joejack951
For all those cyclists who want more driver education: Would you be ok with educating motorists that the default position for a cyclist on the roadway is in the rightmost traffic lane and not the shoulder or near the curb? Why or why not?
A question about educating motorists
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Carusoswi
The need for motorists is not for education about what cyclists should be doing. The need is for motorists to learn what they should do and how they should react in the presence of cyclists.
Caruso
Caruso
markf
Motorists should be educated that bicycles are vehicles and part of traffic. This means using left turn lanes when appropriate, using straight ahead lanes when the rightmost lane is a right turn lane, and overtaking other vehicles on the left.
kjmillig
....The need is for motorists to learn what they should do and how they should react in the presence of cyclists...
This sounds to me like part of what joejack is trying to say. Educate motorists that bicycles are indeed part of regular traffic and by law are to be treated with the same care and respect as other vehicles on the roadway. I've always been a firm believer that if motorists were suddenly required to retake a driving test to renew their license, a majority would fail on their first attempt.
This sounds to me like part of what joejack is trying to say. Educate motorists that bicycles are indeed part of regular traffic and by law are to be treated with the same care and respect as other vehicles on the roadway. I've always been a firm believer that if motorists were suddenly required to retake a driving test to renew their license, a majority would fail on their first attempt.
bragi
For all those cyclists who want more driver education: Would you be ok with educating motorists that the default position for a cyclist on the roadway is in the rightmost traffic lane and not the shoulder or near the curb? Why or why not?
For the time being, forget about educating motorists, and start educating bicyclists. Almost every day, I see people on bikes on the sidewalk, people on bikes in the road riding against traffic, running stop signs, running red lights, swerving in front of cars without signaling, stopped at intersections in the right turn lane when they intend to go straight, etc. These people are the main reason motorists tend to hate bikes- because many people on bikes are totally unpredictable and seem to lack any sense at all. If we all got on the same page and acted the same, namely like reasonable people with a bare minimum level of intelligence and a basic knowledge of traffic rules, things would be much, much better for everyone.
For the time being, forget about educating motorists, and start educating bicyclists. Almost every day, I see people on bikes on the sidewalk, people on bikes in the road riding against traffic, running stop signs, running red lights, swerving in front of cars without signaling, stopped at intersections in the right turn lane when they intend to go straight, etc. These people are the main reason motorists tend to hate bikes- because many people on bikes are totally unpredictable and seem to lack any sense at all. If we all got on the same page and acted the same, namely like reasonable people with a bare minimum level of intelligence and a basic knowledge of traffic rules, things would be much, much better for everyone.
Dogbait
Given the fact that some motorists are not aware that bicycles are allowed to use the roads, I voted yes.
The Human Car
There are two strategies in educating motorISTS:
1) Teach them how to ride a bicycle safely.
2) Just tell them enough so they understand the safety concerns.
If you are going the whole 10 yards with #1 you really need to get into when a shoulder is appropriate and when it is not and the techniques for making a vehicular left turn. And then … IMHO this gets overly complicated from the motorISTS POV.
So to keep things simple for #2 it should be stressed that bikes can be found anywhere on the road, we turn right, we turn left and we go straight just like people in cars.
1) Teach them how to ride a bicycle safely.
2) Just tell them enough so they understand the safety concerns.
If you are going the whole 10 yards with #1 you really need to get into when a shoulder is appropriate and when it is not and the techniques for making a vehicular left turn. And then … IMHO this gets overly complicated from the motorISTS POV.
So to keep things simple for #2 it should be stressed that bikes can be found anywhere on the road, we turn right, we turn left and we go straight just like people in cars.
xerocoma
Yews... with the caveat that lane position (which lane a rider is in) is also determined by all other existing traffic laws, i.e. left turn lanes, turn only lanes, etc.
Since bicycles are considered vehicles under most state laws cycling education should be included in drivers ed and on all driving tests as a condition of obtaining an operators license.
Since bicycles are considered vehicles under most state laws cycling education should be included in drivers ed and on all driving tests as a condition of obtaining an operators license.
Bikepacker67
I find that it's not education that is needed, so much as attitude adjustment.
Motorists need to learn:
1. Patience
2. Where the brake pedal is
3. Car commercials use professional drivers on closed tracks
Motorists need to learn:
1. Patience
2. Where the brake pedal is
3. Car commercials use professional drivers on closed tracks
noisebeam
If there is education for motorists it should include that cyclists can and will be using all (legal per vehicular rules) areas of the road, not just the right lane.
I do agree with the concept that education should include that cyclists as default can/will/should use the full rightmost lane vs. the far right portion or beyond.
Al
I do agree with the concept that education should include that cyclists as default can/will/should use the full rightmost lane vs. the far right portion or beyond.
Al
maddyfish
Motorists should be educated that bicycles are vehicles and part of traffic. This means using left turn lanes when appropriate, using straight ahead lanes when the rightmost lane is a right turn lane, and overtaking other vehicles on the left.
My thought exactly
My thought exactly
Leiniesred
Aren't they already?
AndrewP
When I was being taught to drive a car I was told:
1. Bikes may suddenly swerve to avoid potholes
2. When a car yields to allow you to make a turn across oncoming traffic, be prepared for a bike coming through on the far side of the car.
1. Bikes may suddenly swerve to avoid potholes
2. When a car yields to allow you to make a turn across oncoming traffic, be prepared for a bike coming through on the far side of the car.
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cycling jerseys, shorts, socks, shoes and bike equiptment selection.