BICYCLES VS. CARS SEMINOLE HIGHWAY MADISON

Yesterday there was a news story on an increase of bicyclists using Seminole Road/Highway in Madison. Here is a link to the video news story and some of the comments posted by drivers and bicyclists. It's interesting to see the different viewpoints.

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=135153&nav=menu1362_6

It is ridiculous to expect a car travelling 50 mph to be able to stop fast enough to avoid a bicyclist who is riding in the lane. If the road is hilly or winding, there is no way to know that the bike rider is ahead of you. The bike riders may have the "right" to ride on these roads but they really need to use some common sense. Who do you think will win in the situation of a collision? If you want to ride your bike on the roads, use roads that are not dangerous. Better yet, if you are just out for recreation or exercise, pay the little bit that the license cost and use the bike trails that have been provided for you. As for bike riders not running stop signs, etc, I was driving home from work one day out in the country and a large group of bike riders were running a stop sign. They actually had one idiot out in the middle of the road as if he were trying to stop the cars that had the right of way. I drove through their group because I had just come around a curve and didn't see them until it was too late and if I had hit one of them, it would have been their fault because they were running the stop sign. Everyone needs to use some common sense and they need to obey the laws!
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Greg
Monday, May 11, 2009
I encourage Channel 27 to get some video evidence of motorists not stopping at stop signs, not using their turn signals, and talking on their cell phones while driving. it would be easy to do. and get some video of motorists passing cyclists within the legally required 3 feet of room while you are out there with your video camera. most motorists do not obey the laws in our state. most motorists drive over the speed limit. most motorists do not use their turns signals. most motorists drive distracted, using their cell phones to talk and text message. why doesn't government force motorists to comply with the laws already on the books? why doesn't governement make sedan drivers follow all the same laws as semi drivers?
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Guest
Monday, May 11, 2009
I am glad this issue is coming to the forefront and I encourage Channel 27 to be a leader in the Madison media market by keeping the pressure on government and citizens to try to find common ground on this issue. I am a recreational bicyclist and I rely upon my vehicle on a daily basis to get to my job and for other purposes. As I see it - most bicyclist do not abide by our state and local laws. Maybe one out of ten will actually stop at a stop light and most are entering a crosswalk with the NO CROSSING LIGHT illuminated and blinking. I never see a bicycle with a license plate on it (why do bicyclists travel our state and local roads without proper registration?). If we are to "share the road" with bicyclists, why doesn't government put them on a level playing field and force them comply with the same rules and regulations that vehicles must comply with?
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Dave
Monday, May 11, 2009
This reporting is false. Cyclists DO NOT ride 5mph. Cyclists very rarely to ever ride more than 2 abreast. This is divisive, un-researched, cherry picked junk! Go to the police and find out what their experience has been. Go to the city council and find out if they are in favor of a single file law. Go find the people who exaggerate on internet chat boards rather than quoting their lies! There is a reason I stopped watching poorly researched and produced local news a long time ago. This is a disservice to the community as a whole.
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George Glass
Monday, May 11, 2009
I can't believe you people have time to sit at a stop sign and count the bicyclists who don't stop. In fact, I don't think you do - your stories are exaggerated and based on random anecdotal observations.

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