They expect me to ride on the street with cars that are 1,000 stronger than I am. Not all streets have bike lanes. So you could be running into parked cars. What happened to the good old days when bicyclist were pedestrians and they could ride on the side walk and if you didn't yield to a bicycle you were a criminal?
2007-04-25 16:19:43 · 12 answers · asked by Melissa Y 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you look into the history of bike regulations, you'll find that most bikes were relegated to roadways upon their invention. The reason for this was twofold. First, early bikes were monstrously unstable, causing far more accidents and inconvenience to pedestrians than modern bikes. Second, at that time, bikes moved as fast as most cars.
This is most clearly not the case any more.
However, the laws have not changed. Indeed, in some locations you can legally drive on the sidewalks in absence of a bike lane or trail. In many areas, however, bicyclists must enter the road.
I'm all with you about where bikes should be allowed to ride. A bicyclist poses far less danger to the average pedestrian than automobile traffic poses to the average bicyclist. Having the misfortune of being first on the scene of not one but three fatalities where motorists weren't paying attention or were driving aggressively to the expense of the bicyclist, I do not believe that anyone should be forced to ride their bike on main roads when pathways are available.
2007-04-25 16:40:31 · answer #1 · answered by Tomteboda 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bicyclists must obey the same laws of the road as motorists.
Bicyclists can ride in the street; pedestrians must use the sidewalk or soft shoulder.
2007-04-25 16:22:53 · answer #2 · answered by MenifeeManiac 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This was never the case. The law says bicycles don't belong on the sidewalk, especially in NYC where I live. Cyclist have to folow the same rules as cars. If you can't handle that, walk. You are a danger to pedestrains if you ride on the sidewalk, It's a sideWALK and is for pedestrains only. Some places have sidewalk bike rules -- for 20 inch wheels riden by children.
2007-04-25 16:29:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bicyclists were NEVER pedestrians. They've always been vehicle operators. A pedestrian is literally "on foot."
A bicyclist isn't on foot, but on wheels like any other vehicle. They don't belong in walkways any more than cars or trucks do.
2007-04-25 16:27:07 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Bicycles are meant to follow the guidelines of the line - if the bicyclist ran the precise signal and were given hit, then they were at fault (with somewhat of success you've got a witness even with the actuality that, because it must be your word antagonistic to theirs (in case you didn''t kill them). the actuality is, vehicles and motorcycles (i journey both a bicycle and a bike) can percentage the line - yet there are extremely some rude and obnoxious drivers (even once you're in a vehicle) who are not paying interest - speaking on their cellphones (texting on their cellphones too), putting on makeup, eating, etc. - I actually have had extremely some them damn close to run me down even as on 2 wheels. there are extremely some thoughtful drivers too - lots of whom journey themselves, I continuously attempt to provide bicycles and motorcycles a lot of room, and that i continuously seem ahead to unpredicted stuff like what you defined. There are some rude bicyclists too - yet jointly, in the adventure that they favor to stay in a unmarried piece, they'll watch the hell out for vehicles.
2016-12-04 21:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word pedestrian is defined as a person walking. A person on a bicycle is in a "moving" vehicle. Weather 'moving' via peddeling, gas, or electrical it is moving so much obey laws for moving vehicles.
2007-04-25 16:26:54 · answer #6 · answered by Jeni 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because many motorists are selfish and in a hurry; they believe the road was made for them, and they get angry if bicyclists(or anyone else) slows them down.
However, motorists face severe legal liability if they injure a cyclist that is obeying the law.
2007-04-25 16:28:06 · answer #7 · answered by YRU4IT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel buddy. It makes you not want to ride a bike for fear of getting run down by some impatient idiot in a Honda Civic.
However, I still ride my bike on the sidewalk, and I've yet to get a ticket. I'm a rebel.
2007-04-25 16:24:30 · answer #8 · answered by kelly4u2 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, bikes have always been a vehicle and as such belong on the road not the sidewalk. The side walk is for people "walking". Becareful out there.
2007-04-25 16:24:54 · answer #9 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Why are there no more posts for me to tie off my horse when going downtown? Why do the police get mad when my horse defecates on the street? Why do fine businesses no longer provide a water trough for my horse while I shop?
2007-04-25 16:24:59 · answer #10 · answered by J.C. 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋