Do bicycle club riding groups stop at all stop signs?

[Talk Host]

They have posted here many times that they obey all traffic rules and have safety meetings.

Does that include stopping at all stop signs?

[Talk Host]

bump. Still no answer.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

TH I am in complete agreement with you. They DO NOT STOP.

[Pturner]

TH, I think you'd have better luck asking for songs with bicycle in the title. :crap2:

[Taltarzac]

...usually stop at the main thoroughfares like Morse and CR466 but sometimes go through the traffic circles in a group without really yielding.

[Talk Host]

...usually stop at the main thoroughfares like Morse and CR466 but sometimes go through the traffic circles in a group without really yielding.

They stop at main thoroughfares, but other stop signs are invisible I guess.

[Peggy D]

They stop at main thoroughfares, but other stop signs are invisible I guess.

They must be the same ones who don't stop for STOP signs in their autos or
golf carts. I've seen alot of that down here.

[getdul981]

I don't think red lights apply to bicyclists either. I've seen them actually come to a stop and if nothing is coming, they just pedal on across the intersection.

[GMONEY]

They must be the same ones who don't stop for STOP signs in their autos or
golf carts. I've seen alot of that down here.

Could not agree more... But Tried something out this weekend... 10 of us riding Sunday, came to a stop sign. we each stopped as if we were in seperate cars. man in the car behind us, told us to all go thru together we are holding up traffic. Imagine that..

[getdul981]

That just goes to show, you can't make everybody happy no matter what you do.

[Talk Host]

I find it interesting that not even the first bicycle in the group stops usually. I could understand if the whole group stopped then when traffic is clear, the whole group goes, but that's not the case as I have seen.

I also know that many cars don't stop either. But they don't profess to have safety meetings.

Please understand, I have nothing against bicycle clubs. I'm positive that the people are wonderful people. They just need to start setting an example by obeying ALL traffic laws.

[GMONEY]

All drivers of all vehichles regaurdless if Bike Or car or mini bike should be aware of safety. Do not have to be a Bike club to cover safety. I have stopped at redlites sometimes and when no traffic is coming in either direction go ahead and move. simply to get away from the vehicle traffic at the intersection. Dont do it all the time. I just wish I could sit here and type in all the issues I have run into crossing intersections, espically 466 off of Morse and Buena Vista. But that is not called for. As I have said before, I see more issues with the cart traffic than I do cyclist. When I see one on the road and I am in my car, I give the room they need. I dont know how many times car pull up beside me and tell me " Get off the road, you dont belong here" or " Your in my way at a red lite". There are more and MORE cyclist on the road espically here in the lovely Villages. that is how it should be. Everyone should be enjoying the area and life. Not becoming the Grinch because a cyclist is on the road. Alot more to worry about, Like The oil in the Gulf, The Stock Markets, Starbucks closing down and on..

[SABRMnLgs]

I have found it very strange to accept the way supposedly adult people ride a bicycle here. They put a funny hat on their head so that they won't get hurt while going up against a 3000 to 5000 car or truck. And a bright short sleeve shirt and and shorts so that when they go flying off their bicycle, theyll look good in the air.
Maybe I'm, old fashioned but when I was a kid, I never wore any kind of funny hat, we absoultely positively stayed on the sidewalk (guess what, no cars there) and when we came to an intersection, we stopped, got off our bikes and walked them across the intersection.
Followed these rules to this day, never had a funny hat or Bozo clothing and never ever ride in the street. And got a real bicycle (Schwin) not one of these things with skinny tires and a seat about six inches wide. UGH!!!

[Ooper]

I pulled up behind a "pack" of riders the other day at a gate... must have been 15 or 20 of them. I have to admit, they did stop for a second at the light outside the gate. BUT... they wove in and about the cars that were already waiting for the light to change and they took up both lanes. That means that drivers in the right lane that wanted to turn right, could not because both lanes were congested with bikes, even though they were all turning left. I guess they figure there is safety in numbers when they wear their little fancy spandex outfits! Why do they feel that when they are in a "pack", they are priviledged?

[Pturner]

Go ahead. Diss bicyclists for wearing safety helmets and comfortable cycling clothes. But don't come crying to me when they take revenge and start peeing on your yard.

[Peggy D]

Could not agree more... But Tried something out this weekend... 10 of us riding Sunday, came to a stop sign. we each stopped as if we were in seperate cars. man in the car behind us, told us to all go thru together we are holding up traffic. Imagine that..

Saw this happen at the new 4-Way STOP sign on DelMar outside the SS gate.
Car was behind a car that stopped. Guess they considered they had stopped
already once, and actualy ran the sign!!

As for the cycles, it erks me to see them ride 2 and 3 abreast down Morse and Buena Vista--or anywhere else for that matter. But I am happy to see them wearing bike helmets

[GMONEY]

I have found it very strange to accept the way supposedly adult people ride a bicycle here. They put a funny hat on their head so that they won't get hurt while going up against a 3000 to 5000 car or truck. And a bright short sleeve shirt and and shorts so that when they go flying off their bicycle, theyll look good in the air.
Maybe I'm, old fashioned but when I was a kid, I never wore any kind of funny hat, we absoultely positively stayed on the sidewalk (guess what, no cars there) and when we came to an intersection, we stopped, got off our bikes and walked them across the intersection.
Followed these rules to this day, never had a funny hat or Bozo clothing and never ever ride in the street. And got a real bicycle (Schwin) not one of these things with skinny tires and a seat about six inches wide. UGH!!!

Helment is not to just protect from a car, it is mainly to protect from falling and hitting your head at any point. The clothing is to keep cool while riding, if you tried doing something that might cause you to work up a sweat you would understand, and the bright jerseys are for visibility for some people that are blind. Yep you might be old fashioned, because back in the day The Villages wasnt here, and you could ride down the road or the sidewalk with out fear. but I have seen cars trying to drive on the cart paths, even trying to drive under the tunnel at cr-101 and 466. So you might dig alittle deeper.. Or get out and realize this is not Mayberry RFD there Barney.

[Talk Host]

I think is is not legal to ride bikes on the sidewalk in most places.

[ohiogolf]

Sometimes the postings on this board scare me. Please, as an avid cyclist who loves cycling in the Villages, I get madder than you when I am stopped at a red light and a cyclist rides past me through the red light. I get mad because I know that I am abiding by the law and that a cyclist like that peeves the car drivers at the light and that they may take their anger out at me. I also get mad when I am in a traffic circle with the legal right of way and a car enters and almost kills me. But I do not condemn all car drivers.

BUT, to chastise bikers because they wear protective helmets (I personally know riders whose helmets saved their lives when they fell) or for wearing high visibility clothing is plain hateful and stupid (or jealousy). Also, on those spandex shorts...those are worn for comfort on the bike seat and contain chamois padding that makes all the difference in the world to the man region. Try hopping on a bike for exercise and you would understand.

TV is suppose to be a great place for all folks to enjoy all forms of recreation and entertainment. Let's settle down on this one. If this is a safety on the road discussion, let's have at it.

[Ooper]

I thiink this post is entirely about safety... both for the bikers and the motorists. It seems that when bikers form packs, they take on another persona. Another example... I was in the roundabout near the Savannah Center when a pack of riders was entering the circle ahead of me. There was plenty of time for the first few riders to enter, but the pack was so huge, half of them still were approaching the circle when I got to their entry point. I had to come almost to a complete stop or I would have hit many of them had I not. The end of the pack not only didn't slow down, it seems like they sped up to stay together. I couldn't believe it! What makes them so special that they don't have to yield and follow local traffic laws. When there is only 1 or 2 bikers, they seem to follow the laws and are very considerate and safe. I have no problem when bikers follow the rules, Mrs. Ooper and I also have bikes and helmets. It is just when they form packs and become "entitled" is what I have a problem with. Now I realize some motorists run yield signs also. I have the same disregard for them. But bikers are so much more vulnerable, they should be on the defensive all the time, or as one poster mentioned, when they come up against a 2k or 3k pound vehicle, there will be no contest who will lose.

[Talk Host]

My original post still has not been answered by anybody involved in organized bike clubs. Do bike groups stop at stop signs, if not why not?

JLK

[Taltarzac]

My original post still has not been answered by anybody involved in organized bike clubs. Do bike groups stop at stop signs, if not why not?

JLK

It is part of the "Rules of the Road" section for the Florida Bicycle Association. They assert that they have the rights of any other vehicle out on the road. It also sounds like a group of cyclists is seen as a single vehicle.

"The bicycle driver, or group of cyclists, has the right of 'first come, first served' and the full use of lane. Motorists wishing to pass, must yield and wait until is is safe to do so."

and


"Competent cyclsts 'ride big.' They ride several feet from the edge of the road to increase their visibility to other drivers, give themselves operating room and discourage motorists from trying to squeeze past them in narrow lanes."









http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/motorist.html

[Ooper]

This also:
Should a traffic signal change from green to yellow, a group’s lead rider should alert all other riders and come to a stop (if there is time to do so safely). Only if riders cannot safely stop should they proceed through a yellow light. The lead rider(s) should wait for others in the group to catch up once the light turns green again.

From the same organization: http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/groups.html

[Talk Host]

. It also sounds like a group of cyclists is seen as single vehicle.


They are not a single vehicle unless they are tied together. No more than a group of cars or motorcycles.

[GMONEY]

evidently you cant please all.. Just becareful when on the roads and remember, share the road...

[Pturner]

They are not a single vehicle unless they are tied together. No more than a group of cars or motorcycles.

TH, are you sure the safety rules don't treat a group of bicycles as a single vehicle through an intersection?

My guess is that having them go through the intersection together instead of one at a time substantially improves intersection safety and traffic flow. This opposite would be true for cars and motorcycles-- although exceptions are made for motorcades.

Would you want to diminish the safety of all motorists and impede traffic flow by having individual bicycles in a group go through intersections one at a time?

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I prefer riding in my underwear wearing a cowboy hat and drinking a cocktail while I pedal.:1rotfl:.....and I don't worry about them silly stopsigns or traffic!!



Did I mention I have a stationary excercise bike in my courtyard....:a040:

[Taj44]

TH, are you sure the safety rules don't treat a group of bicycles as a single vehicle through an intersection?

My guess is that having them go through the intersection together instead of one at a time substantially improves intersection safety and traffic flow. This opposite would be true for cars and motorcycles-- although exceptions are made for motorcades.

Would you want to diminish the safety of all motorists and impede traffic flow by having a bicycle group go through intersections one at a time?

I agree completely. Also, there was a blurb somewhere on the Florida DOT webpage about a bicycle group being treated as one when out on the road.

[Talk Host]

I agree completely. Also, there was a blurb somewhere on the Florida DOT webpage about a bicycle group being treated as one when out on the road.

Let's assume that they are treated as one vehicle. Does the first bike stop at all stop signs. I don't think so. If they are all one vehicle, then they must all stop at one time and proceed safely as one. They can't just whizz through traffic control devices.

[Pturner]

I prefer riding in my underwear wearing a cowboy hat and drinking a cocktail while I pedal.:1rotfl:.....and I don't worry about them silly stopsigns or traffic!!



Did I mention I have a stationary excercise bike in my courtyard....:a040:

Um, I'm glad you mentioned it.

[Ooper]

Let's assume that they are treated as one vehicle. Does the first bike stop at all stop signs. I don't think so. If they are all one vehicle, then they must all stop at one time and proceed safely as one. They can't just whizz through traffic control devices.

If they are to be treated as one vehicle, why does the Florida Bicycle Association mandate that the leaders wait for the rest of the group if the group gets split with the leaders going thru first. But, picture this, you are in a traffic circle, a large group of riders are entering the circle ahead of you. Do you stop in the traffic circle to allow them passage, no matter how long it takes... or should they break their pack and yield to you?

[Talk Host]

If they are to be treated as one vehicle, why does the Florida Bicycle Association mandate that the leaders wait for the rest of the group if the group gets split with the leaders going thru first. But, picture this, you are in a traffic circle, a large group of riders are entering the circle ahead of you. Do you stop in the traffic circle to allow them passage, no matter how long it takes... or should they break their pack and yield to you?

Very good point. The same goes for turning right on red. It could well be safe for the first bike to turn right on red, but the 30th bike could well bollix up normal traffic.

JLK

[mulligan]

Might be interesting to see what the Florida Statutes say.

[GMONEY]

http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/bikelaw.html

http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/motorist.html

http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/groups.html

[bkcunningham1]

The Florida Bicycle Association is an advocacy group. Their site provides quotes from Florida statutes and laws regarding bicycles riders and then gives the groups' interpretations of the laws.
Here's an example from the advocacy group's website: "State Law says you must ride as far to the right as practicable. It does NOT say as far to the right as possible. Practicable means capable of being done within the means and circumstances present.

"A cyclist should maintain no less than 2 feet of clearance from the edge of usable pavement to have room to maneuver around obstructions and to be more visible to crossing traffic. (NOTE: useable pavement does not include the gutter pan or any area frequently obstructed by debris or other hazards.)"

There are many other examples on the site of the groups' interpretations of state law, like, " 'Impeding traffic' is not defined in the law, but reducing a motorist's speed for a few seconds until it is safe to pass does not constitute an impediment or an obstruction."


I don't know why that bothers me for some reason. Maybe it's the part of their website called Bicycle Crashes—Know How to Protect Your Rights written by a Jacksonville attoney with information about how to contact him. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I just like to know who I'm getting information from.


http://www.floridabicycle.org/victimservices/crashrecovery.html





http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/bikelaw.html

[TrudyM]

IF they go by the guidelines put forth by the florida association, it seems that the leader has the duty to stop at all traffic stops and then wait for the rest of the group when clear. I asked a friend who rides with a group here, and he said if they have more than 8 they have a leader for each 8 people so they are split at intersections and allow cars to pass. I don't think it is a WA law but that seems to be what they do, WA law does prohibit more than two abreast. In addition each town has their own rules. (IE some routes are prohibited from bike traffic, with alternate routes noted on signs)
I live on a popular bike route. It is senic and winds and getting from my house to the store or freeway can take forever, I just have to factor in extra time, especially when the sun shines. Have narrowly avoided a head on colision when people loosing their patience have passed on a curve and ended up in my lane many times. Not the bikers fault but a real problem.
I hit the link above and found the following for FLorida,
Local Ordinances
The local governments of counties, cities, towns, and other municipalities can adopt ordinances regulating bicycle riding. Some towns may also have registration and licensing ordinances.
The villages could inact it's own. However because it is in three counties and not incorporated I don't know how that would be accomplished.

[blueeagle65]

From my observations, bicycle riders want all the rights of being a vehicle without being obligated to follow traffic laws. I have yet to see one stop at a STOP sign in or around TV. They will stop at lights if there is traffic in their way. This is even worse when there is a pack of them riding about.