I ride a bike as my primary mode of transportation in Eugene, Oregon, a very bike-friendly place. I also breeze through stop signs, cut across parking lots and ride on the sidewalk. I don't do these things because I'm in a hurry, or just out of some two-wheeled scofflaw instinct. I ride aggressively and against the traffic code because experience has taught me that it's the best way to stay safe while riding on city streets. Were I to come to a complete stop at intersections or behave as though I were a car (full lanes, signaling) I would get hit. A lot. My main objection to behaving like a car is that cars aren't going to treat me like one, and cars can kill me. So I'll ride the way I've learned will keep me safe.

fimbulwinter:

I ride aggressively and against the traffic code because experience has taught me that it's the best way to stay safe while riding on city streets. Were I to come to a complete stop at intersections or behave as though I were a car (full lanes, signaling) I would get hit. A lot. My main objection to behaving like a car is that cars aren't going to treat me like one, and cars can kill me. So I'll ride the way I've learned will keep me safe.

And how exactly does not coming to a complete stop keep you safe? And why exactly would stopping guarantee getting hit? Sounds to me like you can't or just don't want to disengage from your fancy clipless pedals.

Please cite your study. I seem to be able to ride to work every day stopping at stop signs and lights and haven't yet been hit by a car because of it. I have been hit by a number of bicyclists though.

fimbulwinter:

My main objection to behaving like a car is that cars aren't going to treat me like one, and cars can kill me.

A great way to make sure a car kills you is to "breeze through" a stop sign. I've almost hit bikers before who came zipping out from minor cross streets. I am a considerate driver and I would never forgive myself if I killed you. Please be safe.

fimbulwinter:

Were I to come to a complete stop at intersections or behave as though I were a car (full lanes, signaling) I would get hit. A lot.

I am also perplexed by these statements. How, exactly, does failing to signal your turn make things safer? I understand riding on sidewalks and not using the full lane in certain situations, but how is acting unpredictably going to prevent an accident? I seriously want to know.

fimbulwinter:

I ride a bike as my primary mode of transportation in Eugene, Oregon, a very bike-friendly place. I also breeze through stop signs, cut across parking lots and ride on the sidewalk. I don't do these things because I'm in a hurry, or just out of some two-wheeled scofflaw instinct. I ride aggressively and against the traffic code because experience has taught me that it's the best way to stay safe while riding on city streets. Were I to come to a complete stop at intersections or behave as though I were a car (full lanes, signaling) I would get hit. A lot. My main objection to behaving like a car is that cars aren't going to treat me like one, and cars can kill me. So I'll ride the way I've learned will keep me safe.

And how does this make life safer for pedestrians? Or is only cyclists' safety important to you?

Actually bikes can kill. I ride and drive. Last night I watched a bike fly through a red light and a car was forced to swerve to miss him. The car ended up missing another car by inches. Unsafe driving or riding can kill.