NationStates Jolt Archive

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!

I hope you crash into a little old lady with hepatitis C and she bleeds on you.


Kidding. Seriously though, it's dangerous for pedestrians. Dangerous for you too. You might crash into a little old lady with Hepatitis C and she might bleed on you.

i wont, besides i hate car drivers, they smell

If there are adequate cycle paths, then yes it should be illegal.

I do it when the drivers are being especially assholish, but then only when the pavement is near-deserted.

I hate bicyclists. They're OK if they stick in the lanes, but they never seem to do. They seem to have it with their tire on or near the white line, never thinking that that means half of their body and bike is hanging out on the car lane. So cars always have to swerve. They continue merrily on their way, oblivious to how near death they are. God, I hate bike riders.

i wont, besides i hate car drivers, they smell

At least they don't have Hepatitis C like bicyclists.

*shrug* I have to ride my bike on the street.

Nothing more satisfying than hitting the back of a car as you go by and flipping them off.



That being said, I can't wait to get a car up here.

I hate bicyclists. They're OK if they stick in the lanes, but they never seem to do. They seem to have it with their tire on or near the white line, never thinking that that means half of their body and bike is hanging out on the car lane. So cars always have to swerve. They continue merrily on their way, oblivious to how near death they are. God, I hate bike riders.

Yes, but why have we created a society where everyone has to avoid the car or die?

I think you can actualy get fined for it the UK.

*starts looking for highway code*

Yes, but why have we created a society where everyone has to avoid the car or die?

That's not a society. That's just plain physics.

Yeah, pavements are for pedestrians. Although I would like to see a lot more, and better maintained bike lanes. Lots of the bike lanes round here are full of crap and the tarmacs always half-finished, so you have no choice but to obstruct cars.

What annoys me is when cyclists on the road come to a red light and suddenly decide that riding on the pavement is ok.

That's not a society. That's just plain physics.

Society caters to it. Pfft.

Yes, but why have we created a society where everyone has to avoid the car or die?

For the same reason we have a society where everyone has to avoid the charging elephant or die. A 150-200 lb human being will not win against a 2000 lb thing moving at 35 mph.

I think you can actualy get fined for it the UK.

*starts looking for highway code*

I don't know about the UK, but I know that in the US (or at least in Florida) bicycles are considered vehicles that are allowed to be on the roads. (I think tractors are allowed, too.)

It's better when they stay in the bicycle lanes, though, instead of going out in the middle of the road. Someone did that once when my mother was driving me to school.

Society caters to it. Pfft.

At least until we have personal forcefields and gravity control, anyway.

At least until we have personal forcefields and gravity control, anyway.

Stop mocking me. =(

What I mean is "why have we created a society where the car-driver is king?"

Stop mocking me. =(

What I mean is "why have we created a society where the car-driver is king?"

Because the car can travel faster than the bike. If you set up the roads so that they're optimized for bike traffic maybe they would greatly slow down automobile traffic. That would mean that getting someplace faster than bike speed would be nearly impossible. People who communte across town would have to leave work several hours early and forget about getting a delivery on time.

Stop mocking me. =(

What I mean is "why have we created a society where the car-driver is king?"

I'm not mocking you. Trust me, once we can control gravity, cars will not even be peasants anymore.

But until then, cars are big and fast, which means they carry a lot of force. More force than is safe for a person or a bicycle to withstand. Therefore, it's best to have them avoid each other. Since cars are bigger, and more numerous on most roads at any given time, they get the bigger chunk of the road. What's hard to understand about it?

As a pedestrian and a cyclist, I find I get quite hypocritical.

Pedestrian: "That damned cyclist shouldn't be on the sidewalk
Cyclist: "Screw this. I'm not riding in this traffic!"

I use bike lanes/paths wherever I can, but on some roads there are no designated lanes, and there is really nowhere to ride.

Conversely, I hate being almost run over while walking on the sidewalk and minding my own business, with some rude jerk yelling "EXCUSE ME!!! ON YOUR LEFT!!!"

Yes. Cars should be illegal. ;)

Because the car can travel faster than the bike. If you set up the roads so that they're optimized for bike traffic maybe they would greatly slow down automobile traffic. That would mean that getting someplace faster than bike speed would be nearly impossible. People who communte across town would have to leave work several hours early and forget about getting a delivery on time.

Trains and buses are fairer though.. at least if you get run down by a bus, dozens of people have crushed you to death, so it's sorta realistic. Argh..

No. Bicycles are vehicles like any other - they belong on the road.

I though it was already illegal to ride on the pavements if your over a certain age

I can't ride a bike :(

thus I say "damn you cyclists get out of my way!"

Where I'm from (The same place as Lance Armstrong) there are lots of bikers. I also, bike to and from school, to the Kwik E Mart, etc.

I wouldn't have a problem with these bikers if they didn't act like complete dumbasses. They're rude, elitest, and they don't seem to mind cutting in front of cars and slowing down lanes of traffic. I'm utterly shocked that these guys don't get smashed by cars like they so richly deserve.

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!
http://www.section.at/img/smiley/rad.gif

It already is illegal for a person age 12+ to ride their bike on the pavement. You must use the bike road or ride in the street. And don't you dare to ride your bike on the wrong side of the road, either.
Plus you need to make sure that you have all kinds of reflectors and working lights on your bike.

Welcome to Germany.

(Besides, the way I ride my bike, I don't want to hit anyone who couldn't get out of my way in time - not only because I might hurt them, but I'll definitely hurt myself after the short flight that would follow a collision)

I am an avid cyclist. I ride about an hour a day, all year round. Note my location.

I ride generally through the downtown area. While many cars have a maximum speed higher than mine, they cannot legally do so within city limits.

Therefore cars are not often going faster than me. In fact, I am usually going faster than them.

I bike on the street. If I judge that I can ride to the side and still leave enough room for people to pass me safely, then I do so. If I feel there is not enough room, I will take a whole lane. This may cause feelings of frustration in drivers. I understand that and would ask you to understand that I feel my safety is more important than your convenience.

I will ride on the sidewalk (pavement, in the parlance of the OP) if I am parking, riding with children, or unable to move at a speed comparable to the automobiles. If I do this, I always yield right of way to pedestrians, and I am especially careful around children and puppies. Older dogs are smart enough to stay out of the way.

Bike paths are nice when they are not crowded with joggers. strollers, inline skaters, skateboarders, snow, ice, construction equipment, double parked cars, sleds, skiers, roadwork equipment, and people who are using it as a sidewalk. I almost never use them.

Where I'm from (The same place as Lance Armstrong) there are lots of bikers. I also, bike to and from school, to the Kwik E Mart, etc.

I wouldn't have a problem with these bikers if they didn't act like complete dumbasses. They're rude, elitest, and they don't seem to mind cutting in front of cars and slowing down lanes of traffic. I'm utterly shocked that these guys don't get smashed by cars like they so richly deserve.

Sometimes taking the whole lane is the safest method for a cyclist to travel. This is a decision that cyclists often have to make. Most of us are aware of the danger it causes, and we do not do this unless it is the safest option.

It is a pity but most cyclists here get the respect they deserve: - none.

This is a shame for the few that do ride sensibly.

The majority regard traffic lights, one way streets, stop signs and almost every other form of traffic flow control as not applying to them. For some reason they think that it is safer to cycle against the traffic flow so they can see what is coming. This, of course, causes many accidents as the car exiting from a side road is not expecting a cyclist coming out from behind that bush obscuring his view of things coming at him on the wrong side of the road. On one way streets it is a nightmare, and passing a green traffic light seems to be a sure fire way of colliding with a cyclist.

Should they be allowed on the pavement as well. NO.

Welcome to Germany.


Germany is fantastic, there are bike lanes everywhere. Everytime I visit I always borrow a bike and I really enjoy travelling. Also, your public transport is far superor than here in the UK. So if somewhere is too far to travel by bike then I just hop on a tram/train.

There isn't any bike lanes at all in the part of Manchester that I live in. I usually ride along the pavement but slow down if I see a person and ring my bell if I'm riding up behind them.

I live in a small town with a big University, and the majority of sidewalk cyclists are students, without helmets, toting huge bags etc. The responsible cyclists tend to be older, wear helmets and appropriate cycling gear. You rarely see a cyclist wearing full bike gear riding on the sidewalk.

It is a pity but most cyclists here get the respect they deserve: - none.

This is a shame for the few that do ride sensibly.

The majority regard traffic lights, one way streets, stop signs and almost every other form of traffic flow control as not applying to them. For some reason they think that it is safer to cycle against the traffic flow so they can see what is coming. This, of course, causes many accidents as the car exiting from a side road is not expecting a cyclist coming out from behind that bush obscuring his view of things coming at him on the wrong side of the road. On one way streets it is a nightmare, and passing a green traffic light seems to be a sure fire way of colliding with a cyclist.

Should they be allowed on the pavement as well. NO.

Many cyclists have the exact same complaints about motorists. I can not tell you how often I have been approaching an intersection where I have the right of way, yet the car moves through the intersection, cutting me off.
Why? Because (s)he is 'going faster than me' because they are in a car and cars are faster than bikes, right?
Usually I have to apply my brakes so that I do not get hit by them.

Cars with foreign plates are the worst as they seem to think that they can flout our law that says you can not turn right on a red. And I won't even discuss car doors, or motorists' apparent inability to do a simple shoulder check.

As I'm aware it is illegal to cycle on the pavement in the UK. That doesn't stop me when I think it's safer to ride on the pavement temporarily. I do only cycle at a fast walking speed when I do so though.

I don't think I've ever come across a cycle lane in a good place - except next to a canal. Normally I find that the places that most need cycle lines are the places that least have space for them.

AB: I respect most traffic flow controls. I make exceptions for traffic lights that I am familiar with. For instance I will cycle through a pelican crossing if i can see that all the pedestrians have already crossed. I will also cross junctions that I know the sequence of. For instance the traffic lights outside the univeristy gates stop all lanes of traffic when allowing pedestrians to cross. If you have a problem with this all I have to do is put both legs on one side of frame and it isn't a problem anymore as I'm now a pedestrian who is pushing a bike along.

I only ever cycle out into the middle of the road when I need to turn right. I check for traffic behind me and then give a hand signal.

I have a friend who owns a motorbike. He says it's the best of both worlds. If you just stop, hop out of the seat then you can walk the thing along the pavement until you want to drive along the road again. He normally does this at junctions. Why wait for the green light of the traffic lights if a green man pops up earlier.

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!

there are asshole drivers out there... but there are also Asshole bikers out there also. I've seen bikers switch lanes to ride in the center lanes without signalling, or sometimes, not even looking. I've seen bikers riding in the middle of the lane, holding up traffic (by not being in the bike lane or even on the side of the lane) and some of them weave left and right to make it harder for cars to pass them.

so I can just imagine the damage they could do on the pavement with pedestrians.

Should it be illegal to ride on the sidewalk? I think a maximum speed would suffice. Let's say 5km/hr. A decent walking pace. I could let you convince me to go as high as 10.

How about special lanes just for bikes?

Huh? Huh? Ain't THAT cool?!?!?!?!

I only do it when there's no one on the sidewalk and the street is just crazy.

Or if I have to make a left turn onto a wide street and know it will be a bitch to get all the way into the right lane after.

In NSW, Australia, it is illegal for anyone over 12 to ride a bike on the footpath (unless you're with a >12yo).

Back when I wasn't a lazy, lazy man and used to ride my bike, I quite enjoyed the adrenaline rush of riding on the road.

Technically in the UK it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the pavement.

However I would never condemn anyone for doing so as I live in the city and car drivers treat the distances between traffic lights as dragstrips (when there aren't speed cameras installed). Even my residential one way street is frequently filled with the sound of a speeding car, and occasionally squealing tyres as they reach the end or encounter a cat.

All I ask is that Cyclists show respect for Pedestrians and not push by while riding as fast as possible. Remember, we can't hear your bike over traffic noise, or if we do hear it it's not until your 5 feet away.

What annoys me is when bikers ride as far from the curb as possible. I don't mind bike riders in the streets, especially if the sidewalks are in bad conditions and there are no bike paths. If there are bike paths, use them. Otherwise, at least, when you are riding in the street, observe the laws of the road and don't go through red lights (I've seen that a lot) and you should be yielding to the cars. I know cars have to yield to pedestrians but you need to be attentive to the cars around you, after all, they can't always seen you too well.

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!

And I am sick of being run down by cyclist. Get yer ass in the street whe3re it belongs (and quit ringing the holy freckjing GD bell!!!!)


I don't know about the UK, but I know that in the US (or at least in Florida) bicycles are considered vehicles that are allowed to be on the roads. (I think tractors are allowed, too.)

It's better when they stay in the bicycle lanes, though, instead of going out in the middle of the road. Someone did that once when my mother was driving me to school.

Psst!! Note the OP's location. Pavement is the sidewalk, not the road

http://www.section.at/img/smiley/rad.gif

It already is illegal for a person age 12+ to ride their bike on the pavement. You must use the bike road or ride in the street. And don't you dare to ride your bike on the wrong side of the road, either.
Plus you need to make sure that you have all kinds of reflectors and working lights on your bike.

Welcome to Germany.

(Besides, the way I ride my bike, I don't want to hit anyone who couldn't get out of my way in time - not only because I might hurt them, but I'll definitely hurt myself after the short flight that would follow a collision)

It's technically illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, with the exception of certain designated and marked sidewalks. It is also technically illegal to ride a bicycle carrying an umbrella, without a light, riding on the back pegs, etc. Most of these laws are, as the source below puts it, disfunctional. [1] (http://www.japancycling.org/v2/info/biking.shtml)

Cyclists ride not just on the sidewalk, but on very crowded sidewalks and pedestrian streets acting as if the sidewalk were there just for them, ringing the bell incessantly demanding that pedestrians give right of way, sans headlamp in the dark, and engage in other extremely rude and dangerous (to themselves and others) behaviour.

Welcome to Japan.

Bolded for emphasis by me:

What annoys me is when bikers ride as far from the curb as possible. I don't mind bike riders in the streets, especially if the sidewalks are in bad conditions and there are no bike paths. If there are bike paths, use them. Otherwise, at least, when you are riding in the street, observe the laws of the road and don't go through red lights (I've seen that a lot) and you should be yielding to the cars. I know cars have to yield to pedestrians but you need to be attentive to the cars around you, after all, they can't always seen you too well.

Quite, so when I am forced to ride on the road I will use the road to give me the best visibility. We drive on the left in the UK, so when I need to turn right I will drive center lane at an appropriate time a) to make me as visible as possible to the cars behind me and tell them of my intent and b) so that I dont emerge unexpectedly into the stream of traffic.

I will also never ride at the gutter because that is where leaves and rubbish collect which are great at spitting a cyclist off.

However I will concede that riding center lane for mile upon mile with no regard to the queue behind you is simply bad manners. Safety first but manners are a close second and somewhat tied to safety in todays road rage climate.

I am a bike rider myself and obviously i think no! because no one has respect for bike riders on the road anymore!!! i get continuallly beeped at and sworn at(i just swear back) and have nearly got run over by cars speeding round corners. its safer on the pavement, NO CARS!It's illegal in Germany for most people, except on bicycle paths marked in red. However, children under twelve are required to ride on the sidewalk.

We need more bike lanes.
Like China!

Personally I detest bike riders on back country roads ... nothing more painful then some ass riding on a no shouldered road when you are towing a hay trailer behind you.

im a biker and a driver....and biker should not even be close to the pavment....too much dumb biking hipies around.

Bikers should invest in this.

http://www-users.cs.umn.edu/~echi/hobby/motorcycle/pix/GSF600SBanditRed.jpg

Bikers should invest in this.
Snip



They still loose when they suicide pass on a twisted country road when I am driving
http://www.jannettyracing.com/images/DSC03543.JPG
Pulling a trailer

(Edit same model and roughly same year as mine but not my truck ... dont have digitals of it yet)

They still loose when they suicide pass on a twisted country road when I am driving
-snip-
Pulling a trailer

(Edit same model and roughly same year as mine but not my truck ... dont have digitals of it yet)

I like that truck.

I like that truck.

Looks almost identical I was shocked when I found it ...

I love my baby

This may cause feelings of frustration in drivers. I understand that and would ask you to understand that I feel my safety is more important than your convenience.

...didn't you choose to ride a bike over driving/walking/public transport?

Why does your safety trump the convenience of others when you knowingly choose a method of transportation that has risks associated with it that other methods of travel do not have?