Originally Posted by ephin

I try to obey the rules of the road but I do routinely sometimes "bend" them. What I mean is, I don't come to a complete stop at every stop sign (I do a rolling stop and only stop complete if I have to). I treat red lights similarly but am more cautious / aware of people attempting to beat the light or who may be in a turning lane but intending to go straight anyway (as opposed to 4 way stops where the opposing traffic usually slows down at the intersection, in street light intersections opposing traffic will fly through at much faster speeds). I'll sometimes take the sidewalk briefly if all lanes and shoulder are blocked (in center city rush hour traffic with busses at busstops this sometimes happens). I'll ride in the middle of the road on some stretches. I have a few stretches on my commute where traffic is literally backed up at the light some 50-100+ yards. I've had so many close calls riding on the right - impatient/irritated motorists trying to squeeze in or bolt out from or into the various driveways/sidestreets/stripmall businesses along the way as well as the "good samaritan" drivers who'll wave in people wanting to make a left turn. I find riding in the middle on these stretches - especially if there's a painted median - much safer. And yes, I too, every now and then find myself going the wrong way up the street. This scenario typically happens when I want to make a left turn but the opposing traffic has already started moving (and it's a long light). If there's plenty of room in the shoulder/bike lane, I'll ride in it the wrong way until there's an opening to get over to the right. I won't take it if there's little room or I see oncoming cyclists. If I encounter a cyclist (or pedestrian), I always yield them the right of way as I know I'm not supposed to be there. I'll also take over the lane when deemed safer than staying on the right (vehicular cycling, i think it's called). I don't know how it is in other big cities, but in philly, if you're not an "assertive" driver / cyclist, people (drivers and pedestrians) will constantly cut in front of you first - usually also bending the rules (as in not coming to complete stops or pedestrians starting to cross against the red as soon as the last car passes them regardless of there being oncoming cyclist traffic with the right of way (I guess they think they have herd immunity!)). I've ridden this way for a long time and rarely get critical comments/looks. IMO, it's because I don't ride aggressively but ride predictably and communicate well my intentions (i.e. I don't catch people by surprise and scare them). I've done this right in front of cops multiple times (and yes, they do sometimes pull over cyclists in philly) and never been given a warning let alone ticket (hope those aren't famous last words!). I don't ever remember having a "mishap" on my bike when bending the rules (as in all my accidents / falls were either some driver not yielding me the right of way or me falling due to road conditions such as ice or rain/oil). I know my riding in traffic "philosophy" will be frowned upon by some, but I feel I'm a very safe, predictable cyclist and play nice with society.