Re: [OT] A significant negative impact on Linux's popularity?
Am 2007-07-15 20:15:47, schrieb Andrew Sackville-West:
> On Sun, Jul 15, 2007 at 04:09:41PM -0700, David Brodbeck wrote:
> > I have to say that, as a driver, it's the unpredictability of cyclists I
> > find distressing. They swerve suddenly into traffic, ride indiscriminately
> > on either side of the road (or sometimes swerve back and forth between
> > them), run stoplights, and come at you at high speed on crosswalks. If
> > they'd either follow the rules for cars
> ----------------^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> in most jurisdictions I've been in, bikes are required to follow the
> rules for cars. The problem with that is that *many* car drivers do
This is very right and enforced in Germany and since some years
in France too (Frenchies do not like this enforcement)
> not respect those rules with regards to bicycles. A bicycle legally
> owns the entire lane they are riding in (in many areas where I've
> ridden) but cars refuse to respect that and either force their way
> through in a space that they may not fit into or make a dangerous
> passing maneuver straddling both lanes. Both of these maneuvers are
> illegal and very dangerous . Likewise, cyclist get the same turn rotation at stop signs,
Right too...
> are expected to yield when turning left etc etc etc. It is routine for
> cars to ignore these rules for bicyclists forcing cyclists, by sheer
> force of mass and speed to yield their legal right-of-way to avoid an
> accident.
>
> Having spent *many* long days on the road as a professional cyclist, I
> can attest (anecdotally of course) that this is true. Cyclists are
> expected by motorists to obey the rules of the road, but are not given
> the return courtesy by motorists. So, the alternative for a strong
> experienced cyclist is to take control of the situation... using the
> delay between light changes to get through an intersection; splitting
> lanes between stopped cars to get to the front of the pack at a stop
> light (a statistically safer place to be AIUI); utilising sidewalks
> and crosswalks; to maintain forward momentum when appropriate; or to
> get out of a messy traffic situation.
Which then let the cyclists let run into trouble with pedesrian...
(I have seen several GRAVE accident here in Strasbourg)
> maybe, but probably not. A cyclist in the crosswalk is breaking the
> law and I've seen cyclists get ticketed for all kinds of moving
> violations (riding on the sidewalk, in the crosswalk, running lights
> and stop signs. i even had a friend get a speeding ticket on his bike
> -- true story). That said, if you'd rolled forward another foot, then
> you'd have entered a crosswalk without stopping at the stop line that
> is generally placed *before* the crosswalk, which means you'd have
> rolled the stop sign -- also a violation. just sayin' it.
And now heavy enforced in Strasbourg... :-)
The Frenchies are now learning for what this green and red light is...
> > Somehow cars have gotten saddled with the
> > responsibility of watching out for cyclists, while they apparently don't
> > have to follow any rules whatsoever.
>
> Cars are indeed saddled with teh responsibility of watching for
> cyclists, just as they are saddled with the responsibility of watching
> for motorcyclists, other cars, pedestrians, dogs, etc. It is the
> responsibility of everyone who uses the motorways to watch for
> *everyone* else who uses them. It is unfortunate that so many
> motorists don't actually watch for cyclists and give them the space and
> respect they are entitled to. If that were the case, then perhaps many
> cyclists wouldn't feel the need to ignore many of the laws for their
> own safety.
I do not know whether this is right or not, but in German and French
cities the Cyclists have there own "road" and if you do not use it...
bad luck!
Thanks, Greetings and nice Day
Michelle Konzack
Systemadministrator
Tamay Dogan Network
Debian GNU/Linux Consultant
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