Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.6.2.17 $; site uiucdcsb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcsb!thielges
From: thielges@uiucdcsb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Why I blow off STOP signs
Message-ID: <16200065@uiucdcsb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 29-Oct-84 11:47:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcsb.16200065
Posted: Mon Oct 29 11:47:00 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Oct-84 00:38:15 EST
Lines: 46
Nf-ID: #N:uiucdcsb:16200065:000:2462
Nf-From: uiucdcsb!thielges    Oct 29 10:47:00 1984

I know I'm getting into hot water by posting this, but here it goes anyway :

I feel that the statement 'bicycles on the road are legal vehicles and there-
fore should obey all traffic laws' can be taken a bit too far.  Take for 
instance the ordinary STOP sign.
   I among many other bikers don't stop at all stop signs.  Am I breaking the
law ?  Maybe so, but I feel that by riding through stop signs in certain 
situations is justified.  To start with, the automobile and the bicycle are
two entirely different vehicles.  The major differences pertaining to the
STOP sign situation are these :
	1. A car is a very noisy enviornment.  The quietest of cars still 
	   emit a fairly loud rumble from under the hood.  In addition,
	   the driver is usually insulated from outside sounds by the car's
	   body and windows.  Compare that to the almost noiseless coasting
	   bicycle.
	2. The driver has many visual obstructions.  The hood, rear view
	   mirror, and roof struts block a clear view of the outside world.
	   A bicyclist enjoys a practically unobstructed view.  Also, the
	   driver's eye level is lower than the average roof height of cars
	   parked along the street (unless driving a truck or bus).  When I
	   ride my bike, my eyes are typically 18 inches above most cars so
	   I can see over parked cars easily.
   Taking this into account, I think that there are many situations in which
A bicyclist could safely cross a stop sign where a driver could not.  When I
approach a stop sign, I coast and scan up and down the road for approaching
vehicles.  Usually I can hear them well in advance.  If all is clear, I 
continue to ride.  If the intersection is a four way stop, I will wait for
any other vehicles waiting before me to clear the intersection first.

If any net.bikers have arguements to counter mine, I would ask you to answer
the following questions in your response :

I am approaching a STOP sign.  The land is flat and I can see for a good
1000 yards in all directions (No exaggeration,  this is common in the
flatlands of central Illinois)  Since I see no other vehicles approaching,
I ride right through the stop sign.  Have I done anything wrong ?  If so,
then what have I done wrong ?

(I will not except 'disobeyed traffic law' as the answer.  Remember that it
is against the law to drive over 5mph without someone walking before your
car in some cities)

					Bart Thielges
					...uiucdcs!thielges
					thielges@uiucdcs