Safe driving around cyclists

This letter was in the Idaho Statesman today.  I’ve often had this thought.  Mr. Roemer put it well.

RIGHT OF WAY

Polite drivers might get cyclists killed

Bicycles are subject to all the rules and privileges of the road, just like cars. As a biker, sometimes drivers try giving me undeserved right of way. That needs to stop.

Often, bikers will be at a stop sign, and cross-traffic will randomly stop and wave them on. However, the well-intentioned driver doesn’t mind the car behind him or her that isn’t stopping. Accepting that courtesy would then end in disaster, as the biker rides out into moving traffic.

It’s irresponsible to wave someone on in front of you if you can’t be 100 percent certain that every single other driver is also stopping. The only person who can best be sure that the way is safe is the one who bears the risk of being hit, not you.

Also, the time it takes for the driver to stop, for me to realize he or she is stopping for me, and for me to double-check for not-stopping traffic is actually greater than if the driver had just gone through the intersection without interruption and I had gone normally. It’s a nice thought, but it’s ridiculous.

Don’t give me right of way that isn’t mine. It’s illegal, confusing, and it will get people killed.

PHILLIP ROEMER, Boise

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/06/14/1230423/letters-to-the-editor.html#ixzz0qqqFGXjS