re: Bike lane controversy on Glenmore Ave in BR

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And..... how is that specific to cyclists.

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Where exactly did I say it was specific to cyclists? I actually specifically mentioned motorists and cyclists.

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I think the stigma is attached to cyclists as a way to discredit their right to be on the road

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The stigma is attached because cyclists disproportionately blow through stop signs, cut through crosswalks, and disobey traffic laws because they don't feel like they are a real threat to public safety.....just like every motorists that speeds a little, doesn't signal, texts when driving, camps out in the passing lane, etc. They think it's a harmless action until they cause an accident.

If anyone is discrediting cyclists rights to use public streets, it's the cyclists that break the rules habitually. I'm afraid that small group rides way more often than the people who try to follow the rules.

This is not a trend specific to Baton Rouge. I have noticed this trend and the reluctance of law enforcement to ticket cyclists everywhere I've lived. It's holding back widespread acceptance of cyclists in many communities I think.

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In regards to the "they don't feel they are a real threat" comment, what do you think about that? Do you think they are the same threat? Statistically are they the same threat? Not saying they shouldn't be held accountable when they break the law. Just saying that leaning on that argument so heavily just seems like a reach. I don't think it's actually caused enough of an issue with most people. I think the issue is being caught behind slow bikes on the road and this is a way to attack cyclist for being there.

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I've been hit by a cyclist before as a pedestrian and I know it hurts like hell. I know cyclists have caused serious injuries and even fatalities by speeding through intersections.

I know bikes can cause damage to private property....potentially much more damage than what can easily be paid out of pocket- especially considering how fast some people go on their bikes.

So yeah, in addition to endangering yourself by blowing through a stop sign or using a cross walk on a bike, you are endangering pedestrians and exposing yourself to significant liabilities by breaking the law.

I'm not sure what this has to do with Glenmore.

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I just want people to admit that they are annoyed by cyclists slowing them down on the road, not really by all this other petty stuff

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You might think it's petty until you blow through a stop sign at a blind corner and risk hitting a pedestrian or motorist.

I'm sure the motorist that's texting while driving doesn't think it's a big deal either. They also probably put too much faith in their ability to avoid accidents or inflict serious injury or damage.

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not forcing bike lanes on a street where no one wants them and where they aren't needed..

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the residents are the ones who wanted the bike lane and approved it

so they kinda asked for this

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I'm not sure what this has to do with Glenmore

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It's purely about the automatic attitude towards cyclists. You've been hit by a bicycle. I've been hit by a car. I don't have it out for cars (not saying you personally have it out for cyclists). And you are right, they can cause injury and damage. So can a million other things. I'm not saying you are wrong about these things. I'm just saying that most peoples perception is not truly determined because of that. They just don't like sharing the road, so they hate cyclists. It is pertinent to this conversation in the fact that I believe a lot of opinions in this thread are built off of that, and not these other issues.

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I've been hit by a car

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I'd think that as a cyclist that has been hit by a car, you'd actually value traffic laws that are designed to keep you safe....like stop signs, for instance.

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the residents are the ones who wanted the bike lane and approved it

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...a lane that you admit that isn't needed. It's removal wouldn't make the street unusable or even atypical for cyclists.

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It's removal wouldn't make the street unusable or even atypical for cyclists.

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right

not the point though

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It is pertinent to this conversation in the fact that I believe a lot of opinions in this thread are built off of that, and not these other issues

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It's like the "people who drive [MAKE/MODEL] cars are assholes behind the wheel" meme. It's a common stereotype because of a shite load of independent anecdotal observations.

Same with the stereotypes about bicycles. Cyclists have a bad reputation for following traffic laws for a reason.

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Does it make me a bad person that at this point, I'm pulling for whatever resolution pisses both sides off?

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i dont think so. im kinda hoping for the same thing. both sides are acting childish but the "cyclist" certainly are winning the a-hole race

I didn't get hit by a car on a bicycle. But even so, I was following all laws. Car ran the red light. I'm merely stating that I'm not building an opinion of all drivers off of that incident. I have an extreme aversion to busy roads due to that incident. I fully understand that it's risky being on the road with a car, so I stay in areas I feel are safe. But with that experience and understanding of the deadly consequences, I don't think the rolling through a stop sign is as big of a deal as people make it.

You ever cross the road when the crosswalk sign still has the red hand up? You have time to see that no cars are coming and you make the decision to go. I think it should be considered on that level more than the way it is sometimes treated.