Baton Rouge Officially Designated a "Bicycle Friendly Community" (Hammond: insurance, how much)

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by mhounit

Yeah , let's spend some more of our tax dollars to provide for those dumbasses that took to the road unprepared . That stretch of road is not for the Mom ,Dad , and the kids kind of riders .

Good discussion, but it's clear you have a prejudice against cyclists. Who by law have the same rights, responsibilities, etc to the road as motorcyclists, cars, and trucks.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by mhounit

Using your logic , I should only have to pay taxes , registration , etc. for only one of the three vehicles in my driveway . After all , I only drive one of them at a time .

I'm afraid I don't understand your logic - you're upset that cyclists get off scot free. When in fact they pay taxes like the rest of us.

[darylwi]

I have to agree, River Road isn't the best road to be riding a bike on. I'd rather take my chances on a wider Nicholson where there are wide shoulders.
But as a driver, I would never intentionally run a cyclist off the road and I would hope that I never have an accident with one. I tend to watch my surroundings and don't let the driver behind me dictate my actions just because he's in a hurry. Likewise it's rather egotistical for a biker to think just because there's a share the road sign that all of a sudden he can ride down the center of the road taking up an entire lane when there's traffic coming through. It's a give/take and unfortunately most people aren't willing to give much anymore, but they'll sure as hell take everything they can and steal more of it if they have to. Dedicated bike lanes are the way to go here.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by darylwi

I have to agree, River Road isn't the best road to be riding a bike on. I'd rather take my chances on a wider Nicholson where there are wide shoulders.
But as a driver, I would never intentionally run a cyclist off the road and I would hope that I never have an accident with one. I tend to watch my surroundings and don't let the driver behind me dictate my actions just because he's in a hurry. Likewise it's rather egotistical for a biker to think just because there's a share the road sign that all of a sudden he can ride down the center of the road taking up an entire lane when there's traffic coming through. It's a give/take and unfortunately most people aren't willing to give much anymore, but they'll sure as hell take everything they can and steal more of it if they have to. Dedicated bike lanes are the way to go here.

I agree that there is give and take needed on both sides (and I've talked to cyclists who don't get the "get along" thing). And most of us try to ride on the right edge of the road - if we don't, it's because of steep dropoffs/potholes along the side of the road like there is on River Road.

What baffles me is people who think nothing of harassing/running over cyclists. Fortunately, there are recently passed laws to give us some additional protections, and whenever I ride, I always make sure to bring my phone along, so I can call the EBR (or neighboring parishes') Sheriff if someone's out of line. And cyclists are always on the outlook for harassers - there are stories about someone along the East Bank of Iberville Parish who harasses cyclists.

[darylwi]

See that's the shame. People who have nothing better to do than create reasons to demonstrate their distaste for a particular group of people. This goes across the board and well beyond cyclists as well.

[mhounit]

Originally Posted by BRMan

Good discussion, but it's clear you have a prejudice against cyclists. Who by law have the same rights, responsibilities, etc to the road as motorcyclists, cars, and trucks.

And there is the problem . Bicyclist should NOT share the public streets with motorized vehicles . Every year , I have to have MY vehicle inspected for brake lights , headlights , turn signals , etc . These are items related to SAFETY , that must be working properly in order to be able to drive on a public roadway . Do bicyclist have these same requirements ?
Of course not . WHY NOT ? Why shouldn't they have to be visible , and required to signal their intentions , have adequate brakes , etc .? WHY NOT ? Do bycyclist pay taxes and yearly registration fees for their bikes ? WHY NOT ? Saying that they already pay is silly . What if a bike is your only mode of transportation ? Do you pay anything in that case ? WHY NOT ? Ever heard of a cyclist getting cited for failing to signal , or running a stop sign ? Sure , they could , but have any of you ever seen it ? Prejudiced against cyclist ? No . They should not have equal rights to public streets like a motor vehicle , for a LOT of reasons .

[AlHayat]

Originally Posted by mrs.lea

I grew up in Baton Rouge and LOVE coming home. I live in NYC now and can't wait to move back. You co0uldn't pay me to ride a bike as a mode of transportation in either city though!

Ha! That is funny... i'm just the opposite. From NYC and living in BTR, and feel much safer riding my bike in the streets at home then down here... guess it's just a matter of what you are used to... I'm afraid to ride my bike here!

[BR_Bound]

mhounit --

In fact, my brother was ticketed for speeding while riding a bike. A fellow club member was ticketed for running a red light. I know a couple of folks who were killed while passing illegally - no tickets were issued posthumously. Cyclists do get ticketed. I wouldn't be surprised if the proportions for ticketing cyclists are similar to those for car drivers. We all know lots of car drivers who break the law and never get ticketed... come on, you've never sped? made an illegal u-turn? sped up to get through a yellow?

Sure, I'd pay to register my bike. If that would guarantee that while on my bike I'd be treated with the same respect as a motorist I'd certainly pay the fee. If that's all you require, mhounit, get it put into law --

[mhounit]

" Speeding while riding a bike " ?

[BR_Bound]

Yes, speeding. You'd have to know my brother, he's a bit of an overachiever (former Navy Seal).