Academic Article on Scofflaw Cyclists

[Brett L.]

@thucydides 157178 wrote:

…. bicyclists similarly rationalize their illegal behaviors but were more inclined to cite increasing their own personal safety and/or saving energy. Most bicyclists can generally be described as rational individuals trying to function safely and efficiently given the context and norms of where they live and the transportation system put in front of them.

This

[DismalScientist]

Not that. Cyclists (including myself) are scofflaws to save energy/save time. Citing personal safety is just moral preening.

[lordofthemark]

@DismalScientist 157201 wrote:

Not that. Cyclists (including myself) are scofflaws to save energy/save time. Citing personal safety is just moral preening.

I dunno about everyone else. I personally do NOT Idaho reds as a general rule. The few times I have been tempted, it was really all about getting away from traffic. For example at Maine and 9th SW, which is currently a three way intersection (due to contruction) I will sometimes Idaho the red (after stopping) because that way I can make the lane change (for my left onto 7th) without dodging cars. Its a good bit scarier if I have to make the left hand lane change with all the motor vehicle traffic. Similar things in some other places. There was one place I was riding recently (the location escapes me, senior moment) where I Idahoed a left turn because it looked almost impossible to do it otherwise (and I was already placed where it would have been awkward to move over to make a Copenhagen left).

That is different from Idahoing a stop sign in Fairlington when there is no other traffic – of course with no other traffic around there is no safety gain to Idahoing, I am doing that for momentum (though I usually do slow down for a potential stop, and often downshift) .

[huskerdont]

@DismalScientist 157201 wrote:

Not that. Cyclists (including myself) are scofflaws to save energy/save time. Citing personal safety is just moral preening.

Eastbound Washington Circle in DC is a perfect example of where I’ll Idaho a red after stopping and yielding to get ahead of traffic so I can get through the circle without getting crushed. That said, I understand your point. It can be an excuse for just breaking the law for convenience or out of laziness.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@DismalScientist 157201 wrote:

Not that. Cyclists (including myself) are scofflaws to save energy/save time. Citing personal safety is just moral preening.

I think you’re mostly right, although there are lights that I’ll jump to get ahead of cars for what I’d say is best described as “safety.” For example, on a road with two lanes in the direction I’m going, I might jump the light so I can more safely move into the left lane for a turn before the cars catch up. Yes, there’s a convenience aspect to this, but my priority in making such a move is avoiding merging into the left lane while cars are buzzing around me. This is where the roads and rules-of-the-road are not really designed with a cyclist in mind, so you have to adapt.

But yes, most of my Idaho stops are more like “I feel safe making this move and am able to execute it without compromising others’ safety, so I’m gonna do it to make my life easier and/or expend the least amount of energy possible.”

[KLizotte]

@DismalScientist 157201 wrote:

Not that. Cyclists (including myself) are scofflaws to save energy/save time. Citing personal safety is just moral preening.

You do not speak for me. Safety is my number one concern and I’m very rarely in a hurry to go anywhere on a bike and if I was, I’d just use another, faster mode.

[KLizotte]

I’ve only read the abstract above, not the full article, but the researchers seem to be assuming that there are two separate populations (cyclists and drivers) which really isn’t the case.

Since most cyclists are drivers wouldn’t it stand to reason that if they are reckless biking they would be just as reckless driving (especially since the risks are much lower in the latter)? It’s not like people suddenly change personality when they get on a bike. I’m slow and careful on my bike and I’m a slow, cautious driver too though I admit I’m less cautious driving because I’ve got tons of safety goodies protecting me.

But I agree that driving and walking infractions have been internalized as the norm while people go ballistic over a perceived cycling infraction. I can only presume that is because cyclists are viewed as the “other”.

[thucydides]

@KLizotte 157223 wrote:

Since most cyclists are drivers wouldn’t it stand to reason that if they are reckless biking they would be just as reckless driving (especially since the risks are much lower in the latter)? It’s not like people suddenly change personality when they get on a bike. I’m slow and careful on my bike and I’m a slow, cautious driver too though I admit I’m less cautious driving because I’ve got tons of safety goodies protecting me.

But I agree that driving and walking infractions have been internalized as the norm while people go ballistic over a perceived cycling infraction. I can only presume that is because cyclists are viewed as the “other”.

Ooh, a new study idea. Are reckless drivers also reckless cyclists? At some level you’re of course correct since we know that the absolute worst group for reckless behaviors (in all sorts of areas) are young males (~16-24). Comparing cycling and driving behaviors would be hard to study since it likely requires self-reporting and people lie or self-justify, which is one of the problems with the study I posted to start this thread. I can’t think of a way to reliably observe an individual’s cycling and driving behaviors (let alone a large N of people). Nonetheless I do think there’s plenty to the idea that infrastructure affects behavior. Ample studies show that it does with drivers and there’s loads of anecdotal evidence that cyclist’s break the law not just for convenience. I can easily describe a half-dozen spots in my daily commute where I’m breaking the law, but not for reasons of convenience (aside from the inconvenience of injury or death).

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