Fundraising Cyclists Hit and Killed

That's horrible

What amazes me is that people who drive cars don't realize that bicycles are entitled to use the road as much as they are. Drivers often yell "get off the road" as they pass, not knowing that by doing so they are committing a ticketable offense.

I worked in Florida for several years as a police officer. One day a cab driver swerved toward me while I was riding, while yelling curses about my blocking the road. I caught up to him at the next light, laid my bike down in front of his car, and showed him my badge. The look on his face was "priceless".

I then called for a Miami Beach officer to come and assist me. The cab driver ended up having a suspended license, and had less right to be on the road than a bicycle. He was arrested and taken to jail, and his cab was impounded.

I pressed charges against him for vehicular assault, which he plead down to reckless driving. His license was then revoked for 2 years, and he lost his Dade County cab license. He was put one ticket away from being classified as a "habitual traffic offender", which is a felony, punishable by up to a lifetime ban from driving.

I've been hit a few times while riding, but the incidents were all accidental. The last time it happened, a woman turned into me while I was riding on a bike lane. I was unhurt, but my bike was messed up. The insurance adjuster asked how much my bike cost, and I said $3500 (it was a Pinarello). He balked at the cost, so I mentioned that I would have my lawyer discuss the loss of my bike with him. He then shut up and wrote me a check for $3500, and I signed his waiver.

I prefer riding here in Japan. It is almost as difficult to get a drivers license in Japan as it is to get a pilots license in America. People here know the rules of the road, and are fully aware that cyclists can ride anywhere that cars drive. What's more, if a motor vehicle gets into an accident with a bicycle or pedestrian, the driver of the motor vehicle is automatically considered at fault. This causes drivers to be especially careful around pedestrians and people, and encourages more people to ride bicycles.

Like Traveler, I have had some close calls with some stupid drivers.  Fortunately, I live in a smaller city and know which roads see less traffic so I can avoid most of the idiots.  Additionally, we have a very nice bike trail along the river.  Finally, being retired military, I can ride on the local base where the reduced speed limits and fear of explaining tickets to a commander tends to keep drivers more in line.

Can bicycle riders get speeding tickets?

TRAVELER wrote: I pressed charges against him for vehicular assault,

why? he swerved around you...

im actually with carl on this one.  there arent any sidewalks around here, but when i ride, its on the edge of the road.  if a car gets behind me, i'll either wave him around me to let him know its safe to pass, or go off road or into someones driveway to let him pass.  i expect other cyclists to do the same for me when im driving

evillepaintball wrote: TRAVELER wrote: I pressed charges against him for vehicular assault, why? he swerved around you...

Read that again, he said he swerved toward him.

I tend to ride off the side of the road as much as possible, I always ride my mountain bike and I find it more fun and a better workout.

evillepaintball wrote: That'll teach em!  punks trying to help a good cause!

why say something like that?
two people DIED... not something to joke about

As much as I hate bikers on the side of the road who can never get over enough to be out of my lane. It's too bad it happened to people doing something good.

carl_the_sniper wrote: I beleive that cyclists should have to stay to the edge of the road. You wouldn't believe how often they hold up traffic down here. It would be for their own good really. When I ride my bike, it's always on the sidewalk.

Bikers should be aloud on the road but should have to yield to autos. It is my understanding that going under 15mph under hte speed limit is illegal. Therefore if bikers want the same rights they should pedal a bit faster.

Ilford Rule wrote: carl_the_sniper wrote: I beleive that cyclists should have to stay to the edge of the road. You wouldn't believe how often they hold up traffic down here. It would be for their own good really. When I ride my bike, it's always on the sidewalk. I'm fairly certain it's illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk with 24" or over wheels. Can't remember the number though.Anyways, to post on topic, that's terrible. How blind do you have to be to miss seeing a group of cyclists? I can't imagine he saw them and did nothing... condolences to the families.

I know it's illegal but it's unenforced and everyone does it.

It's safer for just about everyone.