Cycling Law

Just my humble opinion, but let me vent about the law and bicycles.

The rules are seldom made with the best interest of bicyclists (or pedestrians) in mind. Roads, intersections, and signals are seldom made with the best interest of bicyclists in mind. All that is fine - bicyclists are decidedly the minority users of the roads, intersections, and signals. But when I come to any interaction with the above and have to decide what is best for everyone, or what is legal...I go with what is best. If I have to choose between what is safe, or what is legal, I choose safe. This is typically called "civil disobedience" and is embraced in this country as a real solution to social issues, most especially for minority users. The fundamentals of this are 1) do no harm to others, and 2) take the punishment if you have to. It's called the moral high ground :)

Bicycles are not cars - it is retarded to think the same set of laws is reasonable for both. If I'm passing anything at 40+ mph, 3 feet is a good safe distance. However, do you need 3 feet to safely get around something on your bike? I doubt it. Most cars "roll" through stop signs, but their relative reduction in speed from 25+ mph down to 2-3 mph appears to be a stop, even feels like a stop to most drivers. But does a bike need to reduce it's speed 10x (let alone actually stop) to see that an intersection is clear? Very seldom. Those are just a couple examples of the greater point: Pedestrians are not cars. Bicyclists are not cars. We share some space, and the better we get along the safer for all. But the current legal method of throwing us all into the same can of laws and saying "you're equal" is total BS at every level, and when laws are BS, push back and try to improve things.

And I really believe things ARE improving - bike lanes as part of new construction, 3-foot passing zones etc. are now part of our legal vocab. But just because the local copper nicked you this time doesn't mean you did anything "wrong." Part of civil disobedience is making
police and lawmakers aware that there are poorly written, or even bad, laws on a topic. Then we as an organized group work with the system to make things better.

If you get busted, don't get mad but instead explain your position to the officer involved. You probably still get the ticket, but maybe over time the logic of your and others actions will take hold in their mind. By being respectful of the law at the same time as explaining where the law could use some buffing-up you will at least have his attention. Ask the officer to chalk it up as reasonable and calculated "disobedient" behavior, not impatience or recklessness or disregard for authority, and you might make a difference for the next person. That is how it works, and is the foundation of the "acting locally" slogan so many of us embrace.

Anyway, keep up the good political work and - and remember to stay safe.