Originally Posted by
TRaffic Jammer
Originally Posted by genec
The driver behind you and beside you (wanting to make the lateral move) is responsible for their movements into vehicles in front of them. The idea that we cyclists have to check behind us to ensure that motorists BEHIND us are going to do the right thing, is just an abomination of vehicular operation. .... .....:
Absolutely, true but it doesn't amount to a hill of beans when actually out there does it? As long "I'm sorry I didn't see him" is a perfect defense for mowing someone down... all bets are off. Simply because you can legally doesn't mean you ignore potential dangers, that would put us squarely in the same skill realm as motorists, who drive half blind because they can get away with it. Nothing wrong with knowing what the heck is going on around you. Evasive maneuvers by folks NOT responsible legally have saved many lives over the years.
Exactly... but the bottom line is that this just shows how ineffective the "rules of the road" really are... that some folks tout. The reality is that cyclists are more outside of the "rules of the road" and should actually have some exceptions due to that status. Why should we be held to operation like a motor vehicle? We have a heck of a lot more responsibilities and should be rewarded in kind for that and for our none wear and non pollution status. This would help "balance the scales" in a now autocentric world.