Following traffic laws on bicycles
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Safety for everyone
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I think it's super cyclists can take advantage of such a wonderful place to ride, such as Bridger Canyon. We have also noticed the same things you mentioned in your post. Our biggest concern are the clyclists who ride in doubles (not single file), and also the cyclists who do not even attempt to ride inside the white line, when road conditions make this possible. Your comment made me laugh, "but once again we are expected to slow way down till they get out of the main traffic lane." No one wants to hit a cyclist that is for certain. I also notice many who think nothing of driving with their cell phone held to one ear. They are not only distracted, but driving with one hand. All of these behaviors are safety risks. Take a photo of a cyclist, or cyclists who perform this death defying stunt on the road you travel, and put it on your post. Most of the cyclists we have encountered (not all) do not ride single file if there is more than one, and rarely ride on the outside of the white line when they can. |
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Biking
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Cyclists are considered as vehicles and have the right to the road if they follow the rules. Having said that, as I recreational cyclist myself, I do feel there are a lot of bikers who have attitudes and don't use common sense. By that I mean those who ride side by side who have little concern about traffic behind them. When I bike I am very aware that my machine is much smaller than a car, and it's best not to pick a fight with a car. Another point on biking. Out of fear, because I am a recreational cyclist, I stay off roads without shoulders like Bridger Canyon and the Fronatage Road, but not everyone has that choice if they commute. Moving to the right side of the white line on a road that has little or no shoulder can be really dangerous because it can be the case where it's giving up too much road. I've been eased in the ditch a few times for giving up too much of the road. Final point and a pet peeve. To you motorists out there who think they are being kind for yielding to bikers even though you have the right of way. Thank you, but don't do that. I've been at stop sings numerous times on my bike when a car approaching fom my right of left will yield to me even when they are on the through street. It's a really nice gesture but it's dangerous because you have no idea what other cars are going to do. And it scares the hell out of me. |
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Interesting
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| I've heard complaints about cyclists from many people lately. It really has become a problem. I think that pedestrians are causing some problems too. Bozeman is one of the few places that I've been where pedestrians will more or less jump out in front of cars whenever it suits them. The problem with cyclists is that they want to be treated like vehicles when it suits them and pedestrians when it suits them better and they think that they are entitled to travel on all roads. It is a daily event for cyclists to pull out in front of cars in crosswalks like they are somehow magically shielded from the autos. I saw a woman with her children the other day teaching them to be daredevils and riding their bikes in front of oncoming traffic in a crosswalk like a bunch of ducks when the autos had the right of way. They all scowled at the cars as they were nearly run over. In another 10 years they will all be miseducated and teach their kids the same risky behaviour. There are safe places to ride and there are unsafe places to ride. Because you ride a bike doesn't mean that you are entitled to travel safely on all roads. Cars can't go on some roads where 4-wheel drives do. Big Pickups can't park where Mini Coopers can. Motorcycles don't work well when it's raining outside while autos perform well. There are places that are risky no matter what you drive or ride. Bicycles don't work well on every road and the laws of physics do not favor the cyclist. Ride at your own risk, but please don't risk your children's lives as a result of your misguided arrogance. | |
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RE: Interesting
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I think we saw the same people! This is a good post for all pedestrians/cyclists/motorists. The site (below in my comment) also states that cyclists are to follow the SAME rules as MOTORISTS. So, just heading out into traffic, expecting motorists to yield would seem to go against what is written. |
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Go to Mt.gov and put the words (bicycle laws) into the search box
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http://mdt.mt.gov/publications/docs/brochures/share_the_road Called the Sheriff's Department, who transferred me to Highway Patrol. None of them knew the law regarding bicycle safety and laws/rules. I found information on mt.gov website, by inserting the words (bicycle laws) into the "search box." Nothing even mentioned about cyclists staying to the right of the white line. So, that must not be a rule/law. It does tell motorists to "expect" cyclists on the road, and that bicyclists are to ride SINGLE FILE. |
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Look ma no hands....
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| Forget driving with one hand, the new rage is driving with no hands...you are more efficient while driving allowing you to get two handed things done, it is more fun and entertaining, and gives your knees much needed exercise....haha....just a joke people.... | |
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I ride a fair amount
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I ride to commute and for fun on and off road. I agree that more strict enforcement of vehicle laws is needed for bicyclists who don't obey traffic signals, ride on sidewalks downtown, etc - just as more enforcement of speeding cars or those who don't use turn signals. Unfortunately our police force is busy doing other things that may be more important. Bikes are NOT required to stay to the right of the white line. State law only requires them to stay as far to the right as is safe. Road bike tires roll on upwards of 100 psi and the smallest peice of glass can easily blow a tire creating an unsafe condition. With more and more litterbugs on our roads the shoulder is rarely free of such obstructions. Bikers should ride singlefile and often don't. Sometimes it's because they were having a quick chat side-by-side and failed to hear a car coming up behind them at a high rate of speed (it's common not to hear a car until it's right next to you). Other times they're being jerks and it's a big part of the reason I don't ride in organized events. Bikes are entitled to be on the roads every bit as much as the person driving 55 mph on Bridger or those that don't use turn signals etc. Every form of transportation has it's bad apples and those are the only ones we notice. |
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RE: I ride a fair amount
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| Regarding the last paragraph - the only bikes/cyclists that are "entitled" to be on the road are the ones that are licensed. | ||
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Spirit and Courtesy!
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| I like this post, it's very relevant. My only trip up Bridger Canyon led me past THREE seperate groups of bicyclists who were hogging the road. Just like almost everything else in life, there always seems to be some people who prefer to substitute arrogance, ignorance, or downright rudeness for PAYING ATTENTION! I have done a whole lot of street riding, and I know for a fact that when you are in a rural area like that you can hear, see, and "feel" a car coming from behind you from a long way, even if you are talking to another rider or even going at a higher rate of speed. My point is you actually have to be trying to CARE TO BE COURTEOUS, or else your going to end up being rude because you're not paying attention. It's rude to not pay attention to your surroundings! I say, keep your spirit clean and open, and put the concerns of others before yourself, and there would not be a need for a post like this. | |
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i think it's out of spite
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maybe they're thinking, "well, 3 cars almost hit me yesterday, so today, im going to ride in the middle of the road" ..or others.. "those damn cyclists were hogging the road yesterday, so today, im going to SHOW THEM who's boss!" everyday is a new day. being rude gets you NOWHERE. |
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RE: i think it's out of spite
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I agree. There was an article a couple months ago, and now that I'm typing I can't remember where (Trib? Outside Bozeman?). Sorry. Anyway the topic was "selfish recreation" and how a lot of us basically underestimate the impact of our preferred sport/exercise/rec activity while playing up how others impact our fun. Contributes so much to the conflict on roads, trails, streams, lakes. . . It's something to think about next time you are out there. In Montana we are blessed with a lower density of people who have more places to play (and drive!) than almost anywhere in the lower 48. If we still can't share nice, there has to be something about our attitudes. |
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