Nancy Nelson wrote:Not only all of the above, but I'm wondering if it is ok for bikers to be in the middle of the lane, slowing traffic down to way below the speed limit,while the person behind you is honking his horn incessantly ,because you are going waaaay below the speed limit on a weekday morning?
Slow day at school, so I've been venturing into areas of this website I've never wandered into before. And then I stumble across my favorite talking point. Apologies if I'm digging something out of the trash pile...
To answer your "wonder" - We should only think it is not "OK" if we are working from the idea that roads are made for cars and cyclists only get in the way. Cyclists have an absolute right to use the road - maybe even more so than drivers (as only drivers have to be licensed).
I would agree that a cyclist should not be in the middle of the lane if there is only a single lane going in that direction. The cyclist should stay as far right as possible (but not so far right as they might get "doored"), and all passing vehicles should give three feet when passing. If there is not space for all of this, the cyclist should have the power to "take the lane" (although this varies by jurisdiction).
The fact that the person is honking should have nothing to do with the situation. The driver should respect the cyclist as a driver of a road vehicle (although not motorized)and not use honking as a sign of disrespect that characterizes the cyclists as the "other."
Now, this is where I'm going to become unpopular. The argument that cyclists should "obey the rules of the road" is flawed. Such laws are made for motor vehicles and then applied to cyclists. In other words, these laws privilege cars and those tendencies common to cars. Although I don't run all red lights (some are far too dangerous), I will run a light which is safe to run NOT because I feel privileged (oh look at me, I'm on a bike and can do whatever I want) but because I am in a much safer situation whenever I am moving and not standing still. Whereas a careless fender bender at a red light is mostly inconsequential when it involves 2 cars, it can be a matter of life-and-death when it involves a cyclist.
Now I will never endanger other drivers by running a light, but I also don't sit at a light because "it's the law." The law is written in such a way that it puts me at danger, and, therefore, I choose to disobey this law. If the law would acknowledge that cars and bicycles are inherently different, laws could be written that would benefit all involved.
The "honking" driver is just another example of a situation where the law makes no sense, but the cyclists is
nonetheless viewed at being in the wrong. The cyclist is supposed to ride as far right as possible, but not so far right as to interfere with those opening doors on parked cars. Passing vehicles are always supposed to give three feet to the cyclists. So we have parked car --> 3 feet --> cyclist --> 3 feet --> car --> lane line. That, my friends, is just impossible math based on the standard width of a road lane.
The nature of the "bike/vehicle/road" argument needs to change. The "cyclists need to follow the laws too" argument overlooks the very nature of the laws. The "cyclists can do whatever they want" approach is nonsense, and, as the OP stated, puts way too many people at risk. Unfortunately, most jurisdictions are forced to band-aid the issue with half-fitting laws because to really address the issue would require substantial changes in how we view transportation, how we define transportation law, etc.
One final note, vehicle drivers are supposed to be aware of all rules of the road, including those involving bicycles. Bicyclists have a right to use the roads too. Now, they don't have a right to break the laws. That's a personal decision I make, as I defended above. I'll also accept due punishment as the law is currently written, if that becomes an issue.
And that, finally, is the end of my rant. Back to work.
P.S. I'm 26, so I fall in that troublemaker bike age category. You know, full disclosure.
Thinks the frosty mug is the low point in American history.
But as a driver, I'm acutely conscious of the growing number of bicyclists out there these days. I respect them and am willing to share the road. But I've been scared to death, quite a number of times, by bikers who can only fairly be described as making stupid moves that require me to take quick responsive action so as not to injure or kill them.