Martin Baker
I think this conversation also highlights that fact that stop signs are
heavily overused and misused. In the UK, 90% of the situations where you
would find a stop sign in the States, they employ a yield sign. And 4-way
stops are almost unheard of - someone always has the right of way. In most
cases, it's plain ridiculous to have a vehicle come to a complete stop when
the sight-lines are good - it unnecessarily impedes the flow of traffic and
people end up rolling through anyway because they realize they are usually
stupid. Stop signs have become an inappropriate alternative to speed
enforcement in neighborhoods.
_____
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Alling
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 9:27 AM
To: hrdtduck; 'KO Kevin'; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Koin cyclist Poll
I to California stop (slow down to a pace that I can safely observe the
intersection) most signs and a few blinking lights. I have actually had car
drivers yell at me because I did such a "stop" and then they turn around and
do the exact same thing at the next stop. I have caught some of these
drivers and had discussions with them about their hypocrisy at which point
most of them lie and tell me that they did stop but you know after being
yelled at I am hyper observant.
Chris
_____
> From: hrdtduck@clearwire.net
> To: kko@ci.springfield.or.us; obra@list.obra.org
> Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:51:27 -0700
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Koin cyclist Poll
>
> Hey I'm pretty much the same traffic do-gooder, and I admit I slow roll a
> stop sign when no other traffic is around....just like 99.9% of the
vehicles
> do...I think it is called a "California stop"....I just really wonder what
> we can do about all the "Freds" out there (sorry, not to impugn the name
> Frederick)...I do not see any way to educate or to enforce traffic rule
> compliance...from anyone...Only thing I can do is obey the best I can
based
> on what decision I make at the moment..... to how much or little of
whatever
> traffic law I obey.
>
> We all disobey from time to time traffic law whether on the bike or in the
> car to some degree...that is a universal given in my opinion....but the
high
> profile stuff like stops and riding the wrong way on the road....we all
> should make a effort to comply with, no matter how inconvenient it is.
>
> Howard
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of KO Kevin
> Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 8:21 AM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Koin cyclist Poll
>
> Ok, I've gotten some flack for my admission of rolling through stop
> signs. So to clarify, I DON'T blow through stop signs, I treat them more
> as yield signs, and go when it's clear, and when it is my turn. Yeah,
> know that it still violates the letter of the law, but I suggest that
> ANY cyclist that claims he/she comes to a full stop at EVERY stop sign
> is in denial. Heck, even the Trek commercial that is running with the
> TDF on Vs shows a commuter rolling through a controlled intersection,
> while the car on the side of him is stopping.
>
> I always obey a red light. I always signal my turns and lane changes
> when there are cars or pedestrians around. I never pass on the right
> unless there is a designated bike lane, I don't squeeze between lanes in
> traffic. I always have a light when it is dark, I always wear a helmet,
> I never kick my dog, I eat all of my veggies, I never run with scissors,
> I always put the seat down....
>
> Kevin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of hrdtduck
> Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 7:25 AM
> To: joec@aracnet.com; 'Jamie Mikami'
> Cc: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Koin cyclist Poll
>
> I'd have to agree D to a F....It really irks me that I see sooooo many
> cyclist just flout the rules of the road...especially traffic lights and
> stop signs....you'd think we, (and I say we because we all have some
> responsibility to bear here) would recognize the damage we do to our
> image
> and to our demand to safe & respectful treatment from all other road
> users.
> (I.E. the Automorons)....
> Down here in the Soviet Socialists Republic of Eugene...the biggest
> problem
> is the "non-cyclist"...cyclist.....you all know who I am talking
> about...riding on the sidewalk, off the sidewalk, wrong side of the
> road,
> disobeying all traffic rules, clunker bikes, pulling garbage trailers
> full
> of cans & trash, there seems to be a disproportionate number of these
> "cyclists" and they are all too visible on the most commonly used roads
> in
> town.
> Yesterday within 5 minutes on 2 different residential street 4 way stop
> intersections, I could have legally run over cyclists who just blew off
> the
> stop sign....one after I had stopped and was entering the
> intersection!...She looked right at me and rode into the intersection,
> no
> attempt to stop at all. Unbelievable....What the heck can we do as
> responsible (as responsible as possible) cyclists??
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of joe cipale
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 9:38 PM
> To: Jamie Mikami
> Cc: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Koin cyclist Poll
>
> On Thu, 2008-07-10 at 14:56 -0700, Jamie Mikami wrote:
> > http://www.koin.com/
> >
> > How do you grade local cyclists when it comes to obeying the rules of
> > the road?
> >
> > Anyone seen the results of the koin cyclist poll? They are not
> > pretty, currently at 71% D or F.
>
> Based on my observations, I would say that is pretty accurate. We as
> cyclists (and I don't care of you are a commuter, racer, triathlete or
> recreational rider) are pretty lousy when it comes to obeying the rules
> of the road. Although it seems that those of us who belong to a club are
> better at adhering to the rules of the road, I have observed instances
> where even those individuals are guilty of transgressions.
>
> Joe
>
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