Originally Posted by
jfowler85
This is highly subjective and very, very bad advice to pass on. A much more sound practice is to ensure that you are always on the right side of the law; this starts with employing your favorite search engine to find where, in your state's vehicle code, bicycle laws are hidden. It's worth learning them, and it's worth following them, despite what those like cycco might try to convince you of. I've cycled in many states, and generally cyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of cars on public roadways, but again, the onus is on you to learn your local laws.
First, you didn't understand what I was posting and, second, you don't know me very well. I absolutely am not a proponent of the "you don't need to follow the laws" crowd. If you read even a little that I post on following traffic laws, you'll find that I am hyper-vigilant about following them. I stop at stop signs and lights, I signal turns, I don't filter at lights and I (usually) can't violate speed laws. Further, and more importantly, I understand why the laws are the way that they are and how violating them gums up the works. I stop at signs and lights because not only is it the law but it is the way to be a predictable road user.
But, in reality, what I said is absolutely true. Bicycles are small potatoes when it comes to law enforcement. Blowing a stop light might get a cop's attention. Making a u-turn in the middle of the street wouldn't even register.