Bill would exempt bicycle riders from stopping at stop signs (Oregon)

nbc16.com ^

[chance33_98]

Bill would exempt bicycle riders from stopping at stop signs

(Salem-AP) - A bill that has passed the House would exempt bicycle riders from coming to a full stop at stop signs and flashing red lights.

They would still have to ride at a safe speed and give the right of way to vehicles or pedestrians approaching an intersection.

Cyclists had complained of the inconvenience of getting in and out of toe clips at the signs and lights.

The bill goes to the Senate.

[Billthedrill]

No. Dammit, no. We catch enough BS from the Critical Mass idiots to the tune of "we're not slowing traffic, we ARE traffic." Then act like it, says BtD. Stop at signs, yield to pedestrians, act like adults and not spoiled children on glorified tricycles. Respect isn't demanded, it's earned.

[HiTech RedNeck]

This is going to be confusing as the devil. What normally establishes priority to proceed at a multi way stop is the time at which the vehicle stopped at the sign. If a bicyclist only has to slow down, how do other drivers know when it's his or her turn to go?

[Hank Rearden]

Squish a few (preferably those silly-looking leftist fairies on the laydown bikes), then see if the idea is a good one.

[Paleo Conservative]

If a bicyclist only has to slow down, how do other drivers know when it's his or her turn to go?

This law:

F = ma

[lainie]

Laws that make people behave.
Laws that exempt people from laws that make people behave.

[RichInOC]

Fair enough...as long as they exempt motor vehicle drivers from liability for running them over.

[Fresh Wind]

What's the difference? The bicyclists ignore all traffic laws anyway, and the police don't enforce those laws. What will change?

[TheSpottedOwl]

Does that mean that I would be exempted from criminal charges if I run one these idiots over?

[NMFXSTC]

Easy solution: ban the damn toes clips!

Hmmmmmm...wonder if I can operate my harley like these bicycle folks do?

[DB]

Yep.

[wunderkind54]

You ask: What will change??

Answer: Your conscience.

Concern for those exempted from laws of road safety will evaporate over time. This is one of those elitist laws deigned for the few, the privileged, the supposed immune.

I make a prediction: After quite a few get squashed, this silly law will go bye-bye.

[ActionNewsBill]

Cyclists had complained of the inconvenience of getting in and out of toe clips at the signs and lights.

Any decent cyclist can make a complete stop without getting out of the clips. Called a "track-stand".

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Somebody in the Oregon legislature really hates bicyclist. (Why else would he want to see more of them dead?)

[tet68]

Ad valorum taxes and inspections, license fees and strict
observance of the law, just as any vehicle.

Shouted out the window," Your WHEEL (pointing frantically)
.....................(As they stop to see what's wrong)
..........it's Turrrrrrrrrrrrrning!
Hehehehe.

[GOP_Proud]

My thoughts exactly.
Just don't use the toe-clips in stop-and-go traffic. Save 'em for the long haul. Sheesh!

I can just hear it now. "But...but...we should get an exemption from stopping because we are saving the planet." Oh puhleeze.

[dawn53]

Squish a few

The week after the "no helmet law" for motorcyclists went into effect in our state, we saw two "squished" heads on the road. Not a pleasant thing for my kid to have to see, but probably a good lesson as to the value of wearing helmets.

Once a few are "squished" as a result of this law, maybe it will serve as an example to other bike riders about the importance of obeying the standard motor vehicle rules.

[flying Elvis]

Do not many of these guys shave their legs? It's a bit disingenius to say that removing toe clips is a major inconvenience yet gleefully shave ones legs every few days.

[RamingtonStall]

I am a Bicyclist, a MotorCyclist, a dreaded SUV Driver and a Car Driver and I think the change in the law proposed is Dangerous.

Bicyclists who can't get out of one (1) Toe Clip (which is all that is required for stopping safely) should learn by doing. i.e. Practice. Practice. Practice. It is NOT a problem.

On the other hand, If the Police Enforced ALL of the Laws aginst Motorists to the Extent that you want them enforced against Bicyclists, I expect that the Traffic Problems would be cured. EVERY Motorist would lose their License within 6 months.

Average Speed of Bicyclists going past my house in a 25 MPH zone = 14 mph. AVERAGE Speed of a Car going past my house in the same 25 MPH residential neighborhood = 37 mph.
Typical range: 32-55 MPH, with School Buses hitting pretty close to the Average.

Now, if they want to do something intelligent, they should exempt Motorcyclists from Toll Booths by having "MC-Thru Lanes". This has to do with Smooth Flow of Traffic and SAFETY due to the Oil Slicks in the Exact spots where MC's must place their feet to pay the tolls in the current booths.

Flame On!

RamS

[Sam Cree]

It's true that bicyclists are some of the rudist "motorists" out there. I think they want this law so they can run packs of 50 or more of them through stop signs without getting separated. Meanwhile, everyone else stops and waits for them at every intersection, as if they were a presidential connvoy.

Besides that, they look really silly in those outfits.