Cyclist Behavior

[lph]

I stop at red lights for three reasons:
- 1, because I might hit someone or be hit by someone,
- 2, because it demonstrates to the driver next to me or behind me that I'm following the rules too - thereby also diminishing the chance that he decides to "teach that damned biker a lesson" down the next stretch of road we have to share
- 3, because it's the law.

If there are no cars around in any direction, eliminating 1. and 2., I'll slow down and run the red light. I'm not THAT law-abiding, and I don't see how following the law in that particular circumstance is going to help anybody. This includes all red lights, also "just" pedestrian crossings.

I take the lane whenever I have to. I try to show that I am aware of traffic behind me, and move purposefully in to the side as soon as I feel it's safe to do so. I have stopped a few times to let a truck or a bus pass going uphill, either because it's having trouble passing or because I just feel safer standing still than pedaling very slowly with something that big breathing down my neck.

Bus drivers and taxi drivers are probably the ones around here who hate cyclists the most, so I try to make a huge point out of giving them room and getting out of their way if they're coming up behind me in a hurry, even though I'm allowed to be there.

[sundial]

Good for you, Knot. I would have done the same thing.

[Deborajen]

I agree that following traffic laws is just as important for cyclists as it is for drivers - for everyone's safety. One thing that's always gotten me, though, is why cyclists seem to flat out refuse to walk their bikes across an intersection when the law requires it. In Kansas, if you're riding with traffic like a car, it isn't necessary to walk across an intersection. However, if you're using a bike path that's separated from the road (ie., a wide, glorified sidewalk - which we have a few of around here), when crossing an intersection, where bikes travel with pedestrians, the law says to walk the bike across. Usually I avoid those bike paths like the plague. The driveways, turn lanes, and the fact that the paths are usually only on one side of the road make me really uncomfortable. But they're along heavily traveled streets that I don't want to ride on, either, so they're the lesser of the evils when I'm in the area.--

At intersections, I've seen cyclists just blow right across without even looking for turning cars, etc. - They're in a bike lane, right? Yikes! Drivers don't and can't always see the cyclist coming, especially when the cyclist is riding in the direction "on the left side" of car traffic, and turning cars frankly don't know what to expect even if they do see the bike. I'll admit I don't always walk my bike across but when I have, it's surprising how patient the drivers become - even though they have to wait longer. It makes the cyclist's intentions more predictable to drivers but, boy, we cyclists sure do resist taking that step.

Deb