How much do I need to pay in taxes before I have the right to not be run over?
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Thagt depends. Are you a Republican or a Democrat?*
Seriously, though, you're right: bicycles
are traffic. I have ridden on the road consciously & carefully and had several very close calls. I have also driven around @$$hole bicyclists who are no better than the yoots who saunter down the middle of the street.
The distinction is that, though bicycle pilots are subject to ALL the same rules as auto drivers, they are rarely held to the same standard of accountability, by LE or insurance co's or public opinion. If I go around cars on the sidewalk in my truck then cut in front in the middle of an intersection, it won't be long before I get pulled, ticketed, fined, and have my rates go up - and rightfully so. However, I see bicyclists do this almost every single day with ZERO repercusion (other than my questionably effective East European Descendant muttered hexes). The list of bicyclists' absolutely illegal behavior is endless, yet, if you in a car or truck collide with a bicyclist who ran a red light at 20mph while jumping from the sidewalk to middle of a crosswalk, oh! the Poor Rider was harmed by the Evil Driver! Unloseable Lawsuit Ahoy!!
Am I lumping all bicyclists together? Yep. Kinda the same way bicyclists lump all auto traffic together. You know: "Not Me, so Stupid and Bad." Sweeping Generalities; it's the human way.
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* If you're a Socialist, you're entitled to a free bicycle and a monthly check for obeying 10% or more of the rules of the road. Unless that's inconvenient; then the check will be issued anyway.