cyclists and stoplights
 

are cyclists supposed to stop at stop lights?

i know i almost kill a few everyday. whether they are considered 'pedestrians' or 'cars' is irrelevant since red still means 'stop'.

what's the deal? does anyone know?

You didn't specify moto or pedal driven, but the 'deal' is that neither species wants to have to take their feet of the pegs or pedals when approaching the stop. They will often slow very early and do what looks like a high-wire balancing act to avoid putting the feet down. When they don't get the timing right, or it is a sign, they will often just roll through it. Your're right--red means stop.

they must obey the traffic laws, period. I got pulled over for speeding in a school zone on my roadie....

Got a video of that? I have never seen that in WI. In Madison, they ride across the lights in front of those cops and never get a ticket.

Someday, I'll be in luck and see them squished under the wheels of a large vehicle. I have absolutely no sympathy for them. Yes, I'm sure there are a few good ones. However, I have not seen them. When I ride, I make damn sure I stop when I should stop.

Jen Tay, you drive an MB. That means you already have a hood ornament. I don't think you need another one.

Cyclists ignore traffic rules at their own risk. Around here we have bike lanes everywhere; I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse because just about everyone I know who bikes anywhere has been hit by a car turning right when they were going straight.

It's the driver's fault, but that's small consolation when you're run over by a 3K pound car.

Well, fault is irrelavant. I don't argue whose fault it is when I am in a cage with a ferocious animal. I do what it takes to survive. I know that I am 200# and he is 3000#. He wins the arguement. I watch out to make myself safe. When the lights are with me, I don't cycle across. I make sure it is clear.

That was my point, or at least part of it. But it's surprising how many people on bikes pay no attention to cars whatsoever, falsely assuming that as long as they follow the rules, they'll be OK.

They are supposed to, but usualy don't. Just try not to hit them, I know they make a nice target!:D

On more than one occassion, I had to stop and offer assistance to a cyclist who foolishly thought (therein lies the problem) that the motorist was going to stop at the red light and not hit the cyclist(sp). People are in too much of a hurry to obey those things called traffic lights, so do as your mother taught you and NO MATTER WHAT YOUR DRIVING OR IF YOUR WALKING FOR THAT MATTER, PLEASE LOOK BOTH WAYS...

In Madison, I see that they are mostly jerks. Actually I haven't seen any that did follow the rules. Hence, if they get run over and I saw it, I would roll down my window and yell "Sucks to be you, doesn't it?"

I walk and cross streets all the time and never have a problem. They need to bike in NY city for a bit.:D Nothing makes you smart about crossing streets, like thousands of yellow cabs driven by guys who are not affraid to nail you.:D

Of course they are supposed to obey traffic lights. The problem I have with these guys is when they use traffic lanes to make a left turn! They get in the turn lane instead of using cross walks and hold up traffic. If they can't accelerate as fast as me or other traffic (and they can't) they should get the hell out of the way! That and the ugly-ass costumes they wear piss me off!

In my days as a bike messenger (late 80's early 90's) I ran 'double digits' red lights-stop signs/day...time was money. When I did it I was dam sure that the cars I was amoungst could'nt have hit me if they tried... as many did try.

I agree Mistress. Right of way means nothing on a bike. It's all physics and the sympathetic nervous system.

It does bring up a good question tho. Why is it cops don't enforce the laws on all street traffic and just on a car?

They're supposed to get in the turn lane. It might be absurd, but them's the rules.