Do you actually follow the rules of the road?

I respect the rules because I value my life, but certain regulations imposed on us cyclists just don't sit right with me. I suspect a lot of people break the law precisely because we’re treated like an afterthought—placed at the very bottom of the hierarchy, below cars and pedestrians, yet still expected to get where we're going quickly. Motorists own the road, pedestrians have crosswalks, and we’re left just trying to balance between the two. It all seems to come down to whoever we’re "less of a nuisance" to at any given moment. :roll:

And what is the logic behind having to dismount the bike just to use a crosswalk? It has never made any sense to me.

William Alvarez35 said:So now you're shaking in your boots because of jadetiger962😁😁

Why?

William Alvarez35 said:It’s exactly because of this brutal reality that I don't give a damn about traffic signs—though I still make sure I'm not putting anyone in actual danger. Once the "higher-ups" finally get their act together and start actually cracking down on cars, scooters, and delivery vans illegally parked on bike lanes—assuming those lanes were actually continuous and didn't have random concrete barriers blocking the path —then maybe we'll see some actual driving culture develop. Only then will I care about red lights when there isn't a single soul within a mile of me... etc. Until then, just floor it, Miškooooo nesti

You won't see that happening in the USA. Look at what happened to me today:
A cop car is parked right in the middle of the street, an officer is standing by the vehicle, and there's another car parked directly in front of him. All of this is sitting in the dedicated right-turn lane. A group is hanging out at a cafe nearby, acting like nothing is happening, while a line of traffic stretches back over 200 meters because nobody can turn right. And nobody cares. What kind of "culture" are we even talking about here?

neonhound32 said:And what’s the deal with having to get off your bike while crossing at a crosswalk? It never made any sense to me.

Actually, that part makes sense.

What doesn't make sense is how the bike lane just ends before the intersection and picks up again on the other side. There's absolutely no logic in a bike lane not running parallel to the crosswalk.

jadetiger962 said:I tend to be pretty law-abiding; I rarely find myself blowing through a red light. Honestly, I’m usually quite content just sitting there patiently in line with all the other cars.

William Alvarez35 said:So now you're intimidated by jadetiger962, huh? 😁😁

I was actually quoting myself there. Where on earth did I claim that I always follow the rules? It just seemed a bit ridiculous to suggest you should wait for the world to become a perfect utopia before you decide to start following the rules occasionally.

William Alvarez35 said:Does this even need a response? 😁

Of course, a justification is tucked away a few posts down. 🤣

I really don't see what the big deal is here. Have you ever even ventured out on a bike beyond your own little neighborhood or the outskirts of Washington, D.C.?

neonhound32 said:And what's the logic behind having to get off your bike when you hit a crosswalk? It's never made any sense to me.

It's because that isn't a "crosswalk," it's a "pedestrian crossing." If there isn't a dedicated bike lane running alongside it, you have to dismount. Generally speaking, whenever a bike path ends on a sidewalk, you're expected to hop off and walk the bike until the path picks up again.

Before anyone starts another war over this—I don't do that. But then again, I don't even ride on streets that have those kinds of paths; I just avoid them altogether.

jadetiger962 said:I was just quoting myself. Where on earth did I write that I always follow every single rule? It just seemed silly to suggest you should wait for the world to become perfect before you start occasionally following the rules.

I honestly don't see what the big deal is here. Have you ever even ridden your bike outside of Washington, D.C. or your own little neighborhood?

Look, I’m not waiting for some utopia to appear before I occasionally decide to play by the rules. I follow them—that's what I stated in my first post—but let's be real: minor slip-ups happen. Most of us do the same thing, like when we don't hop off the bike at a crosswalk but just coast along at a walking pace, or ride on the sidewalk where there isn't a dedicated path and the width allows it without bothering anyone. There's so much nonsense with bike lanes that we're often forced into a tiny infraction just to get by. And for your information, I've ridden far beyond my own neighborhood—well past Washington, D.C., and even traveled way outside the USA, both on two wheels and in a car. Of course, according to you, we're all just typical balkanac cyclists, right? Ha. Honestly, I'd rather be a typical balkanac than a hypocrite.

jadetiger962 said:Because that thing isn't a "zebra strip," it's just a "crosswalk. If there isn't a bike lane right next to it, you're expected to hop off the bike. Generally speaking, anywhere the sidewalk bike lane ends, you have to get off and walk your ride until it picks up again somewhere else.

Before anyone starts another war here—I don't do that. I just don't ride on streets that have those kinds of lanes; I avoid them entirely.

🤣🤣

and you hit me with this:

OK, but why don't you think traffic culture could start with you?

Typical balkanac mentality.

Man, jadetiger962, we really need to grab a coffee sometime. ☕

neonhound32 said:And what’s the logic behind having to get off your bike when crossing at a crosswalk? It’s always baffled me.

My assumption is that it ensures cyclists move at the same pace as pedestrians, rather than someone tearing through a crosswalk at 19 miles/h, making it impossible for drivers to spot them in time.

On a bit of a tangent, I was waiting for the light to change on a bike lane near a busy street in Chicago, when an elderly woman approaches me. She gives me this furious look and asks who gave me the right to "claim this whole lovely red lane all for myself," before ordering me to move.
So, I moved. 😁

placidbadger18 said:" and then they tell me to move.
So I moved. 😁

Honestly, you’re better off; you might have ended up getting slapped.

placidbadger18 said:Anyway, total tangent here, but I’m sitting there waiting for the light to turn green on a bike lane in downtown Chicago, just minding my own business, when this elderly lady storms up. She gives me this look of pure fury and demands to know who gave me the right to "claim the whole damn red light all for myself," then orders me to move.
So, I moved. 😁

🤣🤣🤣🤣

placidbadger18 said:I assume the goal is to ensure cyclists cross at the same pace as pedestrians. It prevents someone from barreling through a crosswalk at 19 miles/h, which would make them nearly invisible to drivers until it's too late.

Pointless. We’re back to driver culture again. Someone reckless isn't going to slow down just because there's a rule, whereas someone who actually knows better will be cautious by default. Personally, I’ll take the green pedestrian signal, but I usually skirt around the side rather than riding right through the middle of the zebra stripes where people are walking. There’s no way a driver won't spot you if there's already foot traffic present anyway. If they hit me, they're hitting the pedestrians too. 🤷

There are also those pedestrian crossings that don't have any traffic lights. ☕

Just imagine you try crossing one while driving at 30 mph. You're dead. Simple as that.

Here you go again, talking nonsense.

William Alvarez35 said:...I don't respect traffic signs one bit... only then will I start respecting them, like hitting a red light at a signal...

William Alvarez35 said:...I follow the rules, just as I wrote in my very first post...

Which first post are we even talking about? I was just pulling out the essential points here.

neonhound32 said:There is zero chance a driver won't notice you when people are crossing right there. If they're willing to run me over, they'll run over anyone. 🤷

Is it just me, or does it seem like there's always someone stepping into the crosswalk at the exact moment you're trying to drive through? 🙂

jadetiger962 said:You're full of it again.

Which first post specifically? I just pulled out the relevant points.

You didn't "pull out the relevant points" because I was responding to what that guy said. Look, obviously I follow the rules, but let's be real—when I'm crossing a crosswalk, I'm not pushing my bike in front of me like a toddler; I’m pedaling through it, technically breaking a rule, but just coasting on foot power where there isn't a dedicated lane. I don't ride into traffic; I stay on the sidewalk, making sure I'm being respectful to pedestrians and everyone else out there. It's not like I'm some maniac blowing through red lights weaving between cars. Same goes for the red bike lanes—sometimes I'll ride just slightly beside the arrow if I'm alone and there's nobody around. Honestly, Miškooooo nesti, enough with the heavy accusations. And please, watch your mouth; based on my age, you could be talking to your father.

William Alvarez35 said:I didn't strip out all the specifics because I was just building on what hara said. Look, obviously I respect the rules, but let's be real—when I’m approaching a crosswalk, I don't exactly dismount and push my bike ahead of me like a saint; I just commit to the crossing and give a little kick with my foot where there isn't a dedicated lane. I don't ride out into the middle of the street either; I stay on the sidewalk, though I always make sure to give pedestrians and everyone else the space they deserve. It's not like I'm some maniac weaving through traffic on a red light. And honestly, sometimes when I'm riding near a marked red bike lane, I might drift slightly to the side of the arrow if I'm alone and there's nobody around... Miškooooo nesti, I'm not out here committing major felonies, so please, watch your tone—based on how old you sound, I could easily be your father.

Once again, you're completely missing my point. We are discussing traffic signs and running red lights, not crosswalk etiquette or bike lane positioning.

The fact that you're older just makes this more embarrassing, considering you still haven't learned the basics.

jadetiger962 said:You’re dodging my point again. We're talking about traffic laws and running red lights, not pedestrian crossings or bike lanes.

The fact that you're getting older just makes this more embarrassing since you still haven't grasped the basics.

Look, we are discussing rules of the road here, not individual signs. There is a massive difference.

As for my age, I actually put mine to good use. I’ve learned enough from life to know better, which clearly isn't a concept you've mastered yet.

I'm done going in circles with you on this.

I always stop at red lights... when I'm out on my bike at an intersection, I handle it just like I would on my motorcycle. When turning left, I give a hand signal about 35 yards before the turn (though on the bike, obviously I'd use a blinker if I were on the motorcycle) and then I ride up to the center lane. To be honest, when I'm approaching a crosswalk, I never take my feet off the pedals, but I do slow down to a walking pace.

William Alvarez35 said:We’re talking about rules of the road, not just the signs themselves. There's a massive difference there.

I’d say my age and everything I’ve picked up along the way serve me pretty well; I've learned quite a bit from life, which seems to be more than I can say for you.

I have no interest in continuing this conversation with you on this subject.

Oh, really? So traffic signs aren't part of the rules of the road? Are stoplights just there for decoration then, not actually defined anywhere in the law?

I can certainly see how much "learning" you've done. 🙄

jadetiger962 said:Oh, right. So road signs aren't actually part of the rules of the road? I guess traffic lights are just there for decoration, not mentioned in the legal code or anything?

I can see you've done your homework. 🙄

Look, I already said I’m done talking about this.
Traffic laws are a much broader concept than just what's printed on a sign.
Where did I ever claim I was running red lights?

First, you admit you don't always follow the rules yourself. Then, after everyone else admits we all commit minor infractions, you cherry-pick my post just to start acting holier-than-thou and being condescending. What's your deal? That's what people are asking—you're out here calling everyone else out and insulting them, yet you're doing the exact same thing.

And let's not drag everyone else into our argument. Let's just grab a coffee somewhere, meet face to face, without the aggression or whatever. Just a normal human conversation.