Sunday, November 12, 2006
Right of Way
Now, after riding my bike during rush hour and really looking at how rotaries work, it is clear to me the concept of right-of-way does not exist here.
There is a rather difficult drivers test that is administered here, but based on the random rules (or observance) it is clear that it needs some other additions.
Granted, bike and pedestrian lanes on the sides of roads make it harder to turn on and off roads. However, no one gives way until it is clear that an accident will occur and whoever is first gets to go.
I have kept my biking to the roads with separate bike lanes or wide bike paths and have found that you constantly have to be aware of all vehicles and bikes around you. Vehicles coming in from the right typically do not stop at lights or they block the bike lane and stop right in front of you. In fact, I now assume that they will stop directly in front of me. Buses have speakers so you can here them come and can see where they are going. Cabs tend to be the worst at cutting off bikes. It makes it hard to enjoy the scenery but with no right of way, but at least everyone has a fair shot.
There is a rather difficult drivers test that is administered here, but based on the random rules (or observance) it is clear that it needs some other additions.
Granted, bike and pedestrian lanes on the sides of roads make it harder to turn on and off roads. However, no one gives way until it is clear that an accident will occur and whoever is first gets to go.
I have kept my biking to the roads with separate bike lanes or wide bike paths and have found that you constantly have to be aware of all vehicles and bikes around you. Vehicles coming in from the right typically do not stop at lights or they block the bike lane and stop right in front of you. In fact, I now assume that they will stop directly in front of me. Buses have speakers so you can here them come and can see where they are going. Cabs tend to be the worst at cutting off bikes. It makes it hard to enjoy the scenery but with no right of way, but at least everyone has a fair shot.
