General Cycling Discussion - read this article >=(

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/autos/package.jsp?name=autos/sharing_road1





netscape has the trashiest homepage.. i should change it

Sounds like he spends a lot of time on a bike or did a lot of research doesn't it? Amusing reading once you get past the bias. Perhaps journalists should have to have a license and prove they research their topics!

I sure wish I could cruise along comfortably at 35 miles an hour on a bike!

Its a troll.
He's blowing off steam, probably because he couldn't get by a cyclist safely (at least he cautions about that)
and just had to whinge and moan about it to someone.
Given its an Automobile forum I'm not surprized. In reality
is this any different than what we do here concerning automobiles, SUVs etc.?
Marty

Some very badly researched points. Amazing that journalists like this manage to hold down jobs!!!

I have turn signals on my bike - they're called arms.

Bicycle tires are bald when you get them! Worn-out is another thing, but most flats happen due to debris on the road or bike lane, and most would probably not be prevented by brand new tires. The risk of damage to other's property and lives if a component on a bicycle fails is relatively small.

What a moron....

In reality is this any different than what we do here concerning automobiles, SUVs etc.?


Good point - he may well have had a run-in with a bad cyclist on the way to work, just as many of us have run-ins with bad drivers. In reality these drivers/cyclists are not necessarily representative of the driving/cycling population in general.

Nonetheless, he is sprouting 'facts' about legal requirements for cyclists that are blatantly untrue.

“And while everyone else on the road must possess a valid driver's license (or motorcycle permit), there are no licensing requirements or tests for bicyclists. They are unique in being the only group permitted by law to use public roads without a license--and without having to demonstrate they know the laws of the road.”

What’s next? What will be the legal age of riding a bike? 5 years old. Hahah, he makes me laugh! And how about the road test that should be made fur bicyclists just like for everyone else? Is this ridiculous or what!!? They going to test us on what, parking between cars or how to apply the brake? All though this guy is right on some things, for the rest of the article he is just ridiculously stupid with his suggestions!

Where does a car need to pass a state safety inspection? They check my car for pollution control but they have never checked my lights or brakes or anything else.

I know that Texas, Virginia, and N.J all have safety inspections. Don't know about the rest of the states.
I agree he has some valid points, but most of his diatribe
is just a troll.

Marty

actually i prefer cops giving tickets to cyclists for every minor thing... it will improve bicycle riding in my area... he keeps comparing bicycles to motor vehicles, only thing is, bicycles don't have a motor... in most states bicycles are required to have a light when riden at night... and it's called a public road for a reason... he can blab all he wants, but he can't do anything about it... hehe...

and to add to the arguement, it seems like anybody who has an IQ of 50 and above is given a license in the US... most of the cyclists who knows how to ride on the road properly are better at riding their bikes than half the people at driving their cars...

what a dweeb. bike registrations and such have been considered in seattle at least once and it was deemed not cost effective to operate a licensing system for bikes. Unless he'd like to subsidize it by paying more when he visits the Dept. of Licensing to renew his driver's license. Ha ha!

Operating a motor vehicle on public roads is a privilege, riding a bike is a right.....Both must obey the law. Interstates and limited access highways aside, there are speed LIMITS not guarateed minimums in speed. At least that's how it is where I live.

I guess the writer is just trying to get some controversy going to get their site traffic up. :)