many friends that are dedicated cyclists, it is generally the law that you ride in the road. It is also illegal to pass a cyclist unless you can legally pass a car in the situation (though most of us just want impatient drivers to get around us asap) and it is illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk, as it is a vehicle. You can also get a DUI while riding a bike, speeding tickets, and so on. There are hand signals to indicate you are turning and stopping, and you legally are required to have lights if you ride at night.
Stating that you have a problem with cyclists because they don't typically follow rules is fairly on par with complaining about the majority of drivers that have no idea what they are doing either. A lot of the trouble is, as shown in this thread even, most people don't think bicycles should be on the road when that is where they are suppose to be, and then those people don't properly respect said cyclists - eg the cab driver that almost ran me over to take a left turn that I was taking, then slowed down so much turning that I had to avoid the back of his car.
Stating that you have a problem with cyclists because they don't typically follow rules is fairly on par with complaining about the majority of drivers that have no idea what they are doing either. A lot of the trouble is, as shown in this thread even, most people don't think bicycles should be on the road when that is where they are suppose to be, and then those people don't properly respect said cyclists - eg the cab driver that almost ran me over to take a left turn that I was taking, then slowed down so much turning that I had to avoid the back of his car.
Joey D
Premium
- 47,506
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
I rarely see a car blow through a red light or stop sign, I see people on bikes do it constantly. Also I rarely see a car doing 15mph in a 55mph zone, which in Michigan is illegal as it's classified as impeding traffic.
I don't mind bikes being on the road, but I do mind when their riders some how think they own the road instead of wanting to share it. Follow the rules and most motorist will respect you.
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Also do other parts of the world not have bike paths? Around here along just about every major road there is a dedicate, separate path that's wider than a sidewalk and made of asphalt.
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
As said before, bikers can't use the sidewalk-- It's illegal.
Speaking as somewhat of a biker, I feel obligated to point out some realities...
Downhill, I can easily keep pace with traffic, and can usually brake much later in corners. So in that instance, speed isnt an issue.
Uphill is when problems present themselves. But in this instance, it is courteous for slow cars and bikes to do the same thing- pull over to the side as much as possible to let faster traffic go by.
Is it irritating to stop at red lights? Yes. But I do it.
Using sidewalks as alternative space for cyclists isn't a good idea.
Ie:
On more than one occasion, I have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge by bike. Pretty windy, but usually fun. Usually one side of the walkway on the bridge is reserved for bike traffic, and the other side for foot traffic. Once on the Marin side, you have to walk UNDER the bridge on a sketchy stairway to get to the vista point. During most times, the Vista point side is the Pedestrian side. My friends and I were lazy and decided to just skip the stairway and use the foot side. Oops.
Not only were we cited, but on several occasions we nearly hit people because we were simply going too fast. People (Ok, families and couples) tend to meander unpredictably, and the bikes are rather quiet with 25kts of wind whipping around. Inevitably, you jam your brakes just to avoid running down a 5 year old with a dog leash. You get annoyed, mutter "Excuse me", they glare at you, and give you JUST enough room. Heated by your unpleasant interaction with Tourist A, you pick a taller gear, and try to put your head down to just get away from the situation. Less than 2 seconds later, you're presented with the same situation. Bikes and people dont mix.
Alternatively, the one or two people who braved the "bike" side of the bridge were cursed at frequently. When Mr. SoftwareDesign is going 30+mph on his Cervelo R3, and all of a sudden encounters a pedestrian doing about 2, Mr. Software design gets annoyed. You've blown his cadence, and now he has to go into the wrong lane to pass whoever it is- usually an entitled tourist who is simply "Too Important" to walk with the plebeians on the other side. The person in the other lane (me) is annoyed, because now they have about a 50 MPH closing speed with very little in terms of protection. I lean on my brakes, and dive into the wrong lane, but stop to avoid the people. Mr. SoftwareDesign shouts an expletive, and gets back on his cadence. Meanwhile were stopped, glaring a tthe pedestrian, who isn't bothered that the situation I'm in (Stopped on the uphill crest) is extremely irritating.
Common courtesy says that if you're on a narrow road and holding up 3 or more cars, you should pull over and give the pass. On twisty-er road I tend to ride in the middle of the lane, which I am legally allowed to do. Usually if I hear traffic come over, I move over in the lane, and they make an illegal pass around the double-yellow.
Bikes should be treated as other vehicles when on the road.
On the other hand, bikes aren't pedestrians and CANNOT ride in crosswalks, or sidewalks.
Most actual bikers (People riding bikes which are somewhat expensive, wearing spandex, helmets, etc) are fairly respectful and will pull over. Occasionally you'll get one who isn't so much, and it's irritating, but you just have to deal with it like a slow or irritating driver.
Under no circumstances should you go out of your way to hit a biker. They have multiple, expansive special-interest groups, who usually have good lawyers. And, you know, running people down just because you dont think they should be on the road is silly.
Speaking as somewhat of a biker, I feel obligated to point out some realities...
Downhill, I can easily keep pace with traffic, and can usually brake much later in corners. So in that instance, speed isnt an issue.
Uphill is when problems present themselves. But in this instance, it is courteous for slow cars and bikes to do the same thing- pull over to the side as much as possible to let faster traffic go by.
Is it irritating to stop at red lights? Yes. But I do it.
Using sidewalks as alternative space for cyclists isn't a good idea.
Ie:
On more than one occasion, I have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge by bike. Pretty windy, but usually fun. Usually one side of the walkway on the bridge is reserved for bike traffic, and the other side for foot traffic. Once on the Marin side, you have to walk UNDER the bridge on a sketchy stairway to get to the vista point. During most times, the Vista point side is the Pedestrian side. My friends and I were lazy and decided to just skip the stairway and use the foot side. Oops.
Not only were we cited, but on several occasions we nearly hit people because we were simply going too fast. People (Ok, families and couples) tend to meander unpredictably, and the bikes are rather quiet with 25kts of wind whipping around. Inevitably, you jam your brakes just to avoid running down a 5 year old with a dog leash. You get annoyed, mutter "Excuse me", they glare at you, and give you JUST enough room. Heated by your unpleasant interaction with Tourist A, you pick a taller gear, and try to put your head down to just get away from the situation. Less than 2 seconds later, you're presented with the same situation. Bikes and people dont mix.
Alternatively, the one or two people who braved the "bike" side of the bridge were cursed at frequently. When Mr. SoftwareDesign is going 30+mph on his Cervelo R3, and all of a sudden encounters a pedestrian doing about 2, Mr. Software design gets annoyed. You've blown his cadence, and now he has to go into the wrong lane to pass whoever it is- usually an entitled tourist who is simply "Too Important" to walk with the plebeians on the other side. The person in the other lane (me) is annoyed, because now they have about a 50 MPH closing speed with very little in terms of protection. I lean on my brakes, and dive into the wrong lane, but stop to avoid the people. Mr. SoftwareDesign shouts an expletive, and gets back on his cadence. Meanwhile were stopped, glaring a tthe pedestrian, who isn't bothered that the situation I'm in (Stopped on the uphill crest) is extremely irritating.
Common courtesy says that if you're on a narrow road and holding up 3 or more cars, you should pull over and give the pass. On twisty-er road I tend to ride in the middle of the lane, which I am legally allowed to do. Usually if I hear traffic come over, I move over in the lane, and they make an illegal pass around the double-yellow.
Bikes should be treated as other vehicles when on the road.
On the other hand, bikes aren't pedestrians and CANNOT ride in crosswalks, or sidewalks.
Most actual bikers (People riding bikes which are somewhat expensive, wearing spandex, helmets, etc) are fairly respectful and will pull over. Occasionally you'll get one who isn't so much, and it's irritating, but you just have to deal with it like a slow or irritating driver.
Under no circumstances should you go out of your way to hit a biker. They have multiple, expansive special-interest groups, who usually have good lawyers. And, you know, running people down just because you dont think they should be on the road is silly.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,318
- United States
Joey D
Premium
- 47,506
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
Speed is an issue though if you end up going over the posted limit (at least from a legal standpoint) and it becomes dangerous if you're going much faster than the traffic around you (which is the same no matter what vehicle you're in).
- 27,387
- Toronto
- NewAesthetic
- SlipZtrEm
That's how it is here, too, as well as requiring a bell or similar device. Toronto takes its biking population pretty seriously, even if our idiot mayor doesn't.
This, so much this. Of course, it doesn't help that a lot of cyclists do seem to make up their own rules as they go along - the folks who insist on riding on sidewalks despite bike lanes existing being the most loathsome - and it creates a lot of resentment amongst the drivers in the area. One thing I don't much trust in this city is taking left turns at intersections, especially if I need to wait for the red, so I'll gladly get off my bike and walk across the intersection as a pedestrian before putting the bike back on the road and continuing onward. I only had one close call with an opening door this summer, but the worst thing for me is pedestrians. They'll dart between parked cars to J-walk and you'll never see them, and naturally they won't bother to look for you if you're not a car.
But seriously, if you're a cyclist riding your bike on a sidewalk in urban Toronto, you can expect me to be walking right in the middle of the sidewalk. I've seen people do it on roads with no traffic and a dedicated bike lane, and I have no problem being in the way when that happens.
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- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
I passed a car on the left hand lane going down a hill, must have hit 80km/h, felt like a boss.
I use the right hand car lane when there is no bike lane, even if there is a side walk I won't use it. I have a road bike, they go fast, and using them on the sidewalk is dangerous.
When I am in the right lane cars can easily pass, if they don't there is still about 2 feet of room, and cars have come closer than that to me.
As long as you use hand signals and give other motorists plenty of notice of what actions your going to take, cycling in the car lanes is not that big of a deal IMO.
- 19,695
- Alabamamania
I always found the bike paths much more fun than limping along the edge of the road, waiting to be waffle-ironed to a Nissan Stanza. So you stop, or go around those handful of comparatively slow-moving walkers, big deal. Beats getting killed.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
- 4,209
- Wasilla, AK
That's a rare problem here in Alaska, but annoying when it happens.
The worst is when you get a narrow road with no sidewalk or bike path. Take the road on the east side of Hatcher Pass, for example. I tried taking a run up to the top to celebrate getting a job, only to find killjoy 35mph speed limits.
So I get to the top and turn around. OK, might be a bit more fun on the downhill... wait, what? Oh, that's just a bicyclist obliviously hogging up the lane like he's a car. And because we're on a steep downgrade, he can just momentum along at the speed limit. If it were actually a car, I'd understand, I can be pretty anal about keeping to the limit on downhill roads myself, but this is a bicyclist. To get past this person, I'd have to gun it and hit banworthy-on-GTP speeds, and probably cross a double yellow as well. This is going toward a blind hairpin so sharp it warrants a "10 mph" speed advisory sign, with just enough traffic around to make risky moves extra risky. The worst part is, he probably didn't have a choice. It's a narrow road with a narrow shoulder leading to a steep, high drop-off.
I ended up pulling over and waiting for him to clear the hairpin instead.
The worst is when you get a narrow road with no sidewalk or bike path. Take the road on the east side of Hatcher Pass, for example. I tried taking a run up to the top to celebrate getting a job, only to find killjoy 35mph speed limits.
So I get to the top and turn around. OK, might be a bit more fun on the downhill... wait, what? Oh, that's just a bicyclist obliviously hogging up the lane like he's a car. And because we're on a steep downgrade, he can just momentum along at the speed limit. If it were actually a car, I'd understand, I can be pretty anal about keeping to the limit on downhill roads myself, but this is a bicyclist. To get past this person, I'd have to gun it and hit banworthy-on-GTP speeds, and probably cross a double yellow as well. This is going toward a blind hairpin so sharp it warrants a "10 mph" speed advisory sign, with just enough traffic around to make risky moves extra risky. The worst part is, he probably didn't have a choice. It's a narrow road with a narrow shoulder leading to a steep, high drop-off.
I ended up pulling over and waiting for him to clear the hairpin instead.
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- 17,865
- 509
Bike's own the road as much as cars do. Get over it.
They are hit or miss even in the States, and I would suspect there are issues with room for dedicated bike paths in many European Urban hubs.
@White & Nerdy - What the hell does that cool story of yours have to do with anything? It sounds like you are complaining about a guy going the speed limit, which you claim to follow, so I don't see what it is you're ranting about. Besides your general hatred of anything that isn't you.
