I just heard a public service announcement instructing automobile drivers to share the road with bicycles. Putting aside the issue of whether or not bikes on roads are a good or bad thing,
(I say bad; lots of people on this NG say good. You're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. Now that that's behind us...)
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
Um, waitaminute...to be a motorist, don't you have to be driving something with a motor?
I just heard a public service announcement instructing automobile drivers to share the road with bicycles. Putting aside the issue of whether or not bikes on roads are a good or bad thing,
(I say bad; lots of people on this NG say good. You're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. Now that that's behind us...)
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
You probably misheard. The laws typically say that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as the operators of vehicles. Usually drivers of motor vehicles have *additional* responsibilities (e.g. registration, licensing, and insurance requirements.).
It's in the vehicle code in California, and also in the driver's handbook the DMV hands out to prepare for a written test. You are expected to know this stuff.
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
=v= So some announcer fumbled. Who the f2k cares? Ditto for pointless flames about whether bicycles are vehicles. Life's too short for this kind of blather. <_Jym_
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
=v= So some announcer fumbled. Who the f2k cares? Ditto for pointless flames about whether bicycles are vehicles. Life's too short for this kind of blather.
Well, they're certainly vehicles...heck, a skateboard is a vehicle. I don't think you could charactarize it as a fumble, though, given that it was pre-recorded; he was obviously reading from a script.
I just thought it strange to charactarize a bike rider as a motorist, that's all.
I just heard a public service announcement instructing automobile drivers to share the road with bicycles. Putting aside the issue of whether or not bikes on roads are a good or bad thing,
(I say bad; lots of people on this NG say good. You're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. Now that that's behind us...)
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
You probably misheard. The laws typically say that bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as the operators of vehicles. Usually drivers of motor vehicles have *additional* responsibilities (e.g. registration, licensing, and insurance requirements.).
I'm pretty sure I didn't mishear; it was the hearing the term, "motorist" that made me think, "Waitaminute..."
Quoted message said:
It's in the vehicle code in California, and also in the driver's handbook the DMV hands out to prepare for a written test. You are expected to know this stuff.
I just looked at the Colorado driver's handbook; it says that a "Share the Road" attitude is the best policy, but doesn't go into much detail, other than to "expect sudden and unexpected moves from them" (cyclists).
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
=v= So some announcer fumbled. Who the f2k cares? Ditto for pointless flames about whether bicycles are vehicles. Life's too short for this kind of blather.
Well, they're certainly vehicles...heck, a skateboard is a vehicle. I don't think you could charactarize it as a fumble, though, given that it was pre-recorded; he was obviously reading from a script.
Not in California: a vehicle is by definition some contraption that is not human powered A horse being ridden also qualifies as a vehicle. A skateboard or bicycle does not. The difference, BTW, is a technical one due to the rule giving bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers,
You can look it up in the CVC, which is available on a web page.
I just heard a public service announcement instructing automobile drivers to share the road with bicycles. Putting aside the issue of whether or not bikes on roads are a good or bad thing,
(I say bad; lots of people on this NG say good. You're not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. Now that that's behind us...)
the announcer said (quoting from memory) "Bicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilites as other motorists".
Um, waitaminute...to be a motorist, don't you have to be driving something with a motor?
Doug
In many states bicycles are classifies as vehicles. In most states diving a motor vehicle on public roads is a privilege, while riding a bicycle is a right. Best thing is to check your State's DOT website for clarification of the law. Motorists get touchy when they are told they don't have the "right" to operate a motor vehicle on public roads but the "privilege".
I just looked at the Colorado driver's handbook; it says that a "Share the Road" attitude is the best policy, but doesn't go into much detail, other than to "expect sudden and unexpected moves from them" (cyclists).
According to the Colorado legislature's web page, Colorado statute 42-4-1412(1) says:
(1) Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and, when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.
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