Cyclists don’t stop at red lights? Prove him wrong!
So the other day I was biking to work on the bike lane on Liberty going towards downtown. The light turned red on at the intersection of Liberty and Seventh so naturally I stopped along with all of the other cars.
As I was standing their, a man sitting in the passenger side of the car in front of me rolls down his window and turns around to look at me.
At first I thought maybe he was going to yell at me for being in the road. But instead he says:
“You and me are the only people in Ann Arbor that do that. Thank you.”
He was referring to the fact that I had stopped at the red light.
As flattered as I was by his comment, I don’t believe him.
I don’t believe he and I are the only two cyclists in all of Ann Arbor that stop at red lights. At least I don’t want to believe him.
Sure, I’ve seen cyclists run red lights before. And it hurts me to see it every time. Because when a cyclist is in the road, that person needs to obey the same laws that cars obey. And besides it could really be dangerous if you decide to run a red light and some car going 60 miles an hour rushes up out of no where and knocks you off your bike. Or worse.
But really, all I want is for some other cyclists to come forward and let the world know that they do stop at red lights.
Prove that guy wrong! And prove to other drivers that you do obey the rules of the road . . .
I follow the rules of the road, which includes stopping at lights. It’s just not worth the risk to save a few seconds and a little energy…
-Adam
Comment by Adam Davis — April 4, 2008 @ 9:08 amBeen riding for years and always stop at the lights and signs. Drivers should know what to expect from a cyclist just like they know what to expect from other cars. Follow the rules.
Comment by Jim — April 4, 2008 @ 6:44 pmI also obey traffic rules – it’s silly not to. I’m always shocked (and a little angry) when a fellow cyclist blows through a light or stop sign. Jim’s comment about drivers being able to know what to expect is right on. It would be great too if drivers would use their turn signals more often (so cyclists know what to expect from drivers). Have a great spring!
Comment by Peg Grabowski — April 6, 2008 @ 9:20 amI don’t stop at red lights on my bicycle! I basically do what I would do if I was walking which is stop until it’s clear, then cross in the cross walk.
Comment by Bad Bike Rider — April 7, 2008 @ 3:52 pm