2. Comment by Ben B. (bodybait)— September 16,2009 @ 11:45PM
Ratings:-196+55
And just to clarify what is really going on. Police take the money used to cite these cyclists from the bicycle safety fund, then record the overtime from this little enforcement job.Sweet deals for TPD.
5. Comment by Jack D. (Otis 2)— September 17,2009 @ 12:38AM
Ratings:-29+204
#3: Perhaps that may be the law in OR and WA, but there is no such law in Arizona Revised Statutes 28 -- the Transportation Code, which contain laws which motorists and bicyclists must comply at all times.
I realize some motorists and bicyclists wish they shouldn't have to stop at certain times, but ce n'est pas la LOI.
6. Comment by kyle k. (3781)— September 17,2009 @ 12:56AM
Ratings:-37+161
ha ha ha ha ha These comments just go to show the dissorted sense of right-of-way that some bikers have in Tucson have.
Law? I'm on a bike. Im fit and wear spandex.
7. Comment by kyle k. (3781)— September 17,2009 @ 1:00AM
Ratings:-55+79
Howcome its the new thing amongst old people in Tucson to wear colorful spandex whenever they ride a bike. Does the spandex really give bicyclists a competitive edge? Or are they just trying to show off how dedicated they are and how fit they've gotten from it.
8. Comment by Tom W. (tmw)— September 17,2009 @ 1:08AM
Ratings:-10+183
#1 Bo B.:
I bicycled almost every day in central Tucson for 16 years. I ALWAYS stopped for stop signs and stop lights. There are a few bicyclists who obey traffic laws--not many, but a few.
9. Comment by Craig S. (bluesky)— September 17,2009 @ 1:40AM
Ratings:-9+110
If you are a bicyclist please heed to the traffic laws.
Protect yourself from some terrible auto drivers. Auto drivers must have auto insurance, so why not obey all traffic laws and collect insurance protection on them when they are at fault. Why ride your bike wrong and give up your safety and insurance protection?
11. Comment by Max W. (maxw)— September 17,2009 @ 2:06AM
Ratings:-118+54
I ride a lot. And obey all traffic laws. Except stop signs.
I'll slow down and look. Or just look. Acceleration is hard on a bike (It's what uses up fuel in a car too) momentum is key.
I'm sure not saying it's right...
7-
Yes, spandex does give a competitive advantage. A big one. But it is nothing new at all. And if you think we are colorful now, you should have seen us in the 80s.
12. Comment by Bill B. (4485)— September 17,2009 @ 2:24AM
Ratings:-38+97
maryjane, perfect, perhaps you should relocte to avail yourself of the excellent laws in the locations you noted.
for the bikes i see, they mix being bikes on the street with being pedestrian, pushing the cross light when they feel like stopping everyone else for them.. riding wide into the traffic. passing from the right at intersections. This is particularly annoying and dangerous. Your in the 'right lane' but if a bike is coming your blocked from a right turn because the bike 'cuts you off' from your back right?! but if you hit them, or block them its your fault? How about a pac, that rides in my area of town, this happens all the time, so I'm stuck in the turn lane, with cars behind, the light green, waiting on bikes to pass from my right.. BS! IF they are traffic they should have to obey traffic, at the intersections just as a car. It not only endangers the bike, but leaves you open to be rear ended stopped at a green light.. and I don't care if they like the Spandex, there should be a law as to who can wear it.
13. Comment by Bill B. (4485)— September 17,2009 @ 2:25AM
Ratings:-21+64
[This comment has been removed]
14. Comment by Bob D. (bobbbbbbbbbbo)— September 17,2009 @ 2:33AM
Ratings:-13+98
This is great. This should help prevent a bicyclist from getting struck when they dont see a car proceding from a stop sign. You dont always see everything, regardless of how well you think your vision is.
And cars may not see you until its too late. This isnt for money, this is for safety. Not like those radar cameras.
15. Comment by aaron m. (nottelling)— September 17,2009 @ 3:44AM
Ratings:-75+32
I am guilty of this crime, but part of me wants to know what I can do when motorist don't obey the laws and put my life in danger? I am really tired of avoiding accidents or being honked at because I have the right of way (not related to this situation). At least running through a stop sign is there lack of safety putting them in danger.
16. Comment by giovanni c. (giovanniconti)— September 17,2009 @ 3:50AM
Ratings:-41+49
#14 Yes Bob, and what the cars who don't notice people on bicycles proceeding from stop signs, or in some cases traffic lights. The truth is, as a bicyclists does obey traffic laws, i still continuously have to swerve out of the way of people in cars who either don't see us or do see us and just don't give a damn.
And do people in cars obey all the traffic laws? No!
17. Comment by giovanni c. (giovanniconti)— September 17,2009 @ 3:52AM
Ratings:-34+32
Edited version:
#14 Yes Bob, and what about the people in cars who don't notice people on bicycles proceeding from stop signs, or in some cases traffic lights. The truth is, as a bicyclist who does obey traffic laws, i still continuously have to swerve out of the way of people in cars who either don't see us or do see us and just don't give a damn.
And do people in cars obey all the traffic laws? No!
18. Comment by Christine M. (Never2old2Learn)— September 17,2009 @ 4:03AM
Ratings:-26+62
#11 Max
If you think your colorful in you spandex...wait until you get creamed at an intersection for not stopping at a light....Bright red (how colorful)
19. Comment by mike o. (thud68)— September 17,2009 @ 4:13AM
Ratings:-6+33
...ah the old 3rd and Treat duck pond, things never change...
21. Comment by Steven M. (sajm)— September 17,2009 @ 4:33AM
Ratings:-5+67
Bicycles should follow the laws including the use of hand signals.
Likewise, motor vehicles should follow the three-foot minimum clearance law:
"When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle."
23. Comment by bob c. (rcraig)— September 17,2009 @ 4:37AM
Ratings:-15+59
Now if they will just start giving tickets to the riders who push the flashing lights to ride across the street. Those crossWALKS were put in for pedestrians!
I might add, they had to use flashing lights because many rude auto drivers will not stop for pedestrians.
26. Comment by Alan B. (AlanDB)— September 17,2009 @ 5:09AM
Ratings:-4+79
I am a bicycle rider, but am abhorred at the way some of the riders ride the wrong way in the bike lane or better yet, ride on the side walk through the pedestrian cross walks! Plain stupid!
27. Comment by Alan B. (AlanDB)— September 17,2009 @ 5:10AM
Ratings:-4+39
I am a bicycle rider, but am abhorred at the way some of the riders ride the wrong way in the bike lane or better yet, ride on the side walk through the pedestrian cross walks! Plain stupid!
28. Comment by Kevin L. (bigWYO)— September 17,2009 @ 5:16AM
Ratings:-13+84
It is about time. I drive over Gate's Pass everyday and constantly deal with bikers who do not follow the law. They ride in large packs, take up the entire lane and do not stop at stop signs. It is impossible to give them 3 feet when passing because they are riding side by side instead of single file.
29. Comment by pietro r. (rpietro)— September 17,2009 @ 5:29AM
Ratings:-61+18
Haters mouth off o rama
30. Comment by joel t. (harperman)— September 17,2009 @ 5:33AM
Ratings:-9+64
I think bike riders have many legitimate complaints about the drivers of cars. I also think the cars have MORE legitimate complaints about the bikers. Yes cars disobey traffic rules but most bikers think they don't apply to them at all.
Running stop signs on a bike is particularly stupid. You would think a biker would be more concerned about his own safety. The truth is if you are on a bike and get caught up in a wreck it really doesn't matter who is right or wrong- you are the one headed for the hospital if not the morgue.
31. Comment by Jacques L. (The Ragin Cajun)— September 17,2009 @ 5:34AM
Ratings:-5+66
Several years ago my wife got hit on the side of her car by a bicyclist who was going the wrong direction on a north-south arterial street that had no street lights and HE had no lights on his bicycle. His front wheel was damaged, yet HE had the audacity to get upset at "pulling out in front of me." Duh! Ride with the flow of traffic, use lights at night.
It's about time the TPD motorcycle cops did something about bicyclists. But doing it at Third and Treat means targeting only UA students. There are bicyclists riding into oncoming traffic on Grant, on Speedway, on 22nd, running stop signs, running red lights, not following the rules of the road ALL OVER TUCSON.
Now that motorcycle cops are basically obsolete due to the proliferation of photo radar, maybe they can focus on bad bicyclists for a while.
The bicycle community gripes about bad drivers harassing them. Well, I've had too many near-misses with poor bicycle riders to count. TPD: earn your pay and do more than just ticket UA students!
32. Comment by Gordon W. (gw85623)— September 17,2009 @ 5:37AM
Ratings:-8+55
I especially agree with #28 Kevin L regarding riders riding side-by-side. It is illegal (2 vehicles can not occupy the same lane) and dangerous. I used to work near Oracle (town, not road) where many Tucson bicyclists like to ride. Once, I witnessed riders 3 abreast, and the innermost got hit. Where is the @#%(% logic in riding 3 abreast on a highway with 55mph speed limit? Or even 2 abreast?
33. Comment by Jacques L. (The Ragin Cajun)— September 17,2009 @ 5:40AM
Ratings:-5+64
#3 - I don't care about Oregon and Washington! In Arizona, those red signs say STOP not YIELD AND RIDE. What part of STOP doesn't make sense? It means STOP! Not cruise on through, not slow down and look. It means STOP. For drivers of cars, trucks, motorcycles and, yes, bicycles...
34. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 5:40AM
Ratings:-15+53
"Bicyclists are disobeying stop signs and just blowing by," he said. "They think just because they ride a bicycle they don't have to obey traffic laws."
================
I used to drive Gates pass twice almost every day. They are a hazard to themselves and a hazard to cars.
I've been screamed at (I was driving withing the law - the cyclist was not) and been flipped off. They throw trash on the stret.
I've come over a hill to find a group of them gathered in a group, stopped dead in the middle of the lane and refusing to move off the road for their visiting.
The law used to be that no non-motorized vehicles were allowed on the road. Why are cyclists the exception?
I say, if you canot keep up with traffic and follow the same laws as car drivers - get off the road.
(Interestingly, there are few bicycles where I live now. I don't miss them.)
37. Comment by Jacques L. (The Ragin Cajun)— September 17,2009 @ 5:50AM
Ratings:-8+42
"However, most bicyclists who received a citation can attend a free road safety class sponsored by the Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program."
How nice for them! However, if those of us who drive cars get a ticket and are eligible to go to traffic safety school, is it free? Noooooooooooooooooo.
38. Comment by Scott J. (scjbuffalo)— September 17,2009 @ 5:51AM
Ratings:-1+63
Being a bicycle rider, I cringe when I see riders run lights or stop signs. It just makes drivers think we are all like that which we are not. To those of you who have chimed in saying you don't think you should stop, shame on you! Traffic laws exist for safeties sake. Max, stopping and re-starting just make you a stronger rider. Toughen up man.... (although I have to agree it is sometimes frustrating stopping at light after light when your timing is off, just like it would be in a car but I do it anyway).
40. Comment by Max W. (maxw)— September 17,2009 @ 5:51AM
Ratings:-1+41
I watch bikers, being one. And despite the comments to the contrary, generally the serious bikers follow the laws, while the guys who can't afford cars do not.
12-
I've been hit like that, by overtaking on the right at a light. Since I passed on the right, it was most likely my fault.
18-
I don't wear bright colors. I put more attention into looking like i don't care about what I look like, than most who look like they do.
20-
If you are over 16 in AZ, you are required to carry ID.
Bicycles are allowed to ride two abreast in a bike lane. I myself strongly disagree, but it is AZ law.
42. Comment by A c. (621ads)— September 17,2009 @ 5:59AM
Ratings:-48+12
Good mourning republicans who do not believe in FREE SPEECH because they do not like what I say about their radical ways and Ideas.
I do not use words that the ENCARTA dictionary describes as OFFENSIVE but it seems that free speech is offensive if they do not like what you stand for or say.
It is about time they started to give bicyclists REVENUE ENHANCEMENT citation.
Will they have to go to TRAFFIC SCHOOL like motorists or will they receive special treatment and avoid it.
Did they have to show "your papers comrade" drivers licence, registration and proof of insurance.
43. Comment by Scott J. (scjbuffalo)— September 17,2009 @ 6:04AM
Ratings:-7+25
Bikers, all I can say is frontage road. Huge shoulders, two lanes almost no cars and stop lights at least 1 mile or more apart. Great commuter street. Good place to keep from interfering with cars.
47. Comment by R S. (toetie)— September 17,2009 @ 6:13AM
Ratings:-19+38
why not require the bike riders to have a license and tags and pay for insurance since THEY ARE using the road like all car drivers WHO ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO, AND take a class on safety. Road taxes!!!
50. Comment by La F. (TucsonJohn)— September 17,2009 @ 6:15AM
Ratings:-3+2
[This comment has been removed]
51. Comment by Randi L. (RandiL4746)— September 17,2009 @ 6:15AM
Ratings:-10+25
42. Comment by A c. (621ads) — September 17,2009 @ 5:59AM
Ratings: -0 +1
Good mourning republicans who do not believe in FREE SPEECH because they do not like what I say about their radical ways and Ideas.
I do not use words that the ENCARTA dictionary describes as OFFENSIVE but it seems that free speech is offensive if they do not like what you stand for or say.
_________________________________
52. Comment by Phil M. (PJMtLemmon)— September 17,2009 @ 6:18AM
Ratings:-4+37
Pima County Sheriff Dept. needs to sit at Catalina Hwy & Snyder and write many many tickets. Then move on down to Catalina Hwy and Houghton and continue writing tickets... hour after hour most any day, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings. Most all riders refuse to stop at the stop signs in these 2 locations.
55. Comment by Kevin H. (SLM)— September 17,2009 @ 6:30AM
Ratings:-18+38
I’ve got a couple of observations for those weekend warriors and others that “ride for exercise.”
I'd think you would want to stop at every stop sign and light just to increase the burn.
What's up with wearing spandex? If you're trying to exercise then why try and reduce drag? Isn't that counter productive?
Why do you insist on having the ultra light mega thousand dollar road racer bikes? Again, if the point is exercise, why try to reduce the effort?
And on that subject, in previous bike article comments I’ve seen explanations for why some bikers don’t want to ride in the bike lanes, especially the "white liners." They say things like it will damage their machine because there is too much debris or bad pavement. So why did you buy a bike that is not adapted to where you ride? That doesn’t make any sense. You wouldn’t buy a sports car and expect to take it four-wheeling would you? There are plenty of bike manufacturers that make bikes well suited for the streets of Tucson. Why didn’t you buy one?
56. Comment by AM G. (AMG)— September 17,2009 @ 6:30AM
Ratings:-7+46
Team riders are the worst offenders. There is something about riding in big groups that gives them a pack-mentality that they are indestructible and cars are just SOL. Out of frustration, I looked up bicycling laws. They may ride 2 abreast, but they must stay as far to the right as possible. They may not hinder traffic (limited number of cars that they can hold up. fThey have to follow all other traffic laws and road signs. Soooooooo, when they are in packs,they will ride 3-6 abreast, taking up the whole lane, or an individual will ride down the center of the road (I don't think the center line is as far as possible to the right), they will swerve out if you try to pass them,and force you into the oncoming lane, they won't move over to single file if they are hindering traffic, and they have dropped water bottles all over Gates Pass where it is too dangerous to clean them up. On the other hand, individual and paired riders have been very considerate of cars. I think teams who have scheduled rides on public roads should have to get permits and extra traffic enforcement like they do when there is an organized ride like El Tour. It seems that Tuesday is a scheduled, organized ride day. Send out the sheriffs! One other thought, I would like to see the law about riding 2 abreast changed to single file on roads with single lanes going either direction and no bike lane.
57. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 6:32AM
Ratings:-2+27
FYI, this is not the first time that this intersection has been targeted by TPD. I just hope they did it right this time by stopping the cyclists that failed to stop and not just "put a foot down". Yes, there are plenty of cyclists that do not come to a full stop as required by the law, but this also applies to motorists as well. I've seen plenty of blown stop signs and failure to stop when exiting a private drive (this includes leaving a parking lot, you must stop, not just yield as required by law.) These folks will end up going to school on Saturday and not riding until after Noon. However, it is good to see TPD out there citing us for not stopping. They need to go to various corners, however, and show that they are enforcing the law for both cyclists and motorists.
58. Comment by Cathy H. (cahoffman)— September 17,2009 @ 6:32AM
Ratings:-1+44
I am a long-time bike commuter and I support this type of law enforcement intervention. Cyclists who ignore the rules of the road endanger themselve and every other user on the road or sidewalk, whether they are automobile drivers, pedestrians, other cyclists, children playing etc.
It's also unfortunate that so many bicyclists think there is nothing wrong with riding their bikes on sidewalks.
This is against the law in Arizona and presents a real hazard.
60. Comment by ann h. (ahoy)— September 17,2009 @ 6:36AM
Ratings:-6+37
Was driving around the curve of A mountain and three bicyclists were riding side by side. I had to cross center line around the curve to give them that three feet. I'm all for sharing the road an all, but that also applies to bicyclists. Also down by the UofA, bicyclists do not stop for pedestrians, pedestrians have to stop for bicyclists.
61. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 6:37AM
Ratings:-3+26
#42 & 47: I would LOVE to insure my bicycle and myself. However, it is not available. As to licensing, this would take a MAJOR change to the licensing laws and a lot of money developing a scheme to do so. That is why I have neither. I do have over 2,000 hours of mandated drivers education (get a CDL and see what you have to do.) This means that I should be a better driver, but not necessarily so. Again, I'm for educating cyclists (Road 101 does exist) and for licensing and insuring cyclists, but that does not exist.
62. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 6:39AM
Ratings:-4+28
For those who are pushing for the Idaho law, which does NOT exist in either Washington or Oregon, you have to learn to obey the current laws first. This means stopping at stop signs and stop lights. Not blowing through them or stopping and then going on the red. Please do so.
63. Comment by Priscilla W. (PrissVHW)— September 17,2009 @ 6:39AM
Ratings:-6+21
It ia truly amazing to see how few bicyclists truly obey traffic rules and this is from a former rider. When i moved into central Tucson several years ago from an area where I could ride safely and always wore a helmet I sold my bike as I knew I would never ride in through the streets of Tucson. Last week while driviing to a FIT center saw a friend ridiing her bike up Craycroft toward the FIT ctr. without a helmet. Now that really makes no sense.
66. Comment by Dean K. (deank)— September 17,2009 @ 6:52AM
Ratings:-16+19
If bikes truely had to follow the same laws as motorized traffic, ie. ARS-28, they would be obligated to have liability insurance and license registration too? Are you listening, state legislature? Sounds like another way to increase revenue and help out those good ol boys in insurance, that line your pockets, come election time.
69. Comment by rob c. (chicagorufus)— September 17,2009 @ 7:00AM
Ratings:-26+33
wow i had no idea bikes were such a nuisance. I have no problem yeilding to bikes, good for them and the environment.
Just sounds like a bunch of grumpy pants to me.
70. Comment by Bree H. (Bree H)— September 17,2009 @ 7:04AM
Ratings:-4+36
My experience is most cyclists will slow down at a stop sign, but not come to a full stop. A full stop on a bike is awkward and in terms of safety, not necessarily helpful, so I don't really mind.
Just yesterday at an intersection on 3rd, as a matter of fact, one cyclist blew by without yielding me right of way, while another came to a full stop, and let me make my turn.
As with cars, there are all kinds of individuals out there. I drive with that in mind.
71. Comment by kenneth a. (jbweld)— September 17,2009 @ 7:09AM
Ratings:-36+14
Cars speed on many of our streets all day long and the police only ticket a very small percentage of them. They pick on cyclists because there easy and the cops are, well lazy, and they have quotas to meet. And how many cars wave me through intersections when I stop at a stop sign for them? About 25%, in my experience.
72. Comment by Bree H. (Bree H)— September 17,2009 @ 7:14AM
Ratings:-8+17
I would add that I also bike sometimes, and have been cut off twice by cars at 2-way stop signs, where right-of-way was unambiguous. Nothing like skidding while on a bike. In one case, the driver looked right at me, they just didn't want to wait for something going more slowly than a car to pass through the intersection.
73. Comment by Bruce B. (4262)— September 17,2009 @ 7:17AM
Ratings:-33+7
Its all about money and OT for the cops in court. Remember this when they want more funds to hire more cops. It will be on the ballot and vote no on that one.
75. Comment by Boots J. (boots)— September 17,2009 @ 7:18AM
Ratings:-16+26
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!! They think they own the road.
They all need to get a licese if they are going to be using the roads and learn to obey the laws & rules, just as other drivers do.
A kid on a bike nearly hit me the other day. He was in the bike lane, but going the wrong way & I'm making a right & he's yelling at me to watch the bike lane, flipped me off & went on his way. Kids not going to ever see tomorrow if he keeps that up. Where did he come from? Who knows! He was not there, then all of the sudden, he's in my passsenger's door. Yes, they all need to know the laws. They are a menace to the road!
77. Comment by Karl W. (ksweiss)— September 17,2009 @ 7:24AM
Ratings:-5+32
Now if the UA police would crack down on the idiots there, it would be a safer place to be. I've been run off the sidewalk, had to jam on my brakes when a bike blew past a stop sign and seen two cases where a bike hit a walker.
78. Comment by Peter K. (Sweet Pete)— September 17,2009 @ 7:34AM
Ratings:-4+29
Hurray! It's ABOUT TIME! They constantly run stop signs! I agree about UofA. When I went to school there in the early 80's I was hit 3 times by a bike!
79. Comment by Thomas B. (Tmax)— September 17,2009 @ 7:36AM
Ratings:-17+20
The "yield don't stop" laws mentioned in post #3 seem like a sensible way to deal with bicycles and stop signs. I'd like to see such statutes adopted in Arizona. Slow down, yield to any traffic, and proceed. That is how I ride. Granted it's not following the letter of the law, but I think it does follow the intent of the law, which is traffic safety. I do not support blatantly blasting through a stop sign at full tilt or running red lights.
The intersection where this operation took place is a 4-way stop on a major designated bike route. Like many 4-way stops it is unnecessary. It's put there to be a nuisance factor, to deter neighborhood traffic. A 2-way stop would do. To my mind, if you are going to designate a side street as a "bike route", efforts should be made to cater to the bike traffic. There is no need for the east-west stop signs there. Let the Treat traffic stop. Let the bikes on 3rd go through.
To the gigglers who can't get over the sight of "spandex"; cycling clothing is made to be comfortable, efficient and yes, sometimes garishly visible. If you ever have the occasion to ride a bike more than once around the park, you will appreciate a good pair of lycra shorts, some stiff soled shoes and a brightly colored jersey that might make you more visible to the yahoo in the SUV, talking (or texting!) on her cell phone.
80. Comment by Lynn F. (Who is John Galt)— September 17,2009 @ 7:36AM
Ratings:-14+12
Ahhhhh! Finally a topic with no left or right. Nothing but pure elitism, self righteousness and hate for folks who behave differently.
The is a libertarian position on this topic: No harm, no foul.
This part elitist, "I don't like what those people are doing!" part revenue enhancement.
However the coins will slip right through the fingers of government and end up costing more than they gain. Ticketed bike riders can go to bicycle school instead of pay a ticket. And we give them a helmet, a lock or a light kit when they go. Your tax dollar at work. Don't ya love it?
81. Comment by Steve G. (sgodwin)— September 17,2009 @ 7:38AM
Ratings:-21+20
Cars run stop signs all the time in the neighborhoods, and they're a lot more dangerous than bikes. I constantly see drivers coming onto the major streets from side streets and they barely even slow down.
And forget about cars stopping at the stop signs within the neighborhoods. Why do you think so many areas now have those idiotic roundabouts and speed humps?
Bicyclists should be more mindful of stop signs, but I'd much rather see the cops go after them only after the cars are under control.
83. Comment by Tom O. (torr)— September 17,2009 @ 7:39AM
Ratings:-6+27
How about ticketing jaywalking? I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this infraction on very busy, major streets. Whatever happened to crossing at the signalized corner? It seems to be getting worse everyday...time to crack down TPD before the body count starts to rise!
85. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 7:47AM
Ratings:-4+23
It does not seem that the people on bicycles grasp the truism that in a confrontation of a bicycle and a car/truck the car/truck will win 99% of the time.
If you ignore the stop sign and ride into the path of an automobile, you will loose. And that is a fact.
Just like with car/train confrontations: Train wins.
89. Comment by Glenn B. (professor)— September 17,2009 @ 7:58AM
Ratings:-11+21
Bravo TPD!! My other pet peave is when bicylists ride across a pedestrian crosswalk. While riding, they are NOT pedestrians! Get off and walk like the rest of us!
92. Comment by Elmer C. (sgnilwocle)— September 17,2009 @ 8:11AM
Ratings:-1+24
From 1989 to 1992 I commuted all over Tucson (25,000 miles) by bicycle. I always followed bicycle and "regular traffic" laws, including stopping at stop signs, and using hand signals when I was turning.
I had police contact twice in those three and a half years.
Once when an idiot tried to make a right turn over me and destroyed an $1100 racing bike. Luckily I received no more than some road rash in the incident.
The other time was on campus at the U of A. Just south of the mall on Cherry. A group of students was crossing the street and I had to stop to let them cross in front of me. When I started again I was pulled over by a University cop in front of the stadium for, of all things, "failure to execute a complete stop". I fought the ticket and won, because I got two of the students who crossed in front of me to go to court and testify that thye saw me with both feet on the ground when they walked past, but still it was a pain in the backside to do it.
I've also seen at least two other bicyclists "clipped" by oncoming traffic when they refused to stop at a stop sign.
Those signs are there for a reason, and it isn't just to make cars stop.
93. Comment by Tom T. (datsunz)— September 17,2009 @ 8:12AM
Ratings:-7+18
According to TPD records, in 2008, there was one crash at the intersection of Treat and 3rd. It was from a motorist running the stop sign and sticking a bicylist. The bicyclist had the right of way.
95. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 8:17AM
Ratings:-10+13
#9 - I believe that bicycle riders do not have to have insurance. Motorists pick up the insurance tab for them.
11, 15 and others who openly admit to breaking the law. Don't you understand that its this attitude of entitlement makes so many motorists just not care about your safety?
I almost creamed of the Spandex Mafia when I was turning left, had my turn signal on for quite a while because I saw the cyclist, even gave a little blip on my horn to wake him up.
He was riding with head down and his arms resting on his lowered handlebars.
I was well in front of him, had the right of way and had done all I could to avoid him. After coming to a complete stop, I started to turn right.
Stupid fool almost t-boned my car. Last I saw, he was screaming foul names at me.
This is what happens when they arbitrarily decide to make a new lane. I went back later and sure enough - there was NO bike lane there.
I've also had them come up between lanes and behave as though they have a lane.
Its as though pulling on the spandex shoves their brains right out the top.
97. Comment by Scott K. (4013)— September 17,2009 @ 8:20AM
Ratings:-4+20
There's plenty of blame to go around. As a cyclist I'm frustrated by bikers that ride like idiots. All it takes is one fool to negate the positive behavior of hundreds. However, riding smart and following the rules does not seem to make much difference to most drivers. On a fairly regular basis, I'm buzzed and cut off by cars and trucks.
I wonder how many citations have been given out for violation of the 3 foot law?
98. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 8:25AM
Ratings:-10+17
85. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g) — September 17,2009 @ 7:47AM
Ratings: Thumbs Down Thumbs Up -0 +1
It does not seem that the people on bicycles grasp the truism that in a confrontation of a bicycle and a car/truck the car/truck will win 99% of the time.
If you ignore the stop sign and ride into the path of an automobile, you will loose. And that is a fact.
Just like with car/train confrontations: Train wins.
=
I've thought the same thing. NO car driver wants to hit a bicycle. But the cyclists have a push and shove attitude and when one is hit, it just does not matter who has the right of way. Dead is dead.
With ALL other vehicles, you are required to be motor driven and be able to keep up with traffic. But, bicycles get a pass.
Bicycles have no business being on a street that was designed for motor driven vehicles.
About this 'crackdown on cyclists' ... I wouldn't hold my breath for the bicycle riders to suddenly become courteous or obey the laws.
100. Comment by Hari S. (Chewbaca)— September 17,2009 @ 8:33AM
Ratings:-13+13
Just another reason NOT to vote for the "public safety initiative" (Prop. 200) in November. If our cops have time for this and other time-wasting stunts, like wrongly giving tickets to 32 topless dancers because the cop in charge didn't read the law right, we don't need to raise taxes for more of the same. http://www.donthandcufftucson.com/
102. Comment by La F. (TucsonJohn)— September 17,2009 @ 8:41AM
Ratings:-28+15
There is a large number of Tucson motorists whose lives are so full, rich, meaningful, and important that they can't afford to lose even one second from their busy lives to ensure the safety of us cyclists. Virtually every cyclists acknowledges that right-turning motorists are the number 1 danger to cyclists here in the Old Pueblo. These self-centered motorists are the reason I run stop signs (and stop lights, too). Self-Preservation!!!! I feel much safer crossing the street illegally when there is no traffic threat, than crossing legally when I have to contend with the Tucson's right-turning motorists.
103. Comment by H W. (P Cairn)— September 17,2009 @ 8:41AM
Ratings:-18+19
Let's license bicycles like we do cars. There are bike lanes all over town paid for by vehicle owners but used by bicyclist who do not pay a cent for them. If they want the bicycle lanes, let them put some money in the pot.
104. Comment by Sue M. (Sue2)— September 17,2009 @ 8:46AM
Ratings:-1+34
A note to all bicyclists - since the sun is rising later, please make sure you have a proper headlight on your bike for your morning commute. A flashing LED light on the front of your bike does not necessarily make you visible to drivers. Yes, a good headlight is expensive, but it's worth it if drivers can see you coming and react appropriately.
105. Comment by Edward R. (TucsonEd)— September 17,2009 @ 8:46AM
Ratings:-6+15
In addition to Catalina Highway, police need to ticket cyclists at the Oracle/Ina intersection.
They just dart through traffic at the last minute to make a left going East. In addition they have little regard for traffic trying to make a right onto Oracle. AND WHY do they insist on riding during rush hour??
100 This is NOT time wasting I fully applaud this and wish to see MORE of it. I also LOVE and applaud the traffic cameras.
106. Comment by robert h. (mntncats)— September 17,2009 @ 8:51AM
Ratings:-17+11
I am sick and tired of bicycles who think they can own the road at 10 mph. Their mantra is SHARE THE ROAD but it is actually GIVE US THE ROAD. I cannot believe how stupid some riders are out here on highway 83. Once an outfit from OREGON was selling tours on highway 83 to about 3 dozen bikes at a time, VERY FOOLISH on a two lane winding road with a speed limit of 55 and where mose people ddrive 65 to 70. If you want to ride on the highways PAY FOR THE PRIVILIGE with plates and license.
108. Comment by Lynn F. (Who is John Galt)— September 17,2009 @ 9:10AM
Ratings:-4+5
It would be very interesting to know where the folks who find fault with the notion No harm, no foul,
where they are coming from politically and philosophically.
Left or right?
Bigot or busybody?
Law and order?
Public safety?
Paternalisticly protecting the riders from themselves?
112. Comment by Tony M. (3982)— September 17,2009 @ 9:11AM
Ratings:-7+26
RE #103: I'm a cyclist but I probably own more expensive cars than you do. So I most likely pay more in my share of taxes. I recommend you only drive m-f between the hours of 1am-6am since you don't pay the same share as I do.
That sound more fair to you? Do you HONESTLY think that cyclists don't own cars too? Are you that naive?
114. Comment by Robert T. (robaltay)— September 17,2009 @ 9:12AM
Ratings:-13+19
I saw this story on the TV news last night and I just knew the bike-haters would be out in force today. This is just another revenue enhancement activity by TPD....their coffers should be getting pretty full by now.
115. Comment by Elmer C. (sgnilwocle)— September 17,2009 @ 9:24AM
Ratings:-6+24
103. Comment by H W. (P Cairn)
Let's license bicycles like we do cars.
While we're at it, let's require a license and insurance to walk. I've been walked into by dozens of people who were talking on their cell phones and walking. Especially in stores and malls. We should have mandatory pedestrian insurance to pay for any injuries sustained when someone walks into you or steps on your foot. Enforcing that should give TPD something good to do for a while.
See how ridiculous that sounds?
There are bike lanes all over town paid for by vehicle owners but used by bicyclist who do not pay a cent for them. If they want the bicycle lanes, let them put some money in the pot.
I rode to and from work for almost four years on bicycles. Read that again:
I rode to and from work
That means I had a job and paid taxes.
I spent my paychecks and paid taxes.
I paid property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes that went in some portion or other to city and state coffers that one way or another found their way into road maintenance and improvement projects.
Not everyone on a bicycle is homeless, unemployed, and living on welfare. In fact very few are.
116. Comment by Clarence R. (obiwan57)— September 17,2009 @ 9:32AM
Ratings:-3+25
Oh, heck, bicyclists aren't the only ones not stopping at stop signs; everyday I see an idiot motorist rolling through a stop sign, or just blatantly driving through one to beat the other driver.
Our police could make a lot of money on them also!
117. Comment by Boots J. (boots)— September 17,2009 @ 9:34AM
Ratings:-4+14
Another comment on my previous one.
I am at an intersection, I am going to make a right, I have the green light, kid on bike comes flying from the sidewalk into the crosswalk as I am making my right, kid also has green light from the crosswalk entrance. Now, who is at fault? Am I to look up the sidewalk to see who is coming on their bike? I always heard a bike had to STOP & WALK their bike across a crosswalk.
Sitting at a stop sign waiting, a girl comes flying on the sidewalk, runs into my car, carrying a cake, cake lands on windshield, she is sprawled over my hood, she didn't see me.
Similar situation...friend sitting at signal & as light changes, bicyclist comes thru on sidewalk, ends up on the hood of the truck, head hits windshield & kid dies.
Who wants to live with that the rest of their lives?
Do bikes have any bike rules or laws?
Does anyone else have these problems?
118. Comment by Carlos Z. (SpeakinHere)— September 17,2009 @ 9:47AM
Ratings:-5+7
So, we're NOW enforcing the law on bicycylists??
Oh My God. Whats next, enforcing the law on Burglars, Robbers, Murderers?
And another thing; unless you COMPLAIN AND SQUEAL TO HIGH HEAVEN, the Police dont give a crap who's obeying the law?
Sounds like we gotta problem with the PO-PO too.. Law enforcement isnt political - its the LAW; and must be, should be, enforced every day - for everyones safety.
121. Comment by Thomas B. (Tmax)— September 17,2009 @ 9:50AM
Ratings:-5+17
#117,
I'm riding down the street a car pulls out in front of me from a stop sign. I do a superman over his hood and land on the other side with a broken collar bone.
I'm riding down the street, a car coming the other way makes a left turn into a driveway. Problem is, I'm in the middle of that driveway. Result - broken leg.
Do cars have any car rules or laws?
The point is, stuff happens, on both sides of the windshield.
122. Comment by david w. (dbzero)— September 17,2009 @ 9:59AM
Ratings:-19+6
Making bicyclists stop is racist and homophobic and show the true contempt our society has for these special people by discriminating against them for wearing those funny little knickers and waving their behinds at you in traffic. Free the special people! Nuke the whales! Save the trees! Stop the discrimination! If bicycles are banned, only banned illegals would have bicycles!
123. Comment by Phil P. (6157)— September 17,2009 @ 10:07AM
Ratings:-9+9
When cycling I obey all traffic LIGHTS. For SIGNS, however, I slow down and yield if necessary. On a residential bikeway such as Third Street, and at typical cycling speeds there is MORE THAN ADEQUATE visibility at the majority of the intersections to safely cross them without making a full stop, traffic laws notwithstanding. Cycling offers an exhilarating sense of freedom which is significantly diminished when one is compelled to make full stops in residential areas. Henceforth I guess my common sense will now be encumbered with a need to watch out for the cops!
124. Comment by Eddie A. (eddiearvayo)— September 17,2009 @ 10:07AM
Ratings:-15+8
Hey 97, what 3 feet law? Hey I share the road and don't want to hit anyone so I give room, but why are bikes in left turn lanes, why do you risk your lives on narrow roads and in heavy traffic, and why do you wear those silly little outfits?
125. Comment by John S. (johnny1019)— September 17,2009 @ 10:32AM
Ratings:-4+11
So, when are cops going to be held accountable to the traffic laws they enforce? Also, they really need to patrol the UA campus and ticket pedestrians that like to step out into traffic, thinking they own the roads.
126. Comment by Lisa C. (knaifish)— September 17,2009 @ 10:32AM
Ratings:-2+17
TPD stopped bikers at this intersection last week, too. There were four police on motorcycles, and in the ~3 minutes I was watching they stopped every single person going west on 3rd because they all blew the stop sign.
I agree with 121 that there are problems on both sides of the windshield. I commute to work fairly regularly on my bike, riding N/S on Treat most of the way. I stop at all lights and signs. Many bikers don't stop at the stop signs. I've seen more than my fair share of cars blow through those signs too. There are areas on Treat where Treat has the right of way, and cross-streets have stop signs. I've been nearly hit by cars blowing through those signs more than a handful of times. I've also nearly been hit by residents on 3rd backing out of their driveways WITHOUT LOOKING for traffic.
And yes, I do use the crosswalk lights on Treat crossing both Speedway and Grant. There's no regular traffic light there, and there is no way I can make it across 5 lanes of traffic at rush hour on my bike. It would be shear insanity to try. So I use the crosswalk. I've always ridden across because I assume we all have places to be, but if you'd like me to get off my bike and take 5 minutes to walk across instead of 30 seconds to ride, I'm happy to comply.
127. Comment by Bill J. (AZ412)— September 17,2009 @ 10:37AM
Ratings:-9+5
On 2 and a half men there was this tall
long legged hotie wearing little and speaking French who called them
"b ceecalists". Don't know what made me think of that.
128. Comment by Roland A. (Bones50)— September 17,2009 @ 10:43AM
Ratings:-7+8
Them darn bicyclists!! Away with their heads for running stop signs! Lock them all up! haha....this is funny. I can't believe we are spending time on and resources on this.
129. Comment by Thomas C. (edward)— September 17,2009 @ 10:47AM
Ratings:-2+12
124. Comment by Eddie A. (eddiearvayo) — September 17,2009 @ 10:07AM
Ratings: -5 +2
"Hey 97, what 3 feet law?"
"""""Section 1. Title 28, chapter 3, article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 28-735, to read:
28-735. Overtaking bicycles; civil penalties
A. When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle
B. If a person violates this section and the violation results in a collision causing:
1. Serious physical injury as defined in section 13-105 to another person, the violater is subject to a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars.
2. Death to another person, the violater is subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars.
C. Subsection B of this section does not apply to a bicyclist who is injured in a vehicular traffic lane when a designated bicycle lane or path is present and passable."""""
131. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 10:49AM
Ratings:-5+14
I find it difficult to dispense sympathy to any individual who is apathetic to their own safety and believes that everyone else should be looking out for them. Having the right-of-way does not make it appropriate to drive/walk/cycle in to the path of moving vehicle. It is not justifiable to run down a j-walker because you have the right-of-way.
My lack of sympathy applies to cyclists running stop signs, or not allowing others to safely pass them, cars going around train crossing arms or motorcyclists tail-gating me in my right rear blind spot. They are all contributing to their being in harms way, but want to blame others when something happens.
132. Comment by William W. (radmaster100)— September 17,2009 @ 10:50AM
Ratings:-7+14
So what. Who cares about this story. Cops harvest $ from community and say they're doing their duty. Meanwhile, REAL crime is happening across town and cops are wasting time stopping cyclists for donations because they don't follow the myriad laws of the road. Good job Coppers.
Also, all drivers are intelligent and always follow the rules. All cyclists are always criminals and should buy a car if they want to be taken seriously. Right?
133. Comment by Todd B. (proceng)— September 17,2009 @ 10:52AM
Ratings:-3+13
#40 - If you are over 16 in AZ, you are required to carry ID.
Bzzzzt...WRONG. You are required to give law enforcement your name, date of birth etc to establish you identification. You are not required to carry ID (note - the state charges you for even an ID card - they could not if it was mandatory)
136. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 11:03AM
Ratings:-0+11
I do not trust the individuals who I share the road with or might share the road with on a second’s notice, to do the right thing or take the correct action(s).
In fact quite the opposite. I expect them to do something stupid suddenly; pedestrians along the road or at intersections, skate-boarders, kids playing, kids on bikes, serious bike riders, motorcyclists and other drivers.
If you can see that they are not paying attention to the situation around them, expect the worst.
If they are on cell phones, have headsets on, are talking to fellow cyclists(motor or otherwise), are staring blankly across/down the road, assume they are out of touch with “here and now”.
138. Comment by Thomas B. (Tmax)— September 17,2009 @ 11:05AM
Ratings:-9+16
RE# 134-135
"Allowing three feet is really hard to do on roads without bike lanes."
The solution is simple. You wait until it is not hard to do, then pass safely, smile and wave to the nice cyclist that is not polluting your atmosphere.
139. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 11:09AM
Ratings:-0+10
ARS 28-815(a): Bicyclists will place themselves as close to the right edge of the ROADWAY as practiable. This does not mean that I will ride over the 2×4 lying in the road, I will SAFELY go around it. This means:
1. Clear to the rear.
2. Signal my intentions.
3. After 1 & 2, then move to the left.
Otherwise, I have to stop and let traffic go by and then start up again.
Otherwise, I am in violation. Riding aginst traffic is NOT a violation of this statue but rather a violation of ARS 28-721, which states you will operate on the right side of the roadway.
140. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)— September 17,2009 @ 11:12AM
Ratings:-9+18
There appears a bike and an anti bike crowd in Tucson (likely everywhere). Traffic laws were made over the years for autos. And now to make bikes obey auto traffic laws is ... silly. Bikes approach an intersection at FAR slower speeds than cars and have unobstructed views of traffic in every direction, unlike an auto. By the time a bike enters an intersection the rider is very aware of if a car is coming or not. To insist he STOP like a car is .. silly. But the anti bike people seem to think "If I have to stop in my car, them there dang bikes gotta also, dang it".
142. Comment by Drew O. (5592)— September 17,2009 @ 11:15AM
Ratings:-3+15
Meanwhile some guy lost his arm on 4th Avenue while hanging out of a moving car. Grisly episode - but indicative of the kind of carnage and chaos we have all become used to with car culture.
143. Comment by Rick A. (Basser)— September 17,2009 @ 11:17AM
Ratings:-13+11
For all bicyclists who say they don't stop at stop signs for any reason, the REAL reason is they are just plain lazy and stupid. These will be the first to whine and complain if a car gets in their way. If these people don't obey EVERY law the same as motorists, then fine them, jail them, and ignore them when they complain about cars almost hitting them. Until these troublemakers pay the same costs to use our roads as motorists, we shouldn't have to put up with their arrogance and stupidity.
145. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 11:21AM
Ratings:-4+1
[This comment has been removed]
146. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 11:23AM
Ratings:-3+5
Just read a few of the posts above and discovered something -
There IS a cure for stupid.
147. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)— September 17,2009 @ 11:24AM
Ratings:-5+16
For all bicyclists who say they don't stop at stop signs for any reason, the REAL reason is they are just plain lazy and stupid said the 300 lb gentleman who gets in the car to drive to the corner store for more food. Bikers are lazy? How stupid is that?
150. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 11:34AM
Ratings:-2+6
140. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)
First; Traffic laws, including stopping for Stop Signs, is nothing new for bicyclists. Those, or similar laws, have been on the books since I attended my first bicycle safety day and rodeo, conducted by law enforcement officers, in the 1950’s both in Wisconsin and Arizona. The emphasis was always obeying the signs, stop, yield, etc; always use hand and arm signals and always stay in the correct traffic lanes.
Secondly, especially in the city, the view of the situation is no better for the person on a bicycle than it is for a driver. There can be groups of people standing on the corner waiting to cross various directions, large delivery vehicles, or SUV’s for that matter obstructing a complete view , distractions that take the attention away from what is going on in the intersection only to find out the situation has changed once you are focusing on the road again. Many cyclists do not slow down for any intersection that they do not intend to stop at and many times dart out at 20-25 miles per hour when the motorized vehicles are doing 10-15 because of the intersection not being clear, which the bicyclist does not see because they are riding next to the motor vehicle, in that proverbial right-rear-blind spot, instead of behind the vehicle, while leaning way forward and down to cut down on wind resistance.
152. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 11:42AM
Ratings:-1+7
144. Comment by S K. (Blackdog)
You said: I think issuing tickets for bicyclists who run stop signs is screwing with Darwin's theories...... Sure won't hurt the cars much..
Just check and see what it does to the insurance premiums. And what is major damage any more? Bike runs into your passenger door and it has to be replaced, that is some major bucks and the cyclists will not have insurance like every other vehicle is required to have to use the same roadway.
If you think that if the cyclist is tagged as to blame will stop claims against your insurance, dream on.
154. Comment by David H. (ndryte)— September 17,2009 @ 11:53AM
Ratings:-9+9
It sound to me like both sides here have an overdeveloped sense of entitlement.
It also sounds to me like the tucson police department doesn't have enough to do.
I wonder how many robberies, muggings, and domestic assaults happened that day due to a bunch of cops spending the day playing on their bikes instead of going after more serious issues.
oh, that's right, the cops are great against an opponent that can't fight back. How could I forget.
Folks, if you really want to make a statement against this, why not help out your neighbors (opinion, nothing more)? if you spot a cop-trap, bicycle or otherwise, make a big sign and stick it on the side of the road letting folks know what is ahead.
The cops won't harass you for it if their true objective is public safety.
That's a big 'if'.
Anyone who can cite references, please chime in on the legality of doing that.
156. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)— September 17,2009 @ 11:55AM
Ratings:-2+8
Harley, OF COURSE if one's view is blocked for some reason at an intersection one takes the proper precaution when on a bike. Of course. Common sense if not auto laws should apply. After all, the potential un-coming car is bigger than you. Bike laws in La Crosse WISC when I started riding in the 40s were Mom shouting "Be careful". Bike safety day and rodeo? Not in La Crosse. Bikes are not cars. When did you last see a car driver stop an a 4 way stop sign, get out, and walk his car across an intersection? They are different!!!
158. Comment by matthew f. (mateo)— September 17,2009 @ 12:02PM
Ratings:-7+10
Another waist of tax payer funds. What's more dangerous, a moving violation in a car or on a bike? TPD constantly goes after commercial vehicles for revenue and bicycles for popularity to please the "I hate cyclists mentality" here in Tucson. But they rarely go after tailgaters and speeders. It makes me wonder, is TPD really underfunded or just poorly run? Maybe Tucson doesn't have a crime problem if they have time for this?
159. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 12:14PM
Ratings:-1+5
156. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)
We had them in Milwaukee in the mid-fifties. They came to the school in the spring at the begining of bicycle weather.
They would set up orange cones and portable stop signs and yield signs and if you listened to the class and correctly made it through the course, correct hand signals etc. they would give you reflector tape for your back fender or reflector handle grips.
160. Comment by donna l. (nerd40)— September 17,2009 @ 12:20PM
Ratings:-3+7
We just had another accident in RR yesterday. Girl riding down the sidewalk against traffic across the driveway. Every year a kid hits a car doing the same thing. Thankfully, whoever she hit was going slow and she wasn't really hurt. This is not a waste - it could save a life.
161. Comment by Bill B. (neonbill)— September 17,2009 @ 12:24PM
Ratings:-14+3
I agree that some people should be legally barred from wearing spandex. The problem arises because people only see themselves from the front in the mirror, and think they look pretty good. A good citizen could provide a needed service by following these people around, taking a photo of them from behind, and then showing it to them. This would probably reduce spandex use by 50%.
162. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 12:28PM
Ratings:-15+6
Bottom line is - all vehicles should have the same requirements and abide by the same laws -
That means they must be able to do the speed limit. Anyone who has sat behind a bunch of cyclists doing 4MPH up Gates Pass understands this one. Not to mention that by the time they're half way up, they have almost no control because of fatigue.
Also means all vehicles must carry the same insurance -
Means that cyclists be held responsible for all the junk they throw out in the desert.
Means neither car nor bike can just sit in the middle of the lane talking to someone in another car or bike.
Means all are held accountable for the same laws - including those pesky little stop signs.
163. Comment by Kevin L. (someguyintucson)— September 17,2009 @ 12:30PM
Ratings:-3+10
UAPD is supposed to be doing something like this soon on campus. I come close to hitting someone on a bike everytime I drive across campus because they don't observe stop signs and other traffic laws.
165. Comment by jonah m. (Jonah)— September 17,2009 @ 12:34PM
Ratings:-4+7
#161--good point. A lot of spandex is worn by fat people who never exercise at all. It's just that they can't fit into regular clothes. I would just as soon never see these people wearing skin-tight clothing.
Spandex actually does serve a purpose in exercise--whether it is biking or dancing.... It moves with the body, not the bike saddle, and therefore does not chafe like looser clothing might. Try riding a bike in loose cotton shorts--they bunch up almost immediately. Also, spandex provides a very mild compression--also good for the muscles.
I would like to point out that the slobification of America is really getting out of hand. Just saw a girl in PJs at starbucks this morning. And those guys who wear their pants waistband around their knees are ridiculous and slovenly.
166. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g)— September 17,2009 @ 12:36PM
Ratings:-3+6
Watch traffic sometime.
When a car is stopped in the right hand lane a bicyclist will pass the car on the right but the motorcycle operator will correctly stop behind the car. Why? Because for one thing it is unsafe and for another the motorcyclist will get a ticket for passing on the right in the same lane as the car but the bicyclist will not.
Many times the bicyclist will find themselves in a pickle by performing that maneuver once they find out why the car has stopped and some of the time it will lead to their dumping their bike or being involved in an accident.
167. Comment by Jack M. (jmcdtucson)— September 17,2009 @ 12:37PM
Ratings:-4+11
#162 says: That means they must be able to do the speed limit.
WTF? That effectively would ban bikes from every road. It's a rare athlete that could keep up 25 mph, let alone 35 mph for any distance.
Also means all vehicles must carry the same insurance
Huh??? When's the last time a bike totaled a car or killed any one? Never.
Means that cyclists be held responsible for all the junk they throw out in the desert.
What?? There's nowhere to carry significant junk on a bike. As opposed to cars. Cars are responsible for 99.9% of trash on the road, I'd stake my life on it.
Means neither car nor bike can just sit in the middle of the lane talking to someone in another car or bike.
Well, here's something we can agree on. Who does that?
170. Comment by Jacques L. (The Ragin Cajun)— September 17,2009 @ 12:48PM
Ratings:-7+11
When I was going to the UA a couple of decades ago, bicyclists ruled the roost. If you walked out in a crosswalk where they had a stop sign, they'd blast on through and hurl expletives at you in their wake. Rules didn't apply to THEM. I guess some things haven't changed at the UA.
171. Comment by Carlos Z. (SpeakinHere)— September 17,2009 @ 12:49PM
Ratings:-17+4
I sure hope all the various law enforcement folks in town read all the "problem locations" the readers have identified.
I have heard its the law , you must carry I.D. If this is true - lock them up, too. Then, lets see them pay "theyre fair share" for using OUR streets without paying a dime.
172. Comment by Krista M. (azgirl01)— September 17,2009 @ 12:58PM
Ratings:-4+8
164. If I'm in the right (or left lane actually) and I'm happily doing 5 over the speed limit and I'm still being tailgated what do you suggest? Just for clarification, if I'm in the left and this happens, as soon as I'm done passing the car that I'm likely passing, I'll be more than thrilled to get out of your way since you are obviously far more important than I that you must arrive to your destination in manner that requires speeding. But if I'm in the right lane....and technically speeding already, what more do you want? For me to sit on the shoulder until it is clear?
173. Comment by John H. (N7IQV)— September 17,2009 @ 1:10PM
Ratings:-7+8
Hopefully, TPD and other agencies will take note of the bicyclists who fail to observe the 15 MPH limits and the "NO PASSING" restrictions in school zones.
I can't recall the number of times the pedal-pushers have zipped past me while I wait for someone to cross in the school crosswalks. Two possible violations each time.
175. Comment by Chris S. (tzbv2p)— September 17,2009 @ 1:21PM
Ratings:-5+10
Let me get this right....the neighborhood complains to TPD that bicyclist are acting a fool in their neighborhood. TPD sends on duty motorcycle cops to hand out tickets, and then people complain that TPD is trying to get rich? Give me a break! These officers are not working overtime, this is their regularly scheduled shift. The purpose of the motorcycle officers is to work traffic problems. Its not like the ticketed folks are writing a check to TPD. Obey the laws and you won't get a ticket, its that simple!
176. Comment by nestor m. (nestor_makhno)— September 17,2009 @ 1:33PM
Ratings:-5+13
The problem is that they cite people who do stop. They have an arbitrary unwritten rule that says you must put a foot down in order for it to count as stopping. But it is completely possible to come to a full and complete stop without putting a foot down.
178. Comment by Yogurt O. (Chica62)— September 17,2009 @ 1:55PM
Ratings:-5+8
I know some bicyclist who do obey the law, unfortunately most do NOT! When you are FORCED to come to a complete stop because you have a PACK of bicyclist covering the entire lane - it's very annoying. I am glad the police are giving tickets. Wish they'd do that at the UofA. It is amazing how many bicyclist ride on the sidewalk, expecting peds to move out of the way, then they get on the street and ride the wrong way on a one way, and they get onto the road and act like the law does not apply to them. DISGUSTING!!!!!
180. Comment by Vandy F. (Bourkwourk)— September 17,2009 @ 2:06PM
Ratings:-3+13
The thing I don't understand is that most cyclists are also auto drivers, and many auto drivers are cyclists, yet so many cyclists won't obey traffic signs and so many drivers don't have a realistic notion of what would actually happen--to them and to the cyclist--if they actually hit a bike.
Note to fellow cyclists: State law says you follow traffic signals, so do it. If you are on a bicycle, you are by definition NOT a pedestrian--stay off sidewalks (or at a very minimum, yield to pedestrians), and unless you dismount, stay out off crosswalks and don't use their crossing signals. Yes, it does take more energy to get going from a dead stop-- so learn to use your gears properly or find a track or trail with no stops. Breaking the law en masses makes cyclists obnoxious to drivers and pedestrians alike, and beside being simply discourteous, annoying drivers is not in a cyclist's best interest.
Note to fellow drivers: cyclists, spandex-clad or not, have every right to be on the same roads you use. It also takes very little for a cyclist to fall--an unnoticed stone under the tire of an inexperienced road-bike rider can toss the cyclist directly in front of your car. More to the point, if for whatever reason a cyclist does fall or otherwise come in contact with your car, at a minimum you are going to hurt someone, and you could easily kill them. As much joy as death-to-cyclist comments seems to bring some people, killing or severely injuring someone is not in your best interest (financially and automotively, and possibly legally, if not morally) either.
181. Comment by Robert T. (robaltay)— September 17,2009 @ 2:13PM
Ratings:-5+15
Just got back from a bike ride (really) and here's what I observed...Parents were picking-up kids from Painted Sky Elementary, and several had parked illegally in the bike lane, under the "no parking" signs. Worse yet, there was a OVPD cruiser on the premises. Why no enforcement zone? Is it possible that traffic laws are enforced randomly selectively around here? To all the Law & Order types, maybe these hardened criminals (parents) should be cited and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law! I still maintain this whole thing is about revenue, not safety.
182. Comment by Dan R. (1368)— September 17,2009 @ 2:20PM
Ratings:-8+0
And while city cops are out stopping bicyclists (which they should do whenever there is a violation of the law) without fining them, the UA rent a cops are stopping drivers everywhere but on Campus!
183. Comment by carolyn l. (culemmon)— September 17,2009 @ 2:55PM
Ratings:-6+7
I've noticed that few bicycles obey any traffic law, auto, pedestrian,bicycle. But switch to whatever suits them at the moment. Including blocking the roadway and preventing normal posted traffic flow. To me this seems unsafe and uncivilized. Legal or not.
184. Comment by Corina M. (AZ Commenter)— September 17,2009 @ 3:10PM
Ratings:-0+16
bikers who ride against traffic are seriously endangering themselves. some say it is so they can see who is coming at them but if you are riding to the top of a hill, the car coming up the other side of that hill won't see you until you collide at the top. This happened to me and I almost creamed a bicyclist. RIDE WITH TRAFFIC!!!!
185. Comment by Daniel G. (gdobie1)— September 17,2009 @ 3:26PM
Ratings:-1+12
I would say that 65% of riders I see obey the law. The others do go through stop signs and lights while crowding the white line. Yes there are bad car drivers, but that is no excuse for bike riders disobeying traffic laws with an attitude.
186. Comment by Gabriel H. (izzyeddy)— September 17,2009 @ 3:33PM
Ratings:-3+5
Good! About damn time this was done. The vast majority of cyclists I encounter are courteous and law abiding. However, there are also a bunch of bad apples who flaunt traffic laws as much as they flaunt their posteriors at the faces of motorists and pedestrians. Good job TPD, keep up the good work.
187. Comment by bob b. (boboruski)— September 17,2009 @ 3:54PM
Ratings:-8+2
I have to comment. Have you seen the grafiti on aviation parkway? They can have all those cops take money from bike riders but they can`t catch the taggers. Why don`t the cops park on aviation at 2 in the morning.
188. Comment by k Z. (6162)— September 17,2009 @ 4:00PM
Ratings:-2+5
As a cyclist, I AVOID the 3rd Street bike way. TOO MANY STOP SIGNS. NOt to mention, the safest type of bike path/route etc is one that is on a main street, in which bikes travel with and stop at lights alongside the cars. (Such as the bike lane on Speedway.) This is from statistics taken over many years in many cities. The most dangerous is a shared path such as the one near river road. I never understood the 3rd St bike path, esp. before they put in signals at the major streets, leaving cyclists to cross busy streets w/o a light. I think the whole 3rd St bike way is a joke- too many twists and turns, too many stop signs that- yes! no cyclist stops for- it's not my choice for cycling across town. Too inefficient.
189. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)— September 17,2009 @ 4:45PM
Ratings:-0+6
In 1950 all the science magazines said we would all be driving gyro-cars (Helicopter cars) by the year 2000. I can only imaging the fight between gyro-car and gyro-bike riders today had that come true. "They think they own the air.....". Good grief Charlie Brown.
190. Comment by Tammy R. (3125)— September 17,2009 @ 4:45PM
Ratings:-2+4
You all are forgetting the whole idea behind this...it's not what the rider is wearing, it is how they operate their "vehicle" and yes, a bike is a vehicle. They should abide by all the same rules as a car, motorcycle, etc. When was the last time you saw a car on the sidewalk...and if crossing in the crosswalk, you must get off your bike and WALK it across...if you are traveling the same direction as traffic..you can go thru the intersection the same as other vehicles.
I was hit once by a bicyclist (in my car!) at an intersection. It was the worst feeling in my life to feel I had hit a cyclist....but he hit me! When the officer got there, he was very kind and tried to calm me down (as I was in tears) and told me he was going to let the guy off without a citation since he did get a bit of road rash. The cyclist ran into my car and flipped over the top of my car and landed on the road behind my car. He said he could have cited him for several things 1)I had stopped at the intersection and he was going on the WRONG side of the road (against traffic) 2) on the sidewalk 3) didn't walk his bike across the intersection (he wasn't in a bike lane)
I will give every cyclist the extra room they need, but they too, need to be courtious and knowledgable of traffic rules. Might be a good thing to have people license their bikes and have to take a "rules of the road" test for bikes before issuing the license!!
Either way two wrongs don't make a right....and in many times it can be deadly. I just don't understand anyone being in that much of a hurry or that stupid to not value their lives by disobeying traffic laws when operating any "vehicle".
191. Comment by Tammy R. (3125)— September 17,2009 @ 4:49PM
Ratings:-4+7
Also Kudos to Tucson Police Department!! So many times I see infractions occuring with officers right there and they do nothing about it. Now that they are enforcing the law, every one cries foul!! Don't want a ticket, don't do anything to earn it...or at least don't get caught!
192. Comment by Rodney S. (rodshort)— September 17,2009 @ 4:50PM
Ratings:-4+4
Folks, we are in a recession. Tucson has a lack of leadership who are afraid to make the tough choices necessary to move the city forward. The result, more tickets and other punitive measures. While the majority of the riders can get out of their tickets by taking a safety class, the others cannot. Plain and simple, this is revenue for the city.
195. Comment by DAVID Y. (davidy)— September 17,2009 @ 5:10PM
Ratings:-7+2
This is just another way for the city to try to get money from people, first its the stupid license plate cover and now this, TPD is a joke and are sinking to a new low. How many ppl have been hit at that intersection? I live right near there and never have had or seen a problem with a cyclist, im sorry all the cry babies sitting in their air conditioned cars have a problem with a few ppl coasting past a stop sign but third street is for bicycles and residential traffic. Oh and I'm glad to see that they can send out so many "rent a cops" for this when they could be doing more important things, just cut through the park and if you get stopped tell them your out of state and give a fake name.
196. Comment by Elisabeth D. (ESD)— September 17,2009 @ 5:23PM
Ratings:-2+12
To all you who make fun of spandex:
You ever get a pant leg caught in the chain? Down you go!
You ever wear a pair of loose shorts on a bike for a long ride on a road bike? Not all that comfortable!
You ever wear a pair of regular shorts instead of padded bike shorts for a long ride? Boy, that seam chafes and the lack of padding makes your butt sore!
You ever wear a regular cotton t-shirt instead of some kind of jersey made of wicking fabric for a long ride? Take the t-shirt off and wring it out when you're done!
There are reasons why people wear bicycling clothes, not just so they can look funny!
197. Comment by B P. (stealthgirl)— September 17,2009 @ 5:29PM
Ratings:-6+4
Bicyclist use the road the same as cars. A stop sign means STOP, no. 3. If you want to use the streets and be safe, follow the traffic laws.. TRAFFIC LAWS.. Means everybody in traffic. I can not count the times someone on a bicycle has crosses his white into traffic, ran stop signs, almost hitting me, then cuss me out! I don't move into on coming traffic for these jerks and I am not going to get tail ended to slow down when they are being stupid. Police officers should ticket them!! Buy the way, when are all you bicyclist going to stat helping pay for all we, the citizens, do for you??
198. Comment by Daniel G. (gdobie1)— September 17,2009 @ 5:46PM
Ratings:-4+3
number 193---Lila--If you have such a hard time stopping and going, maybe you should get a motorized bike. That way you can obey the traffic laws and not over-exert yourself. LOL
199. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 5:56PM
Ratings:-4+5
#190: No a bicycle is NOT a vehicle. According to ARS 28-101 (definitions) a bicycle with 16" or larger wheels, racing wheelchairs and tricycles with 16" or large wheels is a DEVICE. The difference: I can ride a bicycle on the shoulder of the road, you cannot operate a vehicle there unless you are avoiding a hazard. ARS 28-812 is what makes a bicyclist have to obey the other traffic laws (including DUI). We are NOT required to carry ID (although it is a really good idea) and have insurance (another really good idea), pay VLT and registration fees. These are decisions made by the folks in Phoenix, not in Tucson.
200. Comment by Thomas B. (Tmax)— September 17,2009 @ 6:01PM
Ratings:-2+7
Re # 188,
As a cyclist, I SEEK out bike routes like 3rd Street that keep me away from heavy, fast moving traffic. I am never in so much hurry that I would ride Speedway across town, sucking down the exhaust fumes of hundreds of vehicles. I don't care what your statistics say, Speedway IS NOT safer to ride on than the Rillito River Park shared pathway and not nearly as pleasant. So, speed along, if you will. I'll take my time. Different strokes for different folks.
201. Comment by Erin J. (3815)— September 17,2009 @ 6:24PM
Ratings:-7+9
I'm sorry but bikers running stop signs only pose a danger to themselves, not to others like car drivers. Cars a deadly weapon, bikes are not. Bikes can stop inside of 8 feet, cars cannot. If you don't know why bikers don't wat to stop at stop signs or wear bright spandex then either you aren't very bright or just want to biatch.
202. Comment by john b. (johnbravado)— September 17,2009 @ 6:39PM
Ratings:-5+4
fact a bike is a vehicle and must obey all traffic laws while riding whether you like it or not. if you ride your bike on the sidewalk that is against the law. if you ride your bike in a crosswalk that is against the law. if you get caught and get a ticket deal.
203. Comment by L B. (lb)— September 17,2009 @ 7:05PM
Ratings:-2+3
TPD missed a possitive way to inform the riders time to shape up. A day with one TPD person telling them to shape up or else would have proven the point with a possitive note. This is like the DUI stops. Lots of notice, then action later when DUIs do not obey.
204. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)— September 17,2009 @ 7:14PM
Ratings:-4+0
Today one neighbor kid took off from his house wearing a bike helmet. Yesterday a motorcycle took off from another house with a gal behind holding onto the driver's waist, neither wearing a helmet. Yup, good to see the fuzz busting thoughtless bicycle riders, makes me feel so much safer. Although none of them were wearing seat belt restraints, silly people.
206. Comment by Trent M. (tm21)— September 17,2009 @ 7:23PM
Ratings:-4+4
I can't tell you how many times I have almost hit or been hit by a bicyclist on Park Ave. near UA, especially at the intersection of Park and University next to Jimmy Johns. When they hit me I'm suing for damage to the vehicle
207. Comment by Barb D. (BeCoyote)— September 17,2009 @ 7:30PM
Ratings:-1+5
173. Comment by John H.
Hopefully, TPD and other agencies will take note of the bicyclists who fail to observe the 15 MPH limits and the "NO PASSING" restrictions in school zones.
I can't recall the number of times the pedal-pushers have zipped past me while I wait for someone to cross in the school crosswalks. Two possible violations each time.
==========================
Thanks for reminding me. It wasn't a school crossing but I once saw a bicycle knock down a woman in the crosswalk and just keep going. She was legally crossing and just left her there. Cowards.
208. Comment by chris v. (chrisvh)— September 17,2009 @ 7:45PM
Ratings:-7+1
One more reason why I am glad I no longer live in Tucson. Really???? I know there are more police and cameras in this slow city per capita than most major cities, but do the police really have to move to ticketing people for going 36MPH on Speedway to ticketing bicyclists? They need to stop wasting money and find something more worthwhile to attend to.
209. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 8:13PM
Ratings:-2+4
#202: It is against the law in TUCSON to ride a bike on the sidewalk (TCC 5-2). The county and state do not have such statues. Again, look at the State statues and you will find that a bicycle with one tire (I forgot that in my last comment) is a DEVICE, not a vehicle. Bicyclists have to obey traffic laws as specified in ARS 28-812. One other thing, bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet in Pima County. I'm much older than that and I still do. The thought of spending a night in the E.R. is what keeps in on my head and not on my handlebars.
As to the rider in the crosswalk, place the blame on the State Supreme Court. They ruled that a bicycle CAN use the crosswalk, it is courteous to dismount but not required.
210. Comment by James M. (James M. from Tucson)— September 17,2009 @ 8:16PM
Ratings:-2+2
205: Got to go read those laws. It is illegal to operate any motorized vehicle or device on the bike paths within the City limits. Also, they have to have a light on the front at all times, illuminated.
211. Comment by larry r. (twouall)— September 17,2009 @ 8:18PM
Ratings:-2+2
if you break the law you pay.now tpd get back on broadway at 6am and get the real speeders between wilmot and craycroft rds.as soon as you guys left the cars are speeding again.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
212. Comment by Brian K. (azquadrider)— September 17,2009 @ 8:32PM
Ratings:-3+3
It's about time the police stop harassing people driving 10 MPH over the speed limit (which is already 20 below what it should be) and go after the "holier than thou" bike riders. I get real tired of dealing with these idiots on the east side who ride 3 bikes across taking up half a lane. The only thing worse than a stupid Tucson driver is a stupid Tucson bike rider.
215. Comment by John H. (N7IQV)— September 17,2009 @ 10:08PM
Ratings:-0+2
#201 Erin.. explain how the bike rider who hit my neighbor was not a danger to the car's driver. The biker did MANY hundred of dollars damage to a 1960s vintage sports car when running the 4-way stop at Glenn and Mountain. Bike rider denied running the stop, but how else can you explain the amount of body damage (to the rear end of the CAR) without some sort of rocket assist when leaving the stop sign?
216. Comment by Erin J. (3815)— September 17,2009 @ 11:01PM
Ratings:-0+0
#215, I see nothing in your story indicating that the bike rider was "a danger to the car's driver.". He may be responsible for damage to the car which he should pay for if he is. Perhaps the hit and run driver who tried to side swipe me because apparently he hated slow cyclists and I was apparently too slow for him would like to pay for my rotator cuff repair and physical therapy bills?
218. Comment by Tammy R. (3125)— September 18,2009 @ 8:03AM
Ratings:-0+0
#199..excuuuuuse me! Ok so a bike may not be legally considered a "vehicle' but it doesn't take away from the fact that bike "drivers" must obey all traffic laws. PERIOD!!!
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Traffic cops ticket bicyclists
Tucson police officers deployed to East Third Street and North Treat Avenue Wednesday morning with a message for bicyclists:I'm 60 years old. I have NEVER seen a bicycle stop at a stop sign unless a car was coming. That includes bicycle policemen.
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And just to clarify what is really going on. Police take the money used to cite these cyclists from the bicycle safety fund, then record the overtime from this little enforcement job.Sweet deals for TPD.
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Actually if no traffic is coming bikes should not have to stop, its called Yield - Don't - Stop & they do it in Oregon & Washington state.
Road Rights
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It's about
#!*!#% time. They often don't seem to care if cars are present; it's just too much trouble for them to stop. Stop means stop.Report this comment
#3: Perhaps that may be the law in OR and WA, but there is no such law in Arizona Revised Statutes 28 -- the Transportation Code, which contain laws which motorists and bicyclists must comply at all times.
I realize some motorists and bicyclists wish they shouldn't have to stop at certain times, but ce n'est pas la LOI.
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ha ha ha ha ha These comments just go to show the dissorted sense of right-of-way that some bikers have in Tucson have.
Law? I'm on a bike. Im fit and wear spandex.
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Howcome its the new thing amongst old people in Tucson to wear colorful spandex whenever they ride a bike. Does the spandex really give bicyclists a competitive edge? Or are they just trying to show off how dedicated they are and how fit they've gotten from it.
#1 Bo B.:
I bicycled almost every day in central Tucson for 16 years. I ALWAYS stopped for stop signs and stop lights. There are a few bicyclists who obey traffic laws--not many, but a few.
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If you are a bicyclist please heed to the traffic laws.
Protect yourself from some terrible auto drivers. Auto drivers must have auto insurance, so why not obey all traffic laws and collect insurance protection on them when they are at fault. Why ride your bike wrong and give up your safety and insurance protection?
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GREAT! It's about time. Maybe this will encourage the sherrifs office to ticket some of the bike riders in the Catalina Highway area.
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I ride a lot. And obey all traffic laws. Except stop signs.
I'll slow down and look. Or just look. Acceleration is hard on a bike (It's what uses up fuel in a car too) momentum is key.
I'm sure not saying it's right...
7-
Yes, spandex does give a competitive advantage. A big one. But it is nothing new at all. And if you think we are colorful now, you should have seen us in the 80s.
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maryjane, perfect, perhaps you should relocte to avail yourself of the excellent laws in the locations you noted.
for the bikes i see, they mix being bikes on the street with being pedestrian, pushing the cross light when they feel like stopping everyone else for them.. riding wide into the traffic. passing from the right at intersections. This is particularly annoying and dangerous. Your in the 'right lane' but if a bike is coming your blocked from a right turn because the bike 'cuts you off' from your back right?! but if you hit them, or block them its your fault? How about a pac, that rides in my area of town, this happens all the time, so I'm stuck in the turn lane, with cars behind, the light green, waiting on bikes to pass from my right.. BS! IF they are traffic they should have to obey traffic, at the intersections just as a car. It not only endangers the bike, but leaves you open to be rear ended stopped at a green light.. and I don't care if they like the Spandex, there should be a law as to who can wear it.
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[This comment has been removed]
This is great. This should help prevent a bicyclist from getting struck when they dont see a car proceding from a stop sign. You dont always see everything, regardless of how well you think your vision is.
And cars may not see you until its too late. This isnt for money, this is for safety. Not like those radar cameras.
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I am guilty of this crime, but part of me wants to know what I can do when motorist don't obey the laws and put my life in danger? I am really tired of avoiding accidents or being honked at because I have the right of way (not related to this situation). At least running through a stop sign is there lack of safety putting them in danger.
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#14 Yes Bob, and what the cars who don't notice people on bicycles proceeding from stop signs, or in some cases traffic lights. The truth is, as a bicyclists does obey traffic laws, i still continuously have to swerve out of the way of people in cars who either don't see us or do see us and just don't give a damn.
And do people in cars obey all the traffic laws? No!
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Edited version:
#14 Yes Bob, and what about the people in cars who don't notice people on bicycles proceeding from stop signs, or in some cases traffic lights. The truth is, as a bicyclist who does obey traffic laws, i still continuously have to swerve out of the way of people in cars who either don't see us or do see us and just don't give a damn.
And do people in cars obey all the traffic laws? No!
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#11 Max
If you think your colorful in you spandex...wait until you get creamed at an intersection for not stopping at a light....Bright red (how colorful)
...ah the old 3rd and Treat duck pond, things never change...
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How can they give you a ticket if you don't have any ID on you? It's not like you need a driver's license to ride a bicycle.
"Well, officer, my name is Greg Shelko, and you can send that ticket to me, care of the Tucson City Council"
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Bicycles should follow the laws including the use of hand signals.
Likewise, motor vehicles should follow the three-foot minimum clearance law:
"When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle."
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Next can law enforcement go after tailgaters? Just a thought.
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Now if they will just start giving tickets to the riders who push the flashing lights to ride across the street. Those crossWALKS were put in for pedestrians!
I might add, they had to use flashing lights because many rude auto drivers will not stop for pedestrians.
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I think a youtube video of some of these folks getting into their spandex would be in order. Cellulite and spandex. What a great combination.
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It's about time.
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I am a bicycle rider, but am abhorred at the way some of the riders ride the wrong way in the bike lane or better yet, ride on the side walk through the pedestrian cross walks! Plain stupid!
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I am a bicycle rider, but am abhorred at the way some of the riders ride the wrong way in the bike lane or better yet, ride on the side walk through the pedestrian cross walks! Plain stupid!
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It is about time. I drive over Gate's Pass everyday and constantly deal with bikers who do not follow the law. They ride in large packs, take up the entire lane and do not stop at stop signs. It is impossible to give them 3 feet when passing because they are riding side by side instead of single file.
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Haters mouth off o rama
I think bike riders have many legitimate complaints about the drivers of cars. I also think the cars have MORE legitimate complaints about the bikers. Yes cars disobey traffic rules but most bikers think they don't apply to them at all.
Running stop signs on a bike is particularly stupid. You would think a biker would be more concerned about his own safety. The truth is if you are on a bike and get caught up in a wreck it really doesn't matter who is right or wrong- you are the one headed for the hospital if not the morgue.
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Several years ago my wife got hit on the side of her car by a bicyclist who was going the wrong direction on a north-south arterial street that had no street lights and HE had no lights on his bicycle. His front wheel was damaged, yet HE had the audacity to get upset at "pulling out in front of me." Duh! Ride with the flow of traffic, use lights at night.
It's about time the TPD motorcycle cops did something about bicyclists. But doing it at Third and Treat means targeting only UA students. There are bicyclists riding into oncoming traffic on Grant, on Speedway, on 22nd, running stop signs, running red lights, not following the rules of the road ALL OVER TUCSON.
Now that motorcycle cops are basically obsolete due to the proliferation of photo radar, maybe they can focus on bad bicyclists for a while.
The bicycle community gripes about bad drivers harassing them. Well, I've had too many near-misses with poor bicycle riders to count. TPD: earn your pay and do more than just ticket UA students!
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I especially agree with #28 Kevin L regarding riders riding side-by-side. It is illegal (2 vehicles can not occupy the same lane) and dangerous. I used to work near Oracle (town, not road) where many Tucson bicyclists like to ride. Once, I witnessed riders 3 abreast, and the innermost got hit. Where is the @#%(% logic in riding 3 abreast on a highway with 55mph speed limit? Or even 2 abreast?
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#3 - I don't care about Oregon and Washington! In Arizona, those red signs say STOP not YIELD AND RIDE. What part of STOP doesn't make sense? It means STOP! Not cruise on through, not slow down and look. It means STOP. For drivers of cars, trucks, motorcycles and, yes, bicycles...
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"Bicyclists are disobeying stop signs and just blowing by," he said. "They think just because they ride a bicycle they don't have to obey traffic laws."
================
I used to drive Gates pass twice almost every day. They are a hazard to themselves and a hazard to cars.
I've been screamed at (I was driving withing the law - the cyclist was not) and been flipped off. They throw trash on the stret.
I've come over a hill to find a group of them gathered in a group, stopped dead in the middle of the lane and refusing to move off the road for their visiting.
The law used to be that no non-motorized vehicles were allowed on the road. Why are cyclists the exception?
I say, if you canot keep up with traffic and follow the same laws as car drivers - get off the road.
(Interestingly, there are few bicycles where I live now. I don't miss them.)
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#34 - NOTE TO TPD: Next stop, Old Spanish Trail. Get behind a pack of 50-75 riders and see how many of them give you room to pass. NARY A ONE!
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#3 I'll help buy you a one way bus ticket to Oregon & Washington state so you will at long last be happy.
It's about time the laws applied to all, you bike riders act as if you are above the law.
But the law of inertia will catch up to you someday...
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"However, most bicyclists who received a citation can attend a free road safety class sponsored by the Pima County Bicycle and Pedestrian Program."
How nice for them! However, if those of us who drive cars get a ticket and are eligible to go to traffic safety school, is it free? Noooooooooooooooooo.
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Being a bicycle rider, I cringe when I see riders run lights or stop signs. It just makes drivers think we are all like that which we are not. To those of you who have chimed in saying you don't think you should stop, shame on you! Traffic laws exist for safeties sake. Max, stopping and re-starting just make you a stronger rider. Toughen up man.... (although I have to agree it is sometimes frustrating stopping at light after light when your timing is off, just like it would be in a car but I do it anyway).
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To the one pitching a bitch about older folks wearing colorful spandex
Did it ever occur to you that wearing wearing colorful spandex makes you more visible to drivers? no of course not.
It's all about you and only you...
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I watch bikers, being one. And despite the comments to the contrary, generally the serious bikers follow the laws, while the guys who can't afford cars do not.
12-
I've been hit like that, by overtaking on the right at a light. Since I passed on the right, it was most likely my fault.
18-
I don't wear bright colors. I put more attention into looking like i don't care about what I look like, than most who look like they do.
20-
If you are over 16 in AZ, you are required to carry ID.
Bicycles are allowed to ride two abreast in a bike lane. I myself strongly disagree, but it is AZ law.
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I'm not perfect, but I play perfect on the ADS comments board.
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Good mourning republicans who do not believe in FREE SPEECH because they do not like what I say about their radical ways and Ideas.
I do not use words that the ENCARTA dictionary describes as OFFENSIVE but it seems that free speech is offensive if they do not like what you stand for or say.
It is about time they started to give bicyclists REVENUE ENHANCEMENT citation.
Will they have to go to TRAFFIC SCHOOL like motorists or will they receive special treatment and avoid it.
Did they have to show "your papers comrade" drivers licence, registration and proof of insurance.
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Bikers, all I can say is frontage road. Huge shoulders, two lanes almost no cars and stop lights at least 1 mile or more apart. Great commuter street. Good place to keep from interfering with cars.
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I bike only rarely so I haven't acquired all the gear. A question sticks in my mind about folks who bike avidly.
Do they wear colorful spandex outfits so they can ride bikes?
Or do they ride bikes so they wear color spandex outfits?
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Bikes running stops should be ticketed just like drivers exceeding posted speed limits.
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ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha
spidey gets ticketed....
omg, it's going to be a good morning!
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why not require the bike riders to have a license and tags and pay for insurance since THEY ARE using the road like all car drivers WHO ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO, AND take a class on safety. Road taxes!!!
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No one looks good in spandex. And BTW, iPods and cell phones should be banned while riding.
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42.
If you are talking to Republicans who don't believe in free speech, you are talking to an empty room.
Freedom of speech does not grant you the right to violate the rules here. Play by the rules or get out of the game.
And, if you will not open with whining statements, I will read your posts.
Oh, it's "morning" not "mourning".
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[This comment has been removed]
42. Comment by A c. (621ads) — September 17,2009 @ 5:59AM
Ratings: -0 +1
Good mourning republicans who do not believe in FREE SPEECH because they do not like what I say about their radical ways and Ideas.
I do not use words that the ENCARTA dictionary describes as OFFENSIVE but it seems that free speech is offensive if they do not like what you stand for or say.
_________________________________
ummmm...... issues?
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Pima County Sheriff Dept. needs to sit at Catalina Hwy & Snyder and write many many tickets. Then move on down to Catalina Hwy and Houghton and continue writing tickets... hour after hour most any day, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings. Most all riders refuse to stop at the stop signs in these 2 locations.
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Why do the white bicycle memorials keep popping up all over town? Duh!?!?
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#28 and #32--
Please become acquainted with the law. It is LEGAL for bicyclists to ride 2 abreast and take up the entire width of the lane.
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I’ve got a couple of observations for those weekend warriors and others that “ride for exercise.”
I'd think you would want to stop at every stop sign and light just to increase the burn.
What's up with wearing spandex? If you're trying to exercise then why try and reduce drag? Isn't that counter productive?
Why do you insist on having the ultra light mega thousand dollar road racer bikes? Again, if the point is exercise, why try to reduce the effort?
And on that subject, in previous bike article comments I’ve seen explanations for why some bikers don’t want to ride in the bike lanes, especially the "white liners." They say things like it will damage their machine because there is too much debris or bad pavement. So why did you buy a bike that is not adapted to where you ride? That doesn’t make any sense. You wouldn’t buy a sports car and expect to take it four-wheeling would you? There are plenty of bike manufacturers that make bikes well suited for the streets of Tucson. Why didn’t you buy one?
Just trying to understand…
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Team riders are the worst offenders. There is something about riding in big groups that gives them a pack-mentality that they are indestructible and cars are just SOL. Out of frustration, I looked up bicycling laws. They may ride 2 abreast, but they must stay as far to the right as possible. They may not hinder traffic (limited number of cars that they can hold up. fThey have to follow all other traffic laws and road signs. Soooooooo, when they are in packs,they will ride 3-6 abreast, taking up the whole lane, or an individual will ride down the center of the road (I don't think the center line is as far as possible to the right), they will swerve out if you try to pass them,and force you into the oncoming lane, they won't move over to single file if they are hindering traffic, and they have dropped water bottles all over Gates Pass where it is too dangerous to clean them up. On the other hand, individual and paired riders have been very considerate of cars. I think teams who have scheduled rides on public roads should have to get permits and extra traffic enforcement like they do when there is an organized ride like El Tour. It seems that Tuesday is a scheduled, organized ride day. Send out the sheriffs! One other thought, I would like to see the law about riding 2 abreast changed to single file on roads with single lanes going either direction and no bike lane.
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FYI, this is not the first time that this intersection has been targeted by TPD. I just hope they did it right this time by stopping the cyclists that failed to stop and not just "put a foot down". Yes, there are plenty of cyclists that do not come to a full stop as required by the law, but this also applies to motorists as well. I've seen plenty of blown stop signs and failure to stop when exiting a private drive (this includes leaving a parking lot, you must stop, not just yield as required by law.) These folks will end up going to school on Saturday and not riding until after Noon. However, it is good to see TPD out there citing us for not stopping. They need to go to various corners, however, and show that they are enforcing the law for both cyclists and motorists.
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I am a long-time bike commuter and I support this type of law enforcement intervention. Cyclists who ignore the rules of the road endanger themselve and every other user on the road or sidewalk, whether they are automobile drivers, pedestrians, other cyclists, children playing etc.
It's also unfortunate that so many bicyclists think there is nothing wrong with riding their bikes on sidewalks.
This is against the law in Arizona and presents a real hazard.
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Bike riders who fail to halt at stop signs.
Come to my neighborhood, and you will see all sorts of cars that don't stop for stop signs either.
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Was driving around the curve of A mountain and three bicyclists were riding side by side. I had to cross center line around the curve to give them that three feet. I'm all for sharing the road an all, but that also applies to bicyclists. Also down by the UofA, bicyclists do not stop for pedestrians, pedestrians have to stop for bicyclists.
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#42 & 47: I would LOVE to insure my bicycle and myself. However, it is not available. As to licensing, this would take a MAJOR change to the licensing laws and a lot of money developing a scheme to do so. That is why I have neither. I do have over 2,000 hours of mandated drivers education (get a CDL and see what you have to do.) This means that I should be a better driver, but not necessarily so. Again, I'm for educating cyclists (Road 101 does exist) and for licensing and insuring cyclists, but that does not exist.
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For those who are pushing for the Idaho law, which does NOT exist in either Washington or Oregon, you have to learn to obey the current laws first. This means stopping at stop signs and stop lights. Not blowing through them or stopping and then going on the red. Please do so.
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It ia truly amazing to see how few bicyclists truly obey traffic rules and this is from a former rider. When i moved into central Tucson several years ago from an area where I could ride safely and always wore a helmet I sold my bike as I knew I would never ride in through the streets of Tucson. Last week while driviing to a FIT center saw a friend ridiing her bike up Craycroft toward the FIT ctr. without a helmet. Now that really makes no sense.
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#60--you didn't have to cross the center line. That was not your only option. You could have SLOWED DOWN and stayed behind the bikes.
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ABOUT TIME!!!
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If bikes truely had to follow the same laws as motorized traffic, ie. ARS-28, they would be obligated to have liability insurance and license registration too? Are you listening, state legislature? Sounds like another way to increase revenue and help out those good ol boys in insurance, that line your pockets, come election time.
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If the Cops gave out tickets to every car who drove closer then 3' to a bike, Tucson could afford to build that silly rainbow bridge.
It's funny how the enforce the rules on the bikes, but let the cars get away with murder.
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#67, they ticket one bike and you make your statement?
I have an idea of how you can cut down on bicycle deaths: Keep your bicycles off the road where cars and trucks travel.
Have a nice day.
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wow i had no idea bikes were such a nuisance. I have no problem yeilding to bikes, good for them and the environment.
Just sounds like a bunch of grumpy pants to me.
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My experience is most cyclists will slow down at a stop sign, but not come to a full stop. A full stop on a bike is awkward and in terms of safety, not necessarily helpful, so I don't really mind.
Just yesterday at an intersection on 3rd, as a matter of fact, one cyclist blew by without yielding me right of way, while another came to a full stop, and let me make my turn.
As with cars, there are all kinds of individuals out there. I drive with that in mind.
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Cars speed on many of our streets all day long and the police only ticket a very small percentage of them. They pick on cyclists because there easy and the cops are, well lazy, and they have quotas to meet. And how many cars wave me through intersections when I stop at a stop sign for them? About 25%, in my experience.
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I would add that I also bike sometimes, and have been cut off twice by cars at 2-way stop signs, where right-of-way was unambiguous. Nothing like skidding while on a bike. In one case, the driver looked right at me, they just didn't want to wait for something going more slowly than a car to pass through the intersection.
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Its all about money and OT for the cops in court. Remember this when they want more funds to hire more cops. It will be on the ballot and vote no on that one.
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It's about time, bicycleists thumb their noses at traffic laws all the time, and whine that drivers don't respect them. Well, respect goes both ways.
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IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!! They think they own the road.
They all need to get a licese if they are going to be using the roads and learn to obey the laws & rules, just as other drivers do.
A kid on a bike nearly hit me the other day. He was in the bike lane, but going the wrong way & I'm making a right & he's yelling at me to watch the bike lane, flipped me off & went on his way. Kids not going to ever see tomorrow if he keeps that up. Where did he come from? Who knows! He was not there, then all of the sudden, he's in my passsenger's door. Yes, they all need to know the laws. They are a menace to the road!
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Good. I go through that intersection one morning a week and ALWAYS see cyclists blow through on 3rd Street.
Same happens all over town.
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Now if the UA police would crack down on the idiots there, it would be a safer place to be. I've been run off the sidewalk, had to jam on my brakes when a bike blew past a stop sign and seen two cases where a bike hit a walker.
Grow up. An adult obeys the laws.
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Hurray! It's ABOUT TIME! They constantly run stop signs! I agree about UofA. When I went to school there in the early 80's I was hit 3 times by a bike!
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The "yield don't stop" laws mentioned in post #3 seem like a sensible way to deal with bicycles and stop signs. I'd like to see such statutes adopted in Arizona. Slow down, yield to any traffic, and proceed. That is how I ride. Granted it's not following the letter of the law, but I think it does follow the intent of the law, which is traffic safety. I do not support blatantly blasting through a stop sign at full tilt or running red lights.
The intersection where this operation took place is a 4-way stop on a major designated bike route. Like many 4-way stops it is unnecessary. It's put there to be a nuisance factor, to deter neighborhood traffic. A 2-way stop would do. To my mind, if you are going to designate a side street as a "bike route", efforts should be made to cater to the bike traffic. There is no need for the east-west stop signs there. Let the Treat traffic stop. Let the bikes on 3rd go through.
To the gigglers who can't get over the sight of "spandex"; cycling clothing is made to be comfortable, efficient and yes, sometimes garishly visible. If you ever have the occasion to ride a bike more than once around the park, you will appreciate a good pair of lycra shorts, some stiff soled shoes and a brightly colored jersey that might make you more visible to the yahoo in the SUV, talking (or texting!) on her cell phone.
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Ahhhhh! Finally a topic with no left or right. Nothing but pure elitism, self righteousness and hate for folks who behave differently.
The is a libertarian position on this topic: No harm, no foul.
This part elitist, "I don't like what those people are doing!" part revenue enhancement.
However the coins will slip right through the fingers of government and end up costing more than they gain. Ticketed bike riders can go to bicycle school instead of pay a ticket. And we give them a helmet, a lock or a light kit when they go. Your tax dollar at work. Don't ya love it?
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Cars run stop signs all the time in the neighborhoods, and they're a lot more dangerous than bikes. I constantly see drivers coming onto the major streets from side streets and they barely even slow down.
And forget about cars stopping at the stop signs within the neighborhoods. Why do you think so many areas now have those idiotic roundabouts and speed humps?
Bicyclists should be more mindful of stop signs, but I'd much rather see the cops go after them only after the cars are under control.
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I see that those who are without sin are busy casting stones.
Can you feel the love?
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How about ticketing jaywalking? I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this infraction on very busy, major streets. Whatever happened to crossing at the signalized corner? It seems to be getting worse everyday...time to crack down TPD before the body count starts to rise!
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Does that intersection really need to be a 4 way stop?
Wouldn't it be more bicycle friendly to not have a 4 way stop on a posted bike route?
Let the bicycles roll freely.
They are saving oil, reducing traffic and freeing up parking for the rest of us.
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It does not seem that the people on bicycles grasp the truism that in a confrontation of a bicycle and a car/truck the car/truck will win 99% of the time.
If you ignore the stop sign and ride into the path of an automobile, you will loose. And that is a fact.
Just like with car/train confrontations: Train wins.
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I would stop at more stop signs if they did not put them everywhere I do not want to stop.
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Coming soon: Leash Law Task Force.
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The*re* is a libertarian position on this topic: No harm, no foul.
This is part elitis*m*, "I don't like what those people are doing!" and part revenue enhancement.
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Bravo TPD!! My other pet peave is when bicylists ride across a pedestrian crosswalk. While riding, they are NOT pedestrians! Get off and walk like the rest of us!
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Now we have to tackle that problem of wearing all that spandex.
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about time! lets start looking at the crosswalks! and underpasses downtown!
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From 1989 to 1992 I commuted all over Tucson (25,000 miles) by bicycle. I always followed bicycle and "regular traffic" laws, including stopping at stop signs, and using hand signals when I was turning.
I had police contact twice in those three and a half years.
Once when an idiot tried to make a right turn over me and destroyed an $1100 racing bike. Luckily I received no more than some road rash in the incident.
The other time was on campus at the U of A. Just south of the mall on Cherry. A group of students was crossing the street and I had to stop to let them cross in front of me. When I started again I was pulled over by a University cop in front of the stadium for, of all things, "failure to execute a complete stop". I fought the ticket and won, because I got two of the students who crossed in front of me to go to court and testify that thye saw me with both feet on the ground when they walked past, but still it was a pain in the backside to do it.
I've also seen at least two other bicyclists "clipped" by oncoming traffic when they refused to stop at a stop sign.
Those signs are there for a reason, and it isn't just to make cars stop.
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According to TPD records, in 2008, there was one crash at the intersection of Treat and 3rd. It was from a motorist running the stop sign and sticking a bicylist. The bicyclist had the right of way.
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Why on earth are we putting resources towards this.
TPD has a case of Cranium Rectumus!
We are getting robbed, shot, and vandalised all over town and TPD choses to sit and trap cyclists.
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#9 - I believe that bicycle riders do not have to have insurance. Motorists pick up the insurance tab for them.
11, 15 and others who openly admit to breaking the law. Don't you understand that its this attitude of entitlement makes so many motorists just not care about your safety?
I almost creamed of the Spandex Mafia when I was turning left, had my turn signal on for quite a while because I saw the cyclist, even gave a little blip on my horn to wake him up.
He was riding with head down and his arms resting on his lowered handlebars.
I was well in front of him, had the right of way and had done all I could to avoid him. After coming to a complete stop, I started to turn right.
Stupid fool almost t-boned my car. Last I saw, he was screaming foul names at me.
This is what happens when they arbitrarily decide to make a new lane. I went back later and sure enough - there was NO bike lane there.
I've also had them come up between lanes and behave as though they have a lane.
Its as though pulling on the spandex shoves their brains right out the top.
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I know that one reason people who ride a lot wear spandex is the padding so it is more comfotable to sit on the funny shaped bicycle seats.
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There's plenty of blame to go around. As a cyclist I'm frustrated by bikers that ride like idiots. All it takes is one fool to negate the positive behavior of hundreds. However, riding smart and following the rules does not seem to make much difference to most drivers. On a fairly regular basis, I'm buzzed and cut off by cars and trucks.
I wonder how many citations have been given out for violation of the 3 foot law?
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85. Comment by Harley G. (Harley g) — September 17,2009 @ 7:47AM
Ratings: Thumbs Down Thumbs Up -0 +1
It does not seem that the people on bicycles grasp the truism that in a confrontation of a bicycle and a car/truck the car/truck will win 99% of the time.
If you ignore the stop sign and ride into the path of an automobile, you will loose. And that is a fact.
Just like with car/train confrontations: Train wins.
=I've thought the same thing. NO car driver wants to hit a bicycle. But the cyclists have a push and shove attitude and when one is hit, it just does not matter who has the right of way. Dead is dead.
With ALL other vehicles, you are required to be motor driven and be able to keep up with traffic. But, bicycles get a pass.
Bicycles have no business being on a street that was designed for motor driven vehicles.
About this 'crackdown on cyclists' ... I wouldn't hold my breath for the bicycle riders to suddenly become courteous or obey the laws.
Its not going to happen.
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Good!
What do they think this place is... Holland?
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Just another reason NOT to vote for the "public safety initiative" (Prop. 200) in November. If our cops have time for this and other time-wasting stunts, like wrongly giving tickets to 32 topless dancers because the cop in charge didn't read the law right, we don't need to raise taxes for more of the same. http://www.donthandcufftucson.com/
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TPD, keep sticking it to 'em. Most cyclists of encountered are pompous jerks who are all about themselves. Ticket away man!
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There is a large number of Tucson motorists whose lives are so full, rich, meaningful, and important that they can't afford to lose even one second from their busy lives to ensure the safety of us cyclists. Virtually every cyclists acknowledges that right-turning motorists are the number 1 danger to cyclists here in the Old Pueblo. These self-centered motorists are the reason I run stop signs (and stop lights, too). Self-Preservation!!!! I feel much safer crossing the street illegally when there is no traffic threat, than crossing legally when I have to contend with the Tucson's right-turning motorists.
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Let's license bicycles like we do cars. There are bike lanes all over town paid for by vehicle owners but used by bicyclist who do not pay a cent for them. If they want the bicycle lanes, let them put some money in the pot.
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A note to all bicyclists - since the sun is rising later, please make sure you have a proper headlight on your bike for your morning commute. A flashing LED light on the front of your bike does not necessarily make you visible to drivers. Yes, a good headlight is expensive, but it's worth it if drivers can see you coming and react appropriately.
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In addition to Catalina Highway, police need to ticket cyclists at the Oracle/Ina intersection.
They just dart through traffic at the last minute to make a left going East. In addition they have little regard for traffic trying to make a right onto Oracle. AND WHY do they insist on riding during rush hour??
100 This is NOT time wasting I fully applaud this and wish to see MORE of it. I also LOVE and applaud the traffic cameras.
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I am sick and tired of bicycles who think they can own the road at 10 mph. Their mantra is SHARE THE ROAD but it is actually GIVE US THE ROAD. I cannot believe how stupid some riders are out here on highway 83. Once an outfit from OREGON was selling tours on highway 83 to about 3 dozen bikes at a time, VERY FOOLISH on a two lane winding road with a speed limit of 55 and where mose people ddrive 65 to 70. If you want to ride on the highways PAY FOR THE PRIVILIGE with plates and license.
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It would be very interesting to know where the folks who find fault with the notion
No harm, no foul,
where they are coming from politically and philosophically.
Left or right?
Bigot or busybody?
Law and order?
Public safety?
Paternalisticly protecting the riders from themselves?
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We cyclists are very sorry to delay and deter your right to exceed the speed limit.
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In response to comments like these:
"There are bike lanes all over town paid for by vehicle owners but used by bicyclist who do not pay a cent for them."
and
"If you want to ride on the highways PAY FOR THE PRIVILIGE with plates and license"
I'd be willing to be that the significant majority of cyclists also own cars and pay taxes that do contribute to the infrastructure. I know I do....
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103, I pay plenty of road tax as the owner of three vehicles, all licensed and insured but only driven one at a time (when I'm not riding my bicycle).
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RE #103: I'm a cyclist but I probably own more expensive cars than you do. So I most likely pay more in my share of taxes. I recommend you only drive m-f between the hours of 1am-6am since you don't pay the same share as I do.
That sound more fair to you? Do you HONESTLY think that cyclists don't own cars too? Are you that naive?
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I we license bikes and or riders and require insurance will that law apply to children?
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I saw this story on the TV news last night and I just knew the bike-haters would be out in force today. This is just another revenue enhancement activity by TPD....their coffers should be getting pretty full by now.
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103. Comment by H W. (P Cairn)
Let's license bicycles like we do cars.
While we're at it, let's require a license and insurance to walk. I've been walked into by dozens of people who were talking on their cell phones and walking. Especially in stores and malls. We should have mandatory pedestrian insurance to pay for any injuries sustained when someone walks into you or steps on your foot. Enforcing that should give TPD something good to do for a while.
See how ridiculous that sounds?
There are bike lanes all over town paid for by vehicle owners but used by bicyclist who do not pay a cent for them. If they want the bicycle lanes, let them put some money in the pot.
I rode to and from work for almost four years on bicycles. Read that again:
I rode to and from work
That means I had a job and paid taxes.
I spent my paychecks and paid taxes.
I paid property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes that went in some portion or other to city and state coffers that one way or another found their way into road maintenance and improvement projects.
Not everyone on a bicycle is homeless, unemployed, and living on welfare. In fact very few are.
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Oh, heck, bicyclists aren't the only ones not stopping at stop signs; everyday I see an idiot motorist rolling through a stop sign, or just blatantly driving through one to beat the other driver.
Our police could make a lot of money on them also!
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Another comment on my previous one.
I am at an intersection, I am going to make a right, I have the green light, kid on bike comes flying from the sidewalk into the crosswalk as I am making my right, kid also has green light from the crosswalk entrance. Now, who is at fault? Am I to look up the sidewalk to see who is coming on their bike? I always heard a bike had to STOP & WALK their bike across a crosswalk.
Sitting at a stop sign waiting, a girl comes flying on the sidewalk, runs into my car, carrying a cake, cake lands on windshield, she is sprawled over my hood, she didn't see me.
Similar situation...friend sitting at signal & as light changes, bicyclist comes thru on sidewalk, ends up on the hood of the truck, head hits windshield & kid dies.
Who wants to live with that the rest of their lives?
Do bikes have any bike rules or laws?
Does anyone else have these problems?
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So, we're NOW enforcing the law on bicycylists??
Oh My God. Whats next, enforcing the law on Burglars, Robbers, Murderers?
And another thing; unless you COMPLAIN AND SQUEAL TO HIGH HEAVEN, the Police dont give a crap who's obeying the law?
Sounds like we gotta problem with the PO-PO too.. Law enforcement isnt political - its the LAW; and must be, should be, enforced every day - for everyones safety.
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#95...you never have have the right of way when turninng left...Maybe you need to go back to traffic school?
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Boots,
Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is against the law
according to the Pima Association of Governments page.
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#117,
I'm riding down the street a car pulls out in front of me from a stop sign. I do a superman over his hood and land on the other side with a broken collar bone.
I'm riding down the street, a car coming the other way makes a left turn into a driveway. Problem is, I'm in the middle of that driveway. Result - broken leg.
Do cars have any car rules or laws?
The point is, stuff happens, on both sides of the windshield.
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Making bicyclists stop is racist and homophobic and show the true contempt our society has for these special people by discriminating against them for wearing those funny little knickers and waving their behinds at you in traffic. Free the special people! Nuke the whales! Save the trees! Stop the discrimination! If bicycles are banned, only banned illegals would have bicycles!
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When cycling I obey all traffic LIGHTS. For SIGNS, however, I slow down and yield if necessary. On a residential bikeway such as Third Street, and at typical cycling speeds there is MORE THAN ADEQUATE visibility at the majority of the intersections to safely cross them without making a full stop, traffic laws notwithstanding. Cycling offers an exhilarating sense of freedom which is significantly diminished when one is compelled to make full stops in residential areas. Henceforth I guess my common sense will now be encumbered with a need to watch out for the cops!
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Hey 97, what 3 feet law? Hey I share the road and don't want to hit anyone so I give room, but why are bikes in left turn lanes, why do you risk your lives on narrow roads and in heavy traffic, and why do you wear those silly little outfits?
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So, when are cops going to be held accountable to the traffic laws they enforce? Also, they really need to patrol the UA campus and ticket pedestrians that like to step out into traffic, thinking they own the roads.
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TPD stopped bikers at this intersection last week, too. There were four police on motorcycles, and in the ~3 minutes I was watching they stopped every single person going west on 3rd because they all blew the stop sign.
I agree with 121 that there are problems on both sides of the windshield. I commute to work fairly regularly on my bike, riding N/S on Treat most of the way. I stop at all lights and signs. Many bikers don't stop at the stop signs. I've seen more than my fair share of cars blow through those signs too. There are areas on Treat where Treat has the right of way, and cross-streets have stop signs. I've been nearly hit by cars blowing through those signs more than a handful of times. I've also nearly been hit by residents on 3rd backing out of their driveways WITHOUT LOOKING for traffic.
And yes, I do use the crosswalk lights on Treat crossing both Speedway and Grant. There's no regular traffic light there, and there is no way I can make it across 5 lanes of traffic at rush hour on my bike. It would be shear insanity to try. So I use the crosswalk. I've always ridden across because I assume we all have places to be, but if you'd like me to get off my bike and take 5 minutes to walk across instead of 30 seconds to ride, I'm happy to comply.
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On 2 and a half men there was this tall
long legged hotie wearing little and speaking French who called them
"b ceecalists". Don't know what made me think of that.
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Them darn bicyclists!! Away with their heads for running stop signs! Lock them all up! haha....this is funny. I can't believe we are spending time on and resources on this.
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124. Comment by Eddie A. (eddiearvayo) — September 17,2009 @ 10:07AM
Ratings: -5 +2
"Hey 97, what 3 feet law?"
"""""Section 1. Title 28, chapter 3, article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 28-735, to read:
28-735. Overtaking bicycles; civil penalties
A. When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction a person driving a motor vehicle shall exercise due care by leaving a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet until the motor vehicle is safely past the overtaken bicycle
B. If a person violates this section and the violation results in a collision causing:
1. Serious physical injury as defined in section 13-105 to another person, the violater is subject to a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars.
2. Death to another person, the violater is subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars.
C. Subsection B of this section does not apply to a bicyclist who is injured in a vehicular traffic lane when a designated bicycle lane or path is present and passable."""""
LINK
Allowing three feet to really hard to do on roads without bike lanes.
The law has just made bikers riders braver which in turn endangers them.
I can't find where the law says a bike rider must stay as close to the side of the road as possible.
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So, folks.....how do you like living in a police-state?
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I find it difficult to dispense sympathy to any individual who is apathetic to their own safety and believes that everyone else should be looking out for them. Having the right-of-way does not make it appropriate to drive/walk/cycle in to the path of moving vehicle. It is not justifiable to run down a j-walker because you have the right-of-way.
My lack of sympathy applies to cyclists running stop signs, or not allowing others to safely pass them, cars going around train crossing arms or motorcyclists tail-gating me in my right rear blind spot. They are all contributing to their being in harms way, but want to blame others when something happens.
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So what. Who cares about this story. Cops harvest $ from community and say they're doing their duty. Meanwhile, REAL crime is happening across town and cops are wasting time stopping cyclists for donations because they don't follow the myriad laws of the road. Good job Coppers.
Also, all drivers are intelligent and always follow the rules. All cyclists are always criminals and should buy a car if they want to be taken seriously. Right?
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#40 - If you are over 16 in AZ, you are required to carry ID.
Bzzzzt...WRONG. You are required to give law enforcement your name, date of birth etc to establish you identification. You are not required to carry ID (note - the state charges you for even an ID card - they could not if it was mandatory)
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Re #129
Allowing three feet 8is8 really hard to do on roads without bike lanes.
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RE# 129
Allowing three feet is really hard to do on roads without bike lanes.
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I do not trust the individuals who I share the road with or might share the road with on a second’s notice, to do the right thing or take the correct action(s).
In fact quite the opposite. I expect them to do something stupid suddenly; pedestrians along the road or at intersections, skate-boarders, kids playing, kids on bikes, serious bike riders, motorcyclists and other drivers.
If you can see that they are not paying attention to the situation around them, expect the worst.
If they are on cell phones, have headsets on, are talking to fellow cyclists(motor or otherwise), are staring blankly across/down the road, assume they are out of touch with “here and now”.
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So is starting back up after stopping on ones bike.
But its the law!
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RE# 134-135
"Allowing three feet is really hard to do on roads without bike lanes."
The solution is simple. You wait until it is not hard to do, then pass safely, smile and wave to the nice cyclist that is not polluting your atmosphere.
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ARS 28-815(a): Bicyclists will place themselves as close to the right edge of the ROADWAY as practiable. This does not mean that I will ride over the 2×4 lying in the road, I will SAFELY go around it. This means:
1. Clear to the rear.
2. Signal my intentions.
3. After 1 & 2, then move to the left.
Otherwise, I have to stop and let traffic go by and then start up again.
Otherwise, I am in violation. Riding aginst traffic is NOT a violation of this statue but rather a violation of ARS 28-721, which states you will operate on the right side of the roadway.
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There appears a bike and an anti bike crowd in Tucson (likely everywhere). Traffic laws were made over the years for autos. And now to make bikes obey auto traffic laws is ... silly. Bikes approach an intersection at FAR slower speeds than cars and have unobstructed views of traffic in every direction, unlike an auto. By the time a bike enters an intersection the rider is very aware of if a car is coming or not. To insist he STOP like a car is .. silly. But the anti bike people seem to think "If I have to stop in my car, them there dang bikes gotta also, dang it".
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#124---why are bikes in left turn lanes??? so they can turn left.
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Meanwhile some guy lost his arm on 4th Avenue while hanging out of a moving car. Grisly episode - but indicative of the kind of carnage and chaos we have all become used to with car culture.
But cyclists are easy marks.
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For all bicyclists who say they don't stop at stop signs for any reason, the REAL reason is they are just plain lazy and stupid. These will be the first to whine and complain if a car gets in their way. If these people don't obey EVERY law the same as motorists, then fine them, jail them, and ignore them when they complain about cars almost hitting them. Until these troublemakers pay the same costs to use our roads as motorists, we shouldn't have to put up with their arrogance and stupidity.
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I think issuing tickets for bicyclists who run stop signs is screwing with Darwin's theories...... Sure won't hurt the cars much.
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[This comment has been removed]
Just read a few of the posts above and discovered something -
There IS a cure for stupid.
For all bicyclists who say they don't stop at stop signs for any reason, the REAL reason is they are just plain lazy and stupid said the 300 lb gentleman who gets in the car to drive to the corner store for more food. Bikers are lazy? How stupid is that?
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Traffic laws were introduced in this country as a response to out-of-control automobile behavior.
Bicycles had been peacefully plying our roadways for decades before the traffic laws.
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And yes I bought a bike about 15 years ago. Put 70 miles on it the first month, 5 miles the next 11 months. Finally gave it to a neighbor kid.
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140. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)
First; Traffic laws, including stopping for Stop Signs, is nothing new for bicyclists. Those, or similar laws, have been on the books since I attended my first bicycle safety day and rodeo, conducted by law enforcement officers, in the 1950’s both in Wisconsin and Arizona. The emphasis was always obeying the signs, stop, yield, etc; always use hand and arm signals and always stay in the correct traffic lanes.
Secondly, especially in the city, the view of the situation is no better for the person on a bicycle than it is for a driver. There can be groups of people standing on the corner waiting to cross various directions, large delivery vehicles, or SUV’s for that matter obstructing a complete view , distractions that take the attention away from what is going on in the intersection only to find out the situation has changed once you are focusing on the road again. Many cyclists do not slow down for any intersection that they do not intend to stop at and many times dart out at 20-25 miles per hour when the motorized vehicles are doing 10-15 because of the intersection not being clear, which the bicyclist does not see because they are riding next to the motor vehicle, in that proverbial right-rear-blind spot, instead of behind the vehicle, while leaning way forward and down to cut down on wind resistance.
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Bikes were here first!
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144. Comment by S K. (Blackdog)
You said: I think issuing tickets for bicyclists who run stop signs is screwing with Darwin's theories...... Sure won't hurt the cars much..
Just check and see what it does to the insurance premiums. And what is major damage any more? Bike runs into your passenger door and it has to be replaced, that is some major bucks and the cyclists will not have insurance like every other vehicle is required to have to use the same roadway.
If you think that if the cyclist is tagged as to blame will stop claims against your insurance, dream on.
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Yeah just watch em ride three and four across on Kolb on the weekends.
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It sound to me like both sides here have an overdeveloped sense of entitlement.
It also sounds to me like the tucson police department doesn't have enough to do.
I wonder how many robberies, muggings, and domestic assaults happened that day due to a bunch of cops spending the day playing on their bikes instead of going after more serious issues.
oh, that's right, the cops are great against an opponent that can't fight back. How could I forget.
Folks, if you really want to make a statement against this, why not help out your neighbors (opinion, nothing more)? if you spot a cop-trap, bicycle or otherwise, make a big sign and stick it on the side of the road letting folks know what is ahead.
The cops won't harass you for it if their true objective is public safety.
That's a big 'if'.
Anyone who can cite references, please chime in on the legality of doing that.
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Bike or car or pedestrian, no one is above the law.
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Harley, OF COURSE if one's view is blocked for some reason at an intersection one takes the proper precaution when on a bike. Of course. Common sense if not auto laws should apply. After all, the potential un-coming car is bigger than you. Bike laws in La Crosse WISC when I started riding in the 40s were Mom shouting "Be careful". Bike safety day and rodeo? Not in La Crosse. Bikes are not cars. When did you last see a car driver stop an a 4 way stop sign, get out, and walk his car across an intersection? They are different!!!
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re #154.....and risk being tazed??
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Another waist of tax payer funds. What's more dangerous, a moving violation in a car or on a bike? TPD constantly goes after commercial vehicles for revenue and bicycles for popularity to please the "I hate cyclists mentality" here in Tucson. But they rarely go after tailgaters and speeders. It makes me wonder, is TPD really underfunded or just poorly run? Maybe Tucson doesn't have a crime problem if they have time for this?
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156. Comment by Brenda J. (psiartist)
We had them in Milwaukee in the mid-fifties. They came to the school in the spring at the begining of bicycle weather.
They would set up orange cones and portable stop signs and yield signs and if you listened to the class and correctly made it through the course, correct hand signals etc. they would give you reflector tape for your back fender or reflector handle grips.
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We just had another accident in RR yesterday. Girl riding down the sidewalk against traffic across the driveway. Every year a kid hits a car doing the same thing. Thankfully, whoever she hit was going slow and she wasn't really hurt. This is not a waste - it could save a life.
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I agree that some people should be legally barred from wearing spandex. The problem arises because people only see themselves from the front in the mirror, and think they look pretty good. A good citizen could provide a needed service by following these people around, taking a photo of them from behind, and then showing it to them. This would probably reduce spandex use by 50%.
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Bottom line is - all vehicles should have the same requirements and abide by the same laws -
That means they must be able to do the speed limit. Anyone who has sat behind a bunch of cyclists doing 4MPH up Gates Pass understands this one. Not to mention that by the time they're half way up, they have almost no control because of fatigue.
Also means all vehicles must carry the same insurance -
Means that cyclists be held responsible for all the junk they throw out in the desert.
Means neither car nor bike can just sit in the middle of the lane talking to someone in another car or bike.
Means all are held accountable for the same laws - including those pesky little stop signs.
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UAPD is supposed to be doing something like this soon on campus. I come close to hitting someone on a bike everytime I drive across campus because they don't observe stop signs and other traffic laws.
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22. Wayne B. (rain)-
Next can law enforcement go after tailgaters? Just a thought.
Wayne - If you get tailgated that often, you're going too slow and impeding the flow of traffic.
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#161--good point. A lot of spandex is worn by fat people who never exercise at all. It's just that they can't fit into regular clothes. I would just as soon never see these people wearing skin-tight clothing.
Spandex actually does serve a purpose in exercise--whether it is biking or dancing.... It moves with the body, not the bike saddle, and therefore does not chafe like looser clothing might. Try riding a bike in loose cotton shorts--they bunch up almost immediately. Also, spandex provides a very mild compression--also good for the muscles.
I would like to point out that the slobification of America is really getting out of hand. Just saw a girl in PJs at starbucks this morning. And those guys who wear their pants waistband around their knees are ridiculous and slovenly.
Now that I think about it, spandex isn't so bad.
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Watch traffic sometime.
When a car is stopped in the right hand lane a bicyclist will pass the car on the right but the motorcycle operator will correctly stop behind the car. Why? Because for one thing it is unsafe and for another the motorcyclist will get a ticket for passing on the right in the same lane as the car but the bicyclist will not.
Many times the bicyclist will find themselves in a pickle by performing that maneuver once they find out why the car has stopped and some of the time it will lead to their dumping their bike or being involved in an accident.
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#162 says:
That means they must be able to do the speed limit.
WTF? That effectively would ban bikes from every road. It's a rare athlete that could keep up 25 mph, let alone 35 mph for any distance.
Also means all vehicles must carry the same insurance
Huh??? When's the last time a bike totaled a car or killed any one? Never.
Means that cyclists be held responsible for all the junk they throw out in the desert.
What?? There's nowhere to carry significant junk on a bike. As opposed to cars. Cars are responsible for 99.9% of trash on the road, I'd stake my life on it.
Means neither car nor bike can just sit in the middle of the lane talking to someone in another car or bike.
Well, here's something we can agree on. Who does that?
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I have to license my dogs, why shouldn't I have to license my bicycle, which I ride almost daily.
Oh, and yes, I stop at stop signs. Yes, it takes extra work to get back up to speed, but, hey, it burns calories.
It's a win-win: I'm a safe rider and I lose weight.
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Mama always said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
Stop at the stop signs!
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When I was going to the UA a couple of decades ago, bicyclists ruled the roost. If you walked out in a crosswalk where they had a stop sign, they'd blast on through and hurl expletives at you in their wake. Rules didn't apply to THEM. I guess some things haven't changed at the UA.
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I sure hope all the various law enforcement folks in town read all the "problem locations" the readers have identified.
I have heard its the law , you must carry I.D. If this is true - lock them up, too. Then, lets see them pay "theyre fair share" for using OUR streets without paying a dime.
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164. If I'm in the right (or left lane actually) and I'm happily doing 5 over the speed limit and I'm still being tailgated what do you suggest? Just for clarification, if I'm in the left and this happens, as soon as I'm done passing the car that I'm likely passing, I'll be more than thrilled to get out of your way since you are obviously far more important than I that you must arrive to your destination in manner that requires speeding. But if I'm in the right lane....and technically speeding already, what more do you want? For me to sit on the shoulder until it is clear?
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Hopefully, TPD and other agencies will take note of the bicyclists who fail to observe the 15 MPH limits and the "NO PASSING" restrictions in school zones.
I can't recall the number of times the pedal-pushers have zipped past me while I wait for someone to cross in the school crosswalks. Two possible violations each time.
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#171 - you think cyclists cause all those potholes out there?
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Let me get this right....the neighborhood complains to TPD that bicyclist are acting a fool in their neighborhood. TPD sends on duty motorcycle cops to hand out tickets, and then people complain that TPD is trying to get rich? Give me a break! These officers are not working overtime, this is their regularly scheduled shift. The purpose of the motorcycle officers is to work traffic problems. Its not like the ticketed folks are writing a check to TPD. Obey the laws and you won't get a ticket, its that simple!
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The problem is that they cite people who do stop. They have an arbitrary unwritten rule that says you must put a foot down in order for it to count as stopping. But it is completely possible to come to a full and complete stop without putting a foot down.
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Spandex in public should be a crime.
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I know some bicyclist who do obey the law, unfortunately most do NOT! When you are FORCED to come to a complete stop because you have a PACK of bicyclist covering the entire lane - it's very annoying. I am glad the police are giving tickets. Wish they'd do that at the UofA. It is amazing how many bicyclist ride on the sidewalk, expecting peds to move out of the way, then they get on the street and ride the wrong way on a one way, and they get onto the road and act like the law does not apply to them. DISGUSTING!!!!!
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#164
Right on. Exactly what I was thinking.
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The thing I don't understand is that most cyclists are also auto drivers, and many auto drivers are cyclists, yet so many cyclists won't obey traffic signs and so many drivers don't have a realistic notion of what would actually happen--to them and to the cyclist--if they actually hit a bike.
Note to fellow cyclists: State law says you follow traffic signals, so do it. If you are on a bicycle, you are by definition NOT a pedestrian--stay off sidewalks (or at a very minimum, yield to pedestrians), and unless you dismount, stay out off crosswalks and don't use their crossing signals. Yes, it does take more energy to get going from a dead stop-- so learn to use your gears properly or find a track or trail with no stops. Breaking the law en masses makes cyclists obnoxious to drivers and pedestrians alike, and beside being simply discourteous, annoying drivers is not in a cyclist's best interest.
Note to fellow drivers: cyclists, spandex-clad or not, have every right to be on the same roads you use. It also takes very little for a cyclist to fall--an unnoticed stone under the tire of an inexperienced road-bike rider can toss the cyclist directly in front of your car. More to the point, if for whatever reason a cyclist does fall or otherwise come in contact with your car, at a minimum you are going to hurt someone, and you could easily kill them. As much joy as death-to-cyclist comments seems to bring some people, killing or severely injuring someone is not in your best interest (financially and automotively, and possibly legally, if not morally) either.
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Just got back from a bike ride (really) and here's what I observed...Parents were picking-up kids from Painted Sky Elementary, and several had parked illegally in the bike lane, under the "no parking" signs. Worse yet, there was a OVPD cruiser on the premises. Why no enforcement zone? Is it possible that traffic laws are enforced randomly selectively around here? To all the Law & Order types, maybe these hardened criminals (parents) should be cited and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law! I still maintain this whole thing is about revenue, not safety.
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And while city cops are out stopping bicyclists (which they should do whenever there is a violation of the law) without fining them, the UA rent a cops are stopping drivers everywhere but on Campus!
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I've noticed that few bicycles obey any traffic law, auto, pedestrian,bicycle. But switch to whatever suits them at the moment. Including blocking the roadway and preventing normal posted traffic flow. To me this seems unsafe and uncivilized. Legal or not.
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bikers who ride against traffic are seriously endangering themselves. some say it is so they can see who is coming at them but if you are riding to the top of a hill, the car coming up the other side of that hill won't see you until you collide at the top. This happened to me and I almost creamed a bicyclist. RIDE WITH TRAFFIC!!!!
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I would say that 65% of riders I see obey the law. The others do go through stop signs and lights while crowding the white line. Yes there are bad car drivers, but that is no excuse for bike riders disobeying traffic laws with an attitude.
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Good! About damn time this was done. The vast majority of cyclists I encounter are courteous and law abiding. However, there are also a bunch of bad apples who flaunt traffic laws as much as they flaunt their posteriors at the faces of motorists and pedestrians. Good job TPD, keep up the good work.
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I have to comment. Have you seen the grafiti on aviation parkway? They can have all those cops take money from bike riders but they can`t catch the taggers. Why don`t the cops park on aviation at 2 in the morning.
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As a cyclist, I AVOID the 3rd Street bike way. TOO MANY STOP SIGNS. NOt to mention, the safest type of bike path/route etc is one that is on a main street, in which bikes travel with and stop at lights alongside the cars. (Such as the bike lane on Speedway.) This is from statistics taken over many years in many cities. The most dangerous is a shared path such as the one near river road. I never understood the 3rd St bike path, esp. before they put in signals at the major streets, leaving cyclists to cross busy streets w/o a light. I think the whole 3rd St bike way is a joke- too many twists and turns, too many stop signs that- yes! no cyclist stops for- it's not my choice for cycling across town. Too inefficient.
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In 1950 all the science magazines said we would all be driving gyro-cars (Helicopter cars) by the year 2000. I can only imaging the fight between gyro-car and gyro-bike riders today had that come true. "They think they own the air.....". Good grief Charlie Brown.
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You all are forgetting the whole idea behind this...it's not what the rider is wearing, it is how they operate their "vehicle" and yes, a bike is a vehicle. They should abide by all the same rules as a car, motorcycle, etc. When was the last time you saw a car on the sidewalk...and if crossing in the crosswalk, you must get off your bike and WALK it across...if you are traveling the same direction as traffic..you can go thru the intersection the same as other vehicles.
I was hit once by a bicyclist (in my car!) at an intersection. It was the worst feeling in my life to feel I had hit a cyclist....but he hit me! When the officer got there, he was very kind and tried to calm me down (as I was in tears) and told me he was going to let the guy off without a citation since he did get a bit of road rash. The cyclist ran into my car and flipped over the top of my car and landed on the road behind my car. He said he could have cited him for several things 1)I had stopped at the intersection and he was going on the WRONG side of the road (against traffic) 2) on the sidewalk 3) didn't walk his bike across the intersection (he wasn't in a bike lane)
I will give every cyclist the extra room they need, but they too, need to be courtious and knowledgable of traffic rules. Might be a good thing to have people license their bikes and have to take a "rules of the road" test for bikes before issuing the license!!
Either way two wrongs don't make a right....and in many times it can be deadly. I just don't understand anyone being in that much of a hurry or that stupid to not value their lives by disobeying traffic laws when operating any "vehicle".
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Also Kudos to Tucson Police Department!! So many times I see infractions occuring with officers right there and they do nothing about it. Now that they are enforcing the law, every one cries foul!! Don't want a ticket, don't do anything to earn it...or at least don't get caught!
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Folks, we are in a recession. Tucson has a lack of leadership who are afraid to make the tough choices necessary to move the city forward. The result, more tickets and other punitive measures. While the majority of the riders can get out of their tickets by taking a safety class, the others cannot. Plain and simple, this is revenue for the city.
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Its hard to get pedaling again once you stop for the stop sign if we do California stops and just take a look that should be just as good.
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This afternoon on Silverbelll Road I saw a bicyclist run a red light. He slowed down a little, looked both ways, then GO!
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This is just another way for the city to try to get money from people, first its the stupid license plate cover and now this, TPD is a joke and are sinking to a new low. How many ppl have been hit at that intersection? I live right near there and never have had or seen a problem with a cyclist, im sorry all the cry babies sitting in their air conditioned cars have a problem with a few ppl coasting past a stop sign but third street is for bicycles and residential traffic. Oh and I'm glad to see that they can send out so many "rent a cops" for this when they could be doing more important things, just cut through the park and if you get stopped tell them your out of state and give a fake name.
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To all you who make fun of spandex:
You ever get a pant leg caught in the chain? Down you go!
You ever wear a pair of loose shorts on a bike for a long ride on a road bike? Not all that comfortable!
You ever wear a pair of regular shorts instead of padded bike shorts for a long ride? Boy, that seam chafes and the lack of padding makes your butt sore!
You ever wear a regular cotton t-shirt instead of some kind of jersey made of wicking fabric for a long ride? Take the t-shirt off and wring it out when you're done!
There are reasons why people wear bicycling clothes, not just so they can look funny!
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Bicyclist use the road the same as cars. A stop sign means STOP, no. 3. If you want to use the streets and be safe, follow the traffic laws.. TRAFFIC LAWS.. Means everybody in traffic. I can not count the times someone on a bicycle has crosses his white into traffic, ran stop signs, almost hitting me, then cuss me out! I don't move into on coming traffic for these jerks and I am not going to get tail ended to slow down when they are being stupid. Police officers should ticket them!! Buy the way, when are all you bicyclist going to stat helping pay for all we, the citizens, do for you??
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number 193---Lila--If you have such a hard time stopping and going, maybe you should get a motorized bike. That way you can obey the traffic laws and not over-exert yourself. LOL
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#190: No a bicycle is NOT a vehicle. According to ARS 28-101 (definitions) a bicycle with 16" or larger wheels, racing wheelchairs and tricycles with 16" or large wheels is a DEVICE. The difference: I can ride a bicycle on the shoulder of the road, you cannot operate a vehicle there unless you are avoiding a hazard. ARS 28-812 is what makes a bicyclist have to obey the other traffic laws (including DUI). We are NOT required to carry ID (although it is a really good idea) and have insurance (another really good idea), pay VLT and registration fees. These are decisions made by the folks in Phoenix, not in Tucson.
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Re # 188,
As a cyclist, I SEEK out bike routes like 3rd Street that keep me away from heavy, fast moving traffic. I am never in so much hurry that I would ride Speedway across town, sucking down the exhaust fumes of hundreds of vehicles. I don't care what your statistics say, Speedway IS NOT safer to ride on than the Rillito River Park shared pathway and not nearly as pleasant. So, speed along, if you will. I'll take my time. Different strokes for different folks.
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I'm sorry but bikers running stop signs only pose a danger to themselves, not to others like car drivers. Cars a deadly weapon, bikes are not. Bikes can stop inside of 8 feet, cars cannot. If you don't know why bikers don't wat to stop at stop signs or wear bright spandex then either you aren't very bright or just want to biatch.
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fact a bike is a vehicle and must obey all traffic laws while riding whether you like it or not. if you ride your bike on the sidewalk that is against the law. if you ride your bike in a crosswalk that is against the law. if you get caught and get a ticket deal.
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TPD missed a possitive way to inform the riders time to shape up. A day with one TPD person telling them to shape up or else would have proven the point with a possitive note. This is like the DUI stops. Lots of notice, then action later when DUIs do not obey.
This actions just looks bad on TPD.
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Today one neighbor kid took off from his house wearing a bike helmet. Yesterday a motorcycle took off from another house with a gal behind holding onto the driver's waist, neither wearing a helmet. Yup, good to see the fuzz busting thoughtless bicycle riders, makes me feel so much safer. Although none of them were wearing seat belt restraints, silly people.
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Two things that make a bicyclist unhappy:
A car blocking the bike path,
A motorized bicycle in the bike path.
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I can't tell you how many times I have almost hit or been hit by a bicyclist on Park Ave. near UA, especially at the intersection of Park and University next to Jimmy Johns. When they hit me I'm suing for damage to the vehicle
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173. Comment by John H.
Hopefully, TPD and other agencies will take note of the bicyclists who fail to observe the 15 MPH limits and the "NO PASSING" restrictions in school zones.
I can't recall the number of times the pedal-pushers have zipped past me while I wait for someone to cross in the school crosswalks. Two possible violations each time.
==========================Thanks for reminding me. It wasn't a school crossing but I once saw a bicycle knock down a woman in the crosswalk and just keep going. She was legally crossing and just left her there. Cowards.
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One more reason why I am glad I no longer live in Tucson. Really???? I know there are more police and cameras in this slow city per capita than most major cities, but do the police really have to move to ticketing people for going 36MPH on Speedway to ticketing bicyclists? They need to stop wasting money and find something more worthwhile to attend to.
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#202: It is against the law in TUCSON to ride a bike on the sidewalk (TCC 5-2). The county and state do not have such statues. Again, look at the State statues and you will find that a bicycle with one tire (I forgot that in my last comment) is a DEVICE, not a vehicle. Bicyclists have to obey traffic laws as specified in ARS 28-812. One other thing, bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet in Pima County. I'm much older than that and I still do. The thought of spending a night in the E.R. is what keeps in on my head and not on my handlebars.
As to the rider in the crosswalk, place the blame on the State Supreme Court. They ruled that a bicycle CAN use the crosswalk, it is courteous to dismount but not required.
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205: Got to go read those laws. It is illegal to operate any motorized vehicle or device on the bike paths within the City limits. Also, they have to have a light on the front at all times, illuminated.
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if you break the law you pay.now tpd get back on broadway at 6am and get the real speeders between wilmot and craycroft rds.as soon as you guys left the cars are speeding again.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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It's about time the police stop harassing people driving 10 MPH over the speed limit (which is already 20 below what it should be) and go after the "holier than thou" bike riders. I get real tired of dealing with these idiots on the east side who ride 3 bikes across taking up half a lane. The only thing worse than a stupid Tucson driver is a stupid Tucson bike rider.
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The point of not stopping at a STOP sign is because they want to get somewhere in a hurry.
Heres the problem, your ON A BICYCLE!
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THis article did not say how many citations were written. Why not? Clue-makes the bicyclists look as bad as they are ignoring traffic safety laws.
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#201 Erin.. explain how the bike rider who hit my neighbor was not a danger to the car's driver. The biker did MANY hundred of dollars damage to a 1960s vintage sports car when running the 4-way stop at Glenn and Mountain. Bike rider denied running the stop, but how else can you explain the amount of body damage (to the rear end of the CAR) without some sort of rocket assist when leaving the stop sign?
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#215, I see nothing in your story indicating that the bike rider was "a danger to the car's driver.". He may be responsible for damage to the car which he should pay for if he is. Perhaps the hit and run driver who tried to side swipe me because apparently he hated slow cyclists and I was apparently too slow for him would like to pay for my rotator cuff repair and physical therapy bills?
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#215
He did see me, because he screamed and F bomb about cyclists when he did.
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#199..excuuuuuse me! Ok so a bike may not be legally considered a "vehicle' but it doesn't take away from the fact that bike "drivers" must obey all traffic laws. PERIOD!!!
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