Originally Posted by skanking biker
You still haven't explained where these "traditional rules of the road" are to be found.
They are implied by every set of rules in the western world.
I don't know.
Where can I read them?
You can't.
Your answer would be a prime example of a tautology.
Indeed. In logic,
a statement that is true by necessity.
So if I understand you correctly, in order to ride VC, I need to memorize my state's motor vehicle code,
who said anything about memorizing any rules?
the specific provisons that apply to bicycles, and follow those unless the statute contradicts the "traditional rules of the road" in which case I follow those, (even though I don't know where to find them)?
You don't understand me at all. Use the rules knowledge that you have that allows you to drive a motor vehicle legally and effectively in any right-hand-drive country in the western world, including the rules for drives of slow moving vehicles, and ride your bike accordingly.
So if officer friendly pulls me over for violating the traffic code, I can just tell him its ok because I was following the "traditional rules of the road."
No, ask him which law you were violating. If you were actually following the rules used for driving (including the rules that apply to drivers of slow moving vehicles), I suspect he will not be able to cite a rule that you violated (unless of course bike lanes are involved).
This is where VC doesn't make sense. Either you follow the motor vehcile code or you don't. I don't particularly care one way or another. But you can't have it both ways.
You do, period (including the rules that apply to drivers of slow moving vehicles, and knowing the "special" rules that apply with respect to bike lanes). Actually, know the rules with respect to bike lanes is required when driving a car too, since they make no sense are inconsistent.
Also, if the actual laws are irrelevant if they contradict the "traditional rules of the road," then why do you careif there are mandatory bike lane laws because according to you, all one needs to do is follow some undefined set of ephermeral "traditional rules of the road."
Indeed, bike lanes and mandatory bike lanes laws put a wrench in the works.