Some seem to bike by their own rules..... Looks like maybe they need to clean their shorts out... [ame=http://youtu.be/r2BQFpp8P0s]Inches from Death: UK cyclist narrowly escapes collision with train - YouTube[/ame]
Yea, those red and white thingies are just random chicanes dropped down once in a while to make motoring more interesting on those long straight roads.
You should see some of the idiots on their bikes in the mountains here... They think they own the entire road, and dont care to get out of your way either. Some just stay right in the middle of the lane pedaling up hill at 2 MPH, jamming out on their iPod... I am not afraid to give them a little toot out of an air horn to wake them up though. Made one or two ride into the ditch in my life, and really couldnt care less about it. They keep trying to regulate cars around the cyclists... What they need to start doing is regulating the cyclists to bike paths and bike lanes that is what they are there for! Start handing out tickets with fines equal to motor vehicle violations for tying up traffic on the roads that where built for cars!
Roads are maintained by gasoline tax.... Cars run on gasoline.... Bicycles run on food.... Food comes from fields.... Bicycles need to stay in the fields.... Bears roam in fields.... Bears eat bicyclists.... There...... Fixed....
I have no problem with people wanting to get out and ride a bike, weather its for fun, or transportation. Heck I actually support it. It is when the cyclists think the rules don't apply to them that I get pissed off. Like the Idiot in the video, there is a bad rash of people thinking that because they are on a bicycle they cant be the one that is wrong. When distracted drivers are common enough these days ( they are everywhere ) it makes it harder when you get somebody on a bicycle that cant go the speed limit throw ear phones on them so they cant hear and pay less attention to their surroundings, and top that off by allowing them to do whatever they want on the road. Ive seen it all... Weaving across lanes for the fun of it, not obeying the traffic laws for the roads they are riding on (STOP signs, traffic lights, and the list goes on), cyclists paying so little attention to their surroundings they cant even see the mile long string of cars they are holding up... I am tired of it! IMHO some of these law makers need to crack down on how much free rein cyclists have, and make some pretty hefty fines for not obeying the rules. Don't penalize the driver of a car by forcing them to accommodate cyclists, force the cyclists to accommodate the motor vehicle like it was years ago. They could start by handing out fines for riding with earbuds, and not obeying traffic signals. So if you are a cyclist, you now know how I feel, and I really don't care if it makes you mad... Follow the rules, pay attention, stay single file on the shoulder of the road, move over for the vehicle that is moving faster, is bigger than, and can kill you! And for the love of Pete... Take out the earbuds, and loose the porno shorts! I don't want to see your tiny little lump-O-junk as I try to avoid hitting you!
Maybe I should carry a few drum sticks to toss in the spokes I we drive by.:devil: But only if the Air Horns don't work from 5 Ft away. :ihih:
Do you even know the law? Bicycles have as much right to the road as a car. Yes, we are supposed to keep as far right as possible, but, we are allowed to use as much road if it is not safe to the right. Also, at least here in California, it is illegal for a vehicle to get within 3 feet of a bicycle, and, it's also illegal to honk your horn for no reason. Now, this being said, if a biker is being stupid, illegal, well that's on them. But to treat all bikers as bad, well, that's on you. Ps. anyone saying bikers don't pay road taxes is just ignorant.
I knew I would piss at least one person off... If you read, I do not have a problem with the ones who follow the laws, and are respectful of the people in cars.
What is the likelihood that someone engaging in cycling as a hobby doesn't own a car? Especially in the situations described above, where it would be possible for a single cyclist to cause a tailback of cars stretching for miles. They are clearly riding out in the countryside to cause that issue, since anywhere near a city, there would be alternate routes, and I'm sure no one would prefer to cause grievous bodily harm to another just to avoid taking a different road.... Cycling is an expensive hobby if you're complaining about the ones "in the porno shorts". Many of the participants are doctors, nurses, and other well to do types you probably don't want to hurt or take out of the population. Most not only own cars, but own expensive cars and put lots of miles on them driving to riding locations outside the city. They have paid road taxes just as much as you have, and many are at the forefront of calling for road repairs when needed. It's not just their comfort but their life that depends on road safety.
Both my wife and I ride bikes.... I have to deal with the errant riders around work.... I'll stick my neck out a say that the one's in the Short North pretty much all run through the red lights.... Do all bike riders do this... Nope.... My wife and I don't... What really is bad are the ones that ride on the sidewalk and end up clipping a customer that steps out on the sidewalk from a merchant's shop...
Thank you for actually understanding And your very right, VERY EXPENSIVE! Between me and the wife, close to $15k :crazy:
Roads are maintained by general revenues in most states. Property taxes. Gasoline taxes pay for highways in most cases.