# Hey bicycle riders..Traffic laws DO APPLY to you too.. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 8, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441 "2010-10-08T01:09:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/21 "2010-10-08T05:46:28Z")
Savannah, Georgia has a large art college situated within the historic downtown area. Hordes of clueless college kids on bikes + narrow (often one-way) streets and squares (which are treated like roundabouts/traffic circles) + gobs and gobs of pedestrians (who are often tourists, and wander about aimlessly, enjoying the view instead of paying attention to where they’re going) = traffic hell. Someday, I’m just gonna be in the right mood and run down one of the little purple-haired, pierced punks on bikes instead of swerving, slamming on brakes, cursing, and/or offering the one-fingered salute. I swear, some afternoons, Liberty Street westbound looks like the Tour de France peloton riding through a parking lot. It’s terrifying to think that some mother is gonna get a call that her special little college-aged snowflake is smeared on the road because he was too stupid to stop at a red light. I’m Lacunae Matata, and I support this rant. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/22 "2010-10-08T05:54:46Z")
Just saw two dread locked guys riding their bicycles on the crowded sidewalk, at night, with no lights. Time for a few bicycles to be confiscated and the owners put in jail for the night. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/23 "2010-10-08T05:55:58Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > > [@LouiseE](#): > > > > We do have that problem in the SFBA, though it doesn’t piss me off the way it does the OP. > > > > Black clothes and no reflectors at night, though wtf? Did you just take out a life insurance policy on yourself or something? > > I heard on the radio this evening that some bicyclist decided it was a good idea to cut in front of a bus in San Francisco. It wasn’t. He was still under it when I reached home. How long way your bus ride? ---
**Author:** ![spoike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/24 "2010-10-08T05:57:57Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > This is (most likely) all I will say in this thread, because I can’t talk reasonably about this subject - every time I see a bike rider around here, they’re on the sidewalk. They’re either on the sidewalk or breaking a traffic law on the road. I’m guessing you don’t spend a lot of time on the hundreds of kilometres of (very busy) Calgary bike paths, then, because that’s where I see the most cyclists in this city. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/25 "2010-10-08T06:21:01Z")
> [@pericynthion](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > In public? :eek: > > Didn’t work out so well for [this guy](http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/jan/20/feature-every-tuesday/). (which, I might add, is totally bogus. What a man and his consenting bicycle do in the privacy of their own room is nobody’s business) What’s drug bust got to do with that? ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/26 "2010-10-08T09:02:49Z")
I cycle in London and yeah, I’ll go through a red light if I think it’s safe. What’s the point of me stopping at an empty pedestrian crossing and then having to accelerate again? Plus it gives you a little bit of tme where you aren’t being sqeezed between the pavement and the traffic. I think using a vehicle that isn’t a fatal risk to everybody else gives me a bit of leeway. But this is London so traffic rarely moves faster then 20mph, there are lots of cyclists, pedestrians are will run across roads at the slightest opportunity and drivers are ready for anything. Seriously, driving round here is like a constant hazard awarness test. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/27 "2010-10-08T09:12:10Z")
> [@LouiseE](#): > > Black clothes and no reflectors at night, though wtf? Did you just take out a life insurance policy on yourself or something? Standard in Costa Rica, where often the shiniest part of a bycicle would be the rust. One of my coworkers refused to drive at night (usually after overtime, which would be unpaid and which he and I did not need but we had to stay due to a shortage of vehicles), on grounds of “we’re here on your orders and anyway you hate the way everybody else drives, so if we’re going to run over somebody wearing black clothing, I want it to be you who has to explain it to his mother.” ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/28 "2010-10-08T10:41:34Z")
> [@Baboonza](#): > > I cycle in London and yeah, I’ll go through a red light if I think it’s safe. What’s the point of me stopping at an empty pedestrian crossing and then having to accelerate again? Why can’t cars do the same thing? What’s the point of them stopping at an empty crossing? Surely that’s just a waste of petrol. Shit like this is why I believe road bikes should be taxed and registered, with the riders having to have a license to ride them on the streets. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/29 "2010-10-08T13:59:58Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’d say the onus is on the OP to prove that his statement about it being illegal is factually correct. I already called bullshit on it, and have showed that state law does not prohibit riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. The OP won’t be able to. Your statement was correct. [Fort Collins Traffic Code](http://www.colocode.com/ftcollins/traffic/fortcollins_traffic.htm#1412), 1412(10) provides that bicycles may use the sidewalk: > [@](#): > > (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians. > > (b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any cross¬walk where required by official traffic control devices or ordinance. > > (c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including but not limited to the rights and duties granted and required by Section 802. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/30 "2010-10-08T15:47:16Z")
Aww jeez **Bricker**! I go to all the trouble of carefully crafting my argument, and then you take away my sandbagging ability by doing their work for them! What fun is it maneuvering people into having to admit they were wrong if someone else comes along and admits it for them? ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/31 "2010-10-08T19:35:56Z")
You’re right, the onus is on me. “The City of Fort Collins and local stakeholders are working to make bicycling safer for bicyclists and pedestrians in the downtown area. Bicycling on the sidewalks in the downtown area is prohibited. Police officers will ticket bicyclists and skateboarders for riding in the dismount zone. Cost of the ticket is $50.00. View the dismount zone map to the right” All of the bike laws for this city are listed here: > **[Ride Smart Drive Smart || FC Bikes](https://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/rules.php)** > > Ride Smart Drive Smart is an education, enforcement and encouragement initiative developed by FC Bikes in partnership with Fort Collins Police Services. The above quote can be found here: [Bicycling In Downtown Fort Collins - City of Fort Collins](http://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/downtown.php) I should have been more clear about what area of town I meant. Pardon me for my faux pas. But still, if you’re on a bike and looking to be a grease spot then just keep it up. Someone will be along shortly to run your ass over. To those that actually do obey the law then kudos to you! Overall I’ve found this place to have some of the nicest people I’ve ever lived amongst. After living some of the places I’ve lived in the south it is really quite a breath of fresh air. People here genuinely care about the environment and I find the quality of life here a pleasant surprise. I must admit though at first it was almost like stepping into a Twilight Zone episode. ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/32 "2010-10-08T19:37:17Z")
BTWE- Fuck you Bricker. I just proved there is an area where it is illegal. ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/33 "2010-10-08T20:16:41Z")
Side note: Nothing personal Bricker I just felt obligated to throw that in there since this is the pit… Bwahahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/34 "2010-10-08T20:25:42Z")
> [@NOLA\_Cajun](#): > > BTWE- Fuck you Bricker. I just proved there is an area where it is illegal. I don’ think **Bricker** implied there was no place it wasn’t illegal. His quote said: > [@](#): > > (b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices\*\* or local ordinances\*\* (bolding mine) > [@NOLA Cajun](#): > > Side note: Nothing personal Bricker I just felt obligated to throw that in there since this is the pit… > > Bwahahahahahahaha! –Cracked me up. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/35 "2010-10-09T00:31:19Z")
> [@NOLA\_Cajun](#): > > BTWE- Fuck you Bricker. I just proved there is an area where it is illegal. Reminder: * * * [QUOTE=Restricted language in the Pit ] The following expressions should not be directed at other posters. * * * fuck you [/QUOTE] [Restricted language in the Pit - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858) **Gfactor** Pit Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/36 "2010-10-09T01:27:11Z")
There are cyclists like this that I have to deal with in the summer. And the walkers who go four abreast, well into the middle of the road. There are also assholes who go 45 where it’s really dangerous to do so. Fuck all them. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/37 "2010-10-09T16:03:10Z")
Bike rider here. Who has blown through the random stop sign when no one’s around, or ridden on a sidewalk… And y’know what? I was wrong. And I’m going to get hit someday… actually, I did get bumped by a car this summer. Totally my fault. If we bikes would grow up and act like cars everyone would be a lot safer… and a lot less pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/38 "2010-10-09T16:44:40Z")
I don’t think the majority of irresponsible cyclists are the stereotypical militant, Critical Mass members who use their bike as primary transportation. Here in the suburbs, the worse cyclists are weekend warriors in expensive spandex (“can’t stop at the light - I’m \*in the zone, \*man!”), who Monday through Friday express their irresponsibility with their cars; often on responsible cyclists. And I assume that when they’re not on bikes or Harleys or in SUV’s, they’re assholes at work or at home, on message boards. ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/39 "2010-10-09T17:34:52Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > > [@NOLA\_Cajun](#): > > > > BTWE- Fuck you Bricker. I just proved there is an area where it is illegal. > > Reminder: > > * * * > > [QUOTE=Restricted language in the Pit > ] > The following expressions should not be directed at other posters. > > * * * > > fuck you [Restricted language in the Pit - The BBQ Pit - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=508858) **Gfactor** Pit Moderator [/QUOTE] A thousand apologies. I was not aware of that rule. Have read these boards for many years and always thought almost anything short of threats of physical abuse were allowed. My bad!! It won’t happen again! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441/40 "2010-10-09T18:07:02Z")
> [@digs](#): > > If we bikes would grow up and act like cars everyone would be a lot safer… and a lot less pissed off. Actually, it seems to me that this thread shows that bikes _do_, in fact, act a lot like cars—dangerously, selfishly, and irresponsibly. I see far more drivers than cyclists disobeying the road rules and/or driving like assholes on any given day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-bicycle-riders-traffic-laws-do-apply-to-you-too/556441.md?page=3)