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now your car is blocking their path and they could end up smashing into your illicitly parked vehicle. I've had friends end up going through the rear windshield

now your car is blocking their path and they could end up smashing into your illicitly parked vehicle. I've had friends end up going through the rear windshields of cars I agree with the arguments about moving cars pulling into the bike lane, doors opening, etc, BUT if you can't avoid smashing your bike into a parked car with enough force to go through the rear window, then you definitely aren't skilled or responsible enough to be riding in the city.

metilda 9y ago
You should see the driving and biking conditions in Seattle. Expecting a bike to stop on a dime when coming down a hill just after it rains is wholly unrealistic.
- rapind 9y ago
  s/bike/car and good luck in court. "But I couldn't stop! The road was wet!"
- sfifs 9y ago
  Maybe you shouldn't be cycling in Seattle then?
- ryanwaggoner 9y ago
  First, I don't understand why you need to "stop on a dime" to avoid a stationary object ahead? Second, a huge part of safely operating any vehicle in an environment (especially a chaotic one you share with cars, bikes, and pedestrians) is awareness of your surroundings and the ability to avoid collisions. This is seriously driving / biking 101. If you are zooming around on your bike and just thinking "hope no objects / people / cars are sitting stationary in my way because there's no way I can stop and I'll definitely hit them", then you're a dangerous menace.
CalRobert 9y ago
Would you feel the same about a driver hitting a car parked on the freeway?
- ryanwaggoner 9y ago
  Of course. My belief is that if you ram your car into a stationary object, regardless of the conditions, you're at fault. Either you weren't paying attention or you were driving too fast for conditions.
  - CalRobert 9y ago
    Thanks for the consistency. It would be instructive if more people took motorcycle safety training. They really emphasized that you should ride as though there could be a dropped load of concrete, boulder, or pothole around every corner, every blind hill, or every car, and stop accordingly. I think this is mostly because the consequence of hitting debris is much more likely to be fatal on a motorcycle, but it would be good advice for anyone, really.
    - vsl 9y ago
      Exactly. Because one time there will be such a surprise object in your way.

metilda 9y ago

You should see the driving and biking conditions in Seattle. Expecting a bike to stop on a dime when coming down a hill just after it rains is wholly unrealistic.

rapind 9y ago
s/bike/car and good luck in court. "But I couldn't stop! The road was wet!"
sfifs 9y ago
Maybe you shouldn't be cycling in Seattle then?
ryanwaggoner 9y ago
First, I don't understand why you need to "stop on a dime" to avoid a stationary object ahead? Second, a huge part of safely operating any vehicle in an environment (especially a chaotic one you share with cars, bikes, and pedestrians) is awareness of your surroundings and the ability to avoid collisions. This is seriously driving / biking 101. If you are zooming around on your bike and just thinking "hope no objects / people / cars are sitting stationary in my way because there's no way I can stop and I'll definitely hit them", then you're a dangerous menace.

CalRobert 9y ago

Would you feel the same about a driver hitting a car parked on the freeway?

ryanwaggoner 9y ago
Of course. My belief is that if you ram your car into a stationary object, regardless of the conditions, you're at fault. Either you weren't paying attention or you were driving too fast for conditions.
- CalRobert 9y ago
  Thanks for the consistency. It would be instructive if more people took motorcycle safety training. They really emphasized that you should ride as though there could be a dropped load of concrete, boulder, or pothole around every corner, every blind hill, or every car, and stop accordingly. I think this is mostly because the consequence of hitting debris is much more likely to be fatal on a motorcycle, but it would be good advice for anyone, really.
  - vsl 9y ago
    Exactly. Because one time there will be such a surprise object in your way.