You know, I was very surprised when I heard that passing a line of stopped cars on the right is illegal! I am totally opposed to this law, if it is really a law, because it effectively takes away the one advantage that bike riding provides - the ability to avoid traffic snarls! I just look at the people sitting motionless in their cars and feel a huge scream "suckers!!" in my mind. I for one will continue to blow by lines of stopped cars lined up at traffic lights, and will continue to feel the JOY of knowing that while cars can get there faster and with more conveniene and safety, I do have this one huge advantage.
It is only just that cyclists should be able to enjoy this advantage. Childish - yes - I admit it, but I love the feeling of passing some clown that has dangerously veered toward me (yes, sometimes on purpose) as he passed me a few moments ago. And I will confront them when I catch up to them. I have never had anyone with the courage to back up their cowardly behavior conducted from the safety of their steel cage that wisks them away from consequences. Yes, cyclists do need to obey stop signs, though I will blow one if there is no one around (something I will much more rarely do in a car, since if I miss something behind the wheel, I am liable for major damage). But if there are cars to interact with at an intersection I will conduct myself exactly by the rules of automotive driving (which, by the way, most people really don't play by - instead they like to play the get eye contact and wave the other person on game). It should be about whose car stopped at the appropriate place first, and if there's a tie, the person on the right goes first - nice and simple. Brian Before anyone says it - yes, I do need help, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Allan wrote: Or the bicyclists who pass a line of cars on the right, run a stop sign, and then flip you the finger when you give them a little "heads up" beep on the horn. On 5/29/07, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Jim Cathey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Last time I checked here, a bicycle _is_ a car so far as the law is > concerned. You treat them like such, and you ride them like such. > > And it stinks, last time I was forced to (single, and having my > truck worked on at at shop that wasn't particularly close to work) > ride on city streets some asshole in a new Hummer (pre-H2) nearly > clipped me as he roared past me on the left in the turn lane. (I > was preparing to make my turn to the left.) Totally a ticketable > offense, but where's a cop when you need him? I sympathize, though here in this college town it's the bicycles and pedestrians who don't pay attention. How many times have I had to stand on the brakes to avoid clobbering some ipod-wearing, text-message-absorbed student who simply crosses the street without so much as a glance to the side. Or the bicyclists who pass a line of cars on the right, run a stop sign, and then flip you the finger when you give them a little "heads up" beep on the horn. Allan -- 1983 300D 1966 230 _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
