As a frustrated cyclist, by both cars and other bikers, I have to say I only agree with certain aspects of this piece. In my opinion drivers should not receive any karma points. I ride north on Park Ave to work and south on Portland home and can't even count the times I've been inches away from being hit by cars. Whether it's a driver lazily sliding into the bike lane, a car turning onto Portland not noticing little me biking by, or a parked car passenger door flying open right in front of me I have had too many close calls simply because people don't pay attention. I've also experienced the purposeful harrassment from drivers; food being thrown at me while biking, being yelled at and being sped past and cut-off. I bike according to traffic laws. I stop at stop signs, signal my turns and where legal lights at night but yet still feel unsafe on the road because of cars. What I do agree with is that there are an overwhelming number of cyclists on the streets who don't bike according to traffic laws; those that ride the wrong way, speed through traffic lights...simply acting as if invinsible. I always say something (attempting to sound concerned rather then irratated). Anyways, my point is that not all cyclists bike irresponsibly so please don't disregard all street bikers as unlawful punks.

While it is fact that gas prices are going to entice and force more cyclists onto the road, it appears that one thing is missing from all of this: Common Sense. If you willingly choose to ride a bike on city streets with cars you are putting yourself at great risk. The majority of drivers are barely aware of other cars. Cyclists can complain all they want, but it won't change the driving habits and human nature of hurried/drunk/stoned/old/pissed/innatentive drivers from making the roads dangerous. It defies common sense. I can hear the angry key clacking from the MPLS and saint paul coffee houses now! responses from the cycling community will only have one defense. Drivers need to learn to share the road and humanity is NOT capable of that.

Who wrote this? This is crap. My butt could write a better piece of bicycle traffic. Oh wait, my butt just picked up a pencil. It's starting to write a better article than this.

I hate to admit it Commonsense but there's a lot of truth to your post. I'm a cyclist and a pedestrian. You can't fight "hurried/drunk/stoned/old/pissed/innatentive" drivers. I'm a Mpls resident living near SE 18th Ave & Como where there was a well-marked pedestrian crossing. There's a busy grocery store/deli/laundromat on the corner as well as an elementary school one half block away. I guess motorists don't know it's state law to stop. In the 8 years I've been crossing there every car but a few has blasted through without ever slowing down. I don't know for sure why but this summer the city of Mpls removed the ped crossing signs. Apparently it was easier to discourage pedestrians than convince stupid drivers to stop.

I have ridden over 198,000 miles in the last 25 years, and I, too, despise the rude behavior of some bicyclists. However, put their transgressions into perspective. They are not contributing to traffic congestion (you know, that parking lot we call an interstate), and they don't fund OPEC/terrorism. More cars exceed the speed limit (with greater tragic consequences) than bicycles blowing through stop signs and stop lights. Motorists detest the lack of regulation, but the cops have better things to do. I set a good example, and when I see some kid blow through I stop sign, I don't lecture them anymore; I just overtake them. Riding by the rules, and making complete stops, requires more torque. Not all bicyclists are scofflaws.

I can't number the times I've nearly hit a biker blowing straight through a red in the right-turn lane. Idiots. Ditto on those going the wrong way down a one-way.

Two things that would make bike traffic on thoroughfares safer:
1) Just like any other vehicle on the road, riding a bike should require a license. One you need to pass a test in order to obtain.
2) Just like any other vehicle on the road, riding a bike should require insurance.

Audrey C-

I always knew I'd get one-upped by an ass...

Brad:

The League of American Bicyclists Effective Cycling courses actually advocate that bicycles fare best when they behave as, and are treated as, vehicles. Minnesota law recognizes cyclists as vehicles, as well.

Applying common standards of traffic behavior actually works very well for bicycles: slowest traffic travels in the right-most lane leading to destination. Obey signals and signs. Don't pass on the right. Don't cut people off.

There are a couple of challenges to people actually embracing this philosophy. Some people are so terrified of BEING ON THE ROAD ZOMG that they sidewalk surf or will only use trails (which, truth be told, have higher incidences of accidents). Others, even if they're trying to use bicycles to commute, still get trapped in a pedestrian mentality ('they have to yield to me'). And then there are always boh those cyclists and drivers who still view bicycles as a toy.

I'm a little sick of this debate. As the NY Times pointed out, much of the tension is due to inexperienced bicyclists fleeing rising gas prices (much like the inexperienced bikers you see at the U). I posted a hopefully informative explanation of different bikers for you at http://rhubarbarism.com/2008/08/heterogeneous-bike-threat-response-to.html

This article is downright irresponsible.

"Many riders take the streets with little thought. One can see this on a daily basis downtown, where riders regularly ride their bikes the wrong direction on a one-way bike lane. It makes for uneasy passes and near collisions."

So can I name off moving violations I see from drivers and call drivers irresponsible, and then give away "karma points" to bikers?

I bike to work and can tell you that you feel invisible, and intimidated. I have had things thrown at me, and countless things yelled at me, so please don't tell me that "it seems like drivers do a fairly good job of being aware and not harassing bicycles."

On the other hand, I've seen several cyclists berate motorists for not using turn signals (which is frustrating no matter who you are) and yell at skateboarders for riding on the sidewalk. Then I've seen cyclists blow through stop signs and red lights. I wish I could put billboards above all the major highways and in the city to remind people that driving is cooperative, not competitive and that shitty behavior on the part of one cyclist/motorist, do not represent the whole.

I might also remind people that they only have the right of way IN the crosswalk WHEN it says Walk. Fuck you lady who gave me the finger as she molassessed across Franklin.

The author clearly does not ride a bike! I love the self-congratulatory tone. I don't know how that view is from your car window, but I ride my bike to work every day and I can tell you MN drivers are certainly not winning any karma points on my route. Bicycles are vehicles. That means we are entitled to a full lane. Yep. A full lane. So if we are on the side of the road, it's a COURTESY to give drivers some space in our lane. Trust me, when I need to move over to the left lane to turn left, I see none of this politeness you claim the MN drivers are filled with. I get drivers pretending to sideswipe me, yelling at me to get on the sidewalk, yelling at me that I should follow the rules of the road (which I am), honking...I could go on forever. I'm glad that many drivers are, in fact, very courteous. And certainly, cyclists need to learn to ride better.

But all the bitching about cyclists running stop signs...as long as they make sure there is no cross traffic, why do you care?

Also, in downtown Minneapolis, they have rerouted cars in the construction zone to...of course, the bike lane!! I asked a cop where i was supposed to ride, since it's a pretty bike-unfriendly zone right now around 2nd and Marquette. He said, "i guess probably the sidewalk." so when cyclists who try to be considerate are told by law enforcement to bike illegally, we just can't win. My suggestion to everyone who drives and has a problem with bikes, is get off your ass and try biking. You will quickly understand some biker behavior that had bothered you before.

Good debate to continue elevating awareness Bradley. If a single death is avoided by public discussion then it is well worth community action.

The same feelings escalated about motorcyclists years ago regarding invisibility to cars, helmet requirements, and so on. The same could be said for runners vs cyclists where maybe it's the runners that should wear helmets and require licenses to run. :-)

Being one that drives a car, drove a motorcycle, use to run and actively rides a cycle, and plays guitar - It takes all sides to survive and co-exist. Unfortunately it only takes a handful of bad karma to leak into these sort of feuds and misunderstandings.

Patience and peace to all.