Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Drivers, bicyclists clash on road sharing
CNN ^ | May 11, 2010 | Steve Almasy

Posted on 05/11/2010 10:41:01 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel

Professor Peter Furth has ridden his bicycle to work at Northeastern University each day for the past six years. The two-mile trip through the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts, is usually without incident.

Furth's journey is worlds apart from his former Boston commute, which for 13 years was a battle with drivers who wanted him on the sidewalk.

"I've had motorists that drive a couple of inches from my elbow, trying to scare me," he said.

Furth would catch up with drivers at stoplights and ask them whether they knew how close they'd come to hitting him. Invariably, they would say, "Yes, move over."

It's a cultural thing, he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bicycle; criticalmass; gasolinetaxes; getofftheroad; greenieweenies; hippie; roads
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-137 next last
To: Hodar
No ID? No problem ... confiscate the bike until the fine is paid.

Such statist, police-state talk from a supposed conservative.

61 posted on 05/11/2010 11:30:00 AM PDT by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: skr

I want them on the sidewalk too and ride on the sidewalk whenever I can. I am terrified riding on the roadway.


62 posted on 05/11/2010 11:30:32 AM PDT by HungarianGypsy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Minn

People in glass garages shouldn’t throw stones.


63 posted on 05/11/2010 11:31:07 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (The hysteria of Matthewsism and Andersonism has led to a Tea Party Scare that is unAmerican.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Hodar
So, using your logic; because I put plates on my Accura, my truck should be free?

If your truck contributes nothing to road wear, takes up practically no space, burns no fuel, and has enjoyed tax free access to roads populated by cars for over a century with no real issue, sure.

64 posted on 05/11/2010 11:31:30 AM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: B-Cause
Based on the number of bikes on the road versus motor vehicles, this should amount to several thousand dollars per bicycle per year.

Tax them out of existence, gotcha. Are you going to try to convince us you're a conservative after that suggestion?

65 posted on 05/11/2010 11:32:27 AM PDT by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Skenderbej
One more time.... It IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR SOMEONE ON A BICYCLE TO RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK HERE IT IS A $150 FINE IF CAUGHT DOING THAT!
66 posted on 05/11/2010 11:32:37 AM PDT by chris_bdba
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: jaydubya2

Simply charming. Glad to know some idiot thinks it would be funny if some inbred decided to blow me away on my way to work one morning.


67 posted on 05/11/2010 11:33:50 AM PDT by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Melas

I thought it was funny also.


68 posted on 05/11/2010 11:37:34 AM PDT by jaydubya2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Hodar

That is clearly an order of magnitude in difference. A bicycle has no significant impact on a road. A semi-truck might.
I assume that you feel it is within your rights to walk on a public sidewalk due to the fact that you pay property taxes? Or that you are entitled to recieve assitance from the fire department even if rent your home and you do not pay property taxes? I doubt that you would suggest that those services be withheld from the poor or those who pay no taxes at all. Or, should we have some sort of voucher system that allows us to participate only in those areas that we can prove we have paid for?


69 posted on 05/11/2010 11:39:09 AM PDT by Honor above all (I'm only here to help.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Minn

Bingo.


70 posted on 05/11/2010 11:39:59 AM PDT by Honor above all (I'm only here to help.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Owl_Eagle
The overwhelming majority of cyclists that I see on the road are riding in a safe manner and doing their best to keep out of the way of traffic. I understand that I will occasionally be slowed down by them. No big deal.

Then there are the idiots. A few weeks ago, I had a pack of 10 or so bikes move from the right hand bike lane to the left turn lane...across three lanes of traffic...without looking. I had to slam on the breaks to keep from hitting them (I was in the leftmost lane). THEN...they flipped my off and hollered at me. WTF?

71 posted on 05/11/2010 11:50:56 AM PDT by TankerKC (R.I.P. Spc Trevor A. Win'E American Hero)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Owl_Eagle

And the only people I see running a red light when “there’s nothing coming” are bicylists. I mean run, not stop and look both ways and then go, which is still illegal.


72 posted on 05/11/2010 11:53:09 AM PDT by Let's Roll (Stop paying ACORN to destroy America! Cut off their federal funding!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Melas
What happens when you commit a traffic infraction with a car without plates, insurance and without ID? Are you allowed to go on your way, with a ticket made out to whatever name you give the officer?

Or, do you get your car towed and impounded until you can produce an ID, proof of insurance and pay the fine? Same rules for everyone. If you can't defend the topic, attacking me just makes you look foolish.

73 posted on 05/11/2010 12:00:28 PM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Hodar

Only because the state mandates that my car be licensed and registered. What next after bicycles? Roller blades? Skateboard? Sneakers?


74 posted on 05/11/2010 12:03:39 PM PDT by Melas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Honor above all
A bicycle has no significant impact on a road. A semi-truck might.

However, the road has to be created and maintained for both.

Comparing life saving services - such as Fire, police to riding a bike is pretty spurious. No one has died from not being able to ride their bike on a road.

Driving is a PRIVILEDGE - every state has that printed on their driver's licene study guide. Why do you think riding a bike on that road is a right? Rights are given by God. I'm unaware of any God given right to ride my bicycle on public roads.

If you want the priviledge of riding a bike on the public road - with unforgiving cars, trucks and obsticals - I don't hink it's too much to ask that you not only have proof of insurance, but also have taken the time and effort to get a license. Why? So you know the rules of the road, so you have a proof that not only have you been tested on those rules, but that you are accepting responsibilty for your actions.

One could make the argument that my 150cc scooter has about the same impact on the asphalt road as my bike. I pay $89/yr to put plates on my scooter, and an additional $10/month in my insurance to ride it. Why should a bike be any different? BTW, I require NO additional concessions (like a bike lane) to ride my scooter.

75 posted on 05/11/2010 12:07:29 PM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: Let's Roll
which is still illegal.

Not always. I some places, bikes and motorcycles are free to proceed after waiting a reasonable amount of time and ensuring no incoming traffic, since many sensors that flip signals can't detect either one.

76 posted on 05/11/2010 12:08:53 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Hodar
Why should a bike be any different?

A century or so of history and legal precedent in every country on the planet, maybe?

77 posted on 05/11/2010 12:10:50 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: Melas

And do you roller blade to work? Is this an exercise, or is this a means to commute?

There are public parks with hike/bike trails for those who want to run, jog, rollerblade, walk or leisurely bike. That’s fine, I’ve no problem with that at all. I don’t mind paying property taxes to support these - whether I use them or not.

However, when you bike a dangerous place - like ANY asphalt road, all it takes is for a car to bump you - and you can easily wipe out, and possibly be killed. What’s so terrible about requiring that biker to have a license and insurance?


78 posted on 05/11/2010 12:11:41 PM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Minn
A century or so of history and legal precedent in every country on the planet, maybe?

Maybe you haven't noticed, but a lot has changed in the past 100 years. We have cars now, and big trucks - going much faster than a horse can run. We also have a population that exponentially greater. The roads aren't primarily packed dirt.

Any other questions?

79 posted on 05/11/2010 12:16:01 PM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: Hodar
What’s so terrible about requiring that biker to have a license and insurance?

5 year old bikers in cul-de-sacs? Just what the world needs: more regulation, bureaucracy, and imposed expenses to satisfy some lard ass in an SUV's definition of fairness.

80 posted on 05/11/2010 12:16:36 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-137 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson