[RunningForT3]

Yesterday I had a group ride... actually only my 2nd so far. New group. Most of them are supposed to be experienced triathletes, and they've been doing weekly group rides for years.<br><br>
Now.... when I bike alone, I obey all the rules, including red lights. But these guys would just look, yell CLEAR and just go. At least once, a car somehow showed up, we had to swerve hard and I'm surprised nobody fell.<br>
Also, when a car would pull out somewhere where there's no light, they'd just wave to it to stop.<br><br>
Is this something normal in group rides? Looked a bit scary a few times... or maybe I have to get used to this?<br><br>
If I'd put myself in the drivers place... I would've had quite a few occasions to be pissed off at cyclists.

 

[hobey]

Many do, not all and it's a big pet peeve of mine. I'm all for cyclists rights but dude, you have to obey the rules of the road and actions of groups like these are the primary reason why I sometimes get abuse heaped on me while riding solo, minding my own business and obeying all the traffic laws.<br><br>
How can you expect to be treated like a car if you're a scofflaw?

 

[4boysmom]

Red light in town--STOP!<br><br>
Traffic actuated red light in the middle of BFE--blow it.<br><br>
It is actions like that group that give all cyclists a bad name. You want repect? EARN IT!!!

 

[LookiLoo]

It's so scary when I read these stories - especially when I feel like I've read about or heard of far too many cyclists dying in accidents the last few months. We may curse the drivers that don't pay attention to the cyclist, but as cyclists we need to have our $hit together and obey the rules of the road as well. I would not be able to ride with a group like that - that just sucks.

 

[jroden]

it causes problems when the lead riders go through a clear intersection and those following get forced to stop or clipped by a vehicle, so no it's not a very sharp idea. There's all kind of group rides out there, lately my preference has been to select a few people I like to ride with or ride alone, the big groups are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[itri]

I agree that a smaller group of people you know is the way to go if possible. Even then I know who I am riding behind. Some people are very good at pointing out pot holes, etc., others are flakes and I keep a little extra distance when behind them.<br><br>
Whether I am in a big group or small group I use them for relief from the wind, but still mentally I am riding as if I am in front or on my own. Even when they yell clear, Im looking..<br><br>
I also agree that if you are in town, you stop. In the middle of nowhere in the wide open where you can see in all directions, blow by it.

 

[hobey]

This can bite you especially in rural areas. There is an intersection with a 4-way stop in the middle of nowhere about 10 miles from my house. The county cops like catching & ticketing cyclists who blow the signs and they can get really nitpicky and ticket if you don't unclip but pause, trackstand, then go. I can rant about this one too....this time as a cyclist who thinks these guys should go find something better to do than bike stings.<br><br>
When I get to this intersection, I always unclip and put my foot down. I rode it so much a few summers ago that it's a habit for me now at every stop sign.

 

[4boysmom]

hobey--my grandma used to ride with a group of women. We're talking a group of grey haired grandmas. Grandma rode with them into her 80's. They would roll through stop signs. We're talking side streets with little traffic. The leader would call it, the rest of the group (8-10 women) would roll through. One day, they did get stopped by a cop. He wanted ALL of 'em to put a foot down and stop... Once the cop realized who some of these ladies were, he did let them go. But, technically, yes, you should unclip and put your foot down.

 

[master_of_none]

We use the clear yell when we have green since you never know. Our group does not run red lights on the roll but may jump them at times after stopping and seeing it is clear. Better to be safe than sorry and hurt

 

[RunningForT3]

So... we're not in town... the Jersey shore is a series of small towns with no empty space in between. You can call it suburban, but in the winter it's pretty empty. So traffic was quite light. But still... one time a car showed up and could've been a mess. It wasn't a big group, just 5, but most of them had multiple Ironmans...<br>
Anyway, it wasn't that bad as in my first group ride, which was with 3 guys from a roadie team, those guys were downright insane.

 

[MBannon]

I know the intersection you are referring to, and I have to say, this would be one ticket I would fight (assuming I came to a complete stop via track-stand). As far as I know, no law says a cyclist must put a foot down at a stop light or sign. I'd be perfectly happy to demonstrate my track-stand abilities to the judge if necessary. There are times it's much safer to track-stand than to put a foot down.

 

[MBannon]

As to the original post, I would not ride again with a group that put me in that kind of situation more than once.

 

[RunningForT3]

You're right Matt... I think the law just says you have to do a full-stop before resuming. But I'd still come to court to see you demonstrate the trackstand before the judge <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br>
By the way, how do they ticket a cyclist? I don't carry any ID.<br>
Well..... this brings another question: should I have an ID on me while riding????

 

[MBannon]

I would practice before my court date.<br><br>
A lot.

 

[MBannon]

Ya know, now you've got me wondering...if a cop cites you for not putting a foot down at a stop sign, but you did stop completely (even roll back a bit during the track stand), what would the ticket be for?

 

[hobey]

I agree. But the few seconds I unclip and stop is way less than the time I'd have to spend fighting said ticket and I'm closer to NP than you are. I could be training instead.<br><br>
I don't carry my license but I'm always wearing my Road ID.

 

[RunningForT3]

In NJ, this for example:<br><br><div style="text-align:left;"><i>39:4-11 Audible Signal on Bicycles</i></div>
<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>No bicycle shall be operated unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet.</li>
</ol>
or:<br><br><div style="text-align:left;"><i>39:4-14 Hitching on Vehicles Prohibited</i></div>
<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>No person riding on a bicycle, coaster, skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.</li>
<li>A person shall not ride a bicycle with his hands and feet removed from the handlebars and pedals, nor shall he practice trick or fancy riding in a street.</li>
</ol>
What if you trackstand is a trick?? Or the aero position is fancy riding? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br>
Well... in your defense you can say that by putting the foot down, you'd have removed the foot from the pedals.

 

[4boysmom]

No bicycle shall be operated unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet.<br>
or:<br><br>
Let's see... mom of boys... think my voice is audibe for a distance of at least 100 feet???

 

[RunningForT3]

4BM, I think your voice is audible, but in order for the bike to be "equipped" to you, you must be clipped, so you can't unclip at the lights <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[therambler]

this is very interesting.<br>
In Madison everybody does track stands, or goes through intersections in cross walks which is permissible by law. Though you could still get a J walking ticket.<br><br>
It baffles me that a cop would hand out a ticket for not touching the ground while stopped. Are "motorcycles"(3 wheeled vehicles) required to do the same, I'd probably use that as a defense if I was ever ticketed. If you can stop and balance without taking your feet of the bike why bother!!