Do bicycles follow the rules of the road in your city?

Question

I live in a large metropolitan area which is seeing a huge increase in bicycle traffic. The mayor supports the growth of bicycle traffic and has built bicycle lanes on many roads. I think that especially as gas prices rise, that seeing more bicycles is a great thing. It's great exercise, it's cheap, and it's good for the environment.

However, what I have noticed is that most bicycles that share the road with the cars, ignore traffic laws. For example, unless they are at a really busy intersection, they just blow through the stoplight. And 4 way stop signs might as well not be there at all. I feel that if they are going to share the road, that they must follow the same rules as cars. Sure I don't like stopping at a 4 way stop when I don't see any cars, but I stop anyway, because you just never know, and besides -- it's the law.

I'm sure that bicycles technically are supposed to follow the rules, but I've never seen a bike pulled over and given a ticket. I think this needs to change.

My question is for those of you in similar situations. How have your cities handled bicycles and following the rules of the road? Do your cities ignore the problem or have they come up with ways to deal with this problem?

YN · Accepted Answer

Neither bikes nor cars really follow the rules here.  But I've never seen a bike get pulled over though.  The city is getting tough on drivers who bully bicycles.  It's a step in the right direction.  At least it shows an attempt at getting the two groups to exist safely and peacfully on the road together.

? · Answer

1/2 the drivers on the roads would fail a road test, if they didn't know they were being tested. speeding, not stopping at stoplines, failing to yeild to pedestrians and slower moving traffic (read: bicycles), crossing the center line to straighten curves, passing too close to bicycles, aggressive driving, failing to signal before changing lanes or turning, following too close, etc. none of these violations ever earns a citation, with the exception of speeding (but even there we're allowed up to a 10mph buffer). why then would the police bother with the significantly lower number of cyclists on the roads, when they fail to enforce so many other moving violations?

Anonymous · Answer

There are laws in place for all vehicles. And like bikes, cars break the laws 100s of times more. So what's the point of your question. Continue non-enforment for cars and concentrate on only the cyclist? 

You obviously don't know that the same basic laws apply to all. This is the precise answer to your question as you re-stated it.

Anonymous · Answer

I never have issues with bikes. I do have issues with cars. I'm constantly cut off, tailgated, almost hit by people running reds or making illegal rights on red. It really gets me angry when drivers speed in neighborhoods - it's inexcusable. So many drive stop in the cross walks impeding walkers and bikes. And don't get me started when ther is construction with lane closures - drivers turn into animal. 

1/2 the drivers on the road should not be driving, that'd give a lot of room to cyclists who risk their life at times due to crappy, mean sprited drivers. Even driving my motorcycle is dicey with so many stupid drivers.

Anonymous · Answer

I live about 30 minutes from Boston MA and they ignore it. i had a bike coming straight toward me in the middle of a one way street this afternoon. the sidewalks are fine and they're not banned on the sidewalks.

Anonymous · Answer

Short answer..........No they do not follow the rules of the road.........

Trending News

Do bicycles follow the rules of the road in your city?

6 Answers