Give me a "high 5".

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Hey, JHuskey, thanks for working to get legislation passed.

Why cyclists could be against this just because it won't change everyone is beyond me. And why the objection to "simply give the cops another excuse to write more tickets"? If someone passes me in an unsafe manner, I don't mind hitting them in the wallet, even if those funds do not go to me. Punitive steps like fines and citations do get results.

If it makes a few more people realize that cyclists need space and consideration as equal vehicles on the road, it's good by me. Thanks.


That is what is all about, awareness of the public. I am meeting with the local paper tomorrow and have faxed the new law to all the bike shops in the area.

I can certainly understand the logic of this law, but the notion that because a speed limit or anti-molestation law is good, all laws are therefore good is preposterous at best.

I've been riding on city streets for 35 years. I've had plenty of falls, but I've never been struck by a motorized vehicle. I basically do everything possible to avoid roads that put me in danger, and I think that many times the rather indignant sense of entitlement exuded by cyclists is responsible for the dangers they face (see the Suicide Ride post).

In my daily commute, I must ride about one mile on a very busy two-lane road that has a gravel parking strip along it. I have to ride right on the white line at the right edge of the pavement, and although the speed limit is only 25, it's uphill so I can only manage about 15 m.p.h.

Under the afore-mentioned law (although I don't live in Tennessee), no one could pass me while I'm on this road, as oncoming traffic is also bumper-to-bumper. Over the course of four minutes or so, I would have perhaps 50 cars behind me.

Interestingly, although no such law exists in my area, I find that drivers are too cautious. Many won't pass me, even though they can hug the centerline and leave at least two feet of room. If they're in a sub-compact, they have all the room in the world, but even many drivers of tiny cars are reluctant to pass me.

I could take many other narrow, shoulderless roads on my commute, and many of my fellow cyclists do just that. Personally, I think they are the ones puttiing themselves at risk on those roads, not the drivers.

Hey, JHuskey, thanks for working to get legislation passed.

Why cyclists could be against this just because it won't change everyone is beyond me. And why the objection to "simply give the cops another excuse to write more tickets"? If someone passes me in an unsafe manner, I don't mind hitting them in the wallet, even if those funds do not go to me. Punitive steps like fines and citations do get results.

If it makes a few more people realize that cyclists need space and consideration as equal vehicles on the road, it's good by me. Thanks.


TLM...

Tax and spend. Tax and spend! Write more laws! Write more laws!

Next thing you know, no one is riding their bikes and people are afraid to live their lives. Is this 1984? Or have we moved on yet?

TLM...

Tax and spend. Tax and spend! Write more laws! Write more laws!

Next thing you know, no one is riding their bikes and people are afraid to live their lives. Is this 1984? Or have we moved on yet?I know I shouldn't even respond to hyperbole, but I have seen no concrete evidence of increased taxes playing a part in this. It's not as if they're going to add police officers or staff to handle the non-existent avalanche of citations for a new law. Frankly, pulling out references to "1984" and tax-and-spend pablum points to a lack of salient debate points.

Under the afore-mentioned law (although I don't live in Tennessee), no one could pass me while I'm on this road, as oncoming traffic is also bumper-to-bumper. Over the course of four minutes or so, I would have perhaps 50 cars behind me.Is it really reasonable to expect that to happen, or that when cars pass that closely in that situation that some Barney-Fife-type officer is going to ticket every car that passes you? In my experience, it's unlikely. A lot of traffic law is up to the discretion of the officer, whether it says so in the legislation or not. Your mileage may vary: you might wind up with a to-the-letter officer in that situation, but based on my and others' experiences with law-enforcement, I don't think it's likely.

I applaud and admire your years of bike commuting, Ike, and I hope we all enjoy an excellent safety record, whether we are protected by 1 or 51 roadway regulations. :)

I know I shouldn't even respond to hyperbole, but I have seen no concrete evidence of increased taxes playing a part in this. It's not as if they're going to add police officers or staff to handle the non-existent avalanche of citations for a new law. Frankly, pulling out references to "1984" and tax-and-spend pablum points to a lack of salient debate points.

Is it really reasonable to expect that to happen, or that when cars pass that closely in that situation that some Barney-Fife-type officer is going to ticket every car that passes you? In my experience, it's unlikely. A lot of traffic law is up to the discretion of the officer, whether it says so in the legislation or not. Your mileage may vary: you might wind up with a to-the-letter officer in that situation, but based on my and others' experiences with law-enforcement, I don't think it's likely.

I applaud and admire your years of bike commuting, Ike, and I hope we all enjoy an excellent safety record, whether we are protected by 1 or 51 roadway regulations. :)

Greetings all!

And a hi 5 to you JH. Down under we drive and cycle on the other side of the road. However there are mirror image problems for cyclists here also. That is it essential to keep to the left, move to the centre of the road only when turning right and above all being sober while cycling.

The problem that we had here is that for many years the cyclist and pedestrians were seen as a nuisance by all other road users. There was also a bit of subculture which said that if you were too pissed to drive and you were in a bit of a hurry then cycling was the option.

Fortunately, that changed dramatically when a very intrepid cyclist disobeyed a baseless "regulation" which had been dreamed up by a government officer and in the litigation which followed, was able to demonstrate that that the regulation was out of step, even in opposition with the law that it was supposedly framed under.

The regulatory authorities suddenly realised that bicyles are valid vehicles, were defined as such in the legislation and as such are as equally entitled to use roads as any other vehicle. Cyclist are equally obliged to obey vehicle regulations. They were after all common long before motor vehicles were common. Police here can and occasionally do now breath test cyclists if they suspect they are not sober. The maximum fine is only AUD$70 but it is still a deterrent and at least gives the police the option of confiscating the bicycle and temporarily immobilising the inebriated cyclist.

I have been cycling daily for more than 50 years and unfortunately see (temporary) cyclist doing some very stupid things such as zig-zagging across busy intersections through cross flowing traffic and the like. Its only a matter of time before they are no longer cyclists. I all so occasionally see pedestrians run onto crossings on busy roads, not allowing sufficient time for anybody to avoid them. I have on occasions also seen and experienced some rediculous behaviour from motorists after very trivial incidents.

I think all road users need to be considerate of others, cyclists included. After all it is not difficult to cycle in a sensible manner. Most of us also drive other vehicles and so have a good knowledge of road ettiquete and we even occasionally walk!

What we all need to do is to appreciate that the road is for all of us and we all need to be responsible.

Kind regards,

High 5 JH!... Now you have the biggest hurdle in front of you, making drivers aware AND changing their behavior.

In a country where there are so few serious bike commuters and so many cars, the cars think they're King. If you increase the number of bikes on the road, I think drivers will become more familiar with how to act around them and will come to expect them.

Also, if the law is actually enforced, drivers will be more likely to adhere to it. As FreeHueco mention, people don't drive with their lights on when it's raining, even though it is a law. But, I rarely see this particular law enforced.

More Enforcement, More Awareness, More Bikes. :D

Agreed ,ignorance is always the enemy of good reasoning. This is just another tool to use in the quest for safer cycling.

Agreed ,ignorance is always the enemy of good reasoning. This is just another tool to use in the quest for safer cycling.
And it's getting some press!

---------------------------------------------

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070331/NEWS/703310312

Bicycling advocates want to put brakes on bad drivers

NASHVILLE — As car and bicycle traffic grows heavier in the state, some bike enthusiasts are seeking new laws and tougher enforcement of existing ones to deal with motorists who hog the highways.

State lawmakers are considering legislation sponsored by Blount County and Sevier County representatives that would require vehicles to keep a 3-foot cushion between themselves and a bike when passing.

---------------------------------------------

Same legislation, JHuskey?

And it's getting some press!

---------------------------------------------

http://www.thedailytimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070331/NEWS/703310312

Bicycling advocates want to put brakes on bad drivers

NASHVILLE — As car and bicycle traffic grows heavier in the state, some bike enthusiasts are seeking new laws and tougher enforcement of existing ones to deal with motorists who hog the highways.

State lawmakers are considering legislation sponsored by Blount County and Sevier County representatives that would require vehicles to keep a 3-foot cushion between themselves and a bike when passing.

---------------------------------------------

Same legislation, JHuskey?


That the one. I wrote an amendment to the existing law and the Roth bill was introduced about the same time. The difference is that I insisted on the 3 foot margin which was in my resolution but not in the Roth bill but was introduced as an amendment to it by Richard Montgomery who is my state rep.
More press is what is needed now but I am glad it is getting some notice. I did not know the gentleman that was killed but I understand that he left behind a wife and three children.

If the ultimate goal is to save lives, why don't we just force everyone to live in a coma?

If the ultimate goal is to save lives, why don't we just force everyone to live in a coma?


Go ahead and be sure and tells us how it is.

If the ultimate goal is to save lives, why don't we just force everyone to live in a coma?

FH,

The thought of motor vehicles drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all in a coma is of only accademic interest.

Perhaps you are advocating a return to the 1960's, when most of us were semi-comatose. It was optional then however.

I think any measure that will save cyclists from death or injury is a good one.

Sadly, when motor vehicles and cyclists become involved in collisions it is a rarity for the vehicle driver to come off second best. It is the cyclist who is more likely to end up in a coma or worse.

Kind regards,

FH,

The thought of motor vehicles drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all in a coma is of only accademic interest.

Perhaps you are advocating a return to the 1960's, when most of us were semi-comatose. It was optional then however.

I think any measure that will save cyclists from death or injury is a good one.

Sadly, when motor vehicles and cyclists become involved in collisions it is a rarity for the vehicle driver to come off second best. It is the cyclist who is more likely to end up in a coma or worse.

Kind regards,


Gil, lets save the comas for politician and ex wives.

Gil, lets save the comas for politician and ex wives.
Huskey,

I had assumed until now that politicians in general were comatose unless there was a pay rise in the offing at which time they seem to be able to spring into action at the speed of light.

I don't have an ex-wife yet, I simply don't seem know how to shake women that I become involved with off.

My little noisy Korean buddy is becoming more and more demanding, so any advice you could give me would be most welcome at the moment. Perhaps she needs a sedative or something like valium to slow her down!

I thought it was all off, but her fiance won't travel to attend to her particular needs.

Kind regards,

Huskey,

I had assumed until now that politicians in general were comatose unless there was a pay rise in the offing at which time they seem to be able to spring into action at the speed of light.

I don't have an ex-wife yet, I simply don't seem know how to shake women that I become involved with off.

My little noisy Korean buddy is becoming more and more demanding, so any advice you could give me would be most welcome at the moment. Perhaps she needs a sedative or something like valium to slow her down!

I thought it was all off, but her fiance won't travel to attend to her particular needs.

Kind regards,

Maybe you could fake being impotent,for starters.

Maybe you could fake being impotent,for starters.

Huskey,

You and I both know that faking impotance is not good for the male ego. The loss of self confidence could be devestating to a man my age. Think of the potential for psychological damage! Its probably not too far into the future, that I'll be condemned to that fate in any case.

I've heard of blokes, who were so shocked by what they saw laying beside them in the morning, that they faked ejaculation so that they could escape the situation. But, I would have to admit that I've never done that.

The idea has merit though and I'll keep it at the back of my mind. For the time being though I suppose I'll be doing the "Coral Route" several times a year.

Any more good ideas?

Kind regards,

Maybe you could fake being impotent,for starters.

Huskey,

You and I both know that faking impotance is not good for the male ego. The loss of self confidence could be devestating to a man my age. Think of the potential for psychological damage! Its probably not too far into the future, that I'll be condemned to that fate in any case.

I've heard of blokes, who were so shocked by what they saw laying beside them in the morning, that they faked ejaculation so that they could escape the situation. But, I would have to admit that I've never done that.

The idea has merit though and I'll keep it at the back of my mind. For the time being though I suppose I'll be doing the "Coral Route" several times a year.

Any more good ideas?

Kind regards,