Posted on 09/18/2011 7:32:42 AM PDT by Immerito
A few months ago, I received a phone call from a cyclist with an incredible story about an incident in Lawrence County, Ohio. Because the cyclist-a guy named Tony Patrick-was in need of an attorney, I hooked him up with Steve Magas, a contributing author to Bicycling & the Law, and a well-known bicycling attorney in Ohio. After hearing Tony's story, Steve took his case. More about that later; first, let me tell you about Tony.
Weekdays, Tony runs his small construction company in Huntington, West Virginia. Weeknights, and weekends, Tony, a Cat 2 racer, can often be found hanging out at Jeff's Bike Shop-that is, when he's not out on a training ride, or racing. And that's not unusual; Jeff's Bike Shop is the center of a vibrant racing scene in Huntington, the second-largest city in West Virginia, and the home of Marshall University.
That racing scene means regular training rides, all of which start out and end up at Jeff's. There's a ride every other day, each geared to a different set of riders, but the real hammerfest is the Tuesday night ride. That's the ride where the locals try, as Tony puts it, to hurt each other over the course of a 23-34 mile route that takes them across the Ohio River, into the back roads of southern Ohio, before looping back across the river into Huntington.
And that's how Tony found himself just outside of Chesapeake, Ohio, one Tuesday night in August of 2008, heading into town to take the bridge back across to Huntington. Tony was riding with "Ryan," a then-16 year old nationally-ranked racer with a 4.2 GPA. ["Ryan" is a pseudonym; I've concealed his identity because he's a minor.]
(Excerpt) Read more at bicycling.com ...
Without bothering to read nine pages of self-satisfied preening, I can tell you from my reading of the title what my reaction is: When the cop says “stop,” you stop. If he is unaware of the laws, you explain them. If he is not convinced, you go back home, download and print the .gov page that applies and carry it with you for next time. If THAT does not work, you accept the ticket and fight it in court with a lawyer. If that does not work, you sue. There. And I didn’t have to wade through 9 pages of posing prosing.
That’s why there are paths for walking and biking, no they should not be in the road competing with tonnage moving at 35+mph.
He’s writing for a bicycling magazine.
Wow. I agree, I would be mortified if I hit someone, but I’d still like to punch many of them in the face.
I bike lots. Like 100 or so miles a week.
These guys deserved to get tased for being a couple of douche bags. When a cops tells you to stop, you stop.
Hell, I’d tase em just for the fun of it.
What happened, in 200 words or less, please?
No stop order was given, until it was “stop or I’ll shoot.” “Get off the f.....g road!!” isn’t an order to stop.
Locally, bicyclists are going to accomplish what the open carry dummies in kalifornia accomplished, viz. to have the whole thing outlawed. That’s what happens when people get arrogant and confrontational.
Good look with that, Gomer. In the mean time, keep your eyes on the road and your big wide butt where current traffic laws dictate.
I'd like to stand at a stop sign and see how many cyclists stop for the stop sign. It's been my experience very few cyclists stop. I've lost count of the numbers of cyclists I've seen peddling furiously towards a stop sign and then kept on going after making a perfunctory sideways glance to see if traffic was coming.
Yes! Move into the 21st century where we have vehicles that can move faster than 20 MPH, sell that $7,000 bike, and use the money to buy a car. < /selfish sarcastic commentary borne from countless times being trapped behind a cyclist riding 15 MPH on a 45 MPH road >
Yes I understand and even agree that cyclists have every right to be on the road, as a sidewalk clearly is no place for someone on a bicycle. I get that.
Doesn’t mean I have to like it though. And honestly, I’ve never understood the rationale in paying more for a bike than a good used car.
Most cops don't know the law, generally speaking, and are trained that way.
Like a lot of law, bicycle law doesn't always make sense.
When it comes to natural law, automobiles and trucks will win over bicycles.
It doesn't take nine pages to complain about natural law.
A professional doesn't put the public a risk by training on a public right of way.
If you want to tangle with utterly clueless bicyclists on a nearly minute by minute basis, try driving an actual car around Silver Lake Harbor on Ocracoke Island, NC during high season. Love the place, it’s gorgeous, peaceful and slightly wacky like the best island towns tend to be, but the cyclists are completely out of control.
My exact sentiments.
This is one of those “what do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant” type of circumstances. An out of control cop vs a bike rider in the road.
Arrogant cyclists. Had three cyclists riding abreast, taking up both northbound lanes of a 4-lane road. And these are the same ones pushing for bike lanes in town. If you’re not going 40MPH or thereabouts, ride single file on the right, or get a ticket.
Though I agree that the spandex wearers are a PITA on roads, a bike can easily go 15 to 25 mph. I can easily outpace cars when riding on park access roads with speed bumps as an active suspension that can anticipate the bumps doesn't have to slow down.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.