07-25-2013, 03:01 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy
Cyclist Convicted Of 'Vehicular Manslaughter'
Guy on bicycle runs two stop signs and a red light before colliding with an old man. Old man dies. Cyclist convicted.
I ride and I obey the rules of the road for the most part. I see a lot of other cyclists doing dumb stuff, and making us all look bad, resulting in a lot of negative perception of all cyclists. I think this conviction is a step in the right direction.
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Not sure I agree.
Bicycles are given vast leeway on what they may legally do and this is because they are seen mostly as being nearly the same as pedestrians. At issue with a bicycle is that it and it’s rider are routinely granted access rights to areas used by both pedestrians and vehicles at the same time. There is no clear code which says when a set of rules intended for automobiles or pedestrians should be followed. Due to that, people on bikes are encouraged to use any rules to their convenience.
Examples are riding on in the road way and then cross an intersection at a crosswalk (as opposed to waiting for a stop sign or light). They may also cross at an intersection. Both are okay. Bikes may ride on the road, shoulder, or sidewalk, or bike lanes where they exist. All are legal. Bikes are perceived as essentially fast moving pedestrians, but commonly not fast enough for morons in motor vehicles. Around here the only places bikes are not permitted is along restricted access highways, unless there is a sidewalk for them to use.
As to the person who hit someone, the issue begins and ends with him hitting someone. That’s a separate issue from the other stated issues mentioned. The rider stated he entered the intersection on a yellow light, which all will agree is completely legal. The core detail is that accordingly he lost control of his vehicle and that’s what caused the problem.
From the article it is not clear if he’s perceived of failing to take into account the circumstances. We also don’t know from the article if people swarmed into the cross walk before the rider cleared the intersection. If that was the case then the pedestrians crossing against a wait ought to be the issue and the bike rider was framed. Just saying.
From the perspective of people on bikes, many in motor vehicles and on foot ought to be jailed for their routine recklessness and outright arrogance or even contempt when near someone one a bike.
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