One of My Pet Peeves Receives Justice - Cyclists Ticketed for Obstructing Roads

[Chris_]

One of my pet peeves is bicyclists hogging lanes on a winding road at 5 mph, backing up traffic for blocks.........(not to mention the faggy helmets, and spandex underwear that they revel in)......

It appears that some citizens agree........

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/22/221008/cyclists-cited-san-antonio-court-today/

DADE CITY - Generations of bicyclists have been flocking to San Antonio for decades to test their mettle on the area's hilly, country roads.

Today marked the first time cyclists faced a traffic court judge, charged with impeding traffic. Five members of the University of South Florida racing team ticketed in January by the Pasco County Sheriffs Office have pleaded not guilty. Instead of paying the $67.50 fine, they hired attorney Declan Mansfield, who filed a motion to dismiss the case.

It's legal for bicyclists to ride two abreast as long as they're not impeding the flow of traffic. Mansfield said the USF cyclists were not breaking the law. "We're not contesting that they were riding two abreast," he said. "But they were traveling at or near the speed limit, which is an exception to the law. They weren't impeding traffic. These guys are racers – they know how to ride in a group."

Pasco Cpl. Chad Tadlock, who wrote the tickets, said the department started cracking down after hearing numerous complaints from area drivers about the cyclists who take part in the weekend morning group rides.

Sheriff's deputies recently cited another cyclist for running a stop sign.

"There's just a multitude of complaints," Tadlock said. "We were getting so many calls and walk-ins about this group in particular, we had to do something."

Tadlock said he took photos of the cyclists riding in a group of 10. "They're taking up the entire lane, and they won't let anyone pass," he said.

Mansfield said the cyclists are not required to ride single file or allow cars to pass on the roads where they were ticketed because the lanes are narrower than the standard 14 feet. "They're allowed the full use of the lane," he argued.

Mansfield said the next step is to wait for Traffic Court Judge Robert P. Cole's ruling on his motion to dismiss, but the cyclists said they would challenge the tickets even if they lose the motion.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 259-8109.

doc

[debk]

arggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I can't stand these cyclists!!!!!!

Many of our roads are narrow, winding, have blind curves and drop-offs or straight up dirt at the edge instead of shoulders.

The secondary road down to my subdivision is one of those roads. When do the dumb-ass cyclists get on them? From about 3 -7.....same time that afternoon traffic picks up. 

The road behind our house is even worse in that it is also up and down in many places. I'm sure it gives the cyclists a good workout, but it gives the drivers gray hairs!

There is no where for the cyclists to pull over except at a driveway, but do they do that? Oh nooooo! They stay about 2-3 ft from the edge of the road, so a driver has to wait for a clear line of sight before they can pass the cyclist. 

It's amazing more cyclists aren't injured or killed.....they are sooooo stupid!!!!

[longview]

I'll join this parade!

Touring groups and racers sometimes use our two lane highways and don't stay at the side.  One group was especially slow to move over after I tapped my horn (after following a ways).  I cautioned a couple of them that there were semis hauling cattle at that time and those would not be able to stop quickly if they came up on the group over a hill or around a curve.  One doofus actually said, "Oh, wow, we didn't know anyone used this road."

Really?!?  Here's your sign. 

I only deal with them on rare occasion.  Those of you who deal with them more often have my sympathy.

[Carl]

Same here and will add in joggers that do the same instead of staying to the side.

[Chris_]

Same here and will add in joggers that do the same instead of staying to the side.

Well....what annoys the hell out of me is that they insist on riding the road to our subdivision, when the state built a fifteen-mile long bike trail along a scenic river not a thousand yards away......going the same direction (paralleling the road)......and they still insist on hogging the road.......really pisses me off.

doc

[IassaFTots]

Well....what annoys the hell out of me is that they insist on riding the road to our subdivision, when the state built a fifteen-mile long bike trail along a scenic river not a thousand yards away......going the same direction (paralleling the road)......and they still insist on hogging the road.......really pisses me off.

doc

I can deal with a pack of em riding around on a Saturday Morning....fine.  But what REALLY chaps my hide is when they are riding on our suburban streets, taking up a whole lane of traffic during peak rush hour. 

 

[zeitgeist]

One of my pet peeves is bicyclists hogging lanes on a winding road at 5 mph, backing up traffic for blocks.........(not to mention the faggy helmets, and spandex underwear that they revel in)......

It appears that some citizens agree........

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/22/221008/cyclists-cited-san-antonio-court-today/

doc

You may want to take your bp meds before reading this one.

By Elizabeth Dinan
edinan@seacoastonline.com
April 21, 2010 2:00 AMPORTSMOUTH — A U.S. Marine and long-distance cyclist testified Tuesday that he put his bicycle in a road to stop a reckless driver, ended up on the hood of the car and held a 14-pound rock over the driver's head because, "he had to come off the road."

Cyclist Duane Foster, 43, of 2 Foyes Road, Rye, appeared in Portsmouth District Court for the finale of a trial stemming from a road rage incident that pit the driver of a red Corvette convertible against a pack of bicyclists. Rye police charged two bicyclists and the driver with crimes related to the Sept. 9, 2009, incident, when a witness photographed Foster on the car holding the oval beach rock above the driver.

Foster was represented at trial by attorney Stephen Jeffco on a violation-level charge of disorderly conduct and misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and criminal threatening. Tuesday's hearing before Judge Stephen Morrison concluded testimony that began Jan. 19.

Foster took the witness stand in his own defense. He said he and a group of about 20 cyclists met in Rye for a coastal ride when he heard a car horn and a revving V8 engine, just before the Corvette swerved toward the cyclists, forcing some off the road and others "to fan around the car." The driver then applied the brakes "hard enough for the anti-skid to cycle," yelled and displayed his middle finger, Foster said.
{snip}
Link to entire article with pic >

Check the pic at the link.  This could have gone very badly had Rosco made an apperance, lots of Corvette owners pack.

[Chris_]

You may want to take your bp meds before reading this one.


Check the pic at the link.  This could have gone very badly had Rosco made an apperance, lots of Corvette owners pack.

I think I have to agree with one of the commenters, Marine or not:......"what are the chances of so many morons could come together in the same place......"

And I agree, as I used to be a Corvette entheusiast.......no clown in a silly spandex suit is grabbing my keys without pulling back a stump.........

doc

[formerlurker]

As a former casualty adjuster I can't even begin to tell you how outrageous some of the actions of bicyclists are, especially when they are riding in pairs or groups.    They are crazy because they are truly taking their lives in their hands.   The one that beats all though is the family down the Cape (in MA) who took up a lane with idiot mom and dad riding in the front leaving their children to trail behind.   Junior (I think he was 7 or 8 years old) was seriously injured when he stopped short.   

I just want to biotch slap them all when I pass selfish and extremely ignorant cyclists.   

[Alpha Mare]

They shouldn't be on the road until they pay the same 'road use tax' that auto drivers pay. No license, no insurance, no ridee.

[longview]

They shouldn't be on the road until they pay the same 'road use tax' that auto drivers pay. No license, no insurance, no ridee.

Very good.  I likee. 

[formerlurker]

They shouldn't be on the road until they pay the same 'road use tax' that auto drivers pay. No license, no insurance, no ridee.

Homeowner's insurance would cover them, but good point.

[thundley4]

Does anyone remember that Ray Lahood recently made a push for more bicycles to be on the roads?

[Pat]

Does anyone remember that Ray Lahood recently made a push for more bicycles to be on the roads?

he sure did. It's a green movement to get on a bike and park the gas guzzling SUV....get with the program.

[zeitgeist]

I think I have to agree with one of the commenters, Marine or not:......"what are the chances of so many morons could come together in the same place......"

And I agree, as I used to be a Corvette entheusiast.......no clown in a silly spandex suit is grabbing my keys without pulling back a stump.........

doc

It really wouldn't matter much what branch a person threatening me with a 14 pound rock served if I had a gun.  You have to wonder what sane person does this, are they stoopid or hopped up on 'roids?  Threatening to assault some one with a rock is just plain Primitive, that is one menacing photo.  What would have happened if the person with the camera hadn't been there??   Is it time to start testing the testosterone levels of some of these narcissistic iron men ( and women)??

Combative bicycling is not a good idea but I am not sure this case is going to do much to stem it with the light punishment handed out.

[vesta111]

You may want to take your bp meds before reading this one.


Check the pic at the link.  This could have gone very badly had Rosco made an apperance, lots of Corvette owners pack.

Thanks Zeit, I was about to go hunting the article up myself.

Now a question here, why do walkers or cyclists go with the flow of traffic.?   Is it not safer for them to be on the LEFT so they can see oncoming tons of metal coming at them.?

I use to ride the roads and did so on the left, I had a mirror on the bars but it was difficult to see much over the vibrations.   Riding with the flow on the right left me feeling very venerable to what ever was behind me that I was not aware of.

Actually it was my Grand Dad that told me to ride on the left, at that time in the State of Maine the law was that all motorised Vehicles drove to the right, all walkers or people powered vehicles to the left.

Made sense as the the walker or rider of a bike could either stop much faster and get out of the way of oncoming traffic.

[Red October]

Ironically, the Marine boot-camp term for "idiot" is "rock."

[MrsSmith]

Thanks Zeit, I was about to go hunting the article up myself.

Now a question here, why do walkers or cyclists go with the flow of traffic.?   Is it not safer for them to be on the LEFT so they can see oncoming tons of metal coming at them.?

I use to ride the roads and did so on the left, I had a mirror on the bars but it was difficult to see much over the vibrations.   Riding with the flow on the right left me feeling very venerable to what ever was behind me that I was not aware of.

Actually it was my Grand Dad that told me to ride on the left, at that time in the State of Maine the law was that all motorised Vehicles drove to the right, all walkers or people powered vehicles to the left.

Made sense as the the walker or rider of a bike could either stop much faster and get out of the way of oncoming traffic.

I don't know if it holds true everywhere, but in Kansas and Nebraska, bikes are treated exactly like cars...they should be in the right lane, with the flow of traffic, and are subject to the same tickets for speeding and running stop signs.

As with everyone else, most of our riders have no danger of getting speeding tickets.  In most parts of town, they aren't too big an issue, but we have one VERY narrow road, a road with a LOT of traffic, that cyclists, walkers and even idiots with strollers take.  There are no shoulders, the road drops into ditches on both sides.  There are few driveways...literally no way for these morons to get out of the way...and there is just enough hill that you can come up on one with absolutely no warning.  Even at night, most seem totally unaware how much danger they're in...don't even have lights or anything.

ONCE, I found out one of my kids took that road on a bike.  She lost her bike for a month, got grounded, and did extra chores for a week.   

[Chris_]

It really wouldn't matter much what branch a person threatening me with a 14 pound rock served if I had a gun.  You have to wonder what sane person does this, are they stoopid or hopped up on 'roids?  Threatening to assault some one with a rock is just plain Primitive, that is one menacing photo.  What would have happened if the person with the camera hadn't been there??   Is it time to start testing the testosterone levels of some of these narcissistic iron men ( and women)??

Combative bicycling is not a good idea but I am not sure this case is going to do much to stem it with the light punishment handed out.

After reviewing the events in this case......around here, this comes very close to what might be euphemistically referred to as an "attempted carjacking", deadly force authorized. and in my state, you can carry locked and loaded in your car without a permit.......someone, under similiar circumstamces might be dead.......

I occasionaally read about one of the northwestern cities, Seattle comes to mind, where they have hundreds of militant cyclists decend on the city from time to time, just to tie up traffic, and impede the working folks getting around.......and the city fathers are loathe to do anything about it.

Also, occasionally, around here, on winding rural roads, a farm semi or redi-mix truck will pop over a hill, and end up having to remove a cyclist from his radiator with compressed air, and a pressure washer......I feel sorry for the farmer/driver.......but the cyclist got what he/she deserved.....

doc

[Mike220]

I occasionaally read about one of the northwestern cities, Seattle comes to mind, where they have hundreds of militant cyclists decend on the city from time to time, just to tie up traffic, and impede the working folks getting around.......and the city fathers are loathe to do anything about it.

I hated those ****ers when I lived there. And they wouldn't just tie up traffic, they would get confrontational with drivers trying to get a fight going for the cameras. Then they could claim they were assaulted by the mean people that drive cars.

Asshats.

[littlelamb]

That is good to see that the laws have to apply to them as well

[Chris_]

That is good to see that the laws have to apply to them as well

Unfortunately that is part of the problem.....the laws mandate that they be treated just like a motorist......without them having to pay road taxes, license fees, insurance, fuel taxes, and operator licensing.......they in essence, get a free ride on the driving public.

You'd think that they would be aware of that, and have some respect for those of us that pay for the roads that they use for free........

I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw one of them run a stop light, or sign, fail to yield, and obstruct traffic.  It is high time that if they are going to freeload on the system, they get to pay the price for failure to follow the rules.

doc

[Airwolf]

No problem can't be solved with bike riders that a good hand gun can't fix

[Thor]

Unfortunately that is part of the problem.....the laws mandate that they be treated just like a motorist......without them having to pay road taxes, license fees, insurance, fuel taxes, and operator licensing.......they in essence, get a free ride on the driving public.

You'd think that they would be aware of that, and have some respect for those of us that pay for the roads that they use for free........

I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw one of them run a stop light, or sign, fail to yield, and obstruct traffic.  It is high time that if they are going to freeload on the system, they get to pay the price for failure to follow the rules.

doc

I agree!! Around here, bicyclists are simply not having the traffic laws enforced on them.

I used to ride when I was in San Diego and it was sheer horror. I'd stay out of the way as best as I could.There were still times that car drivers would come within inches of hitting me (and I was being courteous to the drivers). I think that the cyclists need to have a little more empathy with the car drivers and vice versa. Car drivers get tagged all the time for violations and cyclists don't. Perhaps that where the animosity lies ?? I, too, get pissed off when I am driving down the road and some dumbass cyclist(s) thinks they're as good as a car/ truck, hogs the lane, runs the stop signs and generally disregards the same laws that the vehicle driver would get cited for.