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Cyclist are neither licensed or registered where I am, so there is no expectation they are familiar with traffic laws nor is there any way to hold them accounta
by lizard 12y ago
Cyclist are neither licensed or registered where I am, so there is no expectation they are familiar with traffic laws nor is there any way to hold them accountable when they do something hazardous (unless they are involved in an accident which incapacitates them). Traffic laws regarding bicycles didn't come up on my driver's test or in the educational material either so I had to look up the laws myself. The laws are difficult to find, difficult to read, and still pretty vague; no wonder even the sales associates at sports shops don't know them.
I don't live in a city so I'm not familiar with bicyclist in that environment, but in the town I live in, which has a strong outdoor recreation community and a University, cyclists also do not obey traffic laws.
This town's claim of being "bicycle friendly" is questionable, but you can get most places safely enough. There are bike lanes or shared lanes on many streets, double-wide sidewalks (which can be used by bicyclists) here and there, and a bike accessible trail system that winds around and through the town if you're willing go a bit out of your way. With a strong cyclist presence in town most drivers are fairly comfortable sharing the road. I've been bicycling around town for several years, both for recreation and to save $400/year on a parking permit for work, and never been involved in an accident.
But I still see cyclist riding up and down sidewalks in the downtown area (which has signs every few hundred feet stating that cycling is not permitted on sidewalks) or cutting off cars at busy intersections (even if the intersection is being directed by a traffic cop). I have even, no kidding, seen a cyclist run a red light in the oncoming traffic lane at night with no lights, reflectors, or a helmet.