We gave our 10 year-old daughter Monopoly for Christmas. Almost immediately, she began pressing us excitedly to play this "new game." :)

Of course, the thing about a new Monopoly game is, like all new games, it comes with a set of printed rules. The first thing I did was grab them and start reading them, just to be sure I knew them.

But wait a minute, you say--don't you know the rules to Monopoly? Isn't knowing the rules to Monopoly as natural to every American-born kid as knowing how to throw a ball, or the knowing menu at McDonald's, or how to ride a bike? Ahhh! Now you know where I'm going... :D

So I jealously grabbed the rulebook and went to work. Before long, the age-old question came up: what do you do on the square, "Free Parking?" My wife said you put tax money in the "pot" and claim it when you land on Free Parking. I had learned Monopoly that way too, but my suspicions were correct: it wasn't in the rules. The rulebook clearly stated that when you land on Free Parking, you get squat--nada--nothing! :eek: :cry:

So we played by the rules, just to be correct. But it wouldn't have hurt anyone if we had played with that "extra rule" and put luxury tax, poor tax, school tax, income tax, etc. in the "pot" and claimed it when landing on Free Parking. The thing is, as long as everyone knows and plays by the same rule, it was fair. It doesn't matter it's a made-up rule, as long as everyone knows about it and plays by it, too.

So what about riding a bike, or driving? Do have any "Free Parking" rules that aren't in the books, or are prohibited in the books, but you understand and use them to your advantage safely, and you are pretty sure other road users understand them too?

(you can take your shoes off, if you want ;) )

Oh, I forgot to start:

1) I use a whistle as a sound device, which is not legal, but has gotten motorists attention at critical moments.

2) Instead of a red light or reflector on the rear, I use an amber/yellow flashing strobe. Police never bother me and they pass me all the time, day and night. This is also twisting the code for bikes, which specifically state "red" is the proper color.

Why would you get money on Free Parking? That's one I never heard of.
Al

2) Instead of a red light or reflector on the rear, I use an amber/yellow flashing strobe. Police never bother me and they pass me all the time, day and night. This is also twisting the code for bikes, which specifically state "red" is the proper color.
You may never get stopped for not having a red reflector, but if you are involved in an accident, especially one involving a car from the rear, that could get the car driver off the hook.

Al

You may never get stopped for not having a red reflector, but if you are involved in an accident, especially one involving a car from the rear, that could get the car driver off the hook.

Al
Really, Al, you have to get into the spirit of the thing. Besides, if you saw my blinkie, you'd have "blinkie envy." :D

Now, Al, don't you make up any of your own rules?

;)

Now, Al, don't you make up any of your own rules?

;)
Of course I do, quite often in fact, but oddly I never have made up my own traffic rules. Well except for using my left car turn signal to indicate I will be turning right. Fools 'em every time.

Al

Of course I do, quite often in fact, but oddly I never have made up my own traffic rules. Well except for using my left car turn signal to indicate I will be turning right. Fools 'em every time.

Al
You do that too? :D

Of course I do, quite often in fact...
Like what? It's ok, I'm not going to arrest you. :)

Don't tell anyody, but sometimes I actually chain my bike to a parking meter and I don't put a quarter in the meter. Talk about free parking!

Anyone that hassles me on the road gets a lecture and a business card explaining the rules.

I sometimes talk to other drivers, in LOS ANGELES! And I've even been known to smile and wave at them, crazy.

Speaking of free parking... and in that fashion...

Stop signs that have no other users, are yield signs.

Stop lights that have no other users are stop signs.

Roads that have no other users can be ridden all over.

Why would you get money on Free Parking? That's one I never heard of.
Al
Sounds like a socialist agenda to me. Tax those of us on Park Place and Boardwalk not only fund a public parking space via our taxes, but also have to subsidize whoever parks there? :rolleyes: The game is Monopoly - pure, unadulterated capitalism. It was my favorite game as a kid. :D

Here's a few unofficial 'rules'...


*ROAD

red lighst and STOP signs mean 'yield if you must'

sidewalks are just as viable an option as bike lanes or traffic lanes - in either direction

I couldn't care less which way the arrow points on the one-way sign - hey, I'm only going one way!

If a cager is stupid enough to road rage me, stop and get out of his vehichle he's going to eat a knuckle sandwich and permanently lose his car keys.

I don't call 'on your left' because it's traditionally taken as a que to start swerving uncontrollably all over the place as you try to look behind you. Trust me, getting buzzed is a helluva lot better that getting broadsided by a 220lb rider on a 30+lb tourer at 25+ mph. if you don't like getting buzzed then don't ride on the centerline of the bike path at <5mph

You have something to say to me? pull over and we'll talk face to face otherwise just shut the F*** up.

I have no intention to 'make peace' with dogs - if they bark/growl/chase me they will be dealt with only with regards to MY safety & wellbeing, not the dog's. If that means killing or maiming the dog then so be it.

While I don't mind chatting with other cyclists I commute because I have somewhere to go, if you want to talk then ride along beside me in the direction I'm going.

I do NOT stop for stranded/lost motorists.... use that @$#% cellphone you're so fond of using while driving and call someone who gives a crap.

If it's open space, it's open at both ends, it's navigable by bike, and it leads to where I'm going then guess what - it's a thoroughfare! if you dont want it to be then either put up a fence or put your security guards on a diet (at least keep them awake at night).

*NON-ROAD

My lbs is there for the same reason as any other business - to make money. If the exact same item is cheaper online then I'll buy it online, if the lbs don't want to go out of business they have to compete.

If a thief is caught in the act of messing with my bike he's not walking home due to two demolished kneecaps and won't be stealing again untill the broken fingers have healed

Just so that we're clear, preaching to me about VC won't do squat, I put you in the same category as every other door-to-door zealot (think jehova's, mormons, encyclopaedia sales reps)

CM rides are just plain fun, if you don't agree don't go. Simple.

We always played the Free Parking jackpot variation when I was a kid. It sometimes created dramatic reversals of fortune!

Yeah, I also do the "yield only if I must" thing at stop signs and lights, but only in the absence of other traffic. If no one else is around, I'll also cut across parking lots or go on sidewalks late at night to save time. I almost always take my mp3 player on long railtrail rides, and I never wear a helmet if I'm not going to be in traffic or on pavement.

I think the analogy of "it's not in the rules but it's how the game is played" applies much more to the way motorists behave than cyclists. The recent posting about cyclists told to get off the road by a CHP officer follows a typical pattern: motorist tells cyclists to get off the road, blusters that riding on the road is against the law. Cyclists respond that they have full legal rights to use road. Motorist responds that he doesn't care what the letter of the law is, "that's how the game is played."

Rather than "free parking" it should be a "free air" space. The game is obviosuly pro car and should be banned, (along with all pretend car kiddy rides at amusment parks and playgrounds.)

Trouble with making up the variations is that in the real world drivers of all kinds are not even on the same page. It's like every player doing her own thing when she lands on "Free Parking".

I always play with the rule that that stuff goes in there PLUS a flat amount (say $500) is put in every time it's cleaned-out. This is part of the Xbox "Monopoly Party" version too so I can't be totally off base.

As for "rules", I liberally run red lights and stop signs (treat them as yield signs) because I honestly believe that in most cases it's safer and better for my health.

On a two lane, two-way street, when making a left turn, I try to look back right before I finally execute my turn. I've discovered that even when turning from the middle of the lane, impatient motorists sometimes think they can illegally pass me on the left before I can make my left turn.

It's a more deadly version of the, "right hook."

Don't tell anyody, but sometimes I actually chain my bike to a parking meter and I don't put a quarter in the meter. Talk about free parking!
You too, huh?
The rails in front of the doors of a store, the post of a cyclone fence, gas pipes, water pipes, support pillars, any tree just small enough to throw a chain around, and no parking signs (irony!) are also fair game.
They can gripe... But can also bother installing a secure rack, too.

You too, huh?
The rails in front of the doors of a store, the post of a cyclone fence, gas pipes, water pipes, support pillars, any tree just small enough to throw a chain around, and no parking signs (irony!) are also fair game.
They can gripe... But can also bother installing a secure rack, too.
My personal favorite. Riding to my kids school to drop off whatever and having to lock to the "No Bicycles" sign.

:)

That reminds me, a store nearby my house has a bike rack on the sidewalk with a sign that says: "No Bicycles or Skateboards on Sidewalk"

(yes I know they mean no riding, but that not what the sign says)

Al

In today's Monopoly game, the game bank (government) pays the rent when the person with the lowest total amount of money lands on a rent paying space. When playing by today's rules all but $500 of the Free Parking jackpot money goes to the game bank (government.)

That reminds me, a store nearby my house has a bike rack on the sidewalk with a sign that says: "No Bicycles or Skateboards on Sidewalk"

(yes I know they mean no riding, but that not what the sign says)

Al
Funny, we have that sign here, too. But security took it seriously one day when I rolled up on my bike to go grocery shopping. He made me take my bike to the very edge of the parking lot and lock it. I complied, since a standard size parking lot is not that far to walk, for me. But it was nonsense, ignorance, extrememe legalism, and inconsiderate to say the least.

That reminds me, a store nearby my house has a bike rack on the sidewalk with a sign that says: "No Bicycles or Skateboards on Sidewalk"

Al

That's when you chain your bike up to the sign.

Az

On a two lane, two-way street, when making a left turn, I try to look back right before I finally execute my turn. I've discovered that even when turning from the middle of the lane, impatient motorists sometimes think they can illegally pass me on the left before I can make my left turn.

It's a more deadly version of the, "right hook."

I've had people do that to me while I'm driving the car, you're absolutely right! I check at all times... bicycle, motorcycle, car, truck...

Az