Cycling Law Reform - Is it needed?

[abogherie]

In my area I never find it that hard to bike on the roads with traffic. I ride in Royal Oak, Berkley, and Auburn Hills areas. I rarely get yelled at, honked at, or had things thrown at me. I don't think I've ever had anything thrown at me. That's sad that people would resort to such things, but that's the world we live in. Until there's a critical mass of cyclists in metro detroit it will continually be a problem. I always coast coming up to lights to try and avoid impeding traffic, but I usually ride on secondary roads, and roads that aren't used nearly as much as others. They are used by many cyclists since I continually pass others on my rides. Maybe people are used to seeing cyclists on these roads and are more conscious of them. There is definitely a responsibility that each cyclist holds to be aware of their surroundings and to be safe and alert. I would be all for having special yield laws passed for cyclists since I almost always will pull to the front of traffic stopped at a light to try and get a headstart, or just to be seen by traffic. I know I'd rather be a bother and have someone pissed off at me due to holding them up instead of them not seeing me and ending up in the hospital.

[holli81]

Nice! To the caller complaining about bikers on Grosse Isle, I've never been there but I have no DOUBT that the so-called "bike path" is not for those riding over 20 mph....in their goddamn helmets and funny little pants! I would be willing to bet anything that the bike path is similar to the one on Belle Isle, where it is filled with runners, walkers, and families with kids cruising along at maybe, MAYBE 5 mph. Now, is it safer to ride in the lane with pedestrians and kids? Or on the road where you can go the speed limit?

I don't have any comments about the bike laws, I can see both points of view. But for bike paths, I like the way it is done on the Dequindre Cut -- 2 bike lanes, 1 for each direction, and a separate run/walk lane. GENIUS!!

-Holli

[jared]

At least tensions aren't as high as they are in South Florida. Check out this Sun Sentinel article.

[jared]

A bump for Stuart to find.

Also given that Ashley was physically assaulted by a car while on her bike, I think we should keep this discussion going and get some new people weighing in!