Advocacy & Safety - confused :S on biking around

hey i searched google and this forums and cant seems to find my answers for my questions

i been wondering if it better to ride your bicycle on the road (near curb) or on a sidewalk? also should cyclist obey rules like "stop" etc.

another thing i been wondering is that are you allowed to lock your bikes on "no parking, fire route" signs? or be better for me to lock my bike on a bike rack? (usally bike racks are far from the store i want to go, and i want a bike on my sight but only thing to lock up the bike is the no parking sign)

thanks.

1. Depends on the road/sidewalk. Usually better in the road, but there is a mile or so of my commute where I like the sidewalk better when it's raining, cuz it drains better than the bike lane/gutter. You should also read your local laws that may pertain to riding on sidewalks.

2. I'd lock it up to the no parking sign, but keep my ears peeled for fire engine sirens and remain prepared to run out and unlock before firefighters trample your ride.

oh ok, let me try to find one laws on my local area :D i usally ride on the sidewalks (1 meter wide) sometimes.

Thanks for ur info

btw i see signs saying "walk bike across intersection" should i follow those bike rules?

hey i searched google and this forums and cant seems to find my answers for my questions

i been wondering if it better to ride your bicycle on the road (near curb) or on a sidewalk? also should cyclist obey rules like "stop" etc.

another thing i been wondering is that are you allowed to lock your bikes on "no parking, fire route" signs? or be better for me to lock my bike on a bike rack? (usually bike racks are far from the store i want to go, and i want a bike on my sight but only thing to lock up the bike is the no parking sign)

thanks.

As for the store/lack of bike parking make a polite complaint to the business owner and/or the landlord letting them know that you would like to see some type of bike parking. Preferably something that is near each store. Barring that something that is in a well lit heavily traveled area.

And yes, you should obey the rules/laws/signs. If there is a stop sign; then stop, red light; then stop, unless there is a LEO present as they take precedence over all other traffic devices.

oh ok, let me try to find one laws on my local area :D i usally ride on the sidewalks (1 meter wide) sometimes.

Thanks for ur info

btw i see signs saying "walk bike across intersection" should i follow those bike rules?

Yes, if you don't and get hit it can be used against you in determining fault and who pays what.

oh ok thanks!

1. What country are you in? Look up, read, and remember the rules concerning bikes in your country, state, city, then try to follow them. If all bike riders obeyed the rules, then bike riders would be more respected.
2. Same goes for where to park. Many traffic signs are directed at motor vehicle drivers. But as already mentioned, it might be the best place to park or the dumbest place to park.

Edited by Moderators

One hint: Never never NEVER hug the curb -- shoot for the right-tire track where the cars ride. That way, rearview mirrors are less likely to break your elbow.

VC, where are you located? Some rules are the same everywhere, but others (especially when parking is involved) vary strongly from place to place.

But as others have told you, it's usually much safer (both for you and for pedestrians) to ride in the road than on the sidewalk. Cars do cross sidewalks, every time there's a driveway for them to turn in and out of, and a bicycle on the sidewalk is in a very vulnerable position. If you do choose to ride on the sidewalk, slow WAY down (about the speed of a jogger at most), yield to pedestrians, and watch for turning cars, because they are not watching for you.

On the road, do not try to hug the curb closely. If the lane is wide, you can stay far enough right to let cars pass in your lane (but still stay a meter or more from the curb.) If the lane is too narrow for that, try the right tire track, and accept that drivers will have to partly or fully change lanes to pass you. If you're not comfortable riding this way at first, start with quieter streets until you gain confidence.

If there are parked cars on the right side of the road, assume that their doors could swing open at any moment. Unless you are going very slowly (such as on a steep climb), always leave enough space between yourself and the parked cars that they couldn't hit you if they tried! (Don't plan on dodging the door if it opens. You're a lot safer holding a steady line outside the door zone, then suddenly veering left into traffic because a door opened.)

Around here, it's fine to lock your bike to most signs, even "No Parking" signs...but I would be careful of the "Fire Zone" ones. If your bike would block fire equipment trying to do its job, then don't park there.

Finally, the "Walk Bike Across Intersection" signs...well, occasionally a town will put those up around here too. They are entirely illegal and unenforceable. Unfounded rumor has it that some cyclists carry socket wrenches and take down the signs when they see them. But check your local laws; those signs may actually be legal (although still utterly stupid) where you live.

vc ? troll

TRROHHHHHLLLL!!!!

http://orangecow.org/pythonet/pics/mp306-05.jpg

-GUHMBY

Hey, just because he's asking questions most of us know the answers to doesn't mean he's not genuine. In fact, I haven't seen any troll tactics to try to make anyone angry except yours. At least wait until he tells us that we're wrong, then jump all over him in true BF fashion.

hey i searched google and this forums and cant seems to find my answers for my questions

i been wondering if it better to ride your bicycle on the road (near curb) or on a sidewalk? also should cyclist obey rules like "stop" etc.

another thing i been wondering is that are you allowed to lock your bikes on "no parking, fire route" signs? or be better for me to lock my bike on a bike rack? (usally bike racks are far from the store i want to go, and i want a bike on my sight but only thing to lock up the bike is the no parking sign)

thanks.

:popcorn:troll:

Hey, just because he's asking questions most of us know the answers to doesn't mean he's not genuine. In fact, I haven't seen any troll tactics to try to make anyone angry except yours. At least wait until he tells us that we're wrong, then jump all over him in true BF fashion.Consider that he picks the name "viet_Cong" and also read the other threads that he has started in the mechanics forum and you might start seeing the signs of a troll.