Why do cyclists seem to think they don't need to stop at stop signs?

I see this happen 5 times a day and I've come very close to having my car struck by these idiots. do they think traffic laws don't apply to them? I live in the bay area and cars go so far out of their way to accommodate bicycles you would think they would have at least some respect for traffic laws. yet I rarely see a bike stop at a stop sign, often they just go flying out into traffic and expect cars to get out of their way. they don't seem to realize that if they are struck after running a stop sign or red light that they will be found 100% at fault for the collision and will be SOL if they don't have insurance.
I rode a bike for years, I didn't even get my first car until I was 25 (I rode everywhere) so I understand some of their frustration but it seems that 90% of the friction between cars and cyclists is due to negligent cyclists yet cars get the bad rap because its always the cyclist who gets injured in a collision.

Steven M

People tend to forget the rules of the road. When I was in school it was explained to me in safety videos and handouts that bikes were to follow the same rules as cars. That's the LAW. Seems when adults get on a bike they think since they most likely will not get a ticket they can do whatever they want.

True story - Moron on a bike is approaching a four way stop in a neighborhood. Cars are stopping then going in a nice orderly fashion. This guy just blows the stop sign and broadsides a car in the middle of the intersection. Leaving a big dent in the side of the car.
After everyone stops to see if he's OK. He gets up and start giving the drive the evil eye and complaining. Everybody just goes back to their cars and drive off leaving him standing in the middle of the intersection.

If some moron on a bike broadsides me in a intersection after they didn't stop at a stop sign. They're getting the bill for the damages.

Lone Cowboy

Because they are idiots, its the law stop!!!!

psychclaire

A cyclist who goes through a red light or safety signs are only putting themselves in danger, what protection do the have? I wish I lived near enough for work so I could cycle every day as I have just sat in traffic for two hours from Solihull to Erdington. I could have cycled the 10 miles in that time.....Cyclists should have insurance and a legal responsibility. No petrol and tax fee.

chris

the first time they get hit and dont get killed they will remember the next time to stop

FamousNYLover

I know how you feel.
It's federal law that cyclist need to obey traffic law. Red, Stop Sign, School Bus with flashing red, etc.
In New York area, cyclists are always impatient.
They always jump on red light, go on wrong way of street, or biking on bridge pedestrian way, pedestrian path and sidewalk because they're impatient.

For example, when bus is about to approach or pull out of bus stop, cyclist always cut of the bus.
Even the Bike Taxi here does not follow LAW.

UCANTCME

They do not follow the traffic laws for vehicles when operating a bicycle. Instead,

they may use the traffic laws for pedestrians and thus ride on the sidewalks or the wrong way on the streets

they may follow the traffic code for vehicles part of the time but not all of the time

they may adopt a policy of hiding from motor vehicles rather than riding in the traffic lanes

they may be guerrilla cyclists deliberately breaking the law

they just might not think about how they are behaving

jay

if you check both way for cars and don't see any, before you arrival at the stop sign.. i dont see why you need to stop.. if we stop, were gonna lose our momentum.. especially for up and down hills. if any of you drivers even take the DMV test.. you should learn never ASSUME!!!! also motor vehicle should be more considerate with bikes.. for every bike is 1 less car on the street. were like sweating to our bones while your in your lexus or w/e your rich people drive with your A/C max out while listening to miley cyrus. i also live in a bay

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