Whazup with bicycles?

[Patton]

I was/have been a cyclist for years. I have never gotten into the road bike thing though. As a traffic investigator I have just seen to many bad situations with cyclist and motorcycles as well when they find out cars dont give. Something that gets me with cyclist is they say share the road but yet they break the lays when it is convenient. I issued a ticket to a cyclist who passed a loading school bus and the guy came unglued. I have seen them blow stop signs, exceed the speed limit, not stop at traffic lights and just about everything else possible. Edited April 29, 2013 by Patton

[10-Ring]

I see both sides of it.  There is enough road for everyone if we share it.  I spent about 3 miles doing 15 MPH one day because a guy on a mountain bike in front of me insisted on riding in the center of the lane.  I try to be respectful of cyclists but I keep running into the bad apples of the bunch. 

[Mike.357]

do cyclists need to carry any type of insurance should they cause an accident resulting in property or physical damage?

[peejman]

do cyclists need to carry any type of insurance should they cause an accident resulting in property or physical damage?

 

I assume homeowners might cover such a thing, but required by law?  No. 

[Lumber_Jack]

No insurance required to ride a bike. If a bicyclist causes a vehicle wreck youd have to sue for damages and prove the cyclist was negligent.

Same goes for cyclists hit by a car. You'd have to prove the driver negligent in order to receive damages. Edited April 29, 2013 by Lumber_Jack

[Randall53]

I ride a bike but not for transportation.  I ride on the local river paths and in my neighborhood which has only a couple of ways in and out and not very busy at all.  I don't use it for transportation.  I mean crap, people run over cars and trucks now days, why would I want to peddle on a main thoroughfare?  There has been 3 deaths in the past couple of years in the Chattanooga area of people riding bikes to work during the morning rush.....now that's crazy IMO....no, suicide is what it is.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Randall53

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

 
Can't do that in TN, unless it's unloaded.

Which is a bit silly, since you could do it with HCP on a motorbike, if it's attached to the BIKE rather than the PERSON.
 
- OS

 

Now I am confused.
If we have a HCP...

We can't carry on our person a rifle/shotgun unless it is unloaded. Whether we are on a bicycle, motorcycle, horseback, walking, or otherwise.
But we can have an unloaded rifle/shotgun if it is attached to a Motorcycle but not attached to a bicycle?

[Guest AmericanWorkMule]

Sorry, I knew this thread is old but the subject is still relevant with Springtime here.

I ride a bicycle as well but stay out of the way and try and share the road. What gets me are the cyclists that demand the whole lane. We were driving down the Natchez Trace and a cyclist decided to stop on the exit ramp taking up the whole lane and wouldn't move.

 

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone was packing while they rode

[Lumber_Jack]

 

 

 

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone was packing while they rode

 

 

Yes I do.  I carry my pocket .380, just as a last ditch life saver.  most threats I can evade with some speedy pedal work, but some degenerates are intent on causing cyclists harm even if we are following the rules of the road and yielding to traffic.  and yes I do ride on the road, but to the far right and if I'm holding up traffic I will stop and allow the traffic to pass.  

[peejman]

Now I am confused.
If we have a HCP...

We can't carry on our person a rifle/shotgun unless it is unloaded. Whether we are on a bicycle, motorcycle, horseback, walking, or otherwise.
But we can have an unloaded rifle/shotgun if it is attached to a Motorcycle but not attached to a bicycle?

 

 

Sort of.  A bicycle is not a "motor vehicle", which the statute is explicit about.

 

 

 

 

(e)  (1) It is an exception to the application of subsection (a) that a person authorized to carry a handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1351 is transporting a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle and the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber. However, the person does not violate this section by inserting ammunition into the chamber if the ammunition is inserted for purposes of justifiable self-defense pursuant to § 39-11-611 or § 39-11-612.

   (2) It is an exception to the application of subsection (a) that a person who is not authorized to possess a handgun pursuant to § 39-17-1351 is transporting a rifle or shotgun in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle and the rifle or shotgun does not have ammunition in the chamber or cylinder, and no clip or magazine containing ammunition is inserted in the rifle or shotgun or is in close proximity to both the weapon and any person.

 

[Jesse]

I ride almost every day, but its in my neighborhood or the greenway.

I wont go on busy roads unless i have to. A lot of bikers commute to work and have to take the road.

Smart bikers will pull over once the traffic gets backed up 6-8 cars. 1-2 cars should just wait and pass when its clear. No need to be in a big hurry.. 1 minute wont kill your day.

[Oh Shoot]

Now I am confused.
If we have a HCP...

We can't carry on our person a rifle/shotgun unless it is unloaded. Whether we are on a bicycle, motorcycle, horseback, walking, or otherwise.
But we can have an unloaded rifle/shotgun if it is attached to a Motorcycle but not attached to a bicycle?

 

Yup, to echo Peejman. Statute says "in or on a privately-owned motor vehicle".

 

And you can't tote a loaded long gun on your person in general public with our without a permit. And having ammo on your person at all still qualifies it as "loaded".

 

Now what if you simply wanted to use your bicycle to go to the range or hunting, both legal activities once you get there? The only real defenses might be:

 

- " Of an unloaded rifle, shotgun or handgun not concealed on or about the person and the ammunition for the weapon was not in the immediate vicinity of the person or weapon"

 

Perhaps having the ammunition in a locked case attached to the bike and the completely unloaded rifle either across your body or attached to the bike?

 

- "Incident to lawful hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, sport shooting or other lawful activity"

 

Perhaps the journey to do that is "incident to" it?

 

- OS

[Mike.357]

as coincidence would have it I got stuck behind an older fat guy riding a bike today on the way to work. I don't care really, but why was the dude dressed like he was in the Tour de France? I mean he had sponsors all over his bike riding clothing. It looked fairly ridiculous. And I assume he was a newer rider, not very nimble. I safely went around him after a short wait until I got to a place where I could see oncoming traffic.

The insurance thing does not seem quite fair. Maybe I am overlooking some point of reason here.

[Patton]

as coincidence would have it I got stuck behind an older fat guy riding a bike today on the way to work. I don't care really, but why was the dude dressed like he was in the Tour de France? I mean he had sponsors all over his bike riding clothing. It looked fairly ridiculous. And I assume he was a newer rider, not very nimble. I safely went around him after a short wait until I got to a place where I could see oncoming traffic.The insurance thing does not seem quite fair. Maybe I am overlooking some point of reason here.

Only because it is not motorized with an engine of a certain size. Some states you can drive a 49cc moped without insurance. a few states without a license.
They figure you will not create enough damage with only a bicycle to where insurance is that necessary.-wrong I have seen cyclist cause major wrecks in which they could be sued for everything.

[JReedEsq]

I don't care really, but why was the dude dressed like he was in the Tour de France? I mean he had sponsors all over his bike riding clothing. It looked fairly ridiculous.

You get posers/dorky looking people in any sport. I have drawers full of that type of clothing, but any logo on mine is because that company actually sponsored a club I've raced with.

[Lumber_Jack]

I don't care really, but why was the dude dressed like he was in the Tour de France? I mean he had sponsors all over his bike riding clothing. It looked fairly ridiculous.


You get posers/dorky looking people in any sport. I have drawers full of that type of clothing, but any logo on mine is because that company actually sponsored a club I've raced with.

Just like going to the gun range and seeing every toy and gear imaginable but the guy couldn't hit a barn at 25yds.

[JReedEsq]

I carry my pocket .380, just as a last ditch life saver.  most threats I can evade with some speedy pedal work, but some degenerates are intent on causing cyclists harm even if we are following the rules of the road and yielding to traffic.  and yes I do ride on the road, but to the far right and if I'm holding up traffic I will stop and allow the traffic to pass.  

 

I'm sure some on this forum don't believe it but this is the attitude of the majority of cyclists.  Before 5 people tell me that cyclists are all a bunch of self-obsessed, narcissistic pansies wearing silly clothing, just consider this:  Even if the cyclist isn't trying to be courteous, It's really not fun to block traffic.  Most cyclists will avoid it whenever possible and keep it to a minimum.  Unfortunately the seasoned and smart cyclist who you zoom by because he's not blocking traffic or the one who only holds you up for a minute because he's going 35 mph on a downhill isn't the one that leaves a lasting impression.  It's simply human nature that you'll remember the guy who's blocking you on your way to work because he's just bought a bike and he thinks he's making some kind of political statement about global warming. As fun as it might look to have a fat guy revving the engine of this Cutlass about a foot behind me while I'm riding it's just not that relaxing. LumberJack is right about certain drivers.  A few months ago I was riding my bike to the office (a commute that is almost entirely on secondary roads and greenways btw) when I'm on a secondary road (not blocking anyone) with a flashing red light on the back of my bike for visibility in the morning fog and a lady pulls up to me and says, "If I don't hit you someone else will."  Naturally, when a stranger yells something so pleasant to me I have to ask, "Is that some sort of threat?"  She responds, "I could hit you if I wanted to"...  Unfortunately Lumberjack is right there are people who are just intent on hurting someone they perceive as vulnerable.  

 

As for cyclists carrying, it happens.  I personally know of a few people who got permits and .38 revolvers, small .22lr or .380 pistols just for this purpose.  If you ask them they'll say they are for dogs.  I've been bitten by a dog in the middle of nowhere before and it's not that fun.  I usually just carry pepper spray if I'm riding with a large group.  If I'm going to be way out in the middle of nowhere alone I might borrow my wife's Ruger LCR.  A friend of mine was just telling my wife and I a few days ago the only reason he has a fanny pack so he can carry a firearm on a bike.  I'm fairly certain this individual carries a small .40 and knows how to use it because he carries a bigger .40 for his job.  

 

I spent way too much time on this thread previously so I'm limiting my comments this time....