For safety purposes, bike riders should stay off roads

I think you should get better driving instruction, if you dont feel you can operate your vehicle safely (your safety and that of others).

Bicycles do not cause any danger on the roads. Motorists who angirly speed by cyclists with little regard for traffic laws and public safety do. Im a cyclists, I ride on campus almost every day. Most of the people who pass me dont pass me for the sake of speed. They pass me because they are uncomfortable with a cyclists anywhere near them and almost always end up slamming on their brakes right after they are by me because they attempted to pass with little room before a stop sign/traffic light. This letter and Zack Colman’s column, “Bicyclists need to stay on sidewalk” (SN 4/9), both reek of ignorance. Congrats State News, you have failed again

While less explosive than the original piece, this is just about as bad.

If you cannot drive a motor vehicle without hitting a cyclist then you should not be driving.

Are you also saying pedestrians should never cross the road, because you might hit them while trying to clean up that latte you just spilled because you were texting on your mobile?

Cyclists don’t need to get on the sideWALK (it’s more dangerous there anyway), YOU need to learn how to drive.

The law states that bicycles have just as much of a right to the road as cars do. Maybe people should start not being unsafe drivers before we start taking to the sidewalks, our inconvenience shouldn’t come from the fact that many car drivers are lazy and incompetent.

Because you dont pay attention doesnt mean cyclists should stay off the road. For the safety of others, instead of cyclists staying off roads, drivers should pay attention and know the laws relating to cycling… which includes taking the lane.

This is just as idiotical as Zack’s article. Riddle me wher it sates Bicycles can not be on the road. Another idiot “advertising” he his lack of knowledge. Probabl a friend of Zack or Zack, either way ill informed. Does he have a clue in many European Countries & China most people bike to work!!!

In working with many Traumatic Brain Injured people that gained their injuries from car vs. bike accidents, I have to say that bikers need to take all safety precautions even if that does mean staying on the sidewalks. While it is a shame that bikers cannot ride on the road as the law allows them, they truly are no match for a strong, fast-moving machine. Would you rather risk your life to a horrible driver, or would you rather be safe and live as long as you can?

I do not care if people on bicycles ride on the road….however, the bicyclists on this campus are stupid! the rules of the road are the same for bicycles as they are for drivers! You must stop for red lights and stop signs, pay attention to other drivers, and maybe cutting across traffic that is obviously moving faster than you is not the best idea! I welcome yall on the road but be respectful of drivers and pedestrians.. you expect respect from us and do not offer it in return!

laws that keep bikers on roads are there for a reason. what needs to be done is better instruction of drivers and bikers, and more adequate bike lanes on roads.

Riding a bike in the street, legal or not, is still a death wish. You may have the right to ride in the street, but most people are incompetent idiots and being competent is not part of passing the driving test. You certainly are allowed to ride in the street but that doesn’t mean you aren’t deliberately putting yourself in danger.

It’s perfectly legal for me to go walking alone through the ghetto at 4 am but I don’t because I have common sense and do not wish to be mugged or raped. You can ride your bike in the street all you wish but just because the law is on your side does not mean you won’t be severely injured or killed if a horrible driver hits you.

The author of the above letter was concerned for you safety. She wasn’t telling you what to do. Getting hurt is your own business. I’m watching out for you cyclists on the road when I drive my car…. but most people unfortunately are not. Be careful and make good decisions.

Also, if you haven’t noticed, the sidewalks at MSU are HUGE. Plenty of room for walkers and bikers… there’s even a bike lane on many of the sidewalks on campus.

What is with the harshness? She wasn’t saying that bikers are stupid or focusing on the annoyance of them. She was pointing out that it’s unsafe to be biking on the roads on campus, which whether you all want to believe it or not, is a fact. Don’t shoot the messenger…especially not one trying to look out for your safety.

After reading both Zack’s piece and your letter, I am now more convinced that the minimum driving age should be 25. This would allow time for a lot of the poor logic to evaporate from young people’s minds.

Heidi, if cyclists are at risk because of bad drivers, don’t you think the appropriate response would be for the police to more aggressively enforce traffic laws, rather than to simply make cycling illegal?

Or would aggressive traffic enforcement be too much of an inconvenience to you?

G spot, you are unbelievably ignorant. It isn’t a matter of logic, or the absence of. It’s as Heidi said; people are going to get distracted while driving, and someone is bound to be hurt because of it. Why NOT try to minimize the risk to yourself and others by staying out of the way of a large rapidly moving metal object? Clearly, this is not a personal concern for you, because you’re a perfect, infallible driver. You must be at least 25.

Considering I do not drive on the campus, “g spot”, no, aggressive traffic enforcement would be of no inconvenience whatsoever to me. I didn’t say anything about BAD drivers, it’s the fact that no matter who you are and how alert of a driver you are, stuff happens and it is easy for drivers to get distracted, especially on this campus.
Do what you want, but don’t attack someone just stating the obvious…the car will win.

“In the case of heavy machinery vs. human, heavy machinery will win, even if the bicyclist is wearing a helmet.”

This is not about winning, Nicole. It’s about someone’s life and yours. Pedestrians and bikers alike are hit regardless if they are on the sidewalk or not. Distractions should certainly not be an excuse to rid the cyclists off the road. Why do you think text messaging and talking on the cell is being banned for those behind the wheel?

“I’m sorry officer, I was changing my radio station, I didn’t see the biker ahead of me” So the officer won’t giver you a ticket when you say this?

There is a protest bike ride today (Friday) 6pm, starting at MSU’s Beaumont Tower. This is just to show how many bikers there are on campus that can share the road peacefully with cars. Anyone is welcome to come.

@ Heidi

What does the car win?

How about the person driving the car? Do they win too?

What do they win?

What kinda contest is this and how do you win?

can you please clarify?

@ AJ. Your sense of humor is cute…

The car wins in physics over the bicycle.

Everyone loses, besides the car.

They lost, so they won nothing. The car probably wins bragging rights with its car buddies and a few free drinks.

It’s called the life contest. Be smart.

@ Heidi

How about in a bicyclist pedestrian collision? (because thats the alternative accident, that will take place. and more frequently I might add)

Who wins there?

You do know that is also potentially lethal right?

I think its best if automobile drivers SLOW DOWN, and pay attention. Wake up earlier if you’re running late on a regular basis. They operate a vehicle that is many times more dangerous. They have a greater RESPONSIBILITY. Thats why driving a motor vehicle requires a licence and a bicycle does not.

Thats all the argument you’re gonna get from me. (I am not trying to harras you)

Why not just ban cars on campus altogether? Require that everyone either walk, bike, or take busses? Not only would it make everyone safer, our campus quieter, and our air fresher, but it would help cut our bloated American waists!

I think we should ban all bicycles and depend exclusively on cars and other petroleum loving vehicles for transport.

Sincerely,
Slimfast, OPEC.

yet another arrogant-reckless-inattentive driver
please stop driving and get the **** off from the road please
you pose great danger to every human being with your 2000 Ib weapons

So, by your logic, you shouldn’t drive anything less than 2-tons on the highway, or really any road because if that vehicial gets tangled up with a semi-truck, then they “loose” and the loss of life is expected. Gosh, I hope you drive something larger than an Excursion, because if that trucker needs to change the cd, answer his cell, text his friends, or use his 2-way, then your out of luck too.

Sorry, I don’t buy it. It is the responsibility of everybody to be on the road SAFELY. If that means waiting to change the track on the CD/iPod until the next traffic light, or not texting until you are parked, then that is what you should be doing — its your RESPONSIBILITY. Driving is not a right, just remember that.