MY TURN | Bikes Should Be Banned From Roads

— Reader Submitted

Everyone is constantly talking about save the environment, ride a bicycle. They are fighting for more and more rights for bicyclists, more now then ever before. Well I am against bicyclists riding on the roadways 100 percent.

There is a law that says if you hold up a certain amount of vehicles, you are required to move off to the side of the road whenever there is a safe spot to do so. Bicyclists do not do this, and somehow they get away with it. It is not safe for not only the bicyclist, but for the person driving the vehicle also.

Bicyclists are also not required to have all of the safety features that are required on anything you drive that has a motor on it (mirrors, lights, turn signals, brakelights).

I have to pay licensing fees for my ATV every year, and I'm not even able to ride it on the roads, not to mention even on a dirt road. My ATV can do the speed limit anywhere, it has lights, and brake lights. Put some turn signals and mirrors on it, and it would be just like a motorcycle.

Now tell me, why is something like bicycles, which 90 percent of the time can't do the speed limit and do not pay ANYTHING, get the advantage of riding on the roadways that we all have to pay for?

Just because people are thinking we need to be environmentally friendly does not mean we should allow something as unsafe as riding a bicycle where a motor vehicle was designed to go, happen.

Until the state can afford to put bike lanes in, I believe that bicycles should stay off the roads. If that is something that absolutely cannot be done, (which it can) then I believe that bicyclists should pay licensing fees just like all the rest of us road users.

We should also get a law passed that will allow ATVs on our roadways. After all they are ALL terrain vehicles!!

Shane T. Hamre


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Comments » 63

headrolls82#211262 writes:

What a great letter to the editor!

Shane is absolutely right! I have no sympathy for those idiot bicyclists. They think they own the road and get away with whatever they want to because of the flock of liberals running this state.

Personally, I could care less about what environmentalists or the nerdy looking bicyclists think. If you want to ride a bike, go up to green mountain. At least there's less vehicles. Bicyclists not only put themselves at risk when they're on the road, they put drivers at risk as well who are trying to avoid them. When I see a bicyclist i drive as slow as possible because I'm afraid they will dart out into traffic.

kidnapcounty writes:

If you choose to ride a bike on the road why should you have to be double taxed,they already pay taxes for are roads to drive cars on so why should they get taxed again to ride a bike? just how much road damage does a bike cause anyways? Wake up man stop letting them strip our rights away before you know it theyll tax and control are every move, their already gettin close.
as long as i pay taxes for road maintence ill ride a bike when i want and wont pay any more wasted taxes for riding a bike

janerebelowski#330470 writes:

You do not seem to have an understanding of a public right of way. This is the portion of land designated to be owned by the citizens to let people (all people, residents, citizens or not) to have passage on and through. Despite what you think these PUBLIC rights of way were not designated for motor vehicle passage only. We all pay taxes on them for purchase, upgrade and non taxable status.

dahl#245857 writes:


Also seatbelts. Click it or Ticket.

stan writes:

If the bicyclists would use a little courtesy and common sense it wouldnt be so bad. On my way to work this afternoon there was a guy riding on Mullenex Rd in S. Kitsap. There was a paved shoulder in the area I got stuck behind him, but he refused to cross the white line. I am not anti-bicycle at all, and have spent alot of time riding in the SK and Gig Harbor areas, but when a car is coming I get out of the way. 4000 lbs vs 200 lbs; common sense.

Dachshund writes:

Cry me a river.

hosscow#210388 (Inactive) writes:

kidnapcounty wrote,

From this reasoning, then why should we pay taxes on our second or third cars, since we already paid taxes to use the road with our first car?

Bikers could solve so many conflicts by just moving over when a car comes.

tony_e30 writes:

As a bicycle commuter I ride about 90 miles a week on public roads. Your rhetoric on bicyclists making public roads unsafe is interesting not only because you fail to cite any statistics validating your claim, but you fail to inform anybody of how a bicyclist creates an unsafe situation for themselves and motor vehicle operators by not moving off the road and allowing vehicles to pass. In my experience, the only unsafe situation is the one created by the occasional impatient vehicle operator who doesn't wait for traffic to clear in the oncoming lanes before passing the cyclist. I expect you to obey the traffic laws, as I do myself, and wait until it is safe to pass. The last time I checked, Washington State laws haven't assigned an importance rating to cars over bicycles.

Bicyclists only ride on the paved shoulder of the road (in the few places in Kitsap County that actually have them) if it is safe and practical to do so. The shoulder is where all of the clag and debris from the road collects and often times creates a hazardous situation for the rider. It's not that we refuse to cross the line, it's that we deem it too dangerous to ride there.

I'm also willing to pay a registration fee to ride my bicycle in Kitsap County (as I already do for my cars), provided the funds generated go directly to road maintenance, creating paved shoulders on all roads, and motor vehicle operator education.

Every time I get on my bicycle to ride on the road, I am accepting the risk inherent to that activity. I minimize that risk to the best of my abilities: I diligently perform maintenance, I wear bright rodeo clown-like clothing, and I have a halogen headlight and obnoxiously bright and blinking brake light. The thing I can't control is how drivers react to my presence on the road. In the 8000+ miles I've ridden on Kitsap County roads in the past 3 years there are only 4 noteworthy near-misses I could mention involving vehicles. That means that of the tens of thousands of vehicles passing me, only 4 have either not seen me, or been too impatient to make a safe and legal pass. That's a statistic. A vague and personal one, but a statistic nonetheless. It shows that sharing the road with bicycles is as safe as drivers and bicyclists make it. Save your useless rhetoric for an equally ignorant and sympathetic audience.

wsrowe#218427 writes:

I find it interesting that all the comments are pointed at the bicyclists that seem to be close to following the rules. They probably even wear bicycle helmets. There are many bicyclist who ride the wrong way, no helmets and ride at night without any safety devices on their bikes.

What if everyone rode bicycles, who would pay the road taxes...

tony_e30 writes:

P.S. I'm sorry that, as a bicyclist, me and my kind occasionally cause you some mild inconvenience. We understand that you'll never get those 15 seconds of your travel time that we cost you back, but we thank for patiently waiting for a time to safely pass us and allowing us the courtesy of not running us off the road or crushing us with your car.

haugie writes:

Vote for Pedro, err Shane, for mayor.

dothewalk#229363 writes:

I for one, AGREE with Shane! If people are going to ride bikes on the roadways, they should be required to know ALL the "rules of the road" and have to prove it by taking a test and getting a "bicyclist endorsement" on their license just as motorcyclists do. I have personally been witness to a bicyclist going off yelling and cussing at someone at a stop light. Do they get tickets for road rage? Because they are some of the most aggressive people that I've seen. The liberals have somehow convinced them that they have entitlement over the roads. WRONG! The roads are the same for everyone and the rules SHOULD apply equally.

And the people on bikes that ride the wrong way, what would happen if I did that on hwy 3 in a car? They need to know and follow the rules of the road.

Or what about the ones who use the roads when it's convenient and then at an intersection, use sidewalks and crosswalks because it's more convenient? Seems double sided to me.

They expect the same privileges and respect on the road and don't give it. You have to give respect and earn it in order to receive it.

eddiek writes:

Can we ban pedestrians while we are at it, from crosswalks and well as sidewalks. When I make a right turn on red or turn into a business and cross a sidewalk I have to yield right of way to a pedestrian and this is an inconvenience.

1sweetie writes:


BlueStarMom writes:

Sadly, the editors at the Sun consider this ill conceived and childish rant worthy of a My Turn selection. Shame.

capsea writes:

I am 100% for no cars on the road.

Shane, grow up.

Elliott writes:


I expect you're also opposed to pedestrians walking on the side of the road.

dbeck#245512 writes:

'just how much road damage does a bike cause anyways?'

Then why do I pay a weight base fee for my motorcycle?? Plus, unlike bicycles, it is capable of obeying rules of the road.

Ladybug writes:

Make em pay. I am tired of being at a stop light, and right down the middle of the car lanes, a person on a bike comes and cuts right in front of me. Now, I can't do that with my car....why should they get to do it with their bikes?

Some riders complain that they are not treated fairly on the roads...they should act like a car and stay behind last car that stopped. Stop cutting. If you can't stay up to speed with the traffic, ride somewhere else and get off the road!

Put a plate and pay a fee for license I say.

Some (note I said some) riders do not follow the rules of the road, they are a danger and I don't like sharing the road with them at all.

LaLeonne writes:

If only we could all go back to a time when COMMON COURTESY was common. There is no reason we can't all grow up and play nice on the road way if the car drivers, bike riders, horse back riders, atv riders, pedestrians, unicyclist etc would all use COMMON COURTESY there would be less problems. This includes doing the speed limit, allowing plenty of time to get where you are going, not throwing trash on the roadways, and for car drivers to drive not put on thier face's, eat breakfast, hold a conference call, read a book or newspaper while driving!

stan writes:


There is no importance rating to bicycles over cars, however there is a law that says that if slow vehicles are holding up more than 5 vehicles they must pull over and let the cars pass. Does this not apply to bicyclists? Also, I have been riding in this area for 15+ years and I have never had a problem with debris on the shoulder. Even when there is a paved shoulder, most "hard core" bicyclists will not use it. A little courtesy and this would not be an issue.

indyexpat writes:

My first impression in reading some of these comments is one of concern. My heart goes out to you for this terrible ordeal you face everyday. Having to share your road with someone else... Tch, tch, tch...

Perhaps if you let us know when and where you plan to travel we'll clear a way for you. When you go into the bank, please make sure you identify yourself so we can all bow and let you move to the front.

Enough of the sarcasm... your mom may have said you're special but she lied. You are one of about 7 billion of us and we all have to share this space. Life is full of minor inconveniences. Grow up. There are a lot of people who have to put up with you also.

For example, I think your ATV is extremely annoying. It stinks and it makes way too much noise. And that flag on the back just looks stupid.

jonathanE writes:

Be careful Shane. It's a slippery slope. First bicycles get banned, next thing you know IQ tests will be required for a driver's license. I'm fairly sure you wouldn't like that.

djlovescats#481755 writes:

Bicyclists should have to be licensed, and their plates should be large and prominently displayed so when one of them won't get off the road or drives in front of a car, the police can be called.

If they violate a rule and get hurt, they should have to pay for their own insurance.

In my experience, bicyclists are arrogant and rude. They think They think they are untouchable. They use the excuse that they are being green. Everyone write or call your legislator and ask them to make a law that bicyclists cannot ever ride on highways, nor on sidewalks.

BioProf writes:

Let's just ban everyone who irritates us. Going too fast or too slow? No more driving for you! Riding a bike? Let's see how tire marks look running up that dorky red suit you're wearing!

Lock 'em up for a long time. Better yet, put 'em in the stocks so we can throw rotten tomatos at them.

We were promised a perfect world somewhere along the line, and dagnamit it's time we get what we are owed!


jimmyjama writes:

Get in touch with reality people. Suck it up and learn to get over it. Yeah i bike to work and yeah i also drive a car. With both i follow the rules of the road. I side with the comments above, that we should eliminate anyone that annoys us...or doesn't think like us...or doesn't look us...etc. Thats sarcasm..for all you neanderthals out there. Don't let your Knuckles scrape the ground!

oldmill (Inactive) writes:

Let's ban old folks, too. Old folks like nothing better than driving 54 in a 55 zone. If you aren't capable of speeding then you shouldn't be out there.

dennybop writes:

I don't ride a bike. I've got better things to get worked up over...don't you?

gordonfowlds#313919 writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

oldmill (Inactive) writes:

When I encounter an obstructing bicycle or a doddering auto, I start to get angry, but then I step back and remind myself that they have the same right to be there that I have. The anger passes, and eventually so do I.

michael#212864 writes:

As a driver and not a biker I've seen bikers do some pretty stupid things. I also think some of them are beyond arrogance into a militant frenzy. But that is a small minority. Of course, the exact same thing can be said of some drivers who are arrogantly anti-bicycle.

Most bicyclists are aware of their own danger and try to keep as small a profile as possible and stay as far right as they can. They also wear reflective clothing and carry bright strobe lights. They follow the rules of the road, ride single file, and don't suddenly say, "I was a vehicle; now I'm a pedestrian! Surprise!" Face it: It's in their best interests to do so. They might be "right" in some circumstances, but being dead right is kind of a hollow victory, don't you think?

So I'm asking you all this: Can't we all just get along? Can't we all just watch out for each other? Yes, there are some roads that are a little tougher to share than others. We all know this. My full-size pickup takes up the entire lane. I have no leeway at all with the mirrors so I have to be especially careful. Why not just do what it takes to get past each other safely and not begrudge the extra few seconds it takes? If it slows you down for a minute because of oncoming traffic, so? Just be patient.

I walk my dog down a busy street every day. It has no sidewalks, but there is a small path. All cars, even trucks, COULD go past me staying in their correct lane and I would not be hurt. It might be a little scary, especially for the dog, but it's possible to do.

But that doesn't happen. About half the cars and most all the trucks will pull over into the opposing lane about half way as they go past me. They don't have to do it. They are just being courteous and giving me some space so I and my dog will feel more comfortable.

When the vehicles do that I always give them a little wave. The further out they pull the bigger the wave I give. They just helped me out. Why not thank them?

You might could try that with bicycles. Give them some extra space just to make it easier on them. And bicyclists might try a little wave. It won't hurt you to say thank you. I guarantee you the driver is looking back at you to see if he got around okay.

Give some space. Give some thanks. It's easy. Really.

Magicsmom writes:

Most of the time, I don't think that bicyclists create problems. But Shane makes a good point that a car is required to pull over when five vehicles are behind it. Bicyclists aren't required to do this? Why not?

A popular trend amongst bicyclists seems to be using the left hand turn lane. What ARE they thinking? When I was a kid, we were taught to cross the street with traffic, then cross the street again with traffic, but we were NEVER told it was a good idea to get in the left hand turn pocket with cars EVER! It is dangerous, and it is unnecessary.

rainbowtrout writes:

I can tell you from personal experience, when I was a kid, I made the mistake of moving left instead of right, near where the old Lincoln Mart use to be on Lincoln Hill in Poulsbo. Guess what? I got whacked by a truck. After that experience, I can tell you I didn't want a car or truck anywhere near me when I was biking, even if it meant pulling over and dismounting my bike. I'd much rather be alive than match wits with some thing much bigger than me.

gordonfowlds#313919 writes:

I will tell you a story regarding bikes and the I rule the road crowd and the road is only for me types. They usually are in something akin to a RAM 250 or larger.

Well one day one come up along side me while riding my bike and I was hugging just inside the outer white line. I normally ride on the shoulder when one is available. I do not want to tangle with Kitsap red necks when they are in 6,000 pound machines packing 300 horses under the hood. However, this shoulder was covered in huge chunks of broken glass. No cars were coming and this big blue pickup comes along. (you can fill in any blanks). He comes up along side and screams, "GET YOUR ____ING BIKE OFF THE ROAD! I like him was doing the same thing riding home from work, but like the guy that wrote this letter he thinks its his. He then proceeds to swerve his truck into me and shoved me off into the ditch. I obviously did the big header over the handlebars but besides a few blackberry scratches was no worse for wear.

I did get a good look at the truck and remember what the guy looked like before I got the big swerve. Two months later I saw the truck parked at the Port Orchard KFC. I just happened to have in my tool box a handy dandy little tool that takes the needle valve out of the tire stem. I checked and he was still in line and there were at least four people ahead of him and i knew he could not see me. I snuck on up and removed all four and put those little needle valves in my pocket for sweet souveneirs. I walked back across the street and sat quietely in my car.

Then I watched as he came back and looked at all four flats. For a moment he, just stood there looking at those tires not quite being able to figure out what happened. Then he walked around the truck and realized it was all four. The he just started whipping his arms around and started pounding the side of the big ol' truck. I just heard this ______, ______, ______ and more of this ______, ____, ____ and my window was rolled up> Again you fill in the blanks. I then quitely drove off......what comes around goes around.....

Oh if I would have had sugar on me that would have been in the gas tank......

That was twenty years ago, but I still remember the whole thing like it was yesterday.

trry4 writes:

Out of all the comments michael had the best ideas. We all need to look out for each other. I get annoyed when trying to cross the Manette Bridge and a bike is on the road but I almost always just slow down and let them get over the bridge unless there is no oncoming traffic then I go completely around them. I hope when the new bridge is done they have a bike lane to the ferry since I would bike if it were safer. I moved here 15 years ago from an area that had extensive bike lanes and trails that made it safe to travel to multiple places and have often wondered why in such an environmentally friendly state they allow people on bikes to be forced to ride in places they should not and I always thought since they are that the bike rider would try to limit the danger to themselves and others.

gordonfowlds#313919 writes:

Oh turns out there is a bit more to the story. The guy who owned the truck like me worked in the Shipyard. Well if you ride or walk to work what is amazing is you usually keep a bit healthier unless you get run off the road.

About seven years after the incident the guy had a big ol' coronary and he did not even make retirement. You have to remember this guy was probably around 5' 10" but he could easily spin the scale to 300#+ or very close to it. There is no way when he looked down he could see those private parts. As my friend's three sons say, "He was packing a full throttle crotch paddle."

It might have done him a bit of good to be riding on a bike rather than be settin in that truck.

Ninety % of drivers and bikers are courteous and look out for each other, it is just the 10% that make the problem. For those my suggestion is carry a tire needle valve remover.

a_leng writes:

As a commuter who rides a bike to the ferry three times a week, I have felt the wrath of many drivers. It is interesting that almost all of the ones who feel the need to roll down the window and yell at me are a) driving big trucks and are b) not following the “rules of the road” themselves. Everyone needs to be aware of others using the road- a little courtesy goes a long way.

mikeshardelman writes:



How would this education of motor vehicles work or even be useful? Would those of us that already have operators licences be required to go to a special class and be tested prior to renewal?


"Let's ban old folks, too."---How do you define old? You may well be talking about the both of us.

AC7K writes:

Why is it that we need one more aspect of the government controlling what we do? I prefer more freedom than less.

kenwidell writes:

"Can't we all get along?"
Smartest piece of advice I've seen in this thread so far.

Nice story, Gordon. Karma is the great equalizer, as what goes around comes around (for better or worse...)

Strange, though, these posts that work in how "liberals" are somehow at fault for every percieved slight and problem in our everyday lives. Oh, well, the rudderless meltdown continues, I guess.

eddiek writes:

Ok, if we ban bikes due to safety issues we should also ban the following:
Pedestrians, from crosswalks and sidewalks. They occasionally slow me down.
As far as vehicles, lets ban trucks, they are slow hard to see around. Yes, even large pickups, and SUV's, anything over 1/2 ton.
Ban trailers, slow and they can come loose, yes, even ATV trailers.
Motorhomes/campers banned.
Motorcycles, hard to see and they occasionally zip around me, and occasionally noisy, banned - gone.
As far as drivers lets ban the young, not responsible enough, sorry, anyone under 25 banned. Well your reactions slow as you age, your eyesight goes, more likely to have medical issues so lets ban anyone over 50. sorry.
Anyone who has ever had a traffic ticket, banned, has proven themselves as unsafe, no three strikes, one ticket you are done. Yes, even red light cameras are included.
As far as education as we all know you need to be smart to drive. Didn't complete a few years of college, sorry no license.
Yes, a mandatory IQ test as well, must score in the top 50% of society to drive on our roads, stupid people make stupid decisions. As pointed out earlier, Shane would not meet the IQ requirements.
What a wonderful society we would have.....

nomad writes:

bicyclists are people too. you mean to tell me all motorist are in the right when it comes to the road. I think not. The percentage of retards driving far out way's the retards on bike. Take a chill pill and deal with it.

alally writes:

As a regular cycle commuter to the Southworth Ferry, I am afraid much of the animosity from some motorists toward us cyclists is deserved. I have seen too many instances of cyclists taking literally the idea that they are full-fledged vehicles with full rights to the entire road, blocking traffic; blatant disregard for traffic guidelines like stop signs, signals, and speed limits; as well as general obliviousness to other road and trail users.
The first thing that needs to be realized is that bicycles are wonderously versatile vehicles: they can go across town as fast as a car at city speeds; they can be ridden on streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, paved & unpaved paths, and across open fields & parks, & can switch between these modes when the need or opportunity arises. They can be taken aboard cars, buses, trains, & ferries. They can be picked up & carried, taken into buildings, & walked when necessary. In addition, they cost nothing to operate, and give beneficial exercise.
Therefore we should strive to prevent our less-advantaged fellow travellers from feeling apprehension about our presence, by taking into account this advantageousness & apply some humility towards others. Even consider ourselves as secondary users of roads, sidewalks, & trails. Consider the plight of the primary users of roads, cars & trucks. They are constrained by the laws of man & physics to stay on the pavement between the lines, not stepping on the brakes or veering to the side too fast, being constantly aware (ideally, at least) of the 3000lb vehicle they are piloting. And paying through the nose to do so. We should not make them needlessly crawl at 20mph, or unexpectedly veer into another lane or screech to a stop. And we should make ourselves as visible to them as possible. The primary users of sidewalks, crosswalks, & walking trails, move at a walking pace & often are accompanied by children or dogs, & are walking for the pure enjoyment of strolling at a slow pace, engaged in reverie. Or they are just trying to negotiate the same maze of city traffic we are. They shouldn't have to be put on alert, fearful of some Lance Armstrong wannabe baring silently down on them or their kids doing 30mph.
I have logged probably 1000 miles in the last couple of years without any of the confrontations mentioned by some of the other posters simply by deferring to other users. Of course, some motorists who complain about rider's exercizing the cycle's natural versatility by going from road to sidewalk & back need to remember what I said earlier about the bike's ability to do this, & as long as it isn't inconveniencing or jeopardizing anyone else, they need to either get a life or get themselves a bike too.
Generally, too many people seem to think of getting from point A to point B as a competitive sport. This is an area where cooperation is needed, not competition.

jonathanE writes:

Bikes and cars need to be courteous to each other. Bikes should ride single file when cars approach, and cars should give bikes at least 3 feet when passing. Avoid confrontations. You never know who is packing, whether they are in a car or on a bike. Myself and several of the guys I ride with are usually sporting .25 calibers in our jersey pockets.

Magicsmom writes:

gordon, that story is hilarious. Karma bit Mr. Dodge Ram in the rear end big time!

roger2012 writes:

Great, some recommend vandalizing vehicles (karma?), others recommend caring firearms. Maybe we will get into the Mel Gibson style of riding. Both sides of the house have good and bad operators. As for comments of traveling a few feet, when the number approaches over 5000 feet it is not just inconvenient, it is most likely illegal. I support a tax on bike purchases, a fee for a license for bike riders, and a fee and requirement for license plates for bikes. All money coming in would be used to fund the program and pay for improvements to increase the number roads with bike lanes and to put in off road bike paths to shorten the bike riders routes and keep them off the roads in soem areas. Money collected would be used in the areas where it is collected, ie. Kitsap County and divided between the three commissioner districts. Any extra funds could be used for free anger management classes for bike rides and vehicle operators.
Roger Gay
South Kitsap

ball_gawd writes:

So, does all of this also include Little Timmy's bike or are we going to prevent him and his friends from riding?

Fuzzface writes:

I see guys like Shane all the time. I seldom take my road bike out anymore because of guys like him. When I ride I try to stay on the shoulder or close to it. Its not always possible to do that. So when that happens cars come charging up, get as close as they can and when there is an opening, gas pedal goes to the floor and they just race around you, inches away. Why not instead keep a reasonable distance and when you can, just ease around? You're probably not going to get where your going any faster anyway. I agree, some riders probably want to push the issue and that is unfortunate, and they are a minority. Most people that ride just don't want to get hit. As for the road fees, whatever Dude. We all pay a lot of taxes. The roads would be in exactly the same condition with or without bicycles, and if cyclists had to pay something, it would be a drop in the bucket anyway.

Ladybug writes:

I had an experience with a bike rider yesterday. I was driving along, and low and behold a bike rider's chain came off. Did he get on the sidewalk to fix it? NO, he stayed in the road right in the lane.

Another reason that I find some bike riders rude. Why hold up traffic and make people go around when he could have just moved to the sidewalk to put his chain back on....


dennybop writes:

I'm tired of the tiny fraction of drivers and cyclists who disrupt my day and put my safety in jeopardy with their pettiness toward each other.

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