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Uh, Wonderland, if I pass you in a car, and before clearing you, pull back into your (unchanged) travel path, I have broken the law and am at fault for the accident, not you. The same rules apply to bikes.

To add to Walker's last comment, drivers are only required to carry *liability* insurance. What's the "liability" of a biker? Not much. Therefore, requiring bikers to carry insurance that would actually be helpful to them would impose a greater burden on them than motorists. It would also most likely be PROHIBITIVELY expensive. Without the protection of 2 tons of steel, insurance companies are going to be very wary of providing insurance to cyclists sharing the road with bigger, faster vehicles...even those that have a proven track record of safe cycling.

Buses are such a mixed bag. I've encountered some that are almost annoyingly deferential (I stopped behind you at the light because it was red and you are faster than I am...while I appreciate the offer to pull ahead of you, it's best if I stay back here), some that are so-so (don't try to run me off the road/hit me, but block intersections/crosswalks/bike lanes/car lanes unnecessarily - yes, I understand that sometimes there are other buses are cars in their designated space, I am not talking about those drivers), and some that are outright hostile to everyone (other vehicles, bikers, pedestrians, and, most likely, their own customers).

As for the bell, it turns out I might be functionally illiterate and have been following *Virginia's* requirement that I make an audible signal before overtaking pedestrians while biking in *DC.* Honestly, since the bell and the occasional "on the left" is pretty unobtrusive and is actually pretty effective at letting pedestrians know I'm there, I think I'll keep doing it. As someone who walks more than bikes, where cyclists are *legally* sharing the sidewalk/pathway with me, I appreciate the heads-up, so long as it's not shouted angrily.

by Ms. D on Jun 7, 2012 2:06 pm • link • report