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The other way of stopping

Gary Boulanger, US editor Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 10.54pm

Legend has it that when the Police were recording their 1980 album Zenyattà Mondatta, they were too preoccupied to write lyrics for the song The Other Way of Stopping, embarking on a tour in Belgium the day the record was finished. It appears, in our bike-riding existence, many cyclists are too preoccupied to obey basic traffic laws. But who's mainly to blame?

I live in a very bike-friendly part of the world, chock-full of designated bike lanes, a warm climate, and a seeminly tolerant community of motorists. Mountain View, California, like many communities around the United States, has its fair share of distracted SUV and mini-van drivers, but where I see the biggest disparity is with the cyclists who routinely ignore traffic signs however and whenever possible.

I'm not referring just to the racer boys and girls, either. Yes, our heart rate-monitored and GPS-equipped poseurs somehow think breaking the law takes a back seat to maintaining their training regimen. I've witnessed kindly grandparent types blowing through stop signs without a sideward glance. I regularly see bicycle commuters of all stripes turn right at a red light, circle the median, then take another right back into traffic, not blinking an eye or thinking twice about their actions. Sadly, most cyclists are quite narcissistic, somehow believing the world evolves around them. This paints a very negative picture for those striving to not only obey the rules of the road, but put bicycling in a good light in these days of rising fuel costs.

Priceless.: priceless.

Yep, I'm coming off as a true goody two-shoes to some, but the negligence and selfish behavior exhibited by the majority of cyclists is what prompted this blog. It's time to stop and smell the roses, people. Regardless of your reason for riding, stopping at stop signs and stop lights is the law. Quit being a twit and set the proper example for your fellow cyclists, or God's gonna smite another kitten on your behalf.

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User Comments

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  • ......but the negligence and selfish behavior exhibited by the majority of cyclists.....

    it is not my experience that the majority of cyclist do not obey the road laws. i assume you have some fact to back up this statement.

    some cyclist break the road rules, as do some van drivers, some females, some young males or any other group i wish to point my finger at.

  • I truly wasn't mincing words when I said the majority of the cyclists in my neck of the woods (and there are thousands). That's what prompted the blog.

  • well, I dont like cats soooooooo............................

  • a) Cat's give me the snuffles.

    b) There'd be no killing since there is no god.

    c) I don't jump/bunny hop my bike through red lights, I ride.

    c) I could wait and smell the petrol fumes and be slower than cars, the train, a bus and the tram OR I could safely check 4 or 5 times before riding through a light.

  • What about all the motorist who jump red lights?

  • I totally agree with you Gary. Also, the fact that other people don't follow the rules is not a reason to ignore them yourself - it's called "the law"!

  • I live in the SF Bay Area as Gary does and yes I see more cyclists running stop signs and stop lights than not.

    I don't care if they run it if there is no one else at the intersection, but many are taking the right of way to cross traffic and thus annoying drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.

    Yes there are bad drivers, but even the worse driver will not run the majority of red lights and stop signs he encounters. Some cyclists do this out of habit, because they know they can get away with it. They know a cop will not ticket a cyclist who runs a stop sign or even a red light.

    Some cyclists like those I see in Golden Gate Park are just oblivious. They think they ought to be treated as pedestrians and should always get the right of way. And for the most part motorists think the same way. In light traffic areas and parks, when I stop at a stop sign, some will try to wave me through even though they have the right of way. Sometimes I try to wave them through, but lately I just start pedaling.

  • 'The law' should constantly be questioned. Most highway rules were created to stop vehicle drivers from killing and maiming. At some times there are rational reasons to obey them when riding a bike. At other times there are not. Some times we cyclists put ourselves in far more danger by obeying the laws rather than skirting around them. Personally I assess every bike/motor transport interface situation on its merits and demerits. I trust my own senses more than those of someone who put a law in writing and created the signs and lines to suit it.

  • the motorists who jump red lights?

    I'm sorry this come up everytime and I'm yet to see one after living in many parts of the country - London included

    Certainly its about 500 RLJing cyslist to every car!

  • 1

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