I cycle to work just about every day that it is not raining. Even though cyclists are supposed to follow the same rules of the road as any motor vehicle, I still see some that flagrantly flaunt their disobedience of the law. Worse yet, a few believe that THEY own the road and that THEY always have the right of way. News flash: THEY don't.
I do own a car and occasionally drive to work. Even though drivers are supposed to follow the same rules of the road as any other motor vehicle, I still see some that flagrantly flaunt their disobedience of the law. Worse yet, a few believe that THEY own the road and that THEY always have the right of way. News flash: THEY don't.
After years of driving and years of cycling, I have come to one conclusion: People are not going to change their habits.
Despite all of the information campaigns, traffic signs, implementations of new laws, etc, there are still people who refuse to accept the fact that cyclists have the same rights on the road as motor vehicles, and there are still people who refuse to accept the fact that cyclists MUST obey the same laws as those motor vehicles.
Most of the angst from drivers is that cyclists are too aggressive. Most of the angst from cyclists is that drivers are too ignorant. The municipal governments can make as many laws as they wish, but without adequate enforcement, the bad habits by cyclists and drivers will continue. Having said that, even IF adequate law enforcement was available, officials cannot be on every road at every hour of every day. So it is up to the individuals to make the changes for the better. But we all know that leaving people to their own devices doesn't guarantee that they will act in a proper or courteous manner. That is just human nature.
Until drivers fully accept cyclists as users of "their" roadways, and until cyclists accept the fact that they are vehicles, the battle will continue. But in the war that is car-vs-bicycle, a 3000 pound car will win every time. So in the interest of self-preservation, cyclists need to be careful and defensive while out there on the road. You can't control what drivers will do. Even if you think you're in the right, you won't care if you're dead.
