They are clearly following another vehicle at a safe distance and riding legally. There is no shoulder in the photo, just the sidewalk. It's pretty doubtful that the local law allows bicyclists to use the sidewalk.
Now, I would ask what if instead of bicycles, they were two small motorcycles riding side by side and they happen to be slow drivers. Pretty doubtful there would be any argument in a public forum.
So, the anger is not with the clearly legal and safe bicyclists, nor is it with who owns the road, it's more a question of involvement.
The bicyclists own as much of the road as a motorcycle rider, car driver, pickup or 18 wheeler drivers for that matter. All residents pay for the road via taxes.
If a bicyclist breaks the law, they need to be held accountable with a traffic violation.
If they're using the road safely and as directed by law, then what is the problem?
If the residents decide bicyclists must follow each other in single file at the edge of the road, the residents would see the law changed and the bicyclist would obey or get a ticket.
It's not the bicyclist's fault if the police do not ticket them, talk to the local police. And if someone would petition the local government to enact tighter bicycle laws, it would benefit the bicyclist most of all.
Beats looking like a whiner any day.
Micheal D. Knehans
He with the biggest tires has the right of way!
ReplyDeleteMr. Knehans, does that hold true for skateboarders as well? I drive a vehicle that only goes about 40 mph. I watch my rear view mirror and always move over to my right to allow others to pass. It's called courtesy and common sense. That's what the author of the comment was referring to.
ReplyDeleteSeriously. Bike riders pay taxes like motor vehicles. I will keep that in mind the next time I renew my tags.
ReplyDeleteYour tag registration does not pay for roads...
DeleteThey might pay taxes but they don't pay a registration fee or are required to have liability insurance. Let's work on that.
ReplyDelete"it's not the bicyclist fault" YES IT IS. Their fault and no one elses.
ReplyDelete9:54 AM
ReplyDeleteYep! And he with the bigger tires should pay the higher taxes.
I don't remember paying a 5% property tax when I purchased my bicycle. I don't remember paying gas taxes when I "fill up" my bicycle. No 2 wheel or 4 wheel vehicle should drive side by side. It is a motorists right to pass bicyclist in a safe manner, however, with two wide, it makes it unsafe and it is unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to wear women's tights and ride in the road, fine... but when you go 2,3,5,10 wide... prepare for a backlash. I have seen them going across both lanes on Whitehaven, and get nasty when you honk to get them to move over.
Quite honestly it's gotten out of hand. Not the use of roads by bicyclers, mind you, but rather their attitude toward that use. The bicyclists have adopted the false belief that they are 'above the law' while riding on the road and they have 'the right' to do as they please, lawful or not.
ReplyDeleteI fault LE for this. LE has no problem citing a motoring citizen for even the most minor infraction yet the lawless bicycler is allowed such large margins of latitude as to encourage the behavior we see.
It is far, far past time for legislation requiring any bicycle rider to register and tag said bicycle(for a fee), to carry the minimum amount of liability insurance that the motoring public is required to, to pass an operator's test and secure a license(for a fee) to operate said bicycle on any public street or roadway and be accountable(by court action) for ALL laws associated with operating a vehicle within the state.
If LE and gov't would make bicyclists behave as regular motorists do then there wouldn't be the problems that we have with their aloof 'above the law' attitude.
if the transportation you are using is not capable of moving at the the minimum speed limit posted, then i feel that you should, for your own safety, get the hell out of the way. scooters, bicycles, roller blades i dont care, get off the road. i dont want to be responsible for your medical bills. if bicyclists and the other mentioned modes of transportation want to ride on the same public roadways in the same lanes as licensed and insured vehicles, then id like to see those riders forced to test for licenses and forced to purchase insurance and to tag the mode of transportation they decide to use . then you can go ahead and risk your life anyway you want, as long as it is not on my dime. the arrogance (or is it idiocy?) i have seen bicyclists display when they are riding 5 abreast on a 2 lane rd is remarkable.
ReplyDelete"The bicyclists own as much of the road as a motorcycle rider, car driver, pickup or 18 wheeler drivers for that matter. All residents pay for the road via taxes."
ReplyDeleteSince when did bicyclists pay road tax at the gas pump?
Not LE's fault. They can't ride the bike for them. Goes back to the 2 dirty words liberals hate "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY"
ReplyDeleteJust stay off Riverside Drive , not enough room for cars and bikes. Most of us time our travel with cars , if we have to follow a bike for any distance we could be late or at least use more gas. Having said that , bikes need a lane of their own , try the side walk , nobody uses them anymore.
ReplyDeleteVine street and church street everyone walks in the roadway.
Another culture thing!
To say that bicyclists pay as much in taxes as vehicle drivers do is beyond ludicrous.
ReplyDeleteAs 11:14 so eloquently stated "I don't remember paying gas taxes when I "fill up" my bicycle."
As far as liability insurance mentioned by 10:41, it is offered by insurance companies and purchased by responsible bicyclists.
Unless Michael D. Knehans has this particular type of policy, his opinion is irrelevant because he is irresponsible.
They don't pay the gas tax nor do they have to pay for tags and titles. What happens if they happen to run into you or cause an accident? Are they insured? We all pay taxes, well most of us anyway, why do we have to also pay for tags and titles and bikes do not.
ReplyDeleteYou idiots bicycling is a hobby they have cars and trucks also.
ReplyDeleteIts a dumb and dangerous hobby then 1:06! And you too are an idiot.
DeleteHunting and fishing are hobbies too and you need a license. Sorry you lost your cool your highness.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time for cyclists to pay for tags, registration, and insurance!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU 1:48! You gotta pay to play.
Delete1:06PM you are the idiot, pal.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd take the time to research you'd surely find that the state of MD regards motor vehicle operation as a 'privilege' and insurers as 'pleasure'. So using your, obviously ultra liberal, train of thought driving is also a 'hobby'.
Bicyclists! No body likes you! You look foolish in your skin tight cloths. You are not Lance Armstrong. You have chosen one of the laziest forms of exercise requiring no skill. You are frequently rude and inconsiderate. In short go ride full speed into on coming traffic.
ReplyDeleteThe prevailing attitude.
If bicycles, scooters whatever are riding 2 abreast and are holding up vehicle traffic they are to move out of the way, so vehicle traffic is not impeded.
ReplyDeleteThe law is already on the books Michael D. Knehans.
It would benefit you MDK as well as other cyclists, if you knew what you were talking about before being compelled to write what amounts to false information.
There's no income for the state is why bicyclists are never cited, no matter what the infraction.
ReplyDeleteThere's no income for the state is why bicyclists are never cited, no matter what the infraction.
ReplyDeleteDay or night, bicyclists are required to have a headlight and bell on their bicycles. For what it's worth, I cannot recall one of them having the proper and required equipment.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that Police Officer have every right to pull them over and ticket them and in fact do so regularly.