A kid, a bike, an ignored stop sign and a pickup truck

[PepperElf]

We often get interesting views from the windows at work.

One of the guys actually saw it happen.

Kid came tearing down the road on his bike, into a T intersection without stopping... right into the path of a white pickup truck.

i believe he lived, tho technically they shouldn't have carried him off the way they did.

The driver stayed and waited for the police.

[mattm04]

Seem it. Seen it where moron almost hit a cop car. At least in my state if you drive, ride or pedal those STOP and YEILD signs apply to everyone.

I know the excuse, well I have to pedal to get going again more work. Well it's more exercise. It costs you nothing. It costs me more in fuel to get tie car moving from a dead stop, but I do it anyway because it its 1) the LAW and 2) SAFE.

[Magpie]

My husband was that kid once. You know how it's more fun going down a steep hill if you pedal hard? Just don't do it if your brakes can't stop you! He left a dent in the side of a car...

It's why he's really good about always wearing a helmet, even though he is willing to ride on the sidewalk in certain circumstances. (I'm trying to break him of this, and he's good about it if I'm around, but he's going to be road pizza one day, because he rides on the sidewalk instead of walking when he forgets his lights.)

[malmalthekiller]

Clipped a biker's back wheel once, good thing I was going about 5 mph, but I dented the wheel. I gave the kid a ride home, and I felt a little bad, but he had clearly not stopped at a 4 way stop in the middle of town.

[mharbourgirl]

Oh man, that just reminded me of my foster sister's boyfriend, back in the 80's. Super extreme fitness nut, rode his bicycle at high speed everywhere. Has the distinction of being one of the few people to get more than one *speeding ticket* on his *bicycle*. Parts of Vancouver, especially around Burnaby and New Westminster, are very steep, long and straight, with lots of intersections. How he never ended up as a hood ornament is beyond me.

[BlaqueKatt]

I know the excuse, well I have to pedal to get going again more work. Well it's more exercise. It costs you nothing.

that's the fun part! Seeing how quickly you can get back up to speed is awesome! I usually get back to speed by the other side of the intersection.

I also like to see if I can beat the traffic in the lane next to me across the intersection.....smoked a corvette once-that rocked! yup the Fuji racing bike beat a 'vette from a dead stop....

Plus it gives me the opportunity to get a drink of water or coffee-yes I have a travel mug holder on my bicycle-usually holds a 20 oz mug of coffee....

[Chromatix]

I'd rather ride on the pavement if I don't have lights, than attempt to make it on the road, helmet or no. If you pay attention and remember that pedestrians aren't expecting you, it's no less safe than jogging.

With that said, cycle lanes are nearly ubiquitous here. Nearly every "pavement" is either segregated or unified for both pedestrians and cyclists. This means riding on the pavement is actively encouraged in urban and suburban areas.

[bhskittykatt]

Hubby almost hit a kid on a skateboard once. They were going downhill at a pretty good speed...just tore into the intersection against the light. She ended up jumping off her skateboard and probably ended up with a nice road rash as she slid across the pavement and ended up mere inches from Hubby's tires.

[Magpie]

I'd rather ride on the pavement if I don't have lights, than attempt to make it on the road, helmet or no. If you pay attention and remember that pedestrians aren't expecting you, it's no less safe than jogging.

Please remember that motorists aren't expecting you either!

[Chromatix]

Please remember that motorists aren't expecting you either!

But that goes without saying, on pavement or road!