Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Bicyclist finds some motorists not nice

Bicyclist finds some motorists not nice

May 25, 2007 - 08:04:36 CDT

By JOHN KRUEGER
Bismarck

As bike to work week has come and passed, it will be intriguing to see how many citizens in the Bismarck-Mandan area stick with biking as their means of transportation.

If those bikers' experiences are as unpleasant as mine have been, due to rude motorists, biker numbers are unlikely to increase.

On May 7, I purchased a mountain bike from a Bismarck bike shop. Every day since then, I have ridden my bike back and forth across Bismarck to either work or a recreational activity, such as riding the bike trails behind Bismarck State College.

And every day I have encountered either shouts at me from a car passenger window; honks, accompanied by an offensive finger; or a combination of the two, with delightful, explicit statements being fired my way.Â

I have heard the saying that ignorance is bliss, but now I can understand that ignorance is also ironic.

The irony is in a motorist slowing down enough to ensure the reception of an offensive gesture, while I, the cyclist and gesture recipient, read, â€œHave a nice day,â€ on the bumper of the departing vehicle.

It is my understanding that the sidewalk is for pedestrians; therefore, I travel on the right side of the road, that is, with the flow of traffic.

With the exception of going around vehicles parked on the street, I stay as close to the curb as possible.

I will continue to ride my bicycle in this manner.

In future commutes around the Bismarck-Mandan area, I will be sure to wear my T-shirt, which boldly states, "Biking for your inconvenience," strictly as an undergarment.

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Comments

to Bicycles are road vehicles too wrote on Jun 8, 2007 2:11 PM:

" I need to say that as a driver I am perplexed by the bicyclists who use "road rules" when it is conventient to use them, but swerve to the sidewalk to ignore stop signs and traffic signals suddenly deciding that they are entitled to "pedestrial rules." I am don't even mind following a bicycle in the middle of my lane on the road...as long as the cyclist follows the same rules that they should be following if they were in a car. "

Puddlian wrote on Jun 7, 2007 9:23 PM:

" This is so amusing! The reason bicyclists get such a bad rap is that they are literally so visible and so vulnerable. A lone cyclist on River Road makes for an easy "target" for Mr Road Rage, or the car full of playfull joy riders. I had ridden bicycle through the streets of London for over twenty years before I came here to Bismarck and I actually felt safer there than here. As a previous blogger noted, the Europeans have a healthier approach to bicycle traffic and realize the vulnerability of cyclists on the open road. Consequently they exercise caution and respect the rules of the road concerning cyclists. Here in North Dakota your driver's testing is a joke. Too many drivers receive a licence without having basic observational skills or appreciation for the responsibility they inherit with their licence. And as a previous writer explained, the penalty for breaking the rules of the road is rarely upheld. Cyclists will occassionally make errors of judgement when riding on our roads; just as many drivers of vehicles do. But the cyclist will pay a larger penalty if the error of judgement results in a rage-induced collision. For goodness sake, take a breath and relax. If you are angry behind the wheel because a cyclist is slowing you down for 15 or 20 seconds, you have a serious behavioural problem and really shouldn't be driving a motorized vehicle. Maybe you should blow of some of that anger by ..... going for a nice ride? "

toot toot wrote on Jun 6, 2007 5:22 PM:

" Maybe the bike riders should put train whistles on the bikes and blow them when ever they go thru an intersection. "

Dave wrote on Jun 6, 2007 3:59 PM:

" I think everyone in Bismarck needs to learn how to drive, people in cars and on bikes! I'm thinking I won't wait at my green light anymore while waiting for cars to go through their red, I'm just going to go when my light is green and run into people! "

Brent wrote on Jun 6, 2007 11:24 AM:

" Having cycled to work daily on major roadways in a city of 1 million people for 10 years, I can say there is room on Bismarck roads for cyclists. Bismarck needs to get an education for both motorists and cyclists. I find it amazing that most people in Bismarck cycle without an helmet for example. Helmets! Helmets! Why don't we just run our skulls into the curb and be done with it. Cyclists on roadways should also have a helmet mirror, so they can readily see traffic to their rear and pan the roadway behind them, anything less is dangerous. The problem is, where do kids learn cycling safety in Bismarck? They don't, as a result both children and adult don’t know about cycling safety, rules of the road or pathway etiquette. How many cyclists have bells on the bikes for advising pedestrians on pathways that they are coming? Less than 1 in 100. Pathway rules in some areas require them. It’s all our responsibility to educate people on cycling concerns, perhaps the Tribune could do article on it. "

Susan wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:59 AM:

" I previously lived in a big city (over a million) that is know for its bike friendly atmosphere. The difference I see is that the bike riders in that city knew and followed the rules and the bike riders here do not (no specific comment on the letter writer). It is actually very rare that I see a bike rider following the driving rules of the road (which is what the law is). I never see them signal turns, wait at red lights (often they blow right through), wait at stop signs, yield to the right at intersections, etc. It's especially disturbing to see children doing those things. "

this means wrote on Jun 5, 2007 8:47 AM:

" so this means it is not illeagal to ride on the sidewalks, but you need to be courtious if you do. It also means you can't ride out in the middle of the street and hold up traffic, so basically the bike riders complaining about rude drivers are in fact themselves the rude ones not following the laws. Interesting "

The Law wrote on Jun 5, 2007 4:51 AM:

" Here is what the traffic ordinances say for bicycles: Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations in this chapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application. A person may not ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district, except where the sidewalk is a designated bicycle route. A person may not ride a bicycle on any public or private property signed to prohibit those activities. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use the path and may not use the roadway. "

Teichthesen wrote on Jun 4, 2007 5:28 PM:

" SKG You are correct about a degenerating society. It is greatly encouraged by a degenerated media. "Divide and Conquer". "

Perhaps... wrote on Jun 4, 2007 2:01 PM:

" You're on to something. There was a study which found a correlation between the size of the vehicle and the poor attitude of its driver. Personally, I have found this quite true for little women behind the wheel of Suburbans. Watch out! They ain't slowing down or stopping for nobody. "

Rebecca wrote on Jun 4, 2007 12:25 PM:

" To ok: The reason it is illegal is because, if you've ever been walking on a sidewalk and been overtaken by a bike, you realize how quickly it can happen. A bicycle moving at 10 or 15 mph is unsafe for pedestrians. I agree it is a problem for cyclists, a kind of darned if you do, darned if you don't situation. One solution could be bike lanes, as mentioned before, but I don't think that ND would support that kind of a move. It comes down to awareness, defensive driving, and education on the part of cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians, and I think unfortunately those things are lacking, and I think that leads to the (well founded) fear for the well being of children that you've expressed. "

skg wrote on Jun 4, 2007 10:09 AM:

" Uncivilized behavior as evident from a lot of these comments is a symptom of a degenerating society. I bike a lot in town and enjoy it. The diesel exhaust gets me and the larger the truck the more uncaring about others they appear to me. Maybe they just dont see me on my bike. Irritabilty and anger are also noise related though our small town other tahn when the trains blow their very whistle, is quiet. "

To Teichthesen wrote on Jun 4, 2007 7:48 AM:

" About your remark of turning left... you are right there are a couple signals in town where a car has a green light but not a green arrow, in those instances they can turn left. However, there are a number of intersections tht have a dedicated light for the left turn lane. When that light is red it is not legal to proceed with a left turn. A red light means you must clear the intersection (if you are in it), or "do not proceed" into the intersection. If drivers are so bad in this town please don't feed them with more nonsense and poor driving habits. One of the reasons driving is so poor in this town is people move here from other small towns and drive by the rules that have been made up in their head and worked in a small town. Then they think the bad drivers are the ones driving under the true "rules of the road". "

Korita wrote on Jun 3, 2007 11:46 PM:

" When I started riding my bike everywhere, I became really angry at how "rude" drivers were. Then one day after not driving a car for a month or so, I drove to the store. What an eye opener! Suddenly, because I had so much more experience as a biker, I was coming to a complete stop at stop signs, looking very carefully at intersections, being careful when I opened my car door on the street, etc. Maybe we could all try to keep a sort of "imaginary biker" in mind when we're driving. After all, it's not illegal to ride a bike! "

ok wrote on Jun 3, 2007 12:57 AM:

" I don't mind people riding bike on the street, but sidewalks just make more sense. Yes, I've already heard that sidewalks are illegal. I just think that it shouldn't be. Is there specifics to that that anyone can share with me? I guess what I'm curious about is kids on bikes on the sidewalks. I live on 4th street. I'm hate letting my daughter ride her bike on the sidewalk in front of our house, but there's no way I'm going to let her ride on the street! And with a baby as well, I just don't have as much free time as I would like to be taking her to the bike trails every day. And when I'm riding bike with my daughter, I'm riding on the sidewalk with her-she's not riding on the street with me. So I guess I'm just wondering what the specifics to this rule actually are. Is it even enforced? Have kids got in trouble for this? "

Teichthesen wrote on Jun 2, 2007 11:19 AM:

" I wouldn't want to ride a bike in this town. Yesterday I watched two drivers turn left from the right lane and this morning I watched another turn right from the left lane none of the drivers even glanced at me. Another reason I won't be bike riding is that I work hard to own a car so I can ride in it with comfort. High gasoline prices caused by restrictions on drilling and refinery development brought about by old hippy environmentalists will not curb my use of fossil fule. I will be using more now. Just say "No" to old hippies. "

Trail Rider wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:31 AM:

" I don't worry (too) much about the dogs running loose as I figure either 1) the owner knows the dog is well behaved, or 2) the owner has a top-notch personal liability insurance policy, which would be a slam-dunk to collect on since there is a clear leash law on all Bismarck park property, including the trails ; ) "

GL wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:10 AM:

" I dont mind bikes on the road when there is room.. River Road is the street I am talking about.. always bikes on River Road.. If there was a shoulder I wouldnt care.. My trailer is as wide as the driving lane. "

Bob Farley wrote on Jun 2, 2007 10:06 AM:

" That's why I stick to off-road trails, considering the attitudes of some of these posts, it's safer. Now if we could just convince people to keep their dogs on leash on those trails, I wouldn't have to worry about Fido, who I'm always informed is "very well behaved", chasing me down the trail nipping at my ankles. "

Watch wrote on Jun 2, 2007 7:56 AM:

" I've been watching around town the last few days to see what I see with bicyclists and vehicles, since this article was in the paper. I saw a variety of people on bikes each day; commuters, students, children, recreational riders. I saw only one person who was not making an obvious attempt to ride as close to the side of the road as was safe; they rode the center of the lane with traffic building up behind them (which I think might be their right under the law; if not the best choice). I saw plenty of vehicles that were courteous in passing and plenty that squeezed the rider tight because the driver apparently couldn't bring themselves to slow their trip down by a few seconds to ensure the situation was safe (confession: I've done that, too, and it isn't worth the stress of hoping everything works out fine). I suppose what it really boils down to is it isn't really much about bikes at all; it's about driving attitudes. My guess is the drivers that are not courteous and are upset or aggressive towards cyclists are the same way towards pedestrians slowing down traffic as they cross the street, and towards other drivers, too. "

Bashful Biker wrote on Jun 1, 2007 10:08 PM:

" Visiting many larger cities I've noticed that they actually have a bike lane (Minneapolis, Spokane, etc.) I biked to work a couple of times one summer. I mapped out my route to take the streets less traveled and didn't have any problems but the comments I received from a few co-workers made me quit. I don't know if these people felt I was showing off or what. I actually had more energy on those days and was in great shape that summer. I wonder if some of the rude comments and fingers are coming from those people?? "

duh wrote on Jun 1, 2007 3:30 PM:

" Don't ride your bike in the middle of the road and it shouldn't be a problem!!! "

Teichthesen wrote on Jun 1, 2007 1:45 PM:

" I think that the majority of drivers in Bismarck have no idea how to share the road with bikes. From what I've seen most drivers in Bismarck have absolutely no clue as to what to do behind the wheel of a car. If this town ever has to deal with any volume of traffic at all, we are in for a nightmare. Here's a big "Heads Up", you CAN turn left. Let me write this again, you CAN turn left. You CAN turn left after the green arrow goes out if the over heads are still green. You must yeild the right of way to on coming traffic but YOU CAN TURN LEFT. You do not need to wait for the next green arrow. Get your vehicle out across the white lines, get into the intersection, move forward far enough that you are opposite the lane you will turn into when the on coming traffic thins out. YOU CAN TURN LEFT IN BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA. "

The Source wrote on Jun 1, 2007 1:39 PM:

" Here is the link to the Bismarck City Traffic code: http://www.bismarck.org/uploads/doc_Title_12_-_Traffic_Code.pdf Actually, seems like everyone is right. Bikes can ride on the road, but there are rules. Bikes have to go on designated bike paths, but when one is not availible, they have to use the road. Bikes cannot ride on the sidewalk in a business district. Etc. Read it. "

Thomas Elliot wrote on Jun 1, 2007 1:26 PM:

" This news paper article reads like an episode of Ma and Pa Kettle visit the big city. People around here don't get out enough. "

Driver wrote on Jun 1, 2007 12:34 PM:

" Bikes belong on Bike Paths. PERIOD. What's next--skateboarders thinking they have the right to go down the center of the streets too? "

GL wrote on Jun 1, 2007 8:53 AM:

" I grew up in Bismarck riding my bike on the sidewalks... 35 years of riding on the sidewalks and not one ticket.. never heard of anyone getting a ticket for riding a bike on the sidewalk. "

bs wrote on Jun 1, 2007 8:16 AM:

" do any of you even know for a fact what is legal and illegal when it comes to riding bike in town? or are you saying what you think it should be to support your opinion? i enjoy these commentaries, but not when people claim things to be true that may or may not be. "

Rebecca wrote on May 31, 2007 11:19 AM:

" I think it is funny...there are automobiles that drive in front of me that move slower than a bicycle. I would rather get "caught" behind a cyclist who moves off to the side or even continues on in front of me, than many of the other drivers in the area who drive either way to slow (25 in a 40? 10 in a 25?) or erratically. Most cyclists I've encountered have been very courteous, and I've seen, even the coutreous ones, treated poorly. Thanks for riding! "

To GL wrote on May 31, 2007 11:06 AM:

" Bike riders are not supposed to be riding on the sidewalks. "

To GL wrote on May 31, 2007 10:22 AM:

" It's already been mentioned that riding bicycles on the sidewalks is ILLEGAL, unless it is a DESIGNATED bike path. Don't fault people for following the law. "

GL wrote on May 31, 2007 9:52 AM:

" Maybe people in Bismarck dont like bikers on the street when there are perfectly good sidewalks?? just mabye? "

GL wrote on May 31, 2007 9:51 AM:

" I expect everybody to do the speed limit.. not over it or under it.. Farmers are the only exception.. they are out there making a living.. Bikers are out for fun and exercise.. stay on the trails.. My trailer is wider than my pickup.. I would hate to have something happen to a biker on River road.. If you are dumb enought to play chicken with a semi somebody is going to get hurt. I love biking myself.. I use my mountain bike for off road riding or I stay on the beautiful trails that the taxpayers have built for us. or at least roads that have a shoulder. "

To WOW wrote on May 31, 2007 9:46 AM:

" I understand your feelings, but these comments are not conclusive "proof" of how rude Bismarckians are. After all, there are only 29 or so posts and there are over 60,000 people in the area. These comments are a drop in the bucket and hardly can be construed to represent the whole city. "

It's Unfortunate wrote on May 31, 2007 8:43 AM:

" That drivers in Bismarck are so inconsiderate of walkers and bicyclists to the point of being aggressive. I've lived in many places across the country, larger cities and smaller cities, and Bismarck drivers are the overall rudest I've encountered, anywhere. Too bad, since the city has so many other nice things to offer. General driver courtesy (or not) and attitudes towards walkers and bike riders reflect from the collective heart and soul of the people in any community. "

Biker wrote on May 31, 2007 8:29 AM:

" I used to be an avid biker even when I just received my license a few years back. Sadly, I don't have any friends anymore to bike with. I used to ride 40 miles a day in town and I've also ridden my bike to Minot and back three times. As a 18 year-old biker a few years ago, I became used to people treating us like dirt. People would scream, "Get a car!! (and laugh)" and one time someone three a glass beer bottle at the bottom of my bike. Like the band Rush says: "Conform or be cast out". "

Wow wrote on May 30, 2007 5:27 PM:

" these blogs prove how rude bismarck people are. Bicyclists do have a right to the road, but they also need to be considerate to the drivers as well. Every once in a while as a bicyclist on the road, you should look to see if there is a line of cars behind you, if there is, pull off to the side of the road so they can pass. If there is a bike trail in the vicinity of where you are riding, use it. It is easy to criticize the people in cars, but before you do, take a look at your own driving manners to be sure you aren't being rude as well. True the larger vehicle will always win, but they are not always in the wrong. I enjoy riding my bike when I can, but try to be curteous to the people in cars and make sure that even if they don't, that I follow the rules of the road. If someday one does strike me, true they may win against me on my bike on the street, but I take comfort in knowing they will loose the court case when I sue them! "

To GL... wrote on May 30, 2007 3:53 PM:

" "Maybe you are making the motorist mad by riding to slow. I am an avid biker and hate it when I come around a corner on River road pulling my goose neck flat bed and run into a biker on the road doing 20 in a 45.. isnt there a fine for driving to slow? " No there isn't. If there is no posted minimum speed, there is none. If people want to go 20, they can legally do so; they can even go 5 mph. Why are you expecting a bicyclist, of all things, to go 45? There are inherent limitations to speed on a bicycle, due to mechanics and personal ability. "

wow wrote on May 30, 2007 2:54 PM:

" I think that some people need to grow up if they feel that they have enough money to drive to work everyday then more power to you ya but then leave the rest of us alone who want to enjoy the weather and scenery and get alittle exercise at the same time and giving the finger to a person who is just riding a bike give me a brake people need to grow up and stop acting so childish that is all that it is is childish games. But great job to all who enjoy riding their bikes to and from work and keep it up. it is nice to hear. "

scuttlebutt wrote on May 30, 2007 12:19 PM:

" Reading these comments, it appears to me that the people insisting that bikes should be on bike paths are not aware that many of us use out bikes for transportation, not for exercise. Bike paths are limited to certain parts of town. Also, it is illegal for bikes to use the sidewalks. We are supposed to be on the street. "

GL wrote on May 30, 2007 9:10 AM:

" Maybe you are making the motorist mad by riding to slow. I am an avid biker and hate it when I come around a corner on River road pulling my goose neck flat bed and run into a biker on the road doing 20 in a 45.. isnt there a fine for driving to slow? if you are on the street you should do the speed limit. If not stick to sidewalks and trails. Mountain bikes were made for off road?? "

allen wrote on May 30, 2007 7:57 AM:

" A little increased law enforcement on the rules of the road is long overdue in the Bismarck area. That goes for both bike riders and motorists. Bikers can complain all they want about rude motorists, but a little internal looking may just reveal a stop sign/light running, no hand signal using bike rider. I for one get annoyed with both in Bismarck. "

mANDAN bOY wrote on May 30, 2007 6:15 AM:

" Its the law to use a bike path when availaible!..The law should start enforcing it......... "

kev wrote on May 29, 2007 9:36 PM:

" i don't have a problem with people riding a bike. i'd say i pass someone biking on the street less than once a week. i do have a problem with bad drivers almost everytime i drive. taking all the bikers of the road isn't going to do jack to make the streets safer. if anything biker make driver better drivers because they have to slow down and stop speeding for a while. "

Sara wrote on May 29, 2007 7:05 PM:

" I don't think it's that difficult for someone who is riding bike to stay on the sidewalk. If you see someone else walking or what not you can always go around them or if you don't want to ride on the grass you could slow down when you get near them. There are some places where you need to ride on the street to get by, but as a bike rider I like staying on the sidewalks. And as a driver I also like when bikers stay on the sidewalks so I don't accidently hit them. "

Jesse wrote on May 29, 2007 3:47 PM:

" Bikers often have to travel on streets to get to bike paths. I ride on the sidewalks and still risk being hit by cars. I have also sat at 4 way stop intersections for 15 minutes waiting for a car to let me cross. The rude drivers aren't just in Bismarck... they are statewide. This such society trying to get healthier and also trying to beat gas prices, we should try to be a bit nicer. "

Agree wrote on May 29, 2007 3:26 PM:

" Bismarck drivers are some of the worst, not only to bicyclists and pedestrians, but also to other motorists. A lot of people wait at a stop sign until the car coming from the other direction is about 2 feet from them and then decide to pull out. This happened to me twice in 5 minutes one day. It also was not a teenager that did it, it was a person 40+. If you have an accident, you are going to get whereever you are going in such an all fire hury a lot later than you would if you would wait 3 seconds. "

notjust rudetobikes wrote on May 29, 2007 2:57 PM:

" Believe me, Bismarck drivers aren't just rude to bikers, have you seen how people here drive? They drive through red lights, wont stop for anything, have no idea what the rules are for a 4 way stop, and of course never think anything is their fault. On a side note, I have no problems with people that want to ride their bikes to work, I don't even mind slowing down if they are in the road, what I do mind are the bike riders who swerve in and out of my lane without using the signals. If you are going to ride on the street, learn the signals so you can keep yourself and everyone safe! "

BEBA wrote on May 25, 2007 8:06 PM:

" Hang in there things will get better. (wonders what the roads widths and traffic patterns are like). Look for safety videos on how to deal with your driving. N0 offense. http://bicyclesafe.com/ I have a neon green reflective vest, ankle reflective straps, refelcitve bags, and some lights. Cars wiz by me at 45 mph the speed limit on surface streets. Winter would be a challenge. Yet I moved to Tempe AZ. "

dangerous wrote on May 25, 2007 3:51 PM:

" I really don't understand why bicyclists won't use bike paths. I also don't understand why some insist upon riding 2 or more abreast. I also thought there was a rule about keeping up with traffic. River Road is perhaps the worst place for bicycles. I think it is a beautiful drive, but there isn't room for error. I have had bicyclists swerve, stop, cross the center line, etc. while driving along River Road in the 45 mph zone. That is no place for recreational bicycles. Use a bike path, keep up with traffic, or get a moped. At least with a moped you can get a turboboost when you're backing up traffic for three miles. "

mike wrote on May 25, 2007 1:48 PM:

" I must agree that Bismarck is not bicycle or pedestrian friendly. 20 years ago it wasn't bad, but it's gotten a lot worse. And I don't understand it. It's one thing to see kids not obeying rules of the road, but don't lump them in with older cyclists who - in my opinion - generally try to get along with motorized vehicles. Cut bicyclists some slack. Oh, and to warmachine: You're scary. "

Bicycles are road vehicles too... wrote on May 25, 2007 1:22 PM:

" Fact is that bicycles are legally a road vehicle when traveling on the road. That means when you're traveling behind them, you MUST treat them as another vehicle (a car). Bicyclists are not legally obligated to make room for cars and that's actually dangerous, since car drivers will just zoom past when a bicyclist is executing a traffic manuveour. Larger cities have created bicycle lanes on the road. This is a pretty smart idea. But likely people will complain about that and nix it too. The fact is bicycles are ROAD VEHICLES and must be treated as another vehicle by other drivers in traffic. Just because a bicycle is not as fast as a motorcycle is no reason to treat bicycles as some sort of oddity on the roads. "

t wrote on May 25, 2007 1:14 PM:

" I'm surprised at how many people are annoyed with bicylists. We need to get with the ballgame for pedestrians and bike riders. In Fargo, it is much easier to navigate as a pedestrian or a bicylist, and motorists were so used to seeing them (especially around campus areas) that they were curteous. With gas prices the way they are, it would be nice to be able to bike, but who wants to when the drivers are crazy? "

Lee Suess, Jackson, CA wrote on May 25, 2007 12:03 PM:

" I have traveled to North Dakota for two CANDISC bike rides and during the one ride through Bismarck, found the drivers intolerable of bicyclists and very dangerous to be in traffic with. Maybe closer police scrutiny of vehicles violating the bicyclists right of way and issuing a few citations would help?? How about newspaper driver education commentaries regarding the law pertaining to bicyclists?? I have had three bicycle tours in Germany, one that included Austria. I found the people there very courteous to bicycler's - probably because their law stipulates that a motorist who runs into a bicyclist is guilty until proven innocent, just the opposite of our law. Europeans are also more educated about the healthful benefits of bicycling and the positive effects of it on the environment. "

warmachine wrote on May 25, 2007 11:36 AM:

" For the Bismarck car drivers vs. bike riders.....be happy you only have to tolerate them (bikes) part time. No winter riding bikes occurs too often. Cars are bigger and win the bet every time. Bike riders are the annoying mosquitos car drivers tolerate.....and slap....from time to time "

To Driver wrote on May 25, 2007 11:34 AM:

" No, I said nothing about larger people; the words you wrote are your words, not mine. My point is as a community and as individuals we could all benefit from more fresh air and excercise. Bike riding is great excercise but I see a lot less of it here than in other places I've lived. I've also seen less tolerance of walkers and bicyclists here. I'd like to see that change; it's a community attitude, one way or the other. "

Driver wrote on May 25, 2007 11:18 AM:

" To Fat City: What are you trying to say? That "Fat" people are more rude the the skinning ones? "

Fat City wrote on May 25, 2007 11:11 AM:

" People in ND don't ride bikes as much as they do in other places (even smaller communities in northern climates). Perhaps it's because there is no place to carry a mega-slurpy or a triple-sized order of fries on a bike. I guess it's our culture, and that extends to how we treat bicyclists and pedestrians. Too bad but we deserve the bad rap we get as drivers here. "

Q wrote on May 25, 2007 10:40 AM:

" Personnelly think common sense should be used-- not much chance of that. Have had the 2-3 bikes accross the road and not moving over. Other day on way home had a group of young boys fly threw a stop sign right in front of me causeing me to slam on the breaks- one of them did stop though. After I waved him by he was the one with the guilty look unfortunetly-- hopefully he chewed his buddies out. As for rude drivers being the worse here I think not, bad yes. I work into montanna. The town I work into when ever you go to walk accross the street in the cross walk a good number of the people don't bother to even slow down and have a good number that speed up when you are in the cross walk coming very close to hitting you. Thats rude. "

Driver wrote on May 25, 2007 9:44 AM:

" John, I agree Bismarck Mandan drivers are rude; but every day you have a problem with them. Something is not right here. I also occassionally ride bike, on the average of once a week during the summer and fall. I can honestly say I have never had anyone yell or ...... at me. The reason, I follow a basic rule a good friend once said when I was whinning about how rude drivers were, how they don't follow the rules, you know stopping fully at stop signs or running red lights. He said: he with the biggest vehicle always has the right of way, it's the basic law of survival on Bis-Mdn streets. Should it be this way - NO! Now for what I see as a driver in regards to bike riders. Every season I will encounter 2, 3 or more bikers heading down a street 2, 3 or so abreast. We are going the same way, so the cars behind me and myself end up following them. Their right? Probably, yes. Smart, No. Another thing: how come certain bikers will not use the bike trail when it is right beside the street, with an occassionaly "bike trail" sign. Once while bike riding over Expressway Bridge (on the sidewalk, bike trail) a helmeted biker was going over the same bridge but in a driving lane and yes on the right side. I said something to him .... his response "I have a helmet, where's yours". Common sense wbere is it? "

Eb wrote on May 25, 2007 9:27 AM:

" What a joke! Many bicyclists in Bismarck are a nuisance and dangerous! They think the road is just for them and drivers have nothing better to do than coast behind them as they ride in the middle of a street. I guess wearing some skin-tight jersey with a sponsor name on it somehow gives them carte blanche to ride wherever they want...even if that means 20 feet from a bike path on River Road. Mr. Krueger, if you truly are a considerate bicyclist and try to stay to the right of traffic...you are the exception. I'm sorry that the bad apples have given all bicyclists a bad rap. "

Walker wrote on May 25, 2007 9:06 AM:

" Good for you, John. This city is remarkably un-pedestrian and bike friendly. But what better way to protest high gas prices, promote environmentally-responsible lifestyle changes, and "solve" America's obesity epidemic? "

Sink the Bismarck wrote on May 25, 2007 8:29 AM:

" Bisman drivers are intolerant and rude about everything. They are probably spitting at you as well, you just didn't notice. "

JEFF wrote on May 25, 2007 7:45 AM:

" If everyone is honking at you and you receive rude gestures everyday, have you considered that you may be a poor driver? "

Bismarck's Dirty Little Secret wrote on May 25, 2007 7:43 AM:

" Bismarck's a great place to live but while we all develop muscle strain from constantly patting ourselves on our back for what nice people we are, there is a black mark on our community soul: Drivers in Bismarck are some of the most rude and inconsiderate towards pedestrians and bicyclsts you will encounter anywhere. Anywhere. With pedestrians it's the 'blank stare'; drivers passing by an elderly person waiting in a cross-walk as if the were crystal clear. With bicyclists, it's an aggressive, 'this street is for cars; what's the matter with ya?' attitude. We might be nice people but visitors to our city and our citizens get to see what is really in our hearts when we are behind the wheel of our vehicles; and it isn't a pretty sight! Time to grow up and show a little maturity and courtesy, Bismarck. "

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