Another bicycle versus cars rant.... WWYD, report them?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Based on the amount of hits his license plate has on Google....this guy is gonna be a bit infamous.

The PD and DA prolly won't do dick because no one in law enforcement does ANYTHING when they deal with bicyclists.......but he's gonna be the most well known Ford product since OJ's Bronco.

I thought the Bronco was owned by Al. Then again...maybe he was just doing the driving...

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by jyl

His point was what?

That cyclists claim they can live harmoniously with "cages" under the same rules of the road. The driver of the explorer could not legally pas them on a double yellow.

How happy would you be if you rolled up behind a car doing 12mph in a 55 and you could not pass due to the double yellow?

[look 171]

Lendaddy,

The riders were riding on the shoulder allowing the Ford to pass. He could have done so. If the ford driver decided to not pass the cyclist due to his inability to judge his own car within a given legal width of the street, then how can he blame the cyclist for holding him up or forcing him to pass over the double yellow? He had as the same amount of room around the cyclist as he does anywhere else on the road. There were no need to pass on the other side of the street or double yellow. The width of the road between the lines hasn't change.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by look 171

Lendaddy,

The riders were riding on the shoulder allowing the Ford to pass. He could have done so. If the ford driver decided to not pass the cyclist due to his inability to judge his own car within a given legal width of the street, then how can he blame the cyclist for holding him up or forcing him to pass over the double yellow? He had as the same amount of room around the cyclist as he does anywhere else on the road. There were no need to pass on the other side of the street or double yellow. The width of the road between the lines hasn't change.

I'm not saying the guy isn't a tool. That being said, you cannot pass on a double yellow period, it does not matter if you don't cross the line. I agree that he still should have passed I am just pointing out what I believe his motivations were, I was not defending his actions.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

you cannot pass on a double yellow period, it does not matter if you don't cross the line.

Really, I learn something new everyday. I went to traffic school 9 million years ago, in my late teens, and asked if one can pass within a lane that is wide enough for two vehicle to go through without going over into the on coming traffic lane. the answer was yes. I assume the laws are the same in other states.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by look 171

Really, I learn something new everyday. I went to traffic school 9 million years ago, in my late teens, and asked if one can pass within a lane that is wide enough for two vehicle to go through without going over into the on coming traffic lane. the answer was yes. I assume the laws are the same in other states.

I'm sure they are. Do you think it's ok to pass a motorcycle on a double yellow if I don't cross the line? If no then why not and why does that same reservation not apply to bikes?

My point in all this is that bikers claim they follow the same rules when in reality that's silly...it's not possible.

[look 171]

How is it not legal if you don't cross the double yellow and pass within your own lane? A double yellow means you can NOT pass going over to the on coming traffic lane or cross the double yellow, to overtake a slowwer vehicle.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by look 171

How is it not legal if you don't cross the double yellow and pass within your own lane? A double yellow means you can NOT pass going over to the on coming traffic lane or cross the double yellow, to overtake a slowwer vehicle.

I have no idea where you came up with that. Double yellow means no passing, it does not mean just no crossing the line. You cannot pass and two vehicles cannot occupy the same lane at the same time. So it cannot be legal without *special* accommodations in the law for bikes.

[fintstone]

Seems like the fellow was just frustrated that he could not pass and had to follow them for miles. I have to wonder why cyclists choose narrow roads where passing is not allowed and they cannot keep up with traffic. Apparently they were riding for recreation and not transportation since they obviously were not going to work in those outfits. Why couldn't they choose a safer route where they did not inconvenience people for no reason?

[jyl]

Colorado law specifically permits a driver to cross a double yellow line to pass a bicycle, this is part of the 3 foot law there.

Colorado cyclists and drivers try to make canyons safer

[look 171]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Seems like the fellow was just frustrated that he could not pass and had to follow them for miles. I have to wonder why cyclists choose narrow roads where passing is not allowed and they cannot keep up with traffic. Apparently they were riding for recreation and not transportation since they obviously were not going to work in those outfits. Why couldn't they choose a safer route where they did not inconvenience people for no reason?

How about around your block in front of your house and do that for 40 miles for some exercise. What's next? why do people have to walk on the street unless there's a sidewalk? Not like they can walk the speed of traffic. that looked like a real safe route to me. Not too many cars around.

[aigel]

So, JB, what did you end up doing?

G

[Joe Bob]

Called the Hilton and the oil company and ratted them out....waiting to hear back.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by look 171

How about around your block in front of your house and do that for 40 miles for some exercise. What's next? why do people have to walk on the street unless there's a sidewalk? Not like they can walk the speed of traffic. that looked like a real safe route to me. Not too many cars around.

Find a road with bike lanes, passing allowed or at least a wide shoulder to exercise. I imagine the speed limit was 55 mph or better on that road.

I wouldn't choose that road to walk or run down for exercise either...even if there are no sidewalks. The continuous double yellow lines tell you it ius not an especially passing friendly/safe road.

According to the local paper, Longmont Times-Call:

"Dennis Hiatt, who has lived near the intersection of County Line Road and Colo. Highway 52 for 18 years, said heavy traffic mixed with cyclists and no shoulders along the road worries him.

"It needs to be four lanes," he said of the road. "It is just crazy."

He said some motorists are impatient with other motorists and with cyclists. Most, he said, seem to try to co-exist...."

and

"An unidentified motorist who was traveling County Line Road on Wednesday afternoon said cyclists who ride the county road have "a death wish.""

[patz]

Motor vehicles once were required to have a flagman proceed them into towns. They also had a curfew and a speed limit.

They got a lobbyist and then made rules favoring the auto.

Bicyclist are getting stronger and will soon get laws that clarify the rights they ALREADY have.

One day soon a gaggle of spandex groupies will OD on lattes and drag some driver out and scratch out his eyes. Provided they don't ruin their manicures.

[aigel]

Interesting that they are actually going to get back to you? For the vids if they need them?

G

[jyl]

Fint, read my post about CO law. Passing was allowed on that road. He could have passed them and been on his way. Instead he was the one who held up traffic, and apparently is being charged for it.

By the way, I expect plenty of people driving on that road were doing so for recreation. To go to a movie, to the mall, visit friends, etc. Don't pretend that every car there is on their way to save crippled children.

[fintstone]

If he could pass, he likely did not know or did not feel like he could safely do so.

Cars, even driven for recreation can normally go the speed limit and not obstruct traffic...that us why golf carts are not generally allowed on busy highways.

While I cannot excuse the fellow's behavior, I certainly understand it. We don't know how many days in the last month he has to follow cyclists for 10 miles at speeds 30 mph below normal traffic speeds.

That is why I don't ride on roads like that. It is simply dangerous and I would consider myself an ass to hold up traffic like they generally do. People that choose to do so have every right to ride on a road like that...and it is up to their conscience...but I bet if you were behind a car doing the same slow speed for miles where you felt it unsafe to pass every day (and they have the same right) you would be plenty irate.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by jyl

Colorado law specifically permits a driver to cross a double yellow line to pass a bicycle, this is part of the 3 foot law there.

Colorado cyclists and drivers try to make canyons safer

This is what I meant by "special accommodations" for bikes. Some of that law is really good for everyone, but that's not my point. Again my point is that cyclists try to claim "Same Roads...Same Rules...Same Rights" when in fact that is illogical and actual untrue.

[vash]

95% of the time..a car will not see me at this one right turn for them..it happens pretty much all the time. i bomb down rutted, rooted steep hills with low overhead branches..and the part that scares me is the road ride back to my home..i have gone on this trail for 9 months..i bet SEVEN cars have seen me at this turn and stopped for me.

i know this intersection, and will proceed with extreme caution. funny when they do see me, eyes go wide. i take my safety into my own hands..and eff it..i dont even get pissed anymore there. at the beginning i wanted to wheelie into their window. not worth the waste of anger.