Comments on: Report Those Incidents http://ribike.org/2008/08/15/report-those-incidents Working to make cycling in the Ocean State safer and more enjoyable for YOU Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:41:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Alan Barta http://ribike.org/2008/08/15/report-those-incidents/comment-page-1#comment-1644 Alan Barta Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:37:41 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/?p=250#comment-1644 Incredulous, quarrelsome, and ^ sarcastic. Informed motorists? State law says where there's 3 lanes, you must drive in the middle lane, unless exiting or passing. When did you ever see that happen in RI? Incredulous, quarrelsome, and ^ sarcastic.

Informed motorists? State law says where there’s 3 lanes, you must drive in the middle lane, unless exiting or passing. When did you ever see that happen in RI?

]]> By: Dennis http://ribike.org/2008/08/15/report-those-incidents/comment-page-1#comment-1634 Dennis Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:45:15 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/?p=250#comment-1634 It seems like nearly every time I ride I'm told by a concerned passing motorist that I should be up on the sidewalk. Can this be true? How can so many of my motor-driven road companions be better informed that I am? What was I thinking? It seems like nearly every time I ride I’m told by a concerned passing motorist that I should be up on the sidewalk. Can this be true? How can so many of my motor-driven road companions be better informed that I am?

What was I thinking?

]]> By: Alan Barta http://ribike.org/2008/08/15/report-those-incidents/comment-page-1#comment-1613 Alan Barta Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:28:46 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/?p=250#comment-1613 Motorists continue under a delusion that they own the road. In fact of law, they are obligated to give way to all other users of the road, namely bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users, who are ALSO TRAFFIC!!!! Bicyclists are entitled, by law, to use the right side of travel lane, not be forced into gutters, shoulders or sidewalks. Just because there's a bikeway nearby doesn't mean you can't use the street, too. It's 3 feet from edge of "travel lane" or road edge where not marked. Too bad if that slows them down. Whenever I remind bicyclists or motorists of this, they instantly become incredulous and quarrelsome. I experienced very similar incidents. When I speak of them, cyclists accuse me of road rage. In other words, when a motorist commit hate crimes against you, you're not entitled to any say whatever, because that might offend LAB or other automotive lobbyists. Bicyclists should get it in their head that they OWN the road, and tolerate motorists only if they behave. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/INDEX.HTM http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-19/INDEX.HTM Bicycle laws (more than cars) 31-19-3 "Every person... propelling a vehicle by human power shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle...." which includes using all the road. Laws exist because people have no consideration for others. Obeying laws is just good manners. But the penalties are miniscule and enforcement random. Motorists continue under a delusion that they own the road. In fact of law, they are obligated to give way to all other users of the road, namely bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users, who are ALSO TRAFFIC!!!! Bicyclists are entitled, by law, to use the right side of travel lane, not be forced into gutters, shoulders or sidewalks. Just because there’s a bikeway nearby doesn’t mean you can’t use the street, too. It’s 3 feet from edge of “travel lane” or road edge where not marked. Too bad if that slows them down.

Whenever I remind bicyclists or motorists of this, they instantly become incredulous and quarrelsome.

I experienced very similar incidents. When I speak of them, cyclists accuse me of road rage. In other words, when a motorist commit hate crimes against you, you’re not entitled to any say whatever, because that might offend LAB or other automotive lobbyists. Bicyclists should get it in their head that they OWN the road, and tolerate motorists only if they behave.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/INDEX.HTM

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE31/31-19/INDEX.HTM Bicycle laws (more than cars)
31-19-3 “Every person… propelling a vehicle by human power shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle….” which includes using all the road.

Laws exist because people have no consideration for others. Obeying laws is just good manners. But the penalties are miniscule and enforcement random.

]]> By: MC http://ribike.org/2008/08/15/report-those-incidents/comment-page-1#comment-1610 MC Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:42:46 +0000 http://bikeprovidence.org/?p=250#comment-1610 One day I was biking to work and an aggressive motorist yelled at me to get off the road. I made the appropriate gesture back. Then, as I started to get closer to his car, he opened the passenger door and stepped on the brakes. I was angry and annoyed, and I got the plate. I called the police, but it was right on the border of two cities, so they bounced my call back and forth a bit. I asked to file a report, and though I don't remember the reasons now, the police talked me out of it (maybe it had to do with being named publicly?). Instead, the police offered to go to the guys house and talk to him on my behalf. The officer stopped by my office later and said that I wouldn't have any more trouble from the guy. One day I was biking to work and an aggressive motorist yelled at me to get off the road. I made the appropriate gesture back. Then, as I started to get closer to his car, he opened the passenger door and stepped on the brakes. I was angry and annoyed, and I got the plate.

I called the police, but it was right on the border of two cities, so they bounced my call back and forth a bit. I asked to file a report, and though I don’t remember the reasons now, the police talked me out of it (maybe it had to do with being named publicly?).

Instead, the police offered to go to the guys house and talk to him on my behalf. The officer stopped by my office later and said that I wouldn’t have any more trouble from the guy.

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