Sidewalks again...

[Geonz]

Deciding how to respond to this newscast - we can "learn a lesson" from the recent injuries and fatalities... the lesson - ride closer to the curb!! Two of three wrecks happened to cyclists on *sidewalks,* the other a hit and run on a wide, EMPTY road... but no, we should learn our place and (kidja not) that drivers have every bit the same right to our lane as we do = implying that they have the right to be in the same exact lane at the same exact time as we do, so we'd better get out of the way. (No mention of 3-food passing law.)

http://www.wicd15.com/newsroom/top_s..._vid_625.shtml

Yes, they have the law *wrong.* Oh, and this is a councilman who rides a bicycle ... don't know if he bobs and weaves or simply only goes out on training rides in the country but I hate that drivers will see this and think "See? I was right! They're not allowed to slow me down! If they're 'impeding traffic' it's illegal!"

[CyborgQueen]

(No mention of 3-food passing law.)

Sorry, Had to laugh!

[kenyonchris]

Deciding how to respond to this newscast - we can "learn a lesson" from the recent injuries and fatalities... the lesson - ride closer to the curb!! Two of three wrecks happened to cyclists on *sidewalks,* the other a hit and run on a wide, EMPTY road... but no, we should learn our place and (kidja not) that drivers have every bit the same right to our lane as we do = implying that they have the right to be in the same exact lane at the same exact time as we do, so we'd better get out of the way. (No mention of 3-food passing law.)

http://www.wicd15.com/newsroom/top_s..._vid_625.shtml

Yes, they have the law *wrong.* Oh, and this is a councilman who rides a bicycle ... don't know if he bobs and weaves or simply only goes out on training rides in the country but I hate that drivers will see this and think "See? I was right! They're not allowed to slow me down! If they're 'impeding traffic' it's illegal!"

Yeah, the news media gets it wrong pretty frequently. They *almost* had it right (as did the guys they interviewed).
Most bike laws say as far to the right as practicable (which is sort of a strange term). Sometimes that means the middle of the road!!
And as to the "impeding traffic"...two riders may ride two abreast unless they impede traffic. Then they may not. A single rider may be forced to impede traffic. If so, then cars have the obligation to go around in a LEGAL PASSING MOTION.
And (at least in Texas) you gotta have a light in front, a reflector behind if you ride at night. A light behind preferably.
Sigh. Journalists. They sure don't help much.

[PscyclePath]

One of the nice things about Arkansas is that we're one of nine states that has no restrictions on cyclists such as riding as far to the right as practicable, mandatory bike lane or side path laws... And in a nice phrasing, you can't be accused of impeding traffic if you're not driving a motor vehicle ;-)

No state law that say you can't ride on the sidewalks, but then there's no law that says you can't drive your car there, either!

[Geonz]

Welp, we've been working hard and making headway with other folks -- but alas, this is a councilman who rides a bicycle and so might be assumed to know something (tho', I hear, he's not really respected in general).

[tulip]

Sue, I think it's time you ran for City Council. Seriously. If I lived there, I'd work for your election!

There's NO cycling anyone in Richmond on the Council. And Richmond could be such a cool bike city if anyone in power gave a hoot.

[Geonz]

Sue, I think it's time you ran for City Council. Seriously. If I lived there, I'd work for your election!

There's NO cycling anyone in Richmond on the Council. And Richmond could be such a cool bike city if anyone in power gave a hoot.

I used to live in Richmond and I know what you mean.

Champaign & Urbana are two side-by-side cities. I'm in the affectionately designated "people's republic of Urbana" -- where I am on the Bicycling & Pedestrian Advisory Commission that reports to the city council and is often attended by planners, some of whom are amazing advocates for cycling (one of whom is moving away soon, AAARRGGH!!!) The Champaign council is not interested in such an entity and prefers to have loose "plans" that don't inconvenience the business entities with things like providing bicycle parking.

However, I think it's worse when the "cyclist" on the council is broadcasting misinformation that endangers our lives. Makes us all look like we don't know what we're talking about.

[TrekTheKaty]

They were SO close, most of the facts were correct (except for staying over by the curb and 90 degree turns? I don't know that one) but it was obviously BIASED. You need to do something about this. Is there a cycling club or forum in Champaign? Start an email or letter writing campaign. Contact the councilman and the newspaper with the facts (preferably something from your Driver's manual and the League of American Cyclists). And send a copy to the League of Illinois cyclists. They also pointed out they are applying for the national designation and need to know that disseminating improper information could affect their "bike safe" designation.

Unfortunately, you can't do anything about the media--no one even reads the corrections. But I would point out to them, that more people will be hurt as a result of their shoddy information.