Bicyclists deserve same respect as other motorists
If you were standing in line for lunch at your favorite restaurant, you would probably be surprised if the person behind you told you to get out of line. If you were sitting in a lecture hall, you might object to a neighbor instructing you to leave the room, despite your having registered for the class and paid your full tuition/fees. Seems logical, no? So I ask you, fellow Spartans – why would you tell another vehicle to get out of the road?
While riding to campus I’ve heard all sorts of variations of “Get on the sidewalk!” “Get out of the road!” some of which aren’t fit for reprinting here. As East Lansing has filled with returning students over the past few weeks, these angry outbursts have only increased in frequency. So – a word to the screaming, honking, swerving, gesturing crowd – not only are you being rather unpleasant, you also have no legal basis for your epithets and exclamations. Bicycles do, in fact, have a right to the road (see Michigan Vehicle Code section 257.657, or MSU ordinance 33.14). We follow the same rules, we have the same responsibilities and we have the same rights as other vehicles. Yes, we have just as much right to be in “your” lane – the whole lane, right there in front of your car – as any other vehicle.
So, as you travel around campus and the city, remember to share the road with everyone (those powered by V6s and V8 Juice alike). And if you wouldn’t mind, could you stop with the yelling and the fist shaking? Not only do you look a bit foolish as you scream at me to get on the sidewalk, you’re, well, wrong.
Kristin Bott
zoology graduate student
Published on Sunday, September 9, 2007
Comments
Sean
09/10/07 @ 1:44am
Well then if you want to be in my lane you better be able to peddle the necessary 25 MPH to not impede the flow of traffic because that is most of the time more dangerous then anything else on the road.
Josh Caleb
09/10/07 @ 6:07am
“able to peddle the necessary 25 MPH”
Sean, could you inform us of the source of this “25 MPH” law as it is new to the cycling community.
Please try to differentiate between made-up laws in your head and those actually established and enforced, for the safety of you drivers and we riders. Because drivers who operate under a “law unto themselves”, as you demonstrate, are the most dangerous.
Nick K.
09/10/07 @ 7:07am
Sean: Remember that 25MPH is the ‘maximum’ speed-limit on campus and not the recommended rate of travel. You, along with the bikes on campus should be going slower than that. In fact, you should want to go slower to observe all the cross walks, stop signs, and stop lights on campus. Why are you such in a ruch that you have to gun down those that don’t have / need / want a car?
Josh
09/10/07 @ 9:51am
Great letter. I am tired of some of the people who choose to drive to campus thinking they are on the freaking interstate at all times. Another thing— I didn’t realize that there were still people out there who are ignorant enough about wearing helmets to yell at bikers wearing them.
One example:
To the guy in the SUV with the pink popped collar, I wear a helmet because it could save my life. I knew someone who died from injuries that could have been prevented had he been wearing a helmet. So yes, I realize I look extremely silly, but at least I have an immediate reason to look so silly—staying alive. Is there something about wearing a pink polo shirt with the collar popped up that is keeping you alive? If not, you might want to reconsider looking so stupid.
Tom
09/10/07 @ 9:55am
As someone who normally drives to campus, I have to say, the problem with driving on campus is the cars! Everyday I have to slow down or wait behind a car! They should get off the road and out of my way. Now bikes aren’t much of an issue, when I see them on the road I find that is is generally easy to pass them and I hardly ever have to slow down for more than a few seconds to get around.
Tim
09/10/07 @ 1:43pm
I agree that the yelling is unnecessary and silly, but bikers need to abide by the laws of the road too. I do become upset when a biker flies past me as I wait at a stop sign or a red light. I may be wrong, but if you are on the road, you must obey the law too.
Paul
09/10/07 @ 3:09pm
I have no problem with cyclists on the road. However, if you’re going to claim your “right to the road” and “follow the same rules”, then please practice what you preach. You cannot simultaneously claim a right to the road and then go through a red light, or turn right on a “no turn on red” intersection. You either follow the rules or you don’t. If you don’t want to follow ALL the traffic laws, and not just the ones that suit you, then please use the sidewalks or bike paths. I know it sounds crazy, but those are for bikes.
Patience
09/10/07 @ 5:30pm
I do agree that people need to be more respectful of bikers. However many bikers are not respectful to pedestrians and cars. A MUTAL respect is needed. I’m not saying that every bikers is like this but in my first 3 weeks on campus I have seen 2 pedestrains struck by bikers and many bikers ride out in front of cars. So my only requests to a few of you bikers is PLEASE slow down a little, try a little harder to avoid pedestrians and when the hand says not to cross DONT CROSS.