Why do cyclists ride on car roads?
05-20-15, 01:14 PM
#51
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05-20-15, 01:22 PM
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Lets say you're in your car at a stop sign waiting to turn right. You may look next to you on the sidewalk to see if a pedestrian is close by but you're not looking 40 or 50 feet back. You then turn right with a bicycle coming down the sidewalk and hit them.
Sidewalks are meant for things moving slow. Roads for things moving fast.
Sidewalks are meant for things moving slow. Roads for things moving fast.
05-20-15, 01:23 PM
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Interesting that only single file riding is allowed. Sounds like that would hurt group rides.
GH
GH
05-20-15, 01:26 PM
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Where does it say that only single file is allowed?
05-20-15, 01:29 PM
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Hey guys, the guy is new to the forum and, afawk, new to cycling. So cut him some slack.
If you made a particularly snarky remark, don't be surprised if it disappears.
If you made a particularly snarky remark, don't be surprised if it disappears.
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05-20-15, 01:37 PM
#56
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Well when they start building "bike roads" I'll start riding on them, until then I'm going to ride on the roads my tax dollars pay for, sound fair?
05-20-15, 01:43 PM
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In the state I live in the law defines bikes as a vehicle and the person as the driver and you have the same rights and responsibilities as the driver of a car.
05-20-15, 01:45 PM
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I do not ride on sidewalks because of the danger and the fact that I do not want a traffic citation, it is against the law here. It is bad enough dodging walkers, joggers and dogs on the wider MUT's, on a sidewalk it would be a nightmare.
05-20-15, 01:49 PM
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Just keep those paym... . . er . . compliments coming. 
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05-20-15, 02:10 PM
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05-20-15, 03:49 PM
#64
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Rules for dealing with cars are similar to those for dealing with hostile dogs. If you're calm, assertive, and use your head, you will have very few problems. But if you're fearful and/or erratic, they'll have you for lunch.
05-20-15, 04:14 PM
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OP,
Not everyone is cut out to ride a road bike. I know several cyclists who refuse to deal with the cars and the small number of jerks who drive them. As an example, the Tarmac I ride came from an accomplished mountain biker who decided to try road bikes. After two rides, onto craigslist it went. Now it's mine
. I ride three to five times per week, always with a group. Don't force the situation. If you like MUPs and/or MTB trails, go for it.
Careful riding on sidewalks as that can be a problem if you hit a pedestrian and may not be legal in your area.
Not everyone is cut out to ride a road bike. I know several cyclists who refuse to deal with the cars and the small number of jerks who drive them. As an example, the Tarmac I ride came from an accomplished mountain biker who decided to try road bikes. After two rides, onto craigslist it went. Now it's mine
. I ride three to five times per week, always with a group. Don't force the situation. If you like MUPs and/or MTB trails, go for it. Careful riding on sidewalks as that can be a problem if you hit a pedestrian and may not be legal in your area.
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05-20-15, 04:23 PM
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The Bicycles came first I think ??
I had a truck driver tell me bikes should be be allowed on the roads, I told him Semi Tractor trailers should only be allowed on the roads from 8pm to 8am, he did not really like that idea ;-).
I had a truck driver tell me bikes should be be allowed on the roads, I told him Semi Tractor trailers should only be allowed on the roads from 8pm to 8am, he did not really like that idea ;-).
05-20-15, 04:27 PM
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Don't forget roller-bladers.. the bane of all of these other MUP-users' existence.. That whole side2side motion makes timing an attempt to pass them almost impossible..
05-20-15, 05:22 PM
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In my area Road bikes are prohibited from being on the road if there's a bike lane available. It's also recommended to ride on the shoulder/sidewalks when possible (because it's not very bike friendly around here). There are very few places a Road bike can actually be ON the road sadly (which is why Mountain/CX bikes are more popular in this area).
https://www.lexingtonky.gov/Modules/S...cumentid=12083
https://transportation.ky.gov/Bike-Wa...20Brochure.pdf
https://www.lexingtonky.gov/Modules/S...cumentid=12083
https://transportation.ky.gov/Bike-Wa...20Brochure.pdf
05-20-15, 07:38 PM
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I ride on a sidewalk or bike paths (at least for now) and I've seen cyclists riding beside the cars and it seems dangerous, stupid or idiotic. I also saw another cyclist riding across the large intersection in a curve or straight line, which also seems dangerous as well. I mean, I understand that riding on a highway, on a side road beside the white line is fine. But this? In a city where you avoid using red light for pedestrians in intersections? Or cars?
So my question is, is that the norm? What is acceptable or not? But again I probably should check my city's or province's laws.
edit: I'd like to add that I'm new at the road cycling so that's why I'm asking this. Sorry if it's the bad question.
So my question is, is that the norm? What is acceptable or not? But again I probably should check my city's or province's laws.
edit: I'd like to add that I'm new at the road cycling so that's why I'm asking this. Sorry if it's the bad question.
it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk in NYC - there are bike paths but alot of roads are also shared with motor vehicles.
05-20-15, 09:53 PM
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As a UK person I find this thread very curious.
Firstly how is it that someone (presumably) with a driving licence doesn't know the answer to the question?
I also find it very strange that you do not have nationally consistent laws on the subject, I find that really weird.
Here in the UK our traffic laws are national, furthermore they are consistent not only throughout the EU but also (bar a few minor details) right across all countries ascribing to the ECMT conventions (European Convention of Ministers of transport). This includes Russia, Turkey, amongst others and most of the middle East in addition. As well as this countries such as India also have pretty much identical laws. All these countries use UN ascribed signs and road formatting, although different countries have different standards for applying them and each has a few signs peculiar to local conditions. - It means we all have a pretty good idea of what we are doing!
It means that a vehicle registered and legal in one of these countries is legal to use in all the others, subject to the insurance being extended for countries outside the EU. Obviously also, apart from India and the UK, everyone else drives on the wrong side of the road throughout that land mass.
As a matter of interest it is worth noting that the roads (in the EU) are for exercising freedom of movement and were not in place for motor vehicles particularly but for pedestrians, horses and cyclists (in that order) and they are the only people that have a right to be on them, all other users are there as a highly conditional privilege ie. driving licence, Insurance, and certificate of roadworthyness, and additionally have to pay VED (vehicle excise duty) to pay for the space they take up and compensate for their pollution and inconvenience
Firstly how is it that someone (presumably) with a driving licence doesn't know the answer to the question?
I also find it very strange that you do not have nationally consistent laws on the subject, I find that really weird.
Here in the UK our traffic laws are national, furthermore they are consistent not only throughout the EU but also (bar a few minor details) right across all countries ascribing to the ECMT conventions (European Convention of Ministers of transport). This includes Russia, Turkey, amongst others and most of the middle East in addition. As well as this countries such as India also have pretty much identical laws. All these countries use UN ascribed signs and road formatting, although different countries have different standards for applying them and each has a few signs peculiar to local conditions. - It means we all have a pretty good idea of what we are doing!
It means that a vehicle registered and legal in one of these countries is legal to use in all the others, subject to the insurance being extended for countries outside the EU. Obviously also, apart from India and the UK, everyone else drives on the wrong side of the road throughout that land mass.
As a matter of interest it is worth noting that the roads (in the EU) are for exercising freedom of movement and were not in place for motor vehicles particularly but for pedestrians, horses and cyclists (in that order) and they are the only people that have a right to be on them, all other users are there as a highly conditional privilege ie. driving licence, Insurance, and certificate of roadworthyness, and additionally have to pay VED (vehicle excise duty) to pay for the space they take up and compensate for their pollution and inconvenience
Last edited by gilespargiter; 05-20-15 at 10:05 PM.
05-21-15, 12:43 AM
#72
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I ride on a sidewalk or bike paths (at least for now) and I've seen cyclists riding beside the cars and it seems dangerous, stupid or idiotic. I also saw another cyclist riding across the large intersection in a curve or straight line, which also seems dangerous as well. I mean, I understand that riding on a highway, on a side road beside the white line is fine. But this? In a city where you avoid using red light for pedestrians in intersections? Or cars?
So my question is, is that the norm? What is acceptable or not? But again I probably should check my city's or province's laws.
edit: I'd like to add that I'm new at the road cycling so that's why I'm asking this. Sorry if it's the bad question.
So my question is, is that the norm? What is acceptable or not? But again I probably should check my city's or province's laws.
edit: I'd like to add that I'm new at the road cycling so that's why I'm asking this. Sorry if it's the bad question.
1) Because bicycles are vehicles of the ROAD.
2) Because cycling on sidewalks is often illegal.
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05-21-15, 12:46 AM
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No. No it's not. I've never seen a road referred to as a "car road" before.
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05-21-15, 12:48 AM
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We have a beautiful, wide cycleway where I live ... but you're right ... sunny holiday weekends are not the time to be on it!!
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05-21-15, 12:49 AM
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As a UK person I find this thread very curious.
Firstly how is it that someone (presumably) with a driving licence doesn't know the answer to the question?
I also find it very strange that you do not have nationally consistent laws on the subject, I find that really weird.
Here in the UK our traffic laws are national, furthermore they are consistent not only throughout the EU but also (bar a few minor details) right across all countries ascribing to the ECMT conventions (European Convention of Ministers of transport). This includes Russia, Turkey, amongst others and most of the middle East in addition. As well as this countries such as India also have pretty much identical laws. All these countries use UN ascribed signs and road formatting, although different countries have different standards for applying them and each has a few signs peculiar to local conditions. - It means we all have a pretty good idea of what we are doing!
It means that a vehicle registered and legal in one of these countries is legal to use in all the others, subject to the insurance being extended for countries outside the EU. Obviously also, apart from India and the UK, everyone else drives on the wrong side of the road throughout that land mass.
As a matter of interest it is worth noting that the roads (in the EU) are for exercising freedom of movement and were not in place for motor vehicles particularly but for pedestrians, horses and cyclists (in that order) and they are the only people that have a right to be on them, all other users are there as a highly conditional privilege ie. driving licence, Insurance, and certificate of roadworthyness, and additionally have to pay VED (vehicle excise duty) to pay for the space they take up and compensate for their pollution and inconvenience
Firstly how is it that someone (presumably) with a driving licence doesn't know the answer to the question?
I also find it very strange that you do not have nationally consistent laws on the subject, I find that really weird.
Here in the UK our traffic laws are national, furthermore they are consistent not only throughout the EU but also (bar a few minor details) right across all countries ascribing to the ECMT conventions (European Convention of Ministers of transport). This includes Russia, Turkey, amongst others and most of the middle East in addition. As well as this countries such as India also have pretty much identical laws. All these countries use UN ascribed signs and road formatting, although different countries have different standards for applying them and each has a few signs peculiar to local conditions. - It means we all have a pretty good idea of what we are doing!
It means that a vehicle registered and legal in one of these countries is legal to use in all the others, subject to the insurance being extended for countries outside the EU. Obviously also, apart from India and the UK, everyone else drives on the wrong side of the road throughout that land mass.
As a matter of interest it is worth noting that the roads (in the EU) are for exercising freedom of movement and were not in place for motor vehicles particularly but for pedestrians, horses and cyclists (in that order) and they are the only people that have a right to be on them, all other users are there as a highly conditional privilege ie. driving licence, Insurance, and certificate of roadworthyness, and additionally have to pay VED (vehicle excise duty) to pay for the space they take up and compensate for their pollution and inconvenience
