Reader comments
Lee Benson: Arm of law about to hit pranksters

mamapapaluv | 7:05 a.m. March 23, 2008

A good column, finally, from Benson. Questions: why haven't the cops found the trucker? When and where did the incident occur? Except for those holes, not a bad read. I'm encouraged.

Butch Davies | 8:57 a.m. March 23, 2008

While the 3 foot law is good, too many cyclists act as if the roadways are their private property. I have seen them crossing against traffic, running thru traffic control devices and otherwise rudely demanding everyone give way to them. Part of savety is not putting yourself in dangerous situtations. My family and I were out on a weekend drive back when gas was cheaper and came upon a group of riders who were riding side by side blocking the entire lane. I gently honked my horn to ask them to let me pass and you would have thought I had done a cardinal sin. courtsey and safety is also the responsibility of the bike rider.
One thing they must remember in a car vs bike argument the bicle rarely if ever wins, even if they are in the right.

Kellen | 9:20 a.m. March 23, 2008

This is the first I have heard of this law, but I am glad that it exists. There are many times that I have been frightened for my safety while riding in Utah because drivers refuse to be considerate and share the road.

Comments continue below

Bob Kaufman | 11:47 a.m. March 23, 2008

This law needs to be repealed post haste. Bicyclists are some of the most aggressive and dangerous users of our roads. They ignore traffic signals, ride in the right-of-way, and otherwise take chances that a responsible motor vehicle driver would never consider. This additional layer of protection for them is nothing more than a liability for the rest of us.

Tom | 12:40 p.m. March 23, 2008

Sorry Lee, Bikes have no place on Roads or Highways, It like putting cars on train tracks,or Semi's on Highways pretty dangerous for all. Bike on bike paths only.

Foolish law | 1:53 p.m. March 23, 2008

This law foolishly tries to overcome the laws of physics with the mandates of man. It is akin to the old story of a State legislature mandating the value of pi to be 3.0 to make math easier.

Bicycles simply CANNOT safely co-exist on high-speed, high volume roads with cars. To pretend otherwise is to ask for problems and be shocked when occur. We recognize this in banning cyclists from interstates in most cases. We need to recognize the same conditions exist on most major commute routes and narrow canyon roads where disparity of speed is a recipe for disaster.

When and where we can afford to add dedicated bike lanes we should do so, though the holier-than-thou cyclists refuse to pay for such things. In other cases, cyclists need to be limited to low speed, residential routes that keep them out of heavy traffic flows.

And it is critical that so long as they do ride on major roads that traffic laws be enforced against them just as vigorously as against drivers. Too many ride after dark with no lights or even reflectors. Too many act as if stop signs and red lights apply only to cars.

CA | 7:54 p.m. March 23, 2008

This is a ridiculous law. What's next? You can't walk within three feet of someone else on the sidewalk? Can't stand within three feet of someone in an elevator? There's a thing called "due process" that this law is completely ignoring. Face it, roads are for cars. They are NOT for bikes or pedestrians. What do you think would happen if someone tried to drive a car down a bike trail? No difference.

The other comments about the sheer arrogance of bikers are right on the money too.

Another Tom | 11:07 p.m. March 23, 2008

My 74 year old father uses a bike as his main transportation. He watches the road, sticks to the bike lanes, and obeys traffic laws. If somebody tried this on him, I'm GLAD that such a law is there to assist with his rights as a citizen who wishes to stay mobile without a vehicle.
As for all of the boo-hooers who whine and moan about how "this one time a bicycle riding person was RUDE" should take note of how many cyclists are NOT rude and who do follow the laws. And FYI: You CAN call the cops if a cyclist is endagering themselves or others.

fred_dot_u | 6:52 a.m. March 24, 2008

Another Tom, you're right on the mark. It's true that "people on bikes" disobey traffic laws. Enforce them! Ticket those POBs and there will be fewer. People in cars violate far more and rarely get caught.

Butch, Bob, "first" Tom, CA, probably don't know the laws regarding the rights and responsibilities of cyclists, so they spout nonsense.

All of you should seriously consider examining Vehicular Cycling Practices and learn that there is a way for bicyclists and motorists to share the road.

Tom Bird | 10:31 a.m. March 24, 2008

I ride a motor bike almost the year around. I get 125b mpg, have few parking problems and stay to the far right or far left of the road. I am 75 and love the mobility it gives me, plus the very cheapest of transportation. No insurance, registration or expensive mechanics. However I also cut a corner here and there. Nothing dangerous, just a cut across on a pathway to stay out of heavy traffic etc. I have seen way more bad drivers than bad bicyclists because we are more vulnerable.

BTW I use 400 South to go up the hill to the VA and stay to the far right so people can pass me without any problems. Nobody has honked at me yet to get out of the way.

fred_dot_u | 11:22 a.m. March 24, 2008

Tom Bird, when you say that you stay to the far right so people can pass you without any problems, it sounds as though you are suggesting that they pass you while in your lane. Too many people on bikes ride in this manner, and that is part of why they think biking is dangerous. When you are in a lane, it is your lane. You will find things to be safer if you operate slightly to the right of center of the lane, not on the right hand stripe. You have the right to maneuver within your lane to avoid obstacles and if you're riding on the stripe, letting cars brush past, you're putting yourself in danger.

Take the lane.

kaizen | 1:14 p.m. March 24, 2008

Geez, some of the anti-bike comments are...wow! Turn your big screen on and look at the rest of the world, where cars are the minority. Just because this is the "SUV capital of the world USA" and biking is "below us", don't outlaw it. We may all be riding bikes someday anyway if we look at the oil price and resources situation. Anyway, just wanted to say that people need to be more introspective. The bikers need to obey their rules on the road and don't get careless and motorists need to obey their road rules, keep their eye open for cars, bikes, and pedestrians and maybe, just maybe educate themselves on what the cyclists rules are.

Xeybrah | 1:50 p.m. March 24, 2008

A cyclist has every right to the lane. Being stuck behind one is the same as being stuck behind a slow moving car or truck. Relax and wait for a safe time to pass. Ususally, even with the 3 foot rule, you and your fellow human on the bike can safely co-exist in the same lane for the time it takes for you to speedily pass. If the bike is in front of you it'd the cyclist's lane. Try and remember that your mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, maybe even you, ride a bike from time to time.

Ryan | 2:20 p.m. March 24, 2008

For people ignorantly posting that bicycles don't belong on the road and then claim that those who ride there are ignorant, I highly recommend reading the Utah Driver Handbook (can be found by searching Google). The section on bikes will come as an enlightening shock.

Ryan | 2:16 p.m. March 24, 2008

Is there a statistical correlation between oil consumption levels, rising obesity, and health care costs in the US? Hmmm, could be?

In this socially and economically conservative culture, I'd imagine that cycling would make more sense. I guess that conservative nature is more perception than reality. The only thing I see being conserved in this state is body fat.

Ryan | 2:27 p.m. March 24, 2008

The average automobile operator has become detached from the potential danger posed to them and others when they get behind the wheel of a car. The danger isn't cyclists and cycling. It's the majority of drivers who talk on their cell, eat, sing, text, do their makeup, don't use their mirrors, don't pay attention to the road ahead and proper speed and following distance, don't use signals, etc. Driving is a priviledge. When you get in your car to drive, drive. Don't get busy making other plans like you do with the rest of your life. I know the straight roads that Brother Brigham designed for us can be monotonous and boring to drive on a regular basis, but please put your hands on the wheel (both of them instead of attempting to slap cyclists on the back), attention back on the road (all of it), and drive (to the very best of your ability, regardless of what the other moron is doing)!

Jamie | 3:09 p.m. March 24, 2008

Share the Road how hard is that. I share the wonder at the anti-bike comments. Is your life so important that you are willing to risk that of somebody else under the wheels of your SUV. Or do you sell cars and gas so banning bikes all together would buy more SUV's. Agressive drivers far out number that of the poorly educated bicyclists. Spend a little time every day on the seat of a bicycle in bike lanes and you will be shocked at the number of single minded seemingly angry people behind the wheel of one ton of steel. Dangerously isolated from the world with their attention on cell phones mp3 players and what else. Bicyclists too riding on the sidewalk and talking on a cell phone is a menace but they will likley die in an encounter with a car. When you are driving and encounter a person on a bike remember by Utah law they have the same rights and responsibilities as you do that they are a person somebody loves and depends on so please SHARE THE ROAD.

dick | 7:15 p.m. March 24, 2008

another conflict in our world over attitude about being a part of a problem or being part of a solution. jason is an advocate and an educator for a solution to a serious polution and gas consumtion problem and offering at the same time a healthy daily exercise routine. what possesses some idiot to put a cyclist's life in jeopardy for a joke? waiting to pass a cyclist or giving them the right a way would add no more than a few seconds to their ride - what is the big deal! jason and the biking community should be applauded. let us all be educated and appreciate such efforts..

Jason | 9:17 a.m. March 25, 2008

There are bad cyclists and bad drivers, but the behavior of another person does not have to dictate yours. Rather than constantly insisting on our own rights, how much more pleasant the world would be if we were willing to add a few minutes to our commute home in order to contribute to the safety of another fellow human, whether a pedestrian, cyclist or driver. Is the first couple of minutes of American Idol really so important that we need to endanger the lives of others to get home on time?

cyclist | 10:13 a.m. March 25, 2008

Dufus said: " I have seen them crossing against traffic, running thru traffic control devices and otherwise rudely demanding everyone give way to them."

Sounds exactly like the average car, truck or SUV driver.

Cyclists do, in fact, own the road. Just like automobile drivers do. Learn to share it.

Matt | 11:44 a.m. March 25, 2008

Well said cyclist.

I was going to bring this point up exactly. There are wrong drivers and riders every where. Does riding a bike on the road really pose that great of a risk to those with in a moving car? No. Share the road, this is to both sides.

Michael | 2:52 p.m. March 26, 2008

I don't live in Utah, but we have the SAME problems here. Bad cyclists, pedesterians and bad motorists.

Everyone for themselves and no one paying attention to the safety of those around them. Gotta shave that 2 seconds off your drive time.

I own 2 cars and I pay my fair share for gas and taxes for the roads - and I own 3 bikes. I don't know how many times on my commutes and rides I've had someone buzz me to make to prove a point?.

As has been pointed out SHARE THE ROAD and obey the rules. If you're not 100% sure what those rules are, get your State's DMV manual and read up. Be smart.

Mark B. | 8:43 p.m. March 26, 2008

uuhhhh...,drivers.... a little FYI:
bicycles are legal users of the road in all 50; yes, there are conditions -- as there are for you, too. if you drive .1mph over the posted limit, signal a turn late or not at all, or even shortcut across a parking lot, you have no business pointing fingers.

i'm a bike commuter, and WILL take my share of the road; i pick & choose he roads i ride on, because i know how ridiculously stupid some people get behind the wheel. i am all for some sort of education on cyclists' on-road conduct...for EVERYBODY, whether you ride or drive. my children do not ride without me, nor do they venture out without strong knowledge of what cars can/will do.

one last note: if you were as concerned about your own responsibilities as you are your RIGHTS (which do NOT include exclusivity on the road), no one would be in danger.

John A. Ardelli | 2:54 p.m. March 27, 2008

I guess I'm fortunate. Although I have the occasional isolated incident with a driver who passes too close, by and large drivers here are pretty respectful of my right to use the road and give me ample room even on a relatively narrow four lane road I commute on daily.

I'm from Sydney, Nova Scotia, canada.

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