Re: Aren't bicycles suposed to stop at stop signs? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

09-08-2003, 07:36 PM

On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 02:19:51 GMT, Steve + Laura <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
> I went on a charity group ride the other day, and saw hundreds of
> bicyclists ride through 30 or 40 stop signs. The number of cyclists I saw
> stop for a stop sign: zero.

That's terrible. You should make a big stink!

> Aren't you supposed to obey normal traffic rule on a bike? I even saw

Absolutely.

> riders blow through a stop sign at an intersection holding up a car that
> had no stop sign. The driver stopped, but was more than a little annoyed.
>
> Is this how I'm supposed to ride on the street? Seems a bit unsafe...

No. Do not ride that way.

It's possible that there was some reason that
the charity group ride was supposed to do that,
but it's still terrible.

Cyclists will never be safe as long as some
ruin it for all like that.

> Steve.
--
Rick Onanian

09-09-2003, 04:33 AM

"Rick Onanian" <spamsink@cox.net> wrote in message
news

pru7n67u4w8gzvw@news.east.cox.net...
> On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 02:19:51 GMT, Steve + Laura <steve_at_sik@yahoo.com>
..
>
> Cyclists will never be safe as long as some
> ruin it for all like that.

What do you mean by that? Whether a cyclists stops or not is of little concern
for me. I never assume bikes or cars will stop, see me, or travel the right
way, or right side of a road. That's the only way to be safe.

09-09-2003, 06:37 AM

On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 11:33:22 GMT, Peter Cole <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
>> Cyclists will never be safe as long as some
>> ruin it for all like that.
>
> What do you mean by that? Whether a cyclists stops or not is of little
> for me. I never assume bikes or cars will stop, see me, or travel the
> right way, or right side of a road. That's the only way to be safe.

True, but automotive-only drivers _constantly_
see cyclists ignore traffic signals and ride
on the wrong side of the road. As a result,
they expect ALL cyclists to do so, and lose
respect for all cyclists, and fall asleep at
the wheel to run us down.

Oh, that last piece was from another thread. <G>

--
Rick Onanian

09-09-2003, 08:21 AM

"Zoot Katz" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> Mon, 08 Sep 2003 22:36:33 -0400, <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].cox.net>,
> Rick Onanian <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
> >Cyclists will never be safe as long as some
> >ruin it for all like that.
>
> I've noticed the opposite. Many drivers here expect cyclists to run
> stop signs so they sometimes even stop when it's not required.
>
> Good. At least I know they know I'm there.
>
> Sometimes they will proceed sooner if I'm dabbed rather than if both
> feet are on the pedals.
>
> Some get snotty when I point to my stop sign and tell 'em to move.

This is one of those cases where Canadians' hyper-politeness becomes
pathological. I have the same problem around here. They're all trying to be
polite and let the poor cyclist through, so he doesn't have to stop and get
going again. While I appreciate their courtesy, it is really *so much easier*
if everyone just sticks to the rules. I can't always tell if someone's waiting
for me, or just sitting there picking their nose. And I can't afford to take
the chance. So, drivers, when it's your turn, just *go*!

Around here drivers will stop in the middle of a deserted highway to let someone
make a left turn in front of them!

Matt O.

09-09-2003, 10:03 AM

Matt O'Toole wrote:
> [BThis is one of those cases where Canadians' hyper-politeness becomes
> pathological. I have the same problem around here. They're all trying to
> be polite and let the poor cyclist through, so he doesn't have to stop
> and get going again. While I appreciate their courtesy, it is really *so
> much easier* if everyone just sticks to the rules. I can't always tell
> if someone's waiting for me, or just sitting there picking their nose.
> And I can't afford to take the chance. So, drivers, when it's your turn,
> just *go*!
> Around here drivers will stop in the middle of a deserted highway to let
> someone make a left turn in front of them!
> Matt O.

Good grief, you've got them too! There's one place on my daily route
that at the end of a bitchin' long climb and I don't know how many times
I've panted up the hill, gladder than glad to have the stop sign so I
can take a breather and motorists are forever stopping traffic to let me
cross when I'd just rather wait for a second for the traffic to clear.

What a complaint, eh? Local drivers are too polite and are considerate
of cyclists on the roads -- everyone should be cursed with our
problem. But I agree, it works so much better if everyone just sticks
to the rules.

--
Insanity has its price -- Please have exact change.

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09-09-2003, 02:17 PM

Tue, 09 Sep 2003 15:21:30 GMT,
<_dm7b.40070$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>, "Matt O'Toole"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>While I appreciate their courtesy, it is really *so much easier*
>if everyone just sticks to the rules. I can't always tell if someone's waiting
>for me, or just sitting there picking their nose. And I can't afford to take
>the chance. So, drivers, when it's your turn, just *go*!
>
Pedestrians too distrust cyclists so sometimes become hyper-courteous.
I've had to tell them, "I'm a vehicle. You're a pedestrian. This is a
crosswalk. I have a stop sign. You have the right-of-way. I'd thank
you to take it, *now*, please."

I slow for approaching peds, prepared to stop, but preferring to pass
carefully a polite distance behind them. Works great if they'd only
keep their pace. Instead they stand there waiting for me to cut them
off if they move! I'll sometimes will ask if they're lost and on only
one occasion did they sincerely appreciate my assistance.

>Around here drivers will stop in the middle of a deserted highway to let someone
>make a left turn in front of them!
>
yeah, one's amazed by that when accustomed to the hastier urban pace.

It easily screws up a cyclist's timing when a stunned city driver
pulls similar stunts. I've been hung out in the left lane signalling a
turn ahead of the fast closing pod. Last car in the opposing pod
decides to balk. "MOVE! NOW!" The next opposing pod is off the line
and coming fast. I choose to turn behind them when they pull that.

Perhaps worse is the one who will slow or stop and wave you across
into the path of traffic in inside lane. Those drivers can't see you
and now you can't see them around this polite bastard's behemoth.
It's a sucker trap.
--
zk

09-09-2003, 04:44 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
Zoot Katz <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> writes:

> It easily screws up a cyclist's timing when a stunned city driver
> pulls similar stunts. I've been hung out in the left lane signalling a
> turn ahead of the fast closing pod. Last car in the opposing pod
> decides to balk. "MOVE! NOW!" The next opposing pod is off the line
> and coming fast. I choose to turn behind them when they pull that.

I discern a prevailing local attitude of "If an accident's going
to happen and I'm not moving, it won't be my fault." So the Nervous
Nellie drivers here tend to stop dead in their tracks and wonder
what to do next at the slightest unfamiliarity, such as cyclists
making left turns from/onto busy streets. Maybe it has to do
with ICBC's influence.

> Perhaps worse is the one who will slow or stop and wave you across
> into the path of traffic in inside lane. Those drivers can't see you
> and now you can't see them around this polite bastard's behemoth.
> It's a sucker trap.

What Matt ascribes to politeness is, I suspect, really a form
of passive-aggressive behaviour. Except in Burnaby, where
drivers seem to be sincerely willing to give cyclists a break,
and generally are better drivers than in Vancouver (proper).

cheers,
Tom

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09-09-2003, 05:33 PM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] says...

....

> Perhaps worse is the one who will slow or stop and wave you across
> into the path of traffic in inside lane. Those drivers can't see you
> and now you can't see them around this polite bastard's behemoth.
> It's a sucker trap.

I've seen this one many times, both when I'm on foot and on the bike.

--
Dave Kerber
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