Originally Posted by ngateguy
The reality of the situation is, even though it is not right, that the actions of our fellow riders to affect people opinions of us on a whole.
Would you blow those red lights if you were in a car? if the answer is no then you should not do it on your bike.
I hear about it a work all the time since my office is right on a busy bike trail. We witness many accidents out there mos of which are because a bike rider did something stupid. The people I work with (and I do work for a bike friendly company) wonder why cyclist think they are above the law. I wonder that myself.
Bekoligist, pedestrians get hit by bikes in downtown Seattle all the time. They allow cyclist on sidewalks a very bad mix.
Blowing a red light in city traffic is not only above the law, but can get you flattened right quick.
One time I was following a group of riders who had blown a redlight, while I stopped and waited for the green. When I caught up with them again, they were stopped at the next intersection's red light. Wondering what in the world came over them to suddenly want to obey the law, I noticed a cop on a motorbike parked at the crosswalk, poised as if just daring one of them to jump the red.
So obviously, these cyclists didn't consider themselves "ABOVE the law"...just only during situations when the law was glaring DOWN on them!
Let's make it standard across the board, folks. Obey the law. That includes stopping at red lights and not disrupting traffic. It really doesn't need to be any more complex than that. The best advocacy is through example. Quit the biker-tantrums...we're all adults here. Use your better judgement and PROVE to motorists and pedestrians that you're worthy of their respect and courtesy. Stop doing the exact opposite. My simple guideline is this: if you wouldn't do it in front of a cop, then don't do it.