The New York Times: Cyclists: The most frequent victims and culprits in traffic accidents

link to article http://www.nytimes.com/bicycle-safety-news/710066/

excerpt from the article:

Cyclists are allowed on sidewalks, but only if they stay within the designated bike lanes. On the road, they need to stick to marked lanes or stay as close to the right shoulder as possible. Riding in groups isn't allowed either: the fine for that is $100. If it turns out they've been drinking or are using a cell phone while riding, they'll be hit with a $167 penalty.

There are 160 kilometers of bike paths throughout Washington, D.C.

962 traffic accidents involving cyclists over the last 3 years

16 fatalities since 2007

710 injuries in three years

$667 fine for a rider operating a bike while fatigued, ill, or in an impaired physical or mental state

$167 fine for cell phone use while riding or riding under the influence of alcohol

$100 the fine for "no-hands" riding or cycling at night without a reflective vest is

I’m not at all surprised that cyclists cause chaos on the roads, just like this article claims. It's simply because we're the only ones out here without dedicated lanes to move in. I ride my bike every single day for work, running errands, and pretty much everything else. I can't get anywhere without mixing lane riding, street riding, and sidewalks. If I actually had better options, I might do things differently, but I don't. As for those fines: if a cop actually manages to pull me over while I'm on my bike, I’ll happily pay the ticket. But that hasn't happened yet, and it won't happen until they start riding bikes themselves—because as long as they're on foot, in cars, or on motorcycles, all they can do is stare at my rear end and curse me out like they always have.

The article says cyclists aren't allowed on the sidewalk, but I read somewhere else that if riding in the street is too risky, you can actually hop onto the sidewalk. Is that true, or is what's being reported in The New York Times the actual rule?

Daniel Chavez66 said:Honestly, I’m not even surprised that cyclists cause chaos on the roads like this article claims. It's simple logic. We're basically the only ones out here without dedicated lanes or safe spaces to move. I ride my bike every single day—commuting to work, heading out with friends, everything. I can't get anywhere without mixing it up between bike paths, main roads, and sidewalks. If there were better options, sure, I'd change my routine. But there aren't. As for those fines? Look, if a cop actually manages to pull me over while I'm on my bike, I'll happily pay the ticket. But let's be real: that hasn't happened yet. And it won't happen until they start riding bikes themselves. Until then, whether they're walking or driving cars and motorcycles, all they can do is stare at my rear end and curse me out like they always have.

But what about those cops on motorcycles?

stormyheron4 said:But what about those cops out there on motorcycles?

I could just sit here and cry my eyes out😉

In my book, the massive issue in America isn't even the lack of stuff—like bike lanes or whatever—it’s the fact that nobody actually enforces the damn laws. It drives me insane when you see a patrol car cruise right past a vehicle parked halfway on a green strip and halfway blocking the bike lane, and they don't even bother to pull them over. I don't care if it's highway patrol or local PD; if it's illegal, write the ticket.
On top of that, cyclists need to step up and take some actual responsibility too. You can't have people riding down a busy street at 9 PM in total darkness without any lights, just staring at their phones while pedaling. Saw someone doing exactly that last night, and honestly, it's just asking for trouble.

Yeah, because it’s totally the cyclist's fault when some idiot leaves their car parked right in the bike lane and then swings the door wide open without even looking, sending you flying over the roof like some kind of stuntman...
Of course, you won't see a single cop around to deal with it either...

So, look, I keep seeing cops parked right in the middle of the bike lane on Broadway, and honestly, what are you even supposed to do about it?
call the police 😬

I’ve been meaning to snap some photos, but my phone is never actually in my hand when I’m riding past... it’s happened maybe three or four times now. And don't even get me started on the cafes, because once the weather turns, they'll be setting up those outdoor patios right over the lanes again, not to mention the pedestrians who have absolutely no choice but to ride in the bike lane because some deli blocked off half the sidewalk with fencing... it's just one thing after another...

stormyheron4 said:But what about those cops out on motorcycles?

Those BMWs are just too bulky and sluggish to chase down a cyclist.

The reality remains that when you're on a bike, it's practically impossible not to break a few traffic laws.

Now we’re just gonna start coming for cyclists riding on the sidewalk. That writer over at The New York Times basically claimed it's illegal for them to be there, and anyone who skims that without actually knowing the local traffic laws is gonna walk away thinking she's right.

Daniel Chavez66 said:Look, those BMWs are just way too bulky and sluggish for chasing down cyclists.

The reality is simple. When you're out there on a bike, you're basically forced to break half the traffic laws just to move.

Down in Miami, even the cops are cruising on scooters—and I'm not talking about those little 50cc toys.

Man, they aren't even in Washington, D.C. anymore; I haven't run into them in ages. True, though, a scooter is a whole different ballgame once you get past the first few steps. 🙂

Down here in Columbus, you see them on bicycles too, and man, if they're on a bike, you're definitely going to have a hard time shaking them... but honestly, those folks in cars, on motorcycles, or just walking? They don't pose any real threat at all 😁

stormyheron4 said:Now she’s probably going to start coming after anyone on a bike using the sidewalk, because she made it sound like it's strictly forbidden in her article. Anyone who skims through that without actually knowing the local traffic laws is going to walk away thinking cyclists aren't allowed on the pavement at all.

From what I understand, you aren't even supposed to be riding on the sidewalk unless there's a designated bike lane painted right there...

jadetiger962 said:As far as I know, you aren't even allowed on the sidewalk unless there’s an actual bike lane marked out there...

I saw someone in the comments under the article saying you actually can ride on the sidewalk. Plus, I read somewhere online that traffic laws allow it if riding in the street feels too risky.

Zachary Wilson30 said:Down here in Columbus, you see them out on bicycles too, and I suppose they might give you a run for your money if you're pedaling, but if you're in a car, on a motorcycle, or just running, they aren't exactly a threat, are they?😁

I remember one time they actually rolled up to the beach while we were hanging out there grabbing a drink.🤣

They didn't exactly look like they were in peak athletic condition for cycling, though; honestly, I suspect anyone who manages to get on a bike at least three or four times a week could probably leave them in the dust.

It was actually kind of amusing to see a bicycle with "POLICE" printed right on it.👍

stormyheron4 said:Someone in the comments under the article mentioned you can actually ride on the sidewalk, and I read somewhere online too that traffic laws allow it if riding in the street feels too risky.

That basically applies to almost every street with any kind of car traffic. It wouldn't even be an issue if the driving culture in America was at a much higher level. From what I gather, if a cop pulls you over for being on the sidewalk, you just tell them you felt unsafe on the road, and that's that.🤷

You actually have police officers patrolling on bicycles in cities like Indianapolis and Savannah 🙂

gentlepuma96 said:I remember when they showed up at the beach while we were hanging out there...🤣

They don't look particularly fit for cycling to me. Honestly, I think anyone who hits the pedals at least three or four times a week could leave them in the dust...

It was actually pretty funny seeing a bike with "POLICE" written on it.👍

But nowadays, everyone just hangs out at the pier drinking... back then, we used to hang out in the park or around the little garden areas.😁
Anyway, I know one of these guys who’s been riding for a while and wouldn't be easily outpaced, and I doubt the other one is exactly a heavy-set guy either...

gentlepuma96 The user states:
They don't exactly strike me as being in peak cycling shape; frankly, I suspect anyone who hits the pedals at least three or four times a week could leave them in the dust.
It was quite an amusing sight to encounter a bicycle clearly marked with "POLICE" emblazoned upon it.👍

He would certainly be prone to deception; quite likely, in fact. 😁 I have personally driven one of those two individuals pictured; they are quite well-conditioned fellows, given their consistent dedication to athletic training.
For those who might find it of interest, the original photograph clearly demonstrates that the young men are actually engaged in reading. The following roster constitutes the definitive enumeration of those involved. 😁

Daniel Chavez66 said:That basically means pretty much every street with any kind of car traffic is a hazard. Honestly, it wouldn't even be an issue if our driving culture wasn't such a complete mess. From what I can tell, if a cop pulls you over for driving on the sidewalk, you just tell them you felt unsafe on the road and that’s usually the end of it.🤷

Look, if the traffic laws say driving on the sidewalk is legal, then a cop shouldn't be pulling you over for it. Period. The only way that becomes an issue is if you’re being reckless or speeding and actually putting pedestrians in danger. At least, that’s how I read that specific section of the driving code.