people on bikes

[xiggi]

Roads are paid for by taxes. Taxes such as license plates, excise taxes on trucks and truck equipment. They are paid for by a tax on fuel. Bicycles pay NONE of those taxes. No pay, no play. Easy fix. Tax bicycles and equipment and us THAT money to pay for safe, usable bike trails. Otherwise, stay off the road.

Darn no more cross walks for pedestrians. The idea of only bike paths is crazy what your saying is bikes can only go where the paths are, if they aren't in the part of town your in or want to go to tuff luck. I guess no more public access ramps or fish and wildlife areas except those paid for with taxes derived from license and equipment sales would be in order here also.

I could agree to a tax on bikes and gear like that paid for fishing tackle etc. to go towards paths and such but to say that is the only place one could ride is a little far fetched.

 

[xiggi]

The thing that still freaks me out is where people ride bikes on the Interstate, especially at night (don't know if at night is really legal but have seen it too much)

Some strechs in western states are the only ones legal to ride a bike on an interstate. Not sure how often you see this but in my entire life I have probably only seen bikes on interstates 4 or 5 times.

 

[Humble2drive]

Makes complete sense to me. I see a disaster coming when people do not move over several feet when passing a bike.

Which aspect makes complete sense??

If you are saying it makes sense to leave ample room when passing a bicycle then I think we can all agree.
The problem with this law is that it requires an exact distance from a constantly moving entity. Some of these cyclist ride along the shoulder while some others ride 1 to 2 feet into the road and they all weave to some extent. It seems that most people have a problem estimating a 3 foot distance from a weaving cycle so they overcompensate by driving in the wrong lane head on to opposing traffic, thereby, breaking another law.
The 3 foot rule is a great rule of thumb for safety purposes but making it a law just seems kinda silly.

 

[layoutshooter]

Darn no more cross walks for pedestrians. The idea of only bike paths is crazy what your saying is bikes can only go where the paths are, if they aren't in the part of town your in or want to go to tuff luck. I guess no more public access ramps or fish and wildlife areas except those paid for with taxes derived from license and equipment sales would be in order here also.

I could agree to a tax on bikes and gear like that paid for fishing tackle etc. to go towards paths and such but to say that is the only place one could ride is a little far fetched.

Well, most boat ramps in Michigan ARE paid for by "special" requested taxes. There are some that are city or county owned. There are a few "private" ramps. The rest are paid for by those who use them.

If bicycles what their own "special roads" they should cover the costs.

No, it is NOT far fetched to restrict bicycles to roads that they pay for. I am restricted to roads that my personal or business vehicle pays for. NO FREE RIDES. IF bicycle riders want their own "roads" they can petition both the state and federal governments for "special taxes" to pay for them just as those of us who hunt and fish did to pay for the things that WE thought were important.

Other wise, stay off the road that that they are NOT paying for.

Cross walks are NOT roads. They CROSS roads.

 

[xiggi]

Which aspect makes complete sense??

If you are saying it makes sense to leave ample room when passing a bicycle then I think we can all agree.
The problem with this law is that it requires an exact distance from a constantly moving entity. Some of these cyclist ride along the shoulder while some others ride 1 to 2 feet into the road and they all weave to some extent. It seems that most people have a problem estimating a 3 foot distance from a weaving cycle so they overcompensate by driving in the wrong lane head on to opposing traffic, thereby, breaking another law.
The 3 foot rule is a great rule of thumb for safety purposes but making it a law just seems kinda silly.

I can see your point. I also think someone should not attempt to pass a bike until the oncoming traffic is clear so enough room can be given. I go all the way into the other lane myself. Just for full disclosure I have logged many thousands of miles on bikes so I lean towards that side.

 

[xiggi]

Well, most boat ramps in Michigan ARE paid for by "special" requested taxes. There are some that are city or county owned. There are a few "private" ramps. The rest are paid for by those who use them.

If bicycles what their own "special roads" they should cover the costs.

No, it is NOT far fetched to restrict bicycles to roads that they pay for. I am restricted to roads that my personal or business vehicle pays for. NO FREE RIDES. IF bicycle riders want their own "roads" they can petition both the state and federal governments for "special taxes" to pay for them just as those of us who hunt and fish did to pay for the things that WE thought were important.

Other wise, stay off the road that that they are NOT paying for.

Cross walks are NOT roads. They CROSS roads.

Oops sure didn't mean to like that one. Cross walks are on the road so I see no difference according to your logic they use the road so they need to pay for it. Maybe we should toll them before they cross. As you said most ramps and such are paid for by fees, certainly not all as were not all lakes and reservoirs that outdoorsmen use. I can understand some people thinking dedicated paths should be paid for by bikers, does that mean no one should be able to walk on them without being charged taxes for the pleasure. What about our parks tax dollars often pay for hiking trails should those be taxed?

To say bikes should not be on roadways with cars if not paying tax is kinda wacky in my mind.

 

[layoutshooter]

Oops sure didn't mean to like that one. Cross walks are on the road so I see no difference according to your logic they use the road so they need to pay for it. Maybe we should toll them before they cross. As you said most ramps and such are paid for by fees, certainly not all as were not all lakes and reservoirs that outdoorsmen use. I can understand some people thinking dedicated paths should be paid for by bikers, does that mean no one should be able to walk on them without being charged taxes for the pleasure. What about our parks tax dollars often pay for hiking trails should those be taxed?

To say bikes should not be on roadways with cars if not paying tax is kinda wacky in my mind.

LOL!! I kinda figured you did not like that one!!

Most are paid for by "special" taxes. I know of NO ramps in Michigan that are paid for by general funds. Don't forget that boaters can claim the "fuel taxes" that they pay on fuel for their boats. That money is then diverted to pay for ramps.

Cars, trucks and bicycles DO NOT MIX! It is DANGEROUS when they have a "bike lane" off to the right of a travel lane. I have to "Yield" to bikes that I often cannot see when making a right turn. There should NEVER be a chance for a vehicle making a right turn to cross in front of a lane that travels straight.

I pay for my travel. I pay for my ramps. I pay for my habitat restoration, improvement and conservation. I pay for every thing that I do. It SHOULD be the same for everyone.

I believe that bike "roads" are important. I used to ride before my knees gave out. I would have been MORE than happy to pay a special tax to cover my needs. When I suggested it to bike shops they looked at me like I was a 3 eyed toad.

The very idea that a bicycle is some how entitled to free passage on a motor vehicle road is wrong. Pay for play SHOULD be the rule.

It costs almost nothing to paint a cross walk. They are at intersections. NO new roads required and the do NOT defy normal travel.

 

[Slo-Ride]

I'm not against bikes at all and like everyone else, I use to ride em allot,,even on the roads, when I was taught not to play in the road, If i remember right when I was a city boy we where taught to ride on the sidewalks.
So lets assume we agree its a good idea to mix kids and traffic,
What do ya do when we come across a double yellow line no passing zone? Do ya pass or do ya hold up traffic for the next mile or so?
Is it ok for a bike to pass on the right now? And like Layout states, makes for a bad situation for traffic that is turning right when you have an active bike lane on your right.
The commuter part could be a good argument but there are so few of them they ain't worth the trouble,,let em call a cab
Like I said earlier everything has changed since we where kids including my liability,Lawyers,court systems. I think Bikes and traffic should be separated. I have to trailer my snowmobiles to a trail head and bikes should do the same or stay on the sidewalks.
Why cant I ride my skateboard in the downtown district

 

[xiggi]

I'm not against bikes at all and like everyone else, I use to ride em allot,,even on the roads, when I was taught not to play in the road, If i remember right when I was a city boy we where taught to ride on the sidewalks.
So lets assume we agree its a good idea to mix kids and traffic,
What do ya do when we come across a double yellow line no passing zone? Do ya pass or do ya hold up traffic for the next mile or so?
Is it ok for a bike to pass on the right now? And like Layout states, makes for a bad situation for traffic that is turning right when you have an active bike lane on your right.
The commuter part could be a good argument but there are so few of them they ain't worth the trouble,,let em call a cab
Like I said earlier everything has changed since we where kids including my liability,Lawyers,court systems. I think Bikes and traffic should be separated. I have to trailer my snowmobiles to a trail head and bikes should do the same or stay on the sidewalks.
Why cant I ride my skateboard in the downtown district

Trust me I have zero love for those painted bike lanes, they never really made sense to me. personally I will cross a double yellow line to go around a bike just like I will to go around a very slow moving tractor. I guess that is up to the individual.

I would like to see you on that skateboard being towed by a snowmobile.