lawful bikes vrs. unlawful bikes

[Green_Fairy]

I've observed bikers stopping for a chat in the middle of the road as well as going the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

that's because they're idiots.

[Mottom24]

kay that's just awesome. i have noooo problem with laws like that. but is it enforced? do people give a crap or do they still zip alone like they rule the world?

it is only enforced in university city, not by police, but by UPenn campus security. their range is very very far, which is why my neighborhood is so safe all the time. but if you are speeding around on the sidewalk near or in UPenn/drexel campus, they will stop you. in every other part of the city... no. cyclists get away with murder in this city, but if I see one barrel towards me on the sidewalk, I don't move out of the way and sometimes shoulder them off me. had a few yell at me, and I just simply yelled back that it was the sidewalk and they should be in the road. they probably don't give a damn though.

[Ashaela]

I work in a city very well-known for its recreational/athletic cycling community (takes a lot of pride in being Lance Armstrong's headquarters). There are plenty of cyclists who look out and obey the laws, but those are never the ones you remember, are they?

My biggest peeves: although the city is very bike-friendly, the downtown area is kinda short on actual bike lanes in a lot of places. The city really outgrew its municipal planning, so traffic is a nightmare to begin with.... Then you get the biker who coasts down the street, slowing traffic to a crawl, never attempting to be courteous and let anyone by.... but when traffic is stopped at a red light, the same biker will cruise in between the lanes of cars and get in everyone's way when the light changes.

The other one that really bugs me is the cyclist who decides they don't have to stop at a stop sign or signal. I've heard that it's a pain to come to a full stop, because they have to take their foot out of the pedal clip to balance the bike and then fit it back in after. I can understand that it's frustrating but:
a) You're using public roads and should abide by the same regulations as any other person making use of the roads
b) You take up a lot less space and are less visible than someone in a car or truck, and even with the most consciencious and careful driver, accidents can and do happen. You also have much less protection than someone encased in a half-ton of metal. Concern for your own safety ought to make you more cautious....

[Nohbody]

You [bicyclists] also have much less protection than someone encased in a half-ton of metal. Concern for your own safety ought to make you more cautious....

"But... but... There are laws to protect me! I'm perfectly safe."

[Mikkel]

I've heard that it's a pain to come to a full stop, because they have to take their foot out of the pedal clip to balance the bike and then fit it back in after.

If it's difficult to take your foot out of the clip, it is adjusted wrong. I have seen a rider who had tightened the clip so much that he couldn't get the foot out in time and just slowly went over, frantically pulling . Modern pedals should release the foot easily when the foot is turned to the side.

[AriRashkae]

"But... but... There are laws to protect me! I'm perfectly safe."

Not according to the laws of physics!

[Samaliel]

Can't really say I blame them. Sorry, but if your vehicle can't even meet the *minimum* speed limit (which in PA, is 45mph), it shouldn't be on the road. I'd be surprised if that heap even makes it to 40!

While I was very surprised to learn that there is almost no actual *minimum* speed limit around here - the one exception being the far left lane of an highway, where the minimal speed is 80km/h (about 50mph) for a maximum speed limit of 130km/h (about 80mph) -, roads signaled by this sign are strictly forbidden to pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds (engines smaller than 50cc, (theoritical ) max speed 45km/h - 28mph), horse riders, animal-drawn vehicles, agricultural machinery.

The lower speed limit is left to the appreciation of the authorities, but is usually considered 60% of the maximum speed limit.

[Green_Fairy]

I have seen a rider who had tightened the clip so much that he couldn't get the foot out in time and just slowly went over, frantically pulling

lol when was first learning how to use those kinds of peddles, i fell over sooo many times. finally my dad was like "stop. get on the sidewalk, hold on to the tree, and practice until you can get in and out without looking like a moron"