Bike Laws

Douchetallica · **Bike Laws -** 06-03-2007, 05:11 PM

[rant]Are there bike laws that byciclists must obey similar as to govermental rules of the road for car/motorcycle drivers?

I swear, everytime I drive north of Chicago to visit the girlfriend... there is always someone on a bike running down red lights and stop signs as if nothing. I sometimes can't help but wonder why someone driving a car has to pay attention to those rules, why can't we just drive as we wish.

Today on my way to visit the girlfriend, I came to a stop sign and stopped as I usually do, but I see a bycyclist coming down the perpendicular street speeding (that street has a stop sign too)... so I ease off the brakes and gently press the gas pedal knowing he's coming down speeding on his little 'ol bike... needless to say, I got pretty close to the guy and scared him, I didn't blow my horn since I didn't want the guy to fall over in shock and have a lawsuit on my hands. Had he drove into me, would I have lost that lawsuit? Good question, the government probably would have felt sorry for someone on a bike.

Guess I shouldn't complain... as sick as it sounds... car drivers have the last laugh because the byciclists are always on the news in Chicago for getting hit by trains (I wonder why!).[/rant]

[DAS REICH] Blitz · 06-03-2007, 05:45 PM

elstatec · 06-03-2007, 05:46 PM

shame you were not the one on a bike, because im sure that fate would choose a large truck to hit you, then a monster truck to go over to make sure the job is done

Eight Ace · 06-03-2007, 06:10 PM

Let those who ride decide. mad:

Douchetallica · 06-03-2007, 06:11 PM

[quote="[DAS REICH] Blitz":a155f]what[/quote:a155f]

Where you from? Do you have bike laws in your town?

The only one I'm aware of in Illinois, US is people 18+ on bikes have to ride on the streets. There are bike lanes on major streets in Chicago, but even then people riding bikes on them tend to swerve left and right like a drunk driver behind a car wheel does.

Sniper101 · 06-03-2007, 06:14 PM

ummmm......stfu cuz i dont care

jujumantb · 06-03-2007, 06:14 PM

[quote=Sparks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "[DAS REICH

Blitz":8e572]what

Where you from? Do you have bike laws in your town?

The only one I'm aware of in Illinois, US is people 18+ on bikes have to ride on the streets. There are bike lanes on major streets in Chicago, but even then people riding bikes on them tend to swerve left and right like a drunk driver behind a car wheel does.[/quote:8e572]
im pretty sure bike laws are almost identical to car laws when riding on the street throughout the entire country. every once in awhile at my school, cops stake out at an intersection and will give out tickets to bikers just for failing to signal

[DAS REICH] Blitz · 06-03-2007, 06:30 PM

i've never heard of bike laws.... i thought all you had to do was be careful of cars, that was it.

jujumantb · 06-03-2007, 06:33 PM

[quote="[DAS REICH] Blitz":a4e50]i've never heard of bike laws.... i thought all you had to do was be careful of cars, that was it.[/quote:a4e50]
sadly, i see too many people who think that, but its fun to watch them get tickets for running stop signs

Douchetallica · 06-03-2007, 06:42 PM

What do the police do/how do they issue a ticket when they catch a biker who doesn't have any ID on them?

[DAS REICH] Blitz · 06-03-2007, 06:43 PM

Whose at fault:

So the light is green, but I need to turn right on a street. Parallel to me is a man riding a bike on the sidewalk, and the walkway sign is green too. I'm already halfway turning into the right street when the guy on the bike almost hits my car (but he ends up falling over). Whose at fault if he had hit me?

Douchetallica · 06-03-2007, 06:48 PM

[quote="[DAS REICH] Blitz":91cc2]Whose at fault:

So the light is green, but I need to turn right on a street. Parallel to me is a man riding a bike on the sidewalk, and the walkway sign is green too. I'm already halfway turning into the right street when the guy on the bike almost hits my car (but he ends up falling over). Whose at fault if he had hit me?[/quote:91cc2]

Isn't it the law to walk your bike across a street? Or is it just a common guideline parents tell everyone.

jujumantb · 06-03-2007, 07:44 PM

[quote="[DAS REICH] Blitz":6ac00]Whose at fault:

So the light is green, but I need to turn right on a street. Parallel to me is a man riding a bike on the sidewalk, and the walkway sign is green too. I'm already halfway turning into the right street when the guy on the bike almost hits my car (but he ends up falling over). Whose at fault if he had hit me?[/quote:6ac00]
Well, first I would say you should be more attentive to see the bicyclist NOT slowing down, after all, he is clearly going to take the brunt of any collision. But! common bike law across the country is that, if you are biking on a sidewalk, you MUST stop and walk your bike across any intersection. The second your bike hits the street with you riding it, it is almost universally considered a vehicle and must abide by all traffic laws (this is why you can get a DUI on a bike), making the act of riding a bick across an intersection on the crosswalk illegal. By walking the bike through the street, you maintain a pedestrian status and cars must yield to you.

the test is wednesday, all material covered is fair game, bring your number 2's

Arkan · 06-03-2007, 07:56 PM

lol @ bike laws. When i was a kid, the objective was NOT to get hit by any cars. I always rode my bike "against" traffic so i could see if a car was coming at me.....at least i might have a chance to get out of the way.

Actually, bikes are supposed to follow the same "rules of the road" as cars.

Sniper101 · 06-03-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkan

lol @ bike laws. When i was a kid, the objective was NOT to get hit by any cars. I always rode my bike "against" traffic so i could see if a car was coming at me.....at least i might have a chance to get out of the way.

Actually, bikes are supposed to follow the same "rules of the road" as cars.

I did the same thing...right after i hit one at 35mph oOo: