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Lexington's Bike Ordinances
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jkizzle
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Joined: 29 Oct 2007
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Location: I.L.L.

PostPosted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

brokebike wrote:

True, better bikes than Segways... but, I just think it defeats any notion of respect, and also defeats the notions of responsible cycling; regardless of who you are or what type of bike you are riding.

Now, a cop riding a bike in the street along with traffic and obeying the traffic laws as would be held against any one of us, that would do a lot more towards gaining respect, and it wouldn't make people think, "hey the cops ride on the sidewalk, so that's where I'm gonna ride too."


yeah, i definitely agree, just saying they could all be using cars or motorcycles instead.
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elzie5000
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Christopher wrote:
one of the main reasons they ride the bikes at all is to be more integrated with the community, have one on one contact,

Raises the question of why they don't patrol on foot, but that's what I head. I suppose somebody could just ask 'em.


That's exactly the reason they give for doing it. To maximize contact.

And walking sucks. That's why we all ride.

When I was riding to lunch Friday, I saw a bike cop riding down a few stairs coming out of a building on Main. He looked like he was having a good time.
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seicer
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've actually had some pretty spirited discussions with the cops on the bike while riding around town. They don't really enforce the "no bikes on sidewalks" ordinance, and really have no intention to do so, because in some cases, the sidewalk is a better alternative to a portion of roadway that has a ton of loose gravel, craters, etc. Like, portions of Euclid after a nice freeze-thaw-rain-ice cycle.

I wonder how much they bike around town. I saw a few out on Winchester Road by Hardee's and Eastland a few weeks ago, and have seen them hoofing it around in north Lexington.
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brokebike
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

seicer wrote:
because in some cases, the sidewalk is a better alternative to a portion of roadway that has a ton of loose gravel, craters, etc.


like it might be for much of downtown if certain parties decide to build a big damn ugly skyscraper complex.
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jkizzle
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

brokebike wrote:
seicer wrote:
because in some cases, the sidewalk is a better alternative to a portion of roadway that has a ton of loose gravel, craters, etc.


like it might be for much of downtown if certain parties decide to build a big damn ugly skyscraper complex.


nope, they will take the sidewalk too.
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david
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A heated exchange with an SUV driver this morning motivated me to visit this old thread.

Does anyone know of a single page summary of KY/Lexington regulations I could hand to the next person who attempts to kill me? Large print and pictures might be required.

Alex made a comment about giving bicycles at least three feet when passing. Is that a KY Reg? Colorado just enacted this rule.
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david
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will keep a copy of pages 65 and 66 from the KY Driver's Manual in my bag to share. It might be more effective than yelling.

http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/pdf/2006_ky_drivers_manual.pdf
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alex
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Joined: 23 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

david wrote:

Alex made a comment about giving bicycles at least three feet when passing. Is that a KY Reg? Colorado just enacted this rule.

I will keep a copy of pages 65 and 66 from the KY Driver's Manual in my bag to share. It might be more effective than yelling.


that's where those last few lines came from
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roller
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RULES FOR MOTORISTS CONCERNING BICYCLES
A motorist must:
• Share the road with bicycles.
• Before passing a cyclist, look to see if there is loose debris on the pavement that might cause them to move into the center of the lane. Pass a cyclist only when it can be done safely, and give ample room (3 feet) between your car and the cyclist. Realize the air turbulence your vehicle can create at high speeds or in windy weather. Give the cyclist extra room if your vehicle has extended outside rearview mirrors. Return to the lane only when you are safely clear of the overtaken bicyclist.
• Look for cyclists. Because of their narrow profile you will need to develop your eye-scanning patterns to include bicyclists.
• When you are turning right after passing a cyclist, leave ample room so you don’t cut him off when you slow for your turn.
• When opening your car door, check behind for cyclists.
• At night be extra alert and don’t use your high beams, for they will temporarily blind the cyclist.

Remember, bicyclists are not special and privileged. They have the same
rights, rules, and responsibilities as all other highway users.
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sailorjames
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Think we can sticky this thread?
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brokebike
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sure. Done.
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toxic_howard



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:10 am    Post subject: Bike Cops Reply with quote

I'm one of the ones that patrols Downtown, full time, all year. As a "newbie" to this site, I've been reading the posts about what people think of us. I know some people don't like that we ride on the sidewalks. I don't like riding on the sidewalks, but it's necessary for my job. I ride in the street as much as possible, but in some parts of downtown I have to be on the sidewalk to be effective. I'm tasked with keeping an eye on the businesses Downtown, around Woodland and in Chevy Chase. I interact with the homeless and the mentally ill that live on the sidewalks and in the parks. I give directions to countless people daily who are walking downtown, and I'm the one who knows who steals bikes. I check bikes every week that I know are stolen, but usually the serial numbers are not on a report.

I stop cars on my bike, which has its own required skill set, and write tickets for running red lights and who cut people off in the crosswalks. I call out people who jaywalk and who ride the wrong way in the bike lanes. I ride through countless parking lots unnoticed looking for people breaking into cars. If I had to stay in the street all the time, I might as well be in a nice climate controled cruiser with my personally owned satellite radio. When I'm on the sidewalk, I always yield to pedestrians and I have things like herbies, patio furnature, light poles etc. to dodge. As far as pure riding goes, I much prefer the street anyday. Only in a true emergency do I ride against traffic. If I'm just patroling and I'm going against traffic, I get on the sidewalk. I signal my turns and lane changes and set a good example for cyclists to cars.

When I'm in uniform, I know I get better treatment from vehicles, but when I'm riding my roadbike 40 miles to Midway on the weekends I know exactly what cyclists have to put up with from uninformed, careless, or just plain malicious drivers.

I drove a cruiser for 14 years before I got this assignment and I interact with more people in an hour on the sidewalk than I would in a whole day in a car. A bike allows me to cover several square miles effectively and I enjoy every minute of it. As for setting a good example, if you mean always wearing a helmet, having things like brakes and lights, I think we do a good job. I know some people still won't agree with this and that's fine. If you have questions, just stop and ask. I'm easy to spot 'cause I'm the only one with fenders.
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brokebike
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

welcome to the forum, and thanks for your perspective on this issue. It's refreshing to hear the other side of the story. I'll be the first to admit that I have always had a knee-jerk reaction to bike patrols on sidewalks and I think coming on here telling the story from your perspective does a lot to dispel many of those objections.
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alex
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Joined: 23 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks for speaking up
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burton
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the site!
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