REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

MindBomber · 08-31-2011, 12:09 PM

Insuring and licensing cyclists is an impractical and illogical idea, because distinguishing between the commuter cyclists on busy streets and the 5 year old learning to ride in a cul-de-sec is impossible. Cycling really isn't that difficult, the few hand singles you need to know anyone with a drivers license should already have been tested on and I have met very few adults who don't have a DL. Cyclists do their own thing, because they get treated like shit by everyone else on the road and although they are road users police never issue them tickets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme S

there are a lot of logistical problems for bikeists and drivers; speed differentials, amounts of space, etc etc etc.

What it all boils down to is that as bicyclists increase, we need to find ways of giving them better educations and ensuring that they know and acknowledge the rules of the road. We license our dogs, why not our bikes? $40/yr licensing fee gets you a plate or a tag or whatever that gets mounted to your bike. If it's attached with some kind of metal zap strap or bolt it means it'll also function as a way of tracking your bike if it's stolen (something any bikeist would approve of). When you get your license the first time, you need to pass a test for things like signals, rules and responsibilities and the like, just like getting a driver's license.

When I was a kid, I got a kind of bikeist class in school. Now, the community centers don't have enough money for that kind of stuff, and kids aren't learning what their responsibilities and duties are as cyclists. A former coworker of mine once said she was going to buy a bike so that she could try biking downtown. I asked her if she knew the rules and signals, if she had a helmet, all that jazz. Her reply "No, it's ok, I don't need that, I mean there's a bike path, right? So it's fine!"

I asked her what she'd do if she wanted to go to a restaurant four blocks off the path, if someone suggested going somewhere else, what she'd do if she'd get lost.

Some people get caught up in the bikeistismnessness. The rest of us have to deal with them.

Phil@rise · 08-31-2011, 03:24 PM

Cyclists weave through traffic cus its quicker and more efficient for them to do so. The alternative more street closures and more bike lanes is that what you whiners want?
Buncha whiners

firebird79_00 · 08-31-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil@rise

Cyclists weave through traffic cus its quicker and more efficient for them to do so. The alternative more street closures and more bike lanes is that what you whiners want?
Buncha whiners

I dont give a flying $%#* if its quicker for them and more efficent, you want to be treated like a vehicle you wait the f back for your turn to go. The alternative can be no bikes all together, you think of that? Probably not seeing as you are a cyclist. They get away with everything. Lets say im a bicyclist and your taking a right turn, i run into your car but i still manage to sue you and win, plus you get to pay $300 deductible to get the damage fixed. Jesus Christ its like im talking to a bunch of 5 year olds

Simnut · 09-01-2011, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindBomber

Insuring and licensing cyclists is an impractical and illogical idea, because distinguishing between the commuter cyclists on busy streets and the 5 year old learning to ride in a cul-de-sec is impossible. Cycling really isn't that difficult, the few hand singles you need to know anyone with a drivers license should already have been tested on and I have met very few adults who don't have a DL. Cyclists do their own thing, because they get treated like shit by everyone else on the road and although they are road users police never issue them tickets.

BUT....you DO need to know more than just a few hand signals! You need to know the rules of the road as you are considered a "vehicle"...AND....are to follow the rules of the road!!!! So, riding a bike is a big responsibility! I agree....many of the adults riding bikes SHOULD have a drivers license and KNOW the "rules", but many think that they (because they are just riding a bike) don't need to follow them.

Try drive a transit bus in Victoria and not get frustrated at them!! I've had my signal out to pull into a stop and have them PASS me on the right hand side!! Number one rule in transit driving....keep an eye on your right hand mirror for "silly(to put it politely)" cyclists!

wing_woo · 09-01-2011, 08:23 AM

I hate cyclists that wait at a light beside you on the right. I have my right turn signal on and they put their bike on the very corner in front of me or they are right beside me so they can put their hand on the lamp post so they don't need to put their foot down. Well, that totally blocks me from my right turn or at least in some cases if they are behind, I have to wait for them to pass me when the light turns green before I can turn.

twixxer · 09-01-2011, 08:35 AM

lol we can complain all we want, the city/province want more bikes on the road and less cars on the road get used to it, adapt, blind spot check and try to keep your cool, as we will all have to share the road.

gdoh · 09-01-2011, 08:39 AM

2600 pounds vs 180 pounds lets see who wins

wing_woo · 09-01-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twixxer

lol we can complain all we want, the city/province want more bikes on the road and less cars on the road get used to it, adapt, blind spot check and try to keep your cool, as we will all have to share the road.

Yeah, I agree. However, as stated in a few post before by me, I find it really annoying when they decide to ride on the road instead of their bike lane. That's the most irritating thing, especially when the bike lane was right beside the road he was on, but he rather ride on the road.

The right turn thing I complained about isn't too big a deal as I've learned to deal with it and just check before turning.

wstce92 · 09-01-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindBomber

Insuring and licensing cyclists is an impractical and illogical idea, because distinguishing between the commuter cyclists on busy streets and the 5 year old learning to ride in a cul-de-sec is impossible. Cycling really isn't that difficult, the few hand singles you need to know anyone with a drivers license should already have been tested on and I have met very few adults who don't have a DL. Cyclists do their own thing, because they get treated like shit by everyone else on the road and although they are road users police never issue them tickets.

How would it be difficult to license/insure cyclists?
Parks and residential streets are exempt; that's it.
Cycle downtown? license and insurance.
Cycle basically anywhere with street lights? license and insurance.

Licensing for cycling, should basically be the same test as licensing for motorcycles.

Jermyzy · 09-01-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstce92

Licensing for cycling, should basically be the same test as licensing for motorcycles.

Um...okay...so you want people to go on a bicycle do the same MST parking lot test for motorcycles? Make them weave through cones, do a tight U-turn, and test emergency braking? Then you want them onto the road/highway for a motorcycle road test???!!!

firebird79_00 · 09-01-2011, 04:35 PM

Heres another thing i dont get, how do cyclists get away with Talking on there phone and Driving? Im not saying everyone has stopped talking and driving but when a cyclist rolls by a cop car on a phone and the cop doesnt do anything.....then wtf!

ninjatune · 09-01-2011, 06:54 PM

^Simply put, the officer probably has better things to do at the time. Much like 99% of jaywalkers arent stopped and issued VT's. If a cyclist was riding on the street and talking on a phone he could be issued a ticket, however most of the time it's not in the public's interest.

firebird79_00 · 09-01-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjatune

^Simply put, the officer probably has better things to do at the time. Much like 99% of jaywalkers arent stopped and issued VT's. If a cyclist was riding on the street and talking on a phone he could be issued a ticket, however most of the time it's not in the public's interest.

But thats exactly my point, they needed to be treated as a vehicle seeing as thats what they want.....but they have to many loopholes that theyre constantly getting away with and thats why no one respects them on the road.

Oleophobic · 09-02-2011, 07:38 AM

I know some crossings allow cyclists to ride their bikes instead of getting off and walking their bikes across. The crossing by Rupert SkyTrain for instance is a shared crossing between bikes and pedestrians so that is why you see cyclists riding across it all the time.

MindBomber · 09-02-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstce92

How would it be difficult to license/insure cyclists?
Parks and residential streets are exempt; that's it.
Cycle downtown? license and insurance.
Cycle basically anywhere with street lights? license and insurance.

Licensing for cycling, should basically be the same test as licensing for motorcycles.

oh ok, that makes complete sense.

I'm sure parents won't be opposed to the idea their 8 year old needs a license and insurance to pedal a bicycle to school.

firebird79_00 · 09-05-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindBomber

oh ok, that makes complete sense.

I'm sure parents won't be opposed to the idea their 8 year old needs a license and insurance to pedal a bicycle to school.

I like the idea of having to pay insurance and licenses for bicyclists but is not practical. Its hard to draw the line between learning to ride a bike and getting a license etc....