General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Bicycle vs. Pedestrian [View all]wtmusic
(39,166 posts)I totally sympathize with your experience.
Although it's extremely rare to find any cyclist who comes to a complete stop for every stop sign, the same is true for drivers. Because stopping & starting does reduce the enjoyment of riding and if traffic is very light, cyclists will take more liberties and often completely blow off stop signs. That's just the way it is. That doesn't justify anyone's actions if they endanger people or property. But in Idaho, a stop sign for cyclists legally is considered the same as a yield sign - the cyclist can proceed without stopping if it's safe. That's the way it should be everywhere.
Then there are the "BRNs" as I call them - Bicycle Rights Nazis. Laws take on a severely distorted perspective in a BRN's mind - they have the right to do whatever a car does, and then some. They scream at drivers when they are driving completely lawfully. They ride down the middle of the road when they're going much slower (illegal here in CA). I had an edit war with one on Wikipedia (see Bicycle Law in California) who claimed it was legal to have races down open public streets and clog streets with hundreds of riders.
I'm torn because there is a legitimate issue with drivers who don't understand cyclists rights as well. I think the answer will be to require a driver's license for all cyclists on public streets and test both drivers and cyclists on bike law. They are some of the most misunderstood rules of the road.
I was hit by a car (the car's fault) and broke several ribs so I know what that feels like. Hope you get better soon.