Bikers on Roads
- Thread starter SplitIdentity
- Start date
This is really the truth. And considering how many bikes are on the road, it seems there really are very few accidents.
Yeah - they're getting there. But it's a slow, slow process and many have been delayed. You may be surprised to find out how many of those trails got trashed and were closed last summer due to the floods as well. Great Western was shut down most of last summer as were many parts of the birdland area trails and even Raccoon River out west.
It kind of adds to that point however. Some of these trails run on highways as "connectors" themselves. Can't think of the number, but the highway that runs out of Slater towards Ames is one of those trails.
And trails don't go everywhere or serve everyone. Particularly when you're talking rural.
A lot of us ride bikes for a work out, for aerobic conditioning. You can't get up to a decent speed (and heart rate) on most trails, as they are intended more for leisure riding.
Who did I blame? I pointed out what you call "jerk behavior" is illegal.
It's seems to me your two sides are not equal. Get on a bike and ride up and down Clark from Division to, oh say Foster, and tell me that you rarely see cars "do" anything to bikes.
More dangerous too. I wasn't kidding earlier about animals on trails. Seen a ton of accidents due to them. Whatever it is that attracts deer to roads and cars, they apparently find trails and bikes the same way.
And they aren't maintained like roads are. Anyone who has been on the Great Western south of Cumming can speak to that.
not sure how it is better analogy, but it sure does prove not everyone should be driving a car.
I'll drop it, but I just hate to see anyone, car or bike causing an accident and people getting hurt.
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I remember buying my new motorcycle in college - so excited!
Then after about a dozen near-accidents from drivers simply not seeing me (lots of left turns right in front of me), I sold it two months later.
This thread is laughable. The people arguing against bikes on the road have very little idea of what the rules of the road are for bikes. They don't where bikes can legally ride. They think that because the bikers are taking a risk it's okay if they get hurt. They don't think that bike riders are licensed motor vehicle drivers or pay taxes.
Let's face it. Bikes belong on the road. They will continue to be on the road until there is a rideable shoulder or bike lane for them. If there is a safer alternative, more often than not, the biker will take the safer route. The biggest issue is the people driving down these rural roads not expecting to see bike riders and when they do encounter them they can become enraged by the few seconds of time that the bikers have caused them to lose. If you see bike riders, even riding side-by-side, slow down and pass them when it's safe to do so. Sure, you lose a few seconds of your precious time getting to where you're going but you're not in jail and the cyclist isn't in the hospital. Have some courtesy for your fellow man and woman. Someone already mentioned that we all have a moral responsibility to not cause harm.
Let's face it. Bikes belong on the road. They will continue to be on the road until there is a rideable shoulder or bike lane for them. If there is a safer alternative, more often than not, the biker will take the safer route. The biggest issue is the people driving down these rural roads not expecting to see bike riders and when they do encounter them they can become enraged by the few seconds of time that the bikers have caused them to lose. If you see bike riders, even riding side-by-side, slow down and pass them when it's safe to do so. Sure, you lose a few seconds of your precious time getting to where you're going but you're not in jail and the cyclist isn't in the hospital. Have some courtesy for your fellow man and woman. Someone already mentioned that we all have a moral responsibility to not cause harm.
Not all bicycle excursions are "recreational activities." For example, I rode my bicycle from my house (I live next to a county road) into town to go to work. I might add that the county roads in this area are quite hilly, far more so than what I remember of Iowa county roads. In this particular area there are many others that commute by bicyle, and fortunately the motor vehiclists are far more understanding than many of those that are posting on this board of our rights to do so.
I will add that not all motor vehicle traffic is "commerical. Undoubtedly some motor vehicle traffic is "recreational" in its nature.
So now what determines whether one should be able to use the rural roads is not the type of vehicle but the intent of the driver? It would be very difficult to enforce this standard.
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Thanks. This is actually a reasonable post. I don't want to see anyone hurt, which is part of the reason I feel passionate about all parties obeying the rules of the road.
It's pretty simple. Road conditions can be bad for cars or bikes. Wrong or right if you bike on a hilly and curvy country road it's not as safe as riding on a trail. You as a biker have to decide if it's worth the risk. Personally I gave it up.
As to my driving ability I don't see how you can make a judgment call on that; but it seems that you are pretty good at passing judgment.
made no judgement-you admitted you can't control your car. it sounds like either you exceeded your capacity once you left the comfort of paved road...or you were driving to fast for your skill set/conditions. either way you have demonstrated via admission that you have some challenges driving. furthermore; maybe you could post on bikeiowa.com when you are heading out(along with route) so bicyclists can take extra care. :wink:
I used to ride the Saylorville trails until they became unridable the last couple of years due to lack of maintenance. That's why I did a lot of riding on rural paved roads, and I would stay as far to the right as possible. Most people would swing wide when they pass, but a few would still pass close enough to give me a scare, even though there was no oncoming traffic. Those are the jerks you read about that hit bikers then leave the scene. I thought they said on the news that the driver ran over the biker and left the scene in the recent incident. Pretty hard not to know you hit a biker, even if it's lightly.
This thread is ridiculous... I can't believe how many people are saying "They're taking a risk... it's their own fault." What's the number one rule you learn in drivers ed? Look and think before you act. I know if you're paying attention and looking ahead, you should NEVER hit a biker... EVER.
I never left the paved road. Rocks from the gravel road were thrown up onto the paved road. It was like driving on marbles. Why a gravel road meets a paved road right on a turn I have no idea.
I actually grew up a farm boy so driving down the gravel road is no problem and in general I'd say I'm above average in the driving department.
