Do you "call" cyclists on blowing through stop signs/lights?
 

When you're out on the road and see another cyclist blow through, do you speak up?

When you see another motorist blow through stop signs/lights do you speak up?

Not a chance.

no. Don't care.

If they aren't putting me directly in danger, I couldn't care less whether or not they obey traffic law. If they are putting me in danger, I'm likely too busy avoiding them to say anything.

I do. I AM new to the forum so, with all due respect, is the consensus here that it's ok for all cyclists to sail through?

Actually, yes, I did. A young lady blew the red light, chatting on her phone, while I was driving my 70-somehing mom around Aitkin. Had I pulled out when our light went green we would have been cleanly T-Boned. Closest call I have ever had.

Best part of the story, the young lady went into the same cell phone store that we were. I had my mom wait in the car while I headed for a chat with the woman. Did my best to lay the whole guilt-trip-you-could-have-killed-my-frail-mom (total truth by the way) and "stay off your cell phone!' thing.


Cyclists? Naw. Never had a close one yet.

No, that's not the the question that was asked.

There are two issues here, approval or non-approval of the actions of others, and calling them on it. I don't see the actions of others, whether or not they wear helmets, where or how they ride, or whether they smoke, drink or engage in premarital sex as my business so I simply butt out. By doing so I neither condone nor condemn the actions of others.

I suspect that the others here who (like me) wouldn't say anything feel the same way.

BTW- that's a two-way street, I expect that others who might see me doing something they wouldn't will respect me by not calling me out either (expect for police who are charged with that responsibility).

Anticipating your Reductio ad absurdum question, yes I would get involved if there were an serious crime such as robbery or assault, or something where I could intervene and make a difference, or help catch the perpetrator. It's a question of balancing the priorities of minding my own business for minor stuff and getting involved when I should.

Fair enough and good answer, FB. I'm going to lurk for awhile and get up to speed on the forum. Thanks for the reply

Gotta agree with you on this, totally. Just that one response gave me an excuse to tell my story (again, I'm sure) about scolding someone for being stupid in a car. Sides, it's a nice day and I'm bummed because I'm too lazy to get on my bike.

:notamused:

No, its not ok.

That said, sometimes not following the letter of the law if we still respect its intent isn't entirely unreasonable either.......as long as we don't forget the fact we are doing something wrong.

IMO, unless we can say our own conduct is beyond reproach, its best we stick to addressing our own faults while on the road.

Unless of course you are one of the Helmet Cam nazi, then you can record the scofflaws and turn the recording over to the authorities.

What would you hope to accomplish by calling out cyclists blowing through stops? They aren't going to change their behavior just because you scolded them.

And don't forget seeking peer approval by posting it too.

Extra points given if the "victims" post incident behavior is worse then the offenders transgression.

Same here. I am more likely to wonder why a cyclist stops and waits when the coast is clear.

Way too much glass used for my house.... for me to be throwing stones.

Where I live we hire and train people to enforce the rules our elected officials create. Having police enforce laws isn't perfect... but way better than the suggested idea of a vigilante justice system where we all sort of jump in and assume authority.

I've known a lot of people who worked in law enforcement over the years. If that seems like an attractive way to pass the time and earn a living... you should apply/train through the proper channels to work in that field.

Absolutely not!

It's not my job to police the roads. I'm a firm believer in the old saying "live and let live."

Now on the other hand, if a rider blows through a stop sign right in front of me while I'm driving my car and nearly causes me to run into him, I will say something.

People are gonna do what they are going to do. For some reason many drivers and some cyclists feel entitles to subject cyclists to paternalistic nannying. You often hear of drivers shouting critiques of cyclist's riding as they pass, rarely even going as far as blocking the cyclist's path with their vehicle and getting out to inform them of the rules.

Q. What do you "call" cyclists blowing through stop signs/lights?
A. Darwin's Little Angels

A2. Future organ donors.

What do you call posters of smug "stuff" like above? Nothing nice.

Same applies to cyclists or motorists who feel it appropriate to "call" cyclists or other strangers on the street who don't fit their own approved profile of correct cycling practice.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I do things my way, you do things your way, and as long as you're not doing anything that directly harms me or someone else, live and let live.

That's pretty smug of you to "call" other posters who don't fit your own approved profile of correct public commentary.

I think it would be fair to add indirectly too. If I blow a stop and a motorist reacts to it in a way that causes you harm...........

yelling corrective instruction at other road users when you observe them doing something wrong is the first stage of road rage