Bicycle bashers need common sense
Do people like George Vann ever bother to think before they write letters to the Journal? In his letter of Aug. 16, he says bicyclists need to get a California license, registration and insurance, the revenue from which could be used to build bike lanes. Sorry, George, but there is no such thing as a California bicycle license or registration. This would require massive spending in setting up a new bureaucracy, writing regulations and exams, hiring new staff, rental or purchase of office space — at a time when the state is facing a $20 billion deficit and more vital services are being cut every day. What a great idea! Further, there is really no such thing as “bicycle insurance.” How many motorists have ever been hurt in a collision with a bicycle? The slight damages that bicycles could do are covered by liability insurance, which most cyclists already have as part of their homeowner’s policy. Finally, Vann wants to set up bicycle and insurance checkpoints and speed traps. Might I suggest he check with Sheriff Ed Bonner about the availability of police officers for such an effort? Or ask the person facing a home intrusion and the woman being mugged who are told there are no police available due to a bicycle insurance checkpoint. Annoying as such letters are, they do serve to show the petty mindlessness and anger that characterize the most vocal of our bicycle-bashing crowd. THAD WESTPHALIA, Auburn
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Thad appears to lack the ability to detect sarcasm.
Thad,
I dont remember the letter that you are referencing specifically, and quite frankly dont care. Here are just a few facts for you.
First, California already has bicycle registration laws in effect. They are on the books! Each county, and/or city within any California county could impose a license fee upon bicycle owners. The fee is not much but the laws are in place. It could allow that bicycles pay a fee of registration in whatever county, city, or municipality that they ride in potentially.
Secondly, A bicyclist could cause major damage to a car if he/she struck the car at a pretty good clip. A bicyclist and his bike weigh as much in some cases as a small deer. Deer do a lot of damage.
Thirdly, You are assuming that every bicyclist owns a home, or for that matter has proper homeowners insurance. What about the rider that lives in an apartment? He/she may not even have any renters insurance.
Obviously, you are a bicyclist that clearly doesnt know the laws pertaining to a subject that you are so passionate to write about. This is what your so called "Bicycle Bashing Crowd" take issue with. It is your responsibility to know and follow the laws of the road pertaining to bicycles, a fair portion of you don't.
I would like to thank all of the bicyclists that are truley concerned with making the roads safer. I encountered a gaggle of you folks this weekend on Wise Rd. and you were very kind and courteous in your travels, I even waved did you see me?...LOL
Way to go Ed Bonner! Since the announcement that Placer County would begin enforcing bicycle driving laws, the large groups of 20 to 30 riders from clubs in other areas have avoided coming to Placer County or at least are staying off the roads that I regularly drive on. Since the announcement by the sheriff's department I only see single and maybe a group of two to three riders on English Colony, Taylor, Indian Hill, and Newcastle Rd.
J_G, they are all on Auburn Folsom and King Roads.
OK, the bicycle topic again. I live off of Placer Hills Road and although I totally support people out there exercising and enjoying nature I also occassionally have trouble with the way the groups use the road. This weekend there must have been some event as there were lots of them out.
This Sat. morning as I was going north I came up to a group of 5 on what I call a "blind ciurve." 4 riders were on the white line and one was about 2 feet out into the lane. Not a problem, though, I just laid back and calmly followed them wanting to wait until I could see the oncoming traffic. But the rider in the back was motioning for me to pass them and very emphatically at that. When we did finally make it around the curve I yelled out the window to that hand-waiver, "I DONT PASS ON BLIND CURVES!!!!" Then I came to another group where one lady was riding smack in the middle of the lane and wasn't going to move, but it was a straight part so I slowly passed them going fully into the other lane. But when I came up to another stopped and talking on his cell phone I was kind of frustrated by then and didn't wave like Born_Here did, but used another gesture...sorry, but I had had it by that point.
I have said this before and I will say it again, it is a wonder there are not more accidents on Placer Hills Road. The road is narrow, there are many "blind curves" and little hills where you can't see what is above and people tend to really get going fast to boot.
Gail B -
All good points you make. Is it becoming clear just where the common sense is lacking? Please help me with this logic of riding along side teen, stupid or just plain hateful drivers in cars less then 2 inches from you! Kudos to the mountain bikers who stay off of roads.
GailBegin
I see the same thing on Canyon way. I find there are good riders and bad ones just like the drivers. I always figured that the person on a bike that is rude and arrogant is also making me angry on a different day while they are driving their car. Some people just think that they are too important to consider others on the road. The fact that the topic comes up so often tells me that there should probably be more about it in driver training and certification and that there should be mandatory training and certification for cyclists as well. I was surprised to see how many categories of licensing they are up to now. They even make people certify for moped so one more isn't going to break the bank.
I assume that your gesture let the person know that they were the first one on your list..
CA04: I really should not have gestured to the poor rider on his cell phone, he probably had no clue what my problem was. But then up came his group of riders so maybe he did. Who knows. The car behind me got a good laugh, though.
Lately I have noticed less riders out there, maybe it is too hot?
But I am not complaining, I am just saying to riders to go ahead and let us drivers follow them until it is safe to pass. Geez, I wasn't honking or acting impatiently.
Gail, I was driving that curvy section of Lincoln Way by Alta Vista during a race. I stayed well back of a young lady through the curves even though she was waiving for me to pass. She got irritated then outright mad as I wouldn't pass. When I finally passed she yelled "Perv".
Chuxxr, the question that begs to be asked is- Was she correct in her assessment? Just kidding, couldn't resist it.
Jon, Wow, the nerve of Sheriff Bonner to start enforcing the law. Who does he think he is?
Salamander. Law enforcement has a tendency to not enforce laws when their citations are ignored by other parts of the Justice System. I am not sure if any bicycle citations have been issued. The threat of enforcement has helped. I haven't seen anything in the AJ about citations issued for bicycle violations. We have a lot of DUI citations because the Justice System in Placer County is very good about prosecution and sentencing.
Jon- And your point is??? All your first post proves is that large cycling clubs knew they were not following the word of the law and would now begin to be cited. Rather than follow the law, they don't ride here. And your second post states you are not even sure any citations have been issued. I wouldn't expect the AJ to consider a bicycle citation newsworthy. Look at the big picture. If cyclists obey the law it makes it easier for autos to share the road, and will save cyclist's lives.
My point is that the threat of enforcement has helped. If it is just a threat they will start riding here again. I think it would be very informative for the public to know the number of citations issues by violation in Placer County on a monthly basis.