General Discussion

rogerashton

(3,920 posts)

19. Yes, I favor increased regulation of automobiles

Thu Mar 5, 2015, 06:42 PM

Mar 2015

to the extent that it would make pedestrians (and bike riders) safer. But cars are regulated already. So I would like to see your evidence that bicycles are a lesser priority.

The problem, though, is that the regulations we have are not obeyed. When a motorist ignores the rules, she or he should be penalized. And often will be. But bikers' defiance of the rules are usually tolerated (riding on the sidewalks is illegal where my collision took place, but the law officer told me that the regulation is never enforced.) It would be nice if bikers would at least admit that many of their number are destructive scofflaws.

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Dutch cyclist's conclusion is inescapably accurate: America doesn't take bicycles seriously [View all] CreekDog Mar 2015 OP

And he's absolutely correct. nt MrScorpio Mar 2015 #1

I survived a visit Amsterdam rogerashton Mar 2015 #2

what makes bike riders think they should be able to bike safely? CreekDog Mar 2015 #5

Why would you think that one must be conservative pennylane100 Mar 2015 #9

it does get pretty brutal in Europe foo_bar Mar 2015 #10

you're saying it would be safer if they were all in cars? CreekDog Mar 2015 #13

safer from swear words? foo_bar Mar 2015 #21

Yes, I've been yelled at in German while on a sidewalk in Munich CreekDog Mar 2015 #36

genau. foo_bar Mar 2015 #51

What makes pedestrians think we should be able to walk safely? rogerashton Mar 2015 #12

so you're in favor of protecting pedestrians by further regulating car traffic? CreekDog Mar 2015 #15

Yes, I favor increased regulation of automobiles rogerashton Mar 2015 #19

Bicycing is regulated already too. Cyclists have to follow the same laws as motor vehicle drivers Gormy Cuss Mar 2015 #26

You have to catch her to cite her. eom rogerashton Mar 2015 #32

You have to catch motor vehicle drivers to cite them too. Gormy Cuss Mar 2015 #34

Easier to catch a.motor vehicle Telcontar Mar 2015 #63

The law officer told me that the regulation is never enforced... Mariana Mar 2015 #27

I was hit by a bicycle messenger and knocked down - LiberalElite Mar 2015 #22

not excusing that, that must be enforced against CreekDog Mar 2015 #37

Sorry, but that's just hairsplitting. Looks almost trivial to you. nt LiberalElite Mar 2015 #48

give us the numbers, how many pedestrians are killed by cars, how many by bikes? CreekDog Mar 2015 #49

How about we examine how many pedestrians are injured on sidewalks Telcontar Mar 2015 #64

from what cause? CreekDog Mar 2015 #66

Yes. The plural of anecdote isn't data RufusTFirefly Mar 2015 #57

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2015 #67

You're only for protecting pedestrians from cars, not bikes? pintobean Mar 2015 #18

Huh? rogerashton Mar 2015 #25

Bicyclists are not required to stay in bike lanes. In fact it's damn near impossible to do so. Gormy Cuss Mar 2015 #28

"...most areas treat bicyclists like an afterthought. Same for pedestrians." RufusTFirefly Mar 2015 #41

Same as it sounds if you do that for statements about car drivers, no? whatthehey Mar 2015 #62

I replied to creekdog pintobean Mar 2015 #30

Sorry. Missed that. rogerashton Mar 2015 #31

Yes, you replied to me saying that people didn't need to be protected from bicyclists CreekDog Mar 2015 #39

Well, most people can follow the conversation pintobean Mar 2015 #42

if this conversation is so easy to follow, then why can't you properly report what I said CreekDog Mar 2015 #50

You jumped someone's shit for pintobean Mar 2015 #52

No, do you have at least a made up quote to go along with that straw man? CreekDog Mar 2015 #38

I got the exact opposite impression when I was in Amsterdam Taitertots Mar 2015 #33

how many steep hills are there in Amsterdam? hobbit709 Mar 2015 #3

and this means American cities can't be bike friendly? CreekDog Mar 2015 #4

There's plenty in my city cwydro Mar 2015 #7

what's the highest elevation in Chicago? CreekDog Mar 2015 #17

Lol, no idea. cwydro Mar 2015 #23

I love bikes, but hate the people riding them Telcontar Mar 2015 #6

And here I thought Austin, TX had cornered the market on entitled asshole bikers! Paladin Mar 2015 #8

I ride a lot. cwydro Mar 2015 #24

Do you ever see automobile drivers that drive like they are "entitled"? CreekDog Mar 2015 #40

Of course I do. cwydro Mar 2015 #44

Automobile drivers? No. Truck drivers? All the goddamn time..... (nt) Paladin Mar 2015 #46

Spend some time on a bicycle. You may change your mind. RufusTFirefly Mar 2015 #55

It's that way in the Indianapolis area too. AngryOldDem Mar 2015 #60

Thanks for stating it so well. (nt) Paladin Mar 2015 #61

Can't we just have the first 5-10 seconds like cars do? Major Nikon Mar 2015 #20

We aren't a flat bike-oriented nation. P.S. Amsterdam bicyclists don't take pedestrians seriously! WinkyDink Mar 2015 #11

Sure they do -- as targets. rogerashton Mar 2015 #14

Hee! They like to get right up on you before ringing the bell! WinkyDink Mar 2015 #16

I just stopped in to read all the excuses not to take bikes seriously. tenderfoot Mar 2015 #29

... cwydro Mar 2015 #45

This message was self-deleted by its author RufusTFirefly Mar 2015 #56

I take cyclists very seriously, as I would any public menace. Sen. Walter Sobchak Mar 2015 #35

you've mentioned you're in Orange County CreekDog Mar 2015 #58

and being from behind the Orange Curtain has what to do with a preference Sen. Walter Sobchak Mar 2015 #59

To listen to him the Dutch invented cycling. And what is this thing he has against cycling clothes Monk06 Mar 2015 #43

lot of this going on in this thread CreekDog Mar 2015 #47

In the US traffic laws do not exist to promote safety tularetom Mar 2015 #53

Americans see bicycles as toys, and those that don't are "take the lane" types. ileus Mar 2015 #54

Astute observations from someone from a bike culture Laughing Mirror Mar 2015 #65

America doesn't do anything uniformly Egnever Mar 2015 #68