Posted on 09/18/2011 7:32:42 AM PDT by Immerito
A few months ago, I received a phone call from a cyclist with an incredible story about an incident in Lawrence County, Ohio. Because the cyclist-a guy named Tony Patrick-was in need of an attorney, I hooked him up with Steve Magas, a contributing author to Bicycling & the Law, and a well-known bicycling attorney in Ohio. After hearing Tony's story, Steve took his case. More about that later; first, let me tell you about Tony.
Weekdays, Tony runs his small construction company in Huntington, West Virginia. Weeknights, and weekends, Tony, a Cat 2 racer, can often be found hanging out at Jeff's Bike Shop-that is, when he's not out on a training ride, or racing. And that's not unusual; Jeff's Bike Shop is the center of a vibrant racing scene in Huntington, the second-largest city in West Virginia, and the home of Marshall University.
That racing scene means regular training rides, all of which start out and end up at Jeff's. There's a ride every other day, each geared to a different set of riders, but the real hammerfest is the Tuesday night ride. That's the ride where the locals try, as Tony puts it, to hurt each other over the course of a 23-34 mile route that takes them across the Ohio River, into the back roads of southern Ohio, before looping back across the river into Huntington.
And that's how Tony found himself just outside of Chesapeake, Ohio, one Tuesday night in August of 2008, heading into town to take the bridge back across to Huntington. Tony was riding with "Ryan," a then-16 year old nationally-ranked racer with a 4.2 GPA. ["Ryan" is a pseudonym; I've concealed his identity because he's a minor.]
(Excerpt) Read more at bicycling.com ...
You generally don't "consume" a road, regarless of your vehicle. However you can block a road if you move too slow. There are already laws that forbid driving so slow as to block the road.
It doesn't matter if you block the road riding a bicycle or driving an ox cart. Your vehicle, if passing is not possible, prevents other people from going where they are going at the normal speed. The law requires you to let them pass at the earliest opportunity. It is tough to do if you are driving a big truck, and trivial to do if you are on a bicycle. However a truck driver found a way to let me pass just two days ago; not one recreational bike rider had done anything like that. The kindest gesture I ever got was a wave across the double yellow line when, in rider's opinion, I could safely break the law so that he, the rider, is not inconvenienced.
We are not talking about morals here. We only discuss technical aspects of efficient and safe use of roads. Bicycle riders would be equally unhappy if there are large groups of people walking on bike paths and not letting the riders ride. Pedestrians would be mad if sidewalks are full of turtles. Every way of transportation has a unique speed. Roads are optimal for cars; bike paths are optimal for bikes; sidewalks are built for pedestrians.
The law allows bicycles on roads. This is, I guess, an old law that originates in penny-farthing days. Modern roads are too busy, and there is just enough space for cars to squeeze by (if not, city fathers will be quick to add a lane.) Legally you can ride a bicycle there; also legally you can walk on a tightrope, jump from airplanes, fly to space - but none of that is exactly a safe recreational activity. The law gives you enough rope to hang yourself. What do you do with that rope is up to you. Most people, unfortunately, are looking for a tree branch.
I would tell him to please read my post #104 on this thread.
But I am appalled at the way many cyclists ignore stop signs and red lights.
Because heaven knows you have never driven over the speed limit or over a solid white line at any time in your career, never in your life preformed a rolling stop, failed to put on a seat belt, and you always signal every one of your lane changes and turns. A anal retentive patrolman can follow you for ever and never find any traffic violation.
I also like the blanket condemnation of all cyclists because "many" don't abide by your selective enforcement of certain traffic laws.
And I have no problem with cyclists who stay off to the side. but the road should be for cars only. It makes no more sense for a cyclist to be going down the middle of a road than it does for a runner to be going down the middle of a road.
Oh, I get it. Second class citizen status for cyclists. All of that "back of the bus" clap trap is what you are about. My goodness, you have an automobile therefore that paper in the glove box is a deed to the road - how dare another human being who isn't in an automobile trespass on your road!
You will take a bicyclists' tax money to build a road and then declare it off limits to her - that is until she obtains the proper paper-work and gets on board with a government approved motor vehicle.
Meanwhile I would like to know what kind of thoughts you have had towards "freeloaders" who ride the lane-blocking buses at taxpayer subsidized rates. Are buses and their riders also assigned to second-class sub human status with you too because they aren't elite like you with your automobile?
I think the bigotry is fascinating when it comes to who is good enough to use the public roads. Afterall, I think paved roads preceded the automobile by several thousand years. I guess those roman ox-carts should have stayed off to the side while they await your glorious presence to show us all who the roads are really for.
Wow. You make up your own answers to your own questions, then attribute those answers to me.
My granddaughter makes straight A’s and is taking almost all AP courses in high school. These earn her extra credit, and also college credit. She’s been doing this since the 10th grade and when she graduates next May she will be able to start college halfway thru her sophmore year.
She has a 4.43 GPA.
Wow. You make up your own answers to your own questions
"Back of the bus" is really no different than "move to the side", bottom line, second class citizens should bow submissively and yield to thine greatness your divine right of way.
Don't make me throw down the "Cyclists care more about the Environment" Card. You and I would both yack on that play. But I won't hesitate to employ that nuclear option. :)
I’ll give you this. You certainly are an interesting person to debate.
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