Bicycle riders need to obey the laws

Dear editor:

I wrote a letter two weeks ago about being considerate towards bicyclists. Last week, someone wrote in response that bicycles shouldn't be allowed on the streets.

At first, I wasn't going to respond, but then I realized this was an opportunity to make more people aware.

I must agree with the writer of last week's letter on certain points, but must disagree with her solution to the problem. I, too, see a lot of bad behavior by bicyclists. I'm constantly seeing people on bicycles not yielding at stop signs or stop signs, riding the wrong way down the street (against traffic instead of with), popping out into the street without looking. Even though wearing a helmet isn't law, it is common sense and I see lots of people without them.

By Idaho law, bicyclists must follow all traffic laws. They need to ride to the right. They should fall in with other vehicles at stops and not squeeze in between cars. Bicyclists need to respect other vehicles.

Although bicycles have to follow regular traffic laws, there are a couple Idaho exceptions. When approaching a stop sign, bicycles have to slow down and if other vehicles are present they must yield. However, if there are no other vehicles at the intersection they can proceed through the stop sign without stopping. At a stop light bicycles must come to a complete stop. They may proceed against the light if there are no other vehicles at the light.

When a bicycle and another vehicle are involved, the bicycle usually loses. The majority of times when a bicyclist is killed and the automobile driver was at fault, the automobile driver will be cited for reckless driving.

I do think that a permit to ride a bicycle on the street should be required. Acquiring a permit would be contingent on paying a fee and passing a written test on Idaho Code Title 49, Chapt 7. The fees collected could be used to build dedicated bicycle lanes on streets.

Proper bicycle riding should be encouraged, not discouraged. Bicycling is a great form of exercise and great for the environment.

-- Garry Swatzel