Bicyclists No Better Than Rest of Us

Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 | Instead of lobbing softball questions to Kathy Keehan, how about some that matter? For instance: Many bicycle enthusiasts drive around in their cars with prominently displayed bumper stickers proclaiming, “Share the Road.” Any driver knows, however, that bicyclists rarely, if ever, stop for STOP signs. They frequently drive right through red lights, with or without oncoming traffic. To add insult to injury, they often wave with their outstretched and somewhat lowered hand as if to proclaim, “Watch out! I’m coming through.” Other times, bicyclists will be riding in traffic lanes, when there is a perfectly good bicycle lane or path constructed with taxpayer dollars. This seems to happen more often than not. What gives?

Do only automobile drivers have to “share the road?” Are bicyclists immune from laws that restrict them from using facilities expressly for them? Do they think they are better than the rest of the public?