Originally Posted by DX-MAN (Post 14021806)

chandtp -- really? He should have a mirror to move into potential traffic to avoid a scofflaw? How about a reasonable expectation that people pull head out of ass before placing it in a bike saddle? Maybe more of these folks will discover they don't need the tractor seat on their bike if they did.

Originally Posted by globie (Post 14022305)

Riding against traffic is such a common misconception around here that I've had motorists yell at me that I'm on the wrong side. Pretty ingrained, despite the arrows that the city paints in bike lanes.

Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 14032007)

Knuckleheads were they between the flat heads and the pan heads?

all the Harley D's that come out here, when it stops raining for a few days,

are Newer than those.

Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy (Post 14039172)

Agreed, the really sad thing is that (as long as it doesn't endanger our lives) the doctrine of last chance dictates that even though the salmon rider is doing something illegal that if we can avoid hitting them that we're required to do so. How "messed up" is that? Not saying that we should have a "blank check" to hit them or anything, but it's somehow sad that the one who is acting legally has to accommodate the one who is operating illegally.

Originally Posted by ephin (Post 14027577)

I try to obey the rules of the road but I do routinely sometimes "bend" them. What I mean is, I don't come to a complete stop at every stop sign (I do a rolling stop and only stop complete if I have to). I treat red lights similarly but am more cautious / aware of people attempting to beat the light or who may be in a turning lane but intending to go straight anyway (as opposed to 4 way stops where the opposing traffic usually slows down at the intersection, in street light intersections opposing traffic will fly through at much faster speeds). I'll sometimes take the sidewalk briefly if all lanes and shoulder are blocked (in center city rush hour traffic with busses at busstops this sometimes happens). I'll ride in the middle of the road on some stretches. I have a few stretches on my commute where traffic is literally backed up at the light some 50-100+ yards. I've had so many close calls riding on the right - impatient/irritated motorists trying to squeeze in or bolt out from or into the various driveways/sidestreets/stripmall businesses along the way as well as the "good samaritan" drivers who'll wave in people wanting to make a left turn. I find riding in the middle on these stretches - especially if there's a painted median - much safer. And yes, I too, every now and then find myself going the wrong way up the street. This scenario typically happens when I want to make a left turn but the opposing traffic has already started moving (and it's a long light). If there's plenty of room in the shoulder/bike lane, I'll ride in it the wrong way until there's an opening to get over to the right. I won't take it if there's little room or I see oncoming cyclists. If I encounter a cyclist (or pedestrian), I always yield them the right of way as I know I'm not supposed to be there. I'll also take over the lane when deemed safer than staying on the right (vehicular cycling, i think it's called). I don't know how it is in other big cities, but in philly, if you're not an "assertive" driver / cyclist, people (drivers and pedestrians) will constantly cut in front of you first - usually also bending the rules (as in not coming to complete stops or pedestrians starting to cross against the red as soon as the last car passes them regardless of there being oncoming cyclist traffic with the right of way (I guess they think they have herd immunity!)). I've ridden this way for a long time and rarely get critical comments/looks. IMO, it's because I don't ride aggressively but ride predictably and communicate well my intentions (i.e. I don't catch people by surprise and scare them). I've done this right in front of cops multiple times (and yes, they do sometimes pull over cyclists in philly) and never been given a warning let alone ticket (hope those aren't famous last words!). I don't ever remember having a "mishap" on my bike when bending the rules (as in all my accidents / falls were either some driver not yielding me the right of way or me falling due to road conditions such as ice or rain/oil). I know my riding in traffic "philosophy" will be frowned upon by some, but I feel I'm a very safe, predictable cyclist and play nice with society.

Originally Posted by sibeliusnick (Post 14033128)

Seems to me forcing the salmon out into traffic sounds dangerous and overly aggressive .