filtherton

That's kind've what i meant by "biking like an asshole". I generally tend to obey all the important laws, and generally don't have a problem. The only rule i really care about is the one that tells me to try not to get hit by a car. If i pay attention, and motorists pay attention, there won't be a problem. It does piss me off to see people biking down the wrong side of a street or the wrong way down a one-way or going full speed through a stop sign and almost getting creamed by a vehicle with the right of way. Such things give cyclists bad names.

I think that there are many traffic laws that exist because it gives the police the ability to prosecute anyone who breaks them incompetently. Police officers use their discretion when it comes to enforcing traffic laws. For instance, even though the marked speed limit on most streets in minneapolis is 30mph, the actual speed traveled by most drivers is closer to 40. If they wanted to, the police could have a field day with this fact, but they don't. Perhaps because it doesn't really matter all that much. I think there are very few motorists who actually obey all traffic laws at all times. Most motorists try and get away with as much shit as possible, within reason. This doesn't change the fact that they break the law, i think it just illustrates the fact that law books very often only vaguely resemble the traffic patterns over which they have jurisdiction. You probably already know this though, for all the people you pull over, imagine how many moving violations that the police aren't around to see.

Regardless of whether i'm biking or driving i don't have a problem with cyclists running lights and signs, provided they don't violate someone else's right of way. Momentum is much more important on a bike than it is in a car. I realize it's illegal, and i think most bikers do, but it's a risk i'm usually willing to take.