wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
mowermech wrote:Perhaps that's why that gal zipped by me (on the right) at a downtown intersection, and blew right through the red light; she was lost in thought!
Good thing she was on a bicycle, not in a car.
A very large percentage (Means more than 1%) of bicycle riders, and in fact people in general think that each state has a book called the MOTOR VEHICLE CODE... And that if you don't have a motor, it does not apply to you..
Well, here in Mich. it's called the MICHIGAN VECHICLE CODE and it covers cars, trucks, tractors and all manner of motorized vehicles down to MOpeds and riding lawn mowers. It also covers bicycles and the famous (in song) "Addias Foot Mobile" (The song is Pocket Full of Dimes by Up With People if you are interested)
Any thing that moves upon the highway
And the paragraph that is most important says something like this: Except where otherwise provided all laws applying to cars and trucks apply to bicycles and motorcycles as well. (NOT even close to the actual wording.. I can look it up if you want)
In short: If a car driver is required to stop for a red light. So is the kid on the bicycle IF the speed limit is 25, and you can hit 30 with the bike, you can get a ticket.. OUIL, don't matter if it's a car or a tricycle.
ONE exception: Operation of bicycles MAY be authorized on a sidewalk (Or not depending on the city) and you MAY make an otherwise illegal left turn by getting OFF the bicycle (Or MOtorcycle if it's small enough) and WALKING it through the turn
I have done that many times with my HUFFY 3 speed and a few times with my No-Name 18 speed.. I'd not suggest trying it with a full dress Harley 
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Actually, here in Montana a bicycle is considered a vehicle, and is supposed to obey all vehicular traffic laws. There are only three problems with that:
1. Most riders apparently don't know it.
2. Those who do know apparently don't care.
3. NO enforcement. NONE. The city LEOs don't appear to care, either.
I saw it again tonight. The light was green for me, and a bicyclist just zipped right through the intersection from right to left, didn't even slow down.
Of course, you see them on the sidewalks, too, which is also illegal.
But, enough of that, this thread isn't about the illegalities of bicycle riders, it is about pronunciation.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
|
onehorsehitcher
Donna Tx
Full Member
Joined: 04/06/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
As far as I am concerned any comments about biking: pronunciation or safety is fine. You are correct in the statement that many bike riders either do not know or ignore the laws concerning bikes. In south Texas it is common for riders to ride facing traffic rather than with the traffic. Apparently in Mexico they do ride facing traffic. I debated (or argued that with a couple of law enforcement folks) and they insisted that you are supposed to ride facing the oncoming traffic. I then went to the books and found that they were wrong. There are many fatalities involving bikes and autos in that area. One of the most common problems I see are groups of bikes riding all over the road either side by side or weaving all over the lanes. Recently in Madison, Wi. a lady was ticketed when a parked auto driver opened the left door and she ran into it injuring herself. The law states that a bike rider has to stay within 3 feet of the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway and she was alledgedly within that space but was cited for not yielding to the door opener. Most homeowner's insurance covers you when riding your bike but you should check and make certain. Mine does. Riders are as bad as the others about ignoring rules of the road.
|
dd45529
Nebraska
New Member
Joined: 03/18/2008
View Profile
|
Cool, I just got back from San Diego. Lots of 'bikers' there. They have the regulation helmet on with a bikini, shorts, flip/flops, sandals and various other clothing items that won't stand up to any accident. Love your original observation. Hope all those riding a two wheeled vehicle take precautions. I can't spell 'bicicle'. kkd
kaykaydee63
|
|
|
|
