Bicyclists remain in danger
Virginians still may tailgate bikers and open car doors in their path.
It remains open season on bicyclists in the commonwealth after the General Assembly — more precisely the House of Delegates — killed two sensible bills to protect bikers on the road.
February 21, 2013 - 7:20 AM
This should make Bob H happy.
Bicyclists: The largest group of unlicensed drivers on the road.
George Krutz: If only that were true, in the sense which I assume you intend it; that is, that bicyclists are all people who do not own cars and use a bicycle as their sole means of transportation. In fact, however, the vast majority of cyclists – like myself – are also drivers, and therefore are licensed.
#2, so George, can you provide statistical information to back-up your claim? How do you know how many un-licensed operators of motor vehicles there are? How do you know how many bicycle riders there are?
Do you also mean to imply that (from the tone of your response it wouldn’t seem out-of-line to imply) bicyclists deserve to be harassed and injured by motorists?
Why shouldn’t register bicycles or require licenses to own or operate them. These things are the first step toward confiscation!!
Obviously someone is confusing a vehicle’s operators permit with some sort of bicyclist’s operators license, of which there isn’t one.
There is no test (and there should be) to ride a bike. There is no license. Therefore bicyclists are the largest group of unlicensed drivers on the road.
Your automobile operators license DOES NOT cover your bicycle.
Enjoy.
That’s a good point, NW…if you look at the history of vehicular licensing and registration, you will find it was more about tax revenues than safety. Let’s end that practice, too.
I’m not really sure that the drivers of motor vehicles are the only ones at fault in car/bike crashes. I have seen numerous bicyclists totally disregard the rules of the road. Most of the bicyclists I see don’t stop at intersections and stop lights like they should, they just run up the shoulder, passing cars, and cross the intersection against a light. How can motor vehicle operators be blamed for being aggressive when the bicyclists don’t behave like they should. I don’t think more legislation will help until the gangs of spandex laden bicyclists start following traffic laws that apply to them.
#6, I restate my challenge to you to provide evidence to support your claim. How many unlicensed motor vehicle operators are there? How many bicyclists?Provide evidence, solid data, or retract your claim (but I know you won’t).
#4 rediculous….PC seems to shape your opinion(s).
To say it does not require a licence to propel a bike is accurate. To hold a driver’s liscence is irrelevant.
Where did you read….an encouragment toward haressment?
By the way, sir…..what are your numbers?
The left always wants more regulation….except for what they support.
#9 You’re right e. They don’t exist. That’s why we’re talking about them.
What is the purpose of your demand for some exact number? Once again, your numbers?
Go to a train station in Europe. Outside there will be a half-acre parking lot with hundreds of bicycles. They’re everywhere. Vespa’s too. I know, heaven forbid we should do anything the way they do it in Europe, but this is what we should all be doing. Riding our bikes to work or to public shared transport.
There should be a minimum speed limit for travelling on the roads. If you cannot make the minimum, stay off and get on the Huckleberry Trail.