By Pico Triano
Photos: Pico Triano
Back in
my highschool days I took a summer class to upgrade to the advanced
program. Classes were in a nearby city and I got to commute to class
by bicycle. Because there were no buses most of the students used the
same means of transportation. Out of all those cyclists only two of
us actually stopped for red lights. Neither of us were from the city
itself although Jim might have lived just within city limits. I find
that unfathomable.
A
scofflaw is someone who wilfully and deliberately ignores or disobeys
the law. We've all seen them. The issue is far worse in some places
compared to others. It is one of the biggest pet peeves of motorists
when it comes to the subject of cycling. I have noticed a correlation
between cyclist behaviour in some cities and how they are treated on
the road compared to other cities. I don't appreciate scofflaws
because their behaviour does effect other cyclists.
It is
my position that cyclist should know and obey the rules of the road.
They were designed to make the road a safer place for all users. I
get that most of these laws were made for and by people who may have
had little or no understanding of cycling needs but I don't think
that's an excuse for flaunting the law. There are groups working to
address those issues and there are better ways to make lawmakers
aware of those needs.
I also
strongly believe that motorists should know and obey the rules of the
road too. They often don't. A recent post on Facebook and probably
other social media showed a cell phone photo taken by a motorist of a
cyclist captioned with the statement that she wanted to ram the idiot
because she felt he should be riding on the sidewalk. She felt this
rider was a scofflaw even though she was illegally using a cellphone
while driving and ignorant of the fact that the law where the photo
was taken prohibits bicycles from using the sidewalk. There are many
more people who think like she does. She got ten likes from other
people online. I've actually had a motorist screaming out of a car
window that it was illegal for me to be riding my bicycle on the
road. Cyclists aren't scofflaws when they are riding within the rules
of the road.
Road
safety is a life skill and should be taught in schools. I don't
understand why it generally is not. It's important to learn
marketable skills so that you can get a good job to support yourself.
Isn't it just as important to know how to get to said job safely
whatever your mode of transportation?
One
thing that serious cyclists would like motorists to understand is
that bicycles are not toys. They are a legitimate efficient means of
transportation. In most places the law classifies bicycles as
vehicles not pedestrians. As vehicles they have the right to the
entire lane. Especially in cities cyclists often claim that right,
not to be a pain in the posterior, but to avoid being trapped in the
door zone (New reduced speed limits in some big cities make that
easier and safer). As long as motorists are respecting that, the
cyclists are not doing anything dangerous. As a motorist you are not
allowed to pass other vehicles unless it is safe to do so. That
includes bicycles. You should treat them as you would any other
vehicle. If you can't do that you shouldn't have a driver's license.
Yes, a
lot of cyclists ignore stop signs and traffic signals. They often
fail to signal their intentions to make a turn. If they are caught
and ticketed, I don't feel sorry for them. On the other hand I see
just as many cars breaking those same traffic laws. Being a scofflaw
is not exclusive to two wheels.
More Articles (Click photos or titles for access)
I appreciate the thought behind share the road programs and awareness campaigns. I think drivers need to be aware of what three feet at high speed feels like for a cyclist. I think it's a flaw in the program.
Previous article along similar lines. My position is that cyclists should be keeping the rules of the road.
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