all fair points
But I'd contend that the amount of risk and riding within the rules can be mutually exclusive. I've ridden all my life through traffic in busy cities, and I consider myself a defensive aware rider who minimises risks where I can. Part of that "not impeding cars" means less reliance on them having to see you and adjust. As you are wary of bikes, likewise I treat cars as capable of unpredictable behaviour. It's that unpredictability that often results in accidents. As you said, car beats bike, so you can be within the rules and have the right of way, but if they car doesn't see it that way you'll be right and dead. I don't sail through reds oblivious. that would be stupid, but I read the traffic and if I can go I will, I don't feel bound by them.
As a philosophical argument. I don't think bikes enjoy the full protections of the highway code in the way cars do. And we probably wouldn't want to, as it's kind of cuntish to assert car like privileges. We travel at slower speeds (in theory), and cars can pass us without changing lanes. we don't have indicators, break lights, horns, don't pay road tax or pass a licence. So I don't feel bound by those rules like waiting at traffic lights with no other traffic.
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cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Thu 22 Dec 2022, 3:30,
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