BICYCLE TRAFFIC SAFELY

Why is traffic safety ONLY the responsibility of the driver of the car?

It is not my intention to pick on bicycle riders.

I’m just sick-and-tired of being picked on BY them.

As usual our government goes off half-cocked in their attempts to convince us that they have our best interests at heart.

Don’t just encourage people to ride bicycles for their health . . . Encourage them to do it safely by obeying traffic laws and using common sense.

How about riding at night without lights or reflectors and wearing dark clothes.

Maybe common sense isn’t so common any more.

My dad taught me that “horse sense” is just “stable thinking”.

Numerous times, while driving, I have narrowly avoided a collision with a person riding a bicycle on the street.  Usually it’s because that person is doing something patently unsafe and illegal, like running through a yield sign, stop sign, or red signal light.  On each of these occasions the cyclist:  1. Glared at me;  2. Yelled at me;  3. Gave me the one-finger salute;  4. Occasionally all three.

I have no doubt that, had a collision occurred, the cyclist would have sued ME even though it was his/her fault.

I assume they expect drivers to grant riders ownership of the road and declare them above the law.  “Share the road” means just that - SHARE.  Using the public streets safely is the responsibility of EVERY participant.

When are we going to require adult bicycle riders to attend traffic safety classes, take a test, be issued a license, and procure liability insurance before riding a bicycle on a public thoroughfare?

Motorcycles only have 2 wheels and THEIR riders have to meet strict requirements.

To be fair, bicycle riders should have to meet the same requirements as operators of motorcycles, cars, and trucks; including maintaining liability insurance.

Don’t even get me started on pedestrians who cross the street in the middle of the block without looking.  Or cross against the red light or the “Don’t Walk” sign.

How about the ones who force cars into oncoming traffic by walking two or three abreast in the street when there is a perfectly good sidewalk not 2 feet away???

Maybe they just don’t understand: SIDEWALK.  As in WALK on the SIDE of the road . . . where it’s safer . . . DUH.

 

My rant for the day.


Coming up:  A review of Spencer's Restaurant in Palm Springs.