"If there weren't cars, we wouldn't need stop signs", says Andy Thornley of SF Bicycle Coalition. A recent article on MSN Slate discussed current bicycle laws and how in DC right now there seems to be a trend of stricter enforcement meaning people are actually receiving tickets. Yikes!
There seems to be two groups of thought here, the "vehicularists" and "facilitators." Proponents of "vehicular cycling" believe bikes should act as cars: occupy full lanes, stop at red lights, use a hand signal at least 100 feet ahead of a turn. Facilitators, meanwhile, say we should change the laws and the environment to recognize the innate differences between bikes and cars basically meaning adding more bike lanes and trails.
Safety is always the number one priority for both and how we get there I hope does not distract from the combined advocacy that these groups bring. I want more trails and also to be able to ride on the road but I know I must follow those laws as well. Here is the full article for your interest and let us know what you think.
http://www.slate.com/id/2232555/pagenum/all/#p2
Keeping it bent,
Michael
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