[Mpls] Re: Mpls Digest, Vol 11, Issue 19

[Jeremy Brezovan]

Wizard Marks wrote:

>Bicycles, in my often aghast observation, seldom stop for red
>lights and stop signs, ride on the sidewalks, will ride against the
>traffic, and, even with bike lanes clearly marked, will insist on riding
>on the other side of the street where no bike lane is marked or
>expected. They have no headlights or tail lights, nor do they  wear
>reflective clothing uniformly.
>I've been bent out of shape on many occasions because there is no
>accepted protocol at corners where autos will be turning, bicycles could
>be turning (arm signals are not often practiced to, at minimal, give the
>driver behind a clue about something happening), and cars are parked
>right up to the edge of the sidewalk.
>In my estimation, bicycle traffic is so erratic in behavior that it's
>the devils own time trying to figure out what a bicycler is up to. So, I
>don't think that putting the onus on the police is going to be entirely
>successful. Put some onus on the bicyclers as well. Get the state to
>pamphletize the metro area on a set of protocols. The whole situation is
>very, very iffy.

I've seen bicyclists do the things Wizard mentions, and it disappoints me 
because I know some drivers will take it out on other bicyclists like me, 
even though I *do* stop for signs and *do* use lights and reflective 
clothing to make myself visible. I just hope she's not implying that my 
"erratic" behavior (otherwise known as using the designated bicycle lane for 
its intended purpose) is to blame for drivers' inattentiveness and/or 
misdirected anger!

Seriously, nobody deserves to go through what I did yesterday, and I will 
not be lumped in with the kind of careless or inattentive people I'm 
complaining about, no matter what kind of vehicle they're operating. 
(Believe me, I've dealt with a lot more close calls and road-raging idiots 
while driving my car than I ever have on my bike--yet another reason I've 
felt relatively safer in the bike lanes!)

And maybe a cop or two out there will get those errant bicyclists to 
straighten up their act too...

Jeremy Brezovan
Saint Anthony East