Comments for Bicycle Driving http://bicycledriving.org Cycling skills, good roads, public awareness. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:36:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on The Dilemmas of Bicycle Planning by Paul H. http://bicycledriving.org/about/the-dilemmas-of-bicycle-planning#comment-335 Paul H. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:33:36 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/about/the-dilemmas-of-bicycle-planning#comment-335 God bless you, Mr. Schimek. I'm not a cyclist, just an often worried and frightened motorist. Here in rural New Hampshire, I see recreational cyclists commit potentially lethal mistakes with increasing frequency. And with gas prices rising the number of untrained, commuting cyclists has risen, too. Motorists simply don't know how to behave around them. Please send me a copy of Bicyclist Injuries in the U.S. You bring much-needed objectivity to this issue. Thank you. God bless you, Mr. Schimek. I’m not a cyclist, just an often worried and frightened motorist. Here in rural New Hampshire, I see recreational cyclists commit potentially lethal mistakes with increasing frequency. And with gas prices rising the number of untrained, commuting cyclists has risen, too. Motorists simply don’t know how to behave around them.

Please send me a copy of Bicyclist Injuries in the U.S. You bring much-needed objectivity to this issue. Thank you.

]]> Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by DanC http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-321 DanC Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:06:16 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-321 Paul, Are you aware of the "Vulnerable User" legal concept and Oregon's new law? Since this concept is meant as safety improvement for non-motorized roadway users such as bicyclists, I think it merits inclusion. Here is an overview http://www.oregoncycling.org/2007/10/vulnerable-roadway-users/ Paul, Are you aware of the “Vulnerable User” legal concept and Oregon’s new law? Since this concept is meant as safety improvement for non-motorized roadway users such as bicyclists, I think it merits inclusion. Here is an overview
http://www.oregoncycling.org/2007/10/vulnerable-roadway-users/

]]> Comment on Shared Use Symbols by Eric http://bicycledriving.org/roads/shared-use-symbols#comment-301 Eric Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:57:47 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/roads/shared-use-symbols#comment-301 The pics are informative but could be more so if there were bikes in the pictures to give a clearer example of how to position the bike in relationship to the respective signs. Also with the different marking motorist need to be educated too for the whole system to reach its greatest potential. The pics are informative but could be more so if there were bikes in the pictures to give a clearer example of how to position the bike in relationship to the respective signs. Also with the different marking motorist need to be educated too for the whole system to reach its greatest potential.

]]> Comment on Moped Lessons by John Allen http://bicycledriving.org/roads/moped-lessons#comment-291 John Allen Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:06:04 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/roads/moped-lessons#comment-291 The Legislature has provided no definition of the term "automatic transmission" -- and so a judge would have to answer it if it arises as a practical matter. Would a judge rule for operational definition: "no need for the operator to shift gears" -- or a design specification? An electric motor does not need any gear shifting, as, unlike an internal-combustion engine, it can supply torque from a dead stop. The operational definition would, then, apply to the electrified bicycle, but the design specification, "a device to transfer power from an internal-combustion engine without the need for manual gear shifting," would not. As Paul notes, the statutes include a definition for "motorized bicycle", but this rests on a shaky foundation, as there is no definition of "bicycle." The Highway Department regulations do include such a definition, and a rather good one, but these regulations apply only on state highways. The Highway Department, in this case and others, has gone to some lengths to fill in gaps in the statutes. Massachusetts traffic laws -- an accretion, never conformed to any version of the Uniform Vehicle Code -- and it shows. The Legislature has provided no definition of the term “automatic transmission” — and so a judge would have to answer it if it arises as a practical matter. Would a judge rule for operational definition: “no need for the operator to shift gears” — or a design specification? An electric motor does not need any gear shifting, as, unlike an internal-combustion engine, it can supply torque from a dead stop. The operational definition would, then, apply to the electrified bicycle, but the design specification, “a device to transfer power from an internal-combustion engine without the need for manual gear shifting,” would not.

As Paul notes, the statutes include a definition for “motorized bicycle”, but this rests on a shaky foundation, as there is no definition of “bicycle.” The Highway Department regulations do include such a definition, and a rather good one, but these regulations apply only on state highways. The Highway Department, in this case and others, has gone to some lengths to fill in gaps in the statutes.

Massachusetts traffic laws — an accretion, never conformed to any version of the Uniform Vehicle Code — and it shows.

]]> Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by Betsy Gross http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-258 Betsy Gross Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:45:59 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-258 In reading "Guide to Improving Laws," I noted the use of "IO" as an abbreviation for a state name in some of the tables. I live in Iowa. I checked the U.S. Postal Service's website for a state with abbreviation "IO" and could not find one. The abbreviation for Iowa is "IA". Can I assume "IO" refers to Iowa? In reading “Guide to Improving Laws,” I noted the use of “IO” as an abbreviation for a state name in some of the tables. I live in Iowa. I checked the U.S. Postal Service’s website for a state with abbreviation “IO” and could not find one. The abbreviation for Iowa is “IA”. Can I assume “IO” refers to Iowa?

]]> Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by SiteAdmin http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-235 SiteAdmin Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:12:33 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-235 In response to Dan Kennelly: 1. Bicyclists already have the same rights as drivers of motorized vehicles, as well as the same responsibilities. And yes, I advocate defending and strengthening this right. 2. The issue of licensing frequently comes up, and I should post on it. Briefly, people are free to use the public roads; only inherently dangerous vehicles require a license. That's historically why people walking, riding bikes, riding horses, and driving horse-drawn vehicles do not need licenses. You cannot take away the right to travel, only the privilege of operating a motorized vehicle. Moreover, any licensing scheme for bicyclists would criminalize bicycling by unlicensed children. And the vast majority of adult cyclists in the USA already possess a driver's license. Even though a license is not required, bicyclists are required to obey the traffic laws and police officers are empowered to stop those who do not obey. I encourage anyone who thinks licensing of bicyclists is a good idea to instead encourage police and politicians to support even-handed enforcement of the law by officers trained in the rules of the road as they apply to bicycling. Such training is available at http://bicycledriving.org/enforce 3. The use of roads for organized bicycle races typically requires a permit, although this varies by state and local law. I certainly believe that any race that involves suspension of the normal rules of the road should be required to obtain a permit. 4. I completely agree with your last comment. I suggest contacting the Ohio Bicycle Federation. http://www.ohiobike.org/. I think they would be very happy to receive your suggestions. Nationally, the best contact is LAB, www.bikeleague.org. In response to Dan Kennelly:

1. Bicyclists already have the same rights as drivers of motorized vehicles, as well as the same responsibilities. And yes, I advocate defending and strengthening this right.

2. The issue of licensing frequently comes up, and I should post on it. Briefly, people are free to use the public roads; only inherently dangerous vehicles require a license. That’s historically why people walking, riding bikes, riding horses, and driving horse-drawn vehicles do not need licenses. You cannot take away the right to travel, only the privilege of operating a motorized vehicle. Moreover, any licensing scheme for bicyclists would criminalize bicycling by unlicensed children. And the vast majority of adult cyclists in the USA already possess a driver’s license.

Even though a license is not required, bicyclists are required to obey the traffic laws and police officers are empowered to stop those who do not obey. I encourage anyone who thinks licensing of bicyclists is a good idea to instead encourage police and politicians to support even-handed enforcement of the law by officers trained in the rules of the road as they apply to bicycling. Such training is available at http://bicycledriving.org/enforce

3. The use of roads for organized bicycle races typically requires a permit, although this varies by state and local law. I certainly believe that any race that involves suspension of the normal rules of the road should be required to obtain a permit.

4. I completely agree with your last comment. I suggest contacting the Ohio Bicycle Federation. http://www.ohiobike.org/. I think they would be very happy to receive your suggestions. Nationally, the best contact is LAB, http://www.bikeleague.org.

]]> Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by Dan Kennelly http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-234 Dan Kennelly Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:05:00 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-234 Being a motorcyclist I read your comments about restrictive legislation with interest. It appears you advocate granting bicyclists all the rights of other, motorized vehicles without being willing to accept some of the responsibilities required of these other vehicles, specifically, no testing to demonstrate skills and knowledge of appropriate laws prior to operation, no requirement for renewable licenses, no vehicle license requirement. Why should bicycles, as vehicles, be permitted to use public highways for races, with or without permits when it would never be considered for other vehicles? I am not necessarily advocating banning bicycles from highways, but if you want all the privileges of use you should have to expect to pay. I think many of the problems perceived by bicyclists are shared by motorcyclists and the people representing both of these groups should be more aware of shared concerns and work together to impact the knowledge and actions of motorists to reduce the levels of death, injury and property damage currently seen. Thank you, Dan Kennelly, Central Ohio Norton Owners Being a motorcyclist I read your comments about restrictive legislation with interest. It appears you advocate granting bicyclists all the rights of other, motorized vehicles without being willing to accept some of the responsibilities required of these other vehicles, specifically, no testing to demonstrate skills and knowledge of appropriate laws prior to operation, no requirement for renewable licenses, no vehicle license requirement. Why should bicycles, as vehicles, be permitted to use public highways for races, with or without permits when it would never be considered for other vehicles? I am not necessarily advocating banning bicycles from highways, but if you want all the privileges of use you should have to expect to pay.

I think many of the problems perceived by bicyclists are shared by motorcyclists and the people representing both of these groups should be more aware of shared concerns and work together to impact the knowledge and actions of motorists to reduce the levels of death, injury and property damage currently seen.

Thank you, Dan Kennelly, Central Ohio Norton Owners

]]> Comment on Oh, Freedom by Peter http://bicycledriving.org/roads/oh-freedom#comment-207 Peter Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:15:18 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/roads/oh-freedom#comment-207 Trolley tracks paved over - thank goodness. ::::Applause:::: Trolley tracks paved over - thank goodness. ::::Applause::::

]]> Comment on New Bike by AME.RA.LEED http://bicycledriving.org/skills/new-bike#comment-193 AME.RA.LEED Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:01:57 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/skills/new-bike#comment-193 Paul, Love the website. It is great to find such a reasonable voice on the subject of urban bicycling. You may remember that we biked together quite a bit back in the early 90's. I have been biking to work this spring in NYC on my 2005 Jamis and just love it. I have had a bit of a hiatus since I was last biking regularly. I've probably averaged 5 times a year in the last 10 years. But New York has been transformed in just the last two years, with many more miles of bike lanes than I ever remembered. Still you taught me well, and I am not shy about taking a section of roadway if there are parked cars alongside the bike path. So far so good. Best to you, Annie Paul,

Love the website. It is great to find such a reasonable voice on the subject of urban bicycling.

You may remember that we biked together quite a bit back in the early 90’s.

I have been biking to work this spring in NYC on my 2005 Jamis and just love it. I have had a bit of a hiatus since I was last biking regularly. I’ve probably averaged 5 times a year in the last 10 years. But New York has been transformed in just the last two years, with many more miles of bike lanes than I ever remembered. Still you taught me well, and I am not shy about taking a section of roadway if there are parked cars alongside the bike path. So far so good.

Best to you, Annie

]]> Comment on Aaron Fine and Rosie Shatz by Peter O http://bicycledriving.org/law/aaron-fine-and-rosie-shatz#comment-153 Peter O Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:09:45 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/aaron-fine-and-rosie-shatz#comment-153 I'm not sure how folks may speculate such about the young girl being in the wrong when you read the following, "He faces charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to safely pass a bicyclist and operating at an unsafe speed". I’m not sure how folks may speculate such about the young girl being in the wrong when you read the following, “He faces charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating a motor vehicle without a license, failure to safely pass a bicyclist and operating at an unsafe speed”.

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