Traffic rules for bicycles in bangalore !

[Harsha Athuluri]

hey,

i would like to know if there is any traffic rules for bicycle,
like......
bicycle rider should also wait for the signal ?

bcz,today i did jump a signal there was no traffic ! but the police
stopped me and was talking about some rules of traffic signal. he was
even trying take bribe for that.

i was little confused at that time,weather i jumped a signal sitting
in some BMW / FERRARI or else i was on my bicycle ?

weather he is corrupted or else i should really wait for the signal
even if thr is no traffic /as if on my Bike ?

[Mayank Kamthan]

dude.. what if u were driving a car, and a cycle wala appears out of no where, by jumping the signal and crashes into you.. 

wait for the signal, just for not being that cycle wala..

Cheers!

Mayank.

Mayank Kamthan

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

[Anand]

All traffic rules apply to cycles as well, when traffic light is red cycles also should wait.

However if you walk your cycle and not ride then you will be a pedestrian and should follow pedestrian rules.

So when its red for vehicles and pedestrians have green you can walk your cycle.

[Shankar Shastry]

This will be a long thread. Claiming that traffic rules don't apply to you and you MUST be given special rights of jumping signals is absolute bullshit and won't earn you any respect on the road.

You shouldn't jump signals because
1. You might get hit like what mayank said
2. You might be fined - traffic rules do apply to you
3. Most importantly you'll bring us all some bad rep. People will probably judge all cyclists by looking at you. We're still a minority, bound to be remembered for all the wrong reasons even while we're being green, saving the planet and all that stuff - its sort like being a goalkeeper, people only remember the ones that you didn't save.

I know there may be exceptional situations where its better to jump a signal than wait, but making jumping signals a habit is not good imho.

We already save enough time by riding our bikes. Waiting at red signals or walking the bike when allowed is the least we can do. And of course, if you're walking the bike, follow pedestrian rules and cross roads when its green signal for pedestrians. I do it. Don't see why you shouldn't.

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85

[Gourav Sengupta]

There is only one rule in Bangalore when it comes to cyclists (please remember cycle and cycle riders are always looked at as economically poor lot and that implies even a guy riding a luna moped with 50 chickens hanging upside down will pull his attitude on you, simple to understand, the guy with more motors under him owns the road more than the one with less motors) "DO NOT GET KILLED, HIT or MOWED OVER", rest all is implied

Regards,
Gourav
PS: I tried telling someone a few days back that my cycle was for 51K, it did not require a Guru or a Wizard to read it looks -"shala pagal hain". Now its a point to ponder whether he thought I was mad because I spent that on a cycle or whether he thought I was imagining my cycle to be of ....
Still what remained is that I was one of the POOR lot.

[Gourav Sengupta]

Another thing,

I have broken teeth, twisted joints, had stitches all over my face, spat blood, used slang, got cursed, jumped on cars, rammed into men and ran over dogs riding cycle in Bangalore.

By the time I travel my daily 30-35 kms at the end what matters is - I am still alive and kicking and cycling.

Enjoy Maadi Free style
(PS: The victim was always taken to the doctor, whether it was a dog or human aka me. And the broken teeth and twisted joints I was referring to were mine. Sometimes when police guy were involved you have to remember the POOR guy is always the one with no mistakes and the victim, IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA)

[Rajanikanth P]

This is not about traffic rules for a cyclist. This is yet another typical commute day for a cyclist in namma bengaluru.
Today i left my office @ 4:30 pm thinking that it might rain.

Problem #1

I saw that the gears were shifted again from3:5 It was 1:7.
Oh my GOD He must been a curious guy who wanted to try everything.
As usual shouted at the security guards as well as others nearby using all the bad words from all the languages i knew.

Problem #2

I started pedalling and within 500 meters it started raining heavily.
PANIC button pressed ...no signals no cops everybody in a hurry to reach home honkering at each other.
They would surely hate slow riders...So It starts..

One Auto guy shouts at me Heyyyyyyyy BATTERY ( Most of them think high end cycles or foreign brands have battery ) SIDEge hogu
Since i am a localite and an expert in giving back I said ....I won't tell what i said to him. But he felt very bad. That is for sure.

Will be contd...

rk

On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 12:00 AM, Gourav Sengupta <gourav....@gmail.com> wrote:

--
Regards,
RajaniKanth.P
Burn FAT not FUEL;Go Green Commute by CYCLE
  o___
   _>   /__
     (_) \ (_)

[Deepa Mohan]

Hi Harsha,

Why do you think common traffic rules don't apply to cyclists Harsha ? Do you also cycle on the right hand side of the road if there is no traffic, go the wrong way down one-way roads if there no traffic? Are you a law unto yourself because you are a cyclist?

I am just amazed at this question, from a presumably educated person. It shows, sadly, the lack of traffic education here.

Deepa.

On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM, Harsha Athuluri <harshaa...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Kishan Kumar]

Don't attack Harsha folks. It's like shooting the messenger! Ignorance it is. Until now I had presumed that cyclists == pedestrians. I've been breaking rules in ignorance too!! I remember being told in Taipei that only pedestrian rules apply to cyclists though. Completely my bad to presume for India!!

I'm a rookie but have faced dirty attitudes already. At the same time I'm seeing quite a few giving way to me also. So, hopefully we are evolving in tue right direction!

BTW, weather.com showed showers starting at 3:00pm. So, I left work at 2:00 itself. Given my first ride to office and back, it would have been a pathetic thin for me under rain!!

Sent from my iPhone

--

[Mayank Kamthan]

"Since i am a localite and an expert in giving back I said ....I won't tell what i said to him. But he felt very bad. That is for sure."

Please tell us what you said, we will also like to give back!!! :) 

Cheers!

Mayank.

Mayank Kamthan

[Jaikant Chandra Kumaran]

+1

jai

[Maheshwaran Jothi]

I think its not always true.:) Yes.

Me, when crossing the RxDx hospital [going from hospital towards Hoodi, not the other way. No.], the signal that leads to ITPL is a big problem. The straight is mostly green, but most stupid educated fellows + the volvos, block not just the roads, but also the suppose to be a payment.

I usually carry my cycle, pass them. Sometimes even if it is red, I use to ride along the extreme left. And since this is not a intersection, it do not have issues. Couple of times police have seen, and never stopped.

And I really pity these police here. What a couple of police do when they have such a huge educated mass who wanted to break the rule :D including self!

2 cents.

MJ

On Thu, May 12, 2011 at 10:19 PM, Harsha Athuluri <harshaa...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Shankar Shastry]

This will be a long thread. Claiming that traffic rules don't apply to you and you MUST be given special rights of jumping signals is absolute

bullshit and won't ensure you're any safer on the road.

You shouldn't jump signals because
1. You might get hit like what mayank said
2. You might be fined - traffic rules do apply to you
3. Most importantly you'll bring us all some bad rep. People will probably judge all cyclists by looking at you. We're still a minority, bound

to be remembered for all the wrong reasons even while we're being green, saving the planet and all that stuff - its sort like being a goalkeeper, people only remember the goals that you didn't save.

I know there may be exceptional situations where its better to jump a signal than wait, but making jumping signals a habit is not good imho.

We already save enough time by riding our bikes. Waiting at red signals
or walking the bike when allowed is the least we can do. And of course
, if you're walking the bike, follow pedestrian rules and cross roads when its green signal for pedestrians. I do it. Don't see why you shouldn't.

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85
-----Original Message-----

[Harsha Athuluri]

ohhhhhhh hold on .......guys !

i was just asking u a suggestion and i wanted to know weather that cop
is corrupted or else i am wrong !!!
i am not regular signal jumped.... :) in that matter ! yesterday was
my 1st ride on my new bicycle ...
brought rockrider 5.0 from decathlon yesterday only !

and imp thing is i could find any rules / laws made for bicycles
except one site says as follows ....
"Bicycles:

The traffic rules seem not to apply to bicycles at all. When all other
traffic is stopped at traffic lights for instance, they proceed
through with impunity. They never carry lights and by and large seem
to operate as though they are pedestrians. It is best to treat them as
such. "

http://www.indiandrivingschools.com/articles/drivinginindia1.html

i know its not an official site for bicycle rules ......thats Y , i
wanted to discuss with u guys !

guys ......... plzz note !!!! " I AM NOT SIGNAL JUMPER " :) u
guys made me remember my good old primary school teachers, who were
scolding me :( !...... i all do respect the traffic rules !

> <harshaathul...@gmail.com>wrote:

>
> > hey,
>
> > i would like to know if there is any traffic rules for bicycle,
> > like......
> > bicycle rider should also wait for the signal ?
>
> > bcz,today i did jump a signal there was no traffic ! but the police
> > stopped me and was talking about some rules of traffic signal. he was
> > even trying take bribe for that.
>
> > i was little confused at that time,weather i jumped a signal sitting
> > in some BMW / FERRARI or else i was on my bicycle ?
>
> > weather he is corrupted or else i should really wait for the signal
> > even if thr is no traffic /as if on my Bike ?
>
> > --
> > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

[anilk...@gmail.com]

Hi,

Many a times I jump signal.....I take due care in safe guarding me and other users of road.....am no guilty to say I jump signals....very few co-users have mercy on me when I cycle....I dnt take revenge as such.....!!!

Anil s kadsur

Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone

[Rahul S]

Me too.

-Rahul

[Vineet]

I think it's ok to jump signals and hop onto the sidewalks albeit
safely(what's the point trying to kill yourself on the streets if you
don't get any rewards). Just remember to yield to the pedestrians and
the poor hand cart guys who have to push a tonne around
Anyways the hierarchy on the roads in descending order should be like
this
1.Pedestrians
2.Ambulances/Emergency vehicles
3.Cyclists
4.Public Transport
5.Two-wheelers
6.Cars

But in India the list reads from bottom to top
Is it ok if I carry my nunchucks in the carrier for any issues with
motorists :)

Regards
Vineet

> > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformore details

[Shreelesh Kumar]

Sometimes waiting till the moment the signal turns green isn't a good idea with the motor vehicles behind you honking and moving faster than you can pick up speed from 0. Its better to get a headstart before the vehicles behind you when you are right in the front. If it is safe enough to walk, move ahead with other cyclists and pedestrians. Not at all places can you follow the rules without getting yourself in danger. Like say at some road which is so wide and the traffic so fast, that moving from the extreme left lane to take a right turn would be difficult and dangerous. In such a case, if you can, then you are safer riding on the opposite side or rather just walking it.

Do whatever it requires to ensure personal safety (and the safety of others), even if it means breaking the rules sometimes. Understand the risks involved in following and not following the rules.

Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

--
Shreelesh Kumar
http://twitter.com/shreelesh
www.shreeleshkumar.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/shreeleshkumar

Protect the Trees. Save Open Spaces. Save Bangalore

[aman mohla]

I feel that cyclists should set all the right examples about traffic
sense on road. I know about many people who are willing to take on
cycling as a means of commuting to office but are worried about
getting mowed down by a volvo or a huge truck. To some extent their
worries are correct, our journey on bangalore streets is a constant
fight to stay alive, but if we follow some basic traffic rules i think
we stand a very good chance of survival.

Following the traffic signals, sticking to the left side of the road
are just basic rules. I feel that the attitude of people towards
cyclists is improving and i feel that sooner or later we will get all
the respect we deserve on the road.

On May 13, 1:16 am, Shreelesh Kumar <shreel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sometimes waiting till the moment the signal turns green isn't a good idea
> with the motor vehicles behind you honking and moving faster than you can
> pick up speed from 0. Its better to get a headstart before the vehicles
> behind you when you are right in the front. If it is safe enough to walk,
> move ahead with other cyclists and pedestrians. Not at all places can you
> follow the rules without getting yourself in danger. Like say at some road
> which is so wide and the traffic so fast, that moving from the extreme left
> lane to take a right turn would be difficult and dangerous. In such a case,
> if you can, then you are safer riding on the opposite side or rather just
> walking it.
>
> Do whatever it requires to ensure personal safety (and the safety of
> others), even if it means breaking the rules sometimes. Understand the risks
> involved in following and not following the rules.
>

> Shreelesh Kumarhttp://twitter.com/shreeleshwww.shreeleshkumar.blogspot.comwww.flickr.com/photos/shreeleshkumar

[George Joseph]

Sounds like the script of a movie!

Seriously though glad to hear you persevered.

George Joseph
IN Cell: 91 94-83-501169
NA Cell: 1-847-859-9591

... sent from my HTC Desire HD

[Akshay Prabhu Gaonkar]

I am missing Doc D from this discussion! :D

[deepakvrao]

Yes, this could be a long thread.

I for one disagree with the majority here. I jump every signal that I
'safely' can. Safer to be ahead of traffic than in it.

Let the cops enforce 'traffic' rules with the motorized traffic. When
motorized traffic is following PREDICTABLE behaviour, only then will
it make sense for cyclists to follow rules.

I'd rather be alive at the end of the day, than set a 'right example'
as someone below mentioned.

Deepak

[Sameer Shisodia]

+1 Also, just like MV rules dont apply directly to pedestrians, they should not/dont in many parts of the world to cyclists either. I, for one, follow the Boise ones. 

Agree that new rules need formulation, but MV ones are a bad substitute.

- sameer

Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

--

Sameer Shisodia, Bangalore

Great season for walks, treks and chilling.

(m) +91-98451-80207

[deepakvrao]

You're joking right? About setting the 'right example'?

You seriously think the asshole with his ear glued to his mobile, or
texting while driving, has even SEEN you? Let alone notice your 'right
example'?

> > Shreelesh Kumarhttp://twitter.com/shreeleshwww.shreeleshkumar.blogspot.comwww.flickr...

[deepakvrao]

Hehehe, see above Akshay.

On May 13, 12:07 pm, Akshay Prabhu Gaonkar

[George Joseph]

+1000% that what followed anywhere. Whatever it took to keep me from getting harmed.

George Joseph
IN Cell: 91 94-83-501169
NA Cell: 1-847-859-9591

... sent from my HTC Desire HD

[Shankar Shastry]

Who said anything about right example? What am i missing?

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85
-----Original Message-----

> > > > On May 13, 8:10 am, "Shankar Shastry" <shanka...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > > This will be a long thread. Claiming that traffic rules don't apply to
> > > you and you MUST be given special rights of jumping signals is absolute

> > > > >  bullshit and won't ensure you're any safer on the road.

>
> > > > > You shouldn't jump signals because
> > > > > 1. You might get hit like what mayank said
> > > > > 2. You might be fined - traffic rules do apply to you
> > > > > 3. Most importantly you'll bring us all some bad rep. People will
> > > probably judge all cyclists by looking at you. We're still a minority, bound
> > > > >  to be remembered for all the wrong reasons even while we're being
> > > green, saving the planet and all that stuff - its sort like being a

> > > goalkeeper, people only remember the goals that you didn't save.

>
> > > > > I know there may be exceptional situations where its better to jump a
> > > signal than wait, but making jumping signals a habit is not good imho.
>
> > > > > We already save enough time by riding our bikes. Waiting at red signals
> > > > >  or walking the bike when allowed is the least we can do. And of course
> > > > > , if you're walking the bike, follow pedestrian rules and cross roads
> > > when its green signal for pedestrians. I do it. Don't see why you shouldn't.
>
> > > > > Regards,
> > > > > Shankar
> > > > > Sent from my Nokia N85
>
> > > > > -----Original Message-----

> > > > > > hey,
>
> > > > > > i would like to know if there is any traffic rules for bicycle,
> > > > > > like......
> > > > > > bicycle rider should also wait for the signal ?
>
> > > > > > bcz,today i did jump a signal there was no traffic ! but the police
> > > > > > stopped me and was talking about some rules of traffic signal. he was
> > > > > > even trying take bribe for that.
>
> > > > > > i was little confused at that time,weather i jumped a signal sitting
> > > > > > in some BMW / FERRARI or else i was on my bicycle ?
>
> > > > > > weather he is corrupted or else i should really wait for the signal
> > > > > > even if thr is no traffic /as if on my Bike ?
>
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> > > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails
>
> > > --
> > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformore details
>
> > --
> > Shreelesh Kumarhttp://twitter.com/shreeleshwww.shreeleshkumar.blogspot.comwww.flickr...
>
> > Protect the Trees. Save Open Spaces. Save Bangalore

--

[deepakvrao]

Not you, but what Aman Mohla said about setting a right example.

this Google groups is a crappy software.

[Manoj Nama K]

Deepak,

I believe what you have shared below is your opinion and opinions change over time. Educated people like all of us don't need direction or examples to follow traffic rules. One should set examples.

Happy riding.

Cheers,

Manoj

Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

--
Regards,
Manoj
+91 98804 94957 (cell)

[Shankar Shastry]

Ah okay. I'd rather be alive too at the end of the day but being totally against traffic rules won't help me do that. I guess there's no right answer to "should i jump signals". But there is a right answer to "should i jump signals all the time" and the answer is no.

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85
-----Original Message-----

From: deepakvrao
Sent: 14/05/2011 01:21:22
Subject: [BBC] Re: Traffic rules for bicycles in bangalore !

Not you, but what Aman Mohla said about setting a right example.

this Google groups is a crappy software.

On May 13, 9:42 pm, "Shankar Shastry" <shanka...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Who said anything about right example? What am i missing?
>

> Regards,
> Shankar
> Sent from my Nokia N85
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----

> > > > > On May 13, 8:10 am, "Shankar Shastry" <shanka...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > > > This will be a long thread. Claiming that traffic rules don't apply to
> > > > you and you MUST be given special rights of jumping signals is absolute

> > > > > >  bullshit and won't ensure you're any safer on the road.

>
> > > > > > You shouldn't jump signals because
> > > > > > 1. You might get hit like what mayank said
> > > > > > 2. You might be fined - traffic rules do apply to you
> > > > > > 3. Most importantly you'll bring us all some bad rep. People will
> > > > probably judge all cyclists by looking at you. We're still a minority, bound
> > > > > >  to be remembered for all the wrong reasons even while we're being
> > > > green, saving the planet and all that stuff - its sort like being a

> > > > goalkeeper, people only remember the goals that you didn't save.

>
> > > > > > I know there may be exceptional situations where its better to jump a
> > > > signal than wait, but making jumping signals a habit is not good imho.
>
> > > > > > We already save enough time by riding our bikes. Waiting at red signals
> > > > > >  or walking the bike when allowed is the least we can do. And of course
> > > > > > , if you're walking the bike, follow pedestrian rules and cross roads
> > > > when its green signal for pedestrians. I do it. Don't see why you shouldn't.
>
> > > > > > Regards,
> > > > > > Shankar
> > > > > > Sent from my Nokia N85
>
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----

> > > > > > > hey,
>
> > > > > > > i would like to know if there is any traffic rules for bicycle,
> > > > > > > like......
> > > > > > > bicycle rider should also wait for the signal ?
>
> > > > > > > bcz,today i did jump a signal there was no traffic ! but the police
> > > > > > > stopped me and was talking about some rules of traffic signal. he was
> > > > > > > even trying take bribe for that.
>
> > > > > > > i was little confused at that time,weather i jumped a signal sitting
> > > > > > > in some BMW / FERRARI or else i was on my bicycle ?
>
> > > > > > > weather he is corrupted or else i should really wait for the signal
> > > > > > > even if thr is no traffic /as if on my Bike ?
>
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> > > > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails
>
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> > > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails
>
> > > > --
> > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails
>
> > > --
> > > Shreelesh Kumarhttp://twitter.com/shreeleshwww.shreeleshkumar.blogspot.comwww.flickr...
>
> > > Protect the Trees. Save Open Spaces. Save Bangalore
>

[Sameer Shisodia]

I think its not so much a qn of "jumping signals" as it is following pedestrian signals when appropriate. Of course, while respecting the pedestrians' right of way

- sameer

On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 12:26 PM, Shankar Shastry <shan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ah okay. I'd rather be alive too at the end of the day but being totally against traffic rules won't help me do that. I guess there's no right answer to "should i jump signals". But there is a right answer to "should i jump signals all the time" and the answer is no.

Regards,
Shankar
Sent from my Nokia N85\

[Deepak Rao]

Agree completely.

That's why I said I jump signals whenever I 'safely' can. My rides are usually early morning and getting ahead of the traffic saves my lungs too. Commute time? Makes no difference the air is filthy anyway. LOL

[Deepak Rao]

Yes. Makes sense. Bear in mind though that when you are safely following the pedestrians green, the moron auto, mobiker will still likely cut his red, and therein lies the problem in India.

Show me a traffic junction in India, and I will show you at least a few who break the rules. That is also why I said that when everyone's behaviour at a junction is 'predictable' only then is it sensible to blindly follow rules.

[NFL-Newfoundlove]

+1 to Deepak... I strongly follow that and didn't voice me opinion
till doc mentioned about this... :-) I try to cut thru every signal as
much as possible...when the signal's about to switch i make my move.
May not be the safest i know but atleast cops won't dig at the "break"
and you don't have to bribe your way out.....The WHOLE REASON why i
dropped buying a ROYAL ENFIELD and got me the ROYAL TREK 4300D.

If you want to stick to rules then how long can you trail a bus or a
truck and take in all the dust.. not to mention some of the "L" boards
you get to encounter. I'd rather zip thru a gap than wait and get
honked by yellow board maniacs...rickshaws and bikes.... :-P
Also get to experience a tad of off roading on some of the pavements.
(as long as there's no human traffic).

[Sreepathi Pai]

On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 1:21 AM, deepakvrao <deepa...@gmail.com> wrote:

> this Google groups is a crappy software.

+100. And that's the extent of my contribution to this thread :)

--
Sreepathi Pai

[RT]

I'm not too sure about this bit about a 'pedestrian's right of way'.
In India this translates to a guy stepping into oncoming traffic at
any random place and expecting the traffic to get around him/her. It
gets even better when there are these clowns who walk onto a highway
and don't even look in the direction of the oncoming traffic. As if
ignoring the traffic will make it go away. Not to forget the people
who will wait at a signal until a green light for traffic before
happily walking across. And then there are the guys with what I call
the Moses Syndrome - they step into hellish traffic and put their
hands up, imagining the traffic will part life the Red Sea.

Lets face it. Pedestrians in our country are FAR from being paragons
of virtue.

The ONLY reason to 'respect' the pedestrian in this country is the
unofficial law of the road 'the smaller vehicle is always in the right
and the larger one is always at fault'. God help the poor guy in a car
who hits a motorcycle which cuts across his path because he's the one
who's going to get blamed for those imbeciles lying on the ground
groaning.

And there is NO way that an ambulance ought to rank below any other
form of transport (including two feet).

In the end, I can't help agreeing with Doctor Rao. I feel guilt when I
push past a signal and suchlike. But that guilt is easily balanced
against the million times I get cut by buses and nearly run into
pavements and suchlike.

Lets face it boys and girls, its survival on the streets and my being
polite and waiting for my green with all the traffic isn't going to
stop the bus which jumps the red light (something I see every 3 days)
from running me down.

I'll follow the rules as far as possible. I'll get off my bike and
push it like a pedestrian (a lightly more intelligent one than the
average Moses) at a signal. I'll get on a pavement and ride and while
I'll let pedestrains go by, this isn't a very common occurence since
most of them seem to prefer the road (go figure!). But, I sure as hell
am not going to feel guilty for not obeying the letter of the law.

Cheers,

Rahul

On May 14, 12:12 pm, Sameer Shisodia <get.sam...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I think its not so much a qn of "jumping signals" as it is following
> pedestrian signals when appropriate. Of course, while respecting the
> pedestrians' right of way
>
> - sameer
>

> On Sat, May 14, 2011 at 12:26 PM, Shankar Shastry <shanka...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > Ah okay. I'd rather be alive too at the end of the day but being totally
> > against traffic rules won't help me do that. I guess there's no right answer
> > to "should i jump signals". But there is a right answer to "should i jump
> > signals all the time" and the answer is no.
>
> > Regards,
> > Shankar
> > Sent from my Nokia N85\
>
> --
>
> Sameer Shisodia, Bangalore

> <http://lingerleisure.in>
>
> *Great season for **walks, treks and chilling.*
> (m) +91-98451-80207
> * <http://lingerleisure.in/>*

[Deepa Mohan]

Kept laughing, Rahul, and agree with you 100%... wish it were possible ALWAYS to follow the rules, but it isn't. I too have issues with those  whom I call "hand pedestrians"...they show you their hand as a kind of blessing-cum-warning and cross in front of you... :)

Now I will write a similar humourous piece on the goons who honk even at decent (non-Moseified)  pedestrians. This morning, I tried to cross Bannerghatta Road near Jayadeva Flyover at 9am or so. It took me about 15 minutes each way, and finallyI breathed a prayer, took my life in my hands and sort of scarpered across. Come and try it some time...the grade separator adds extra spice to it all!

Cheers, Deepa.

[Satheesh]

Problem with the pedestrian signals is that we don't get green signal from end-2-end at one time on a double road. Pedestrians has to walk and wait in the middle of the road so that other side turns red for motorists.

I always takes 3 to 10 minutes to cross the road at St John's hospital & Hosur Road junction!

Minister for Surface Transport and Minister for Transport and Minister for Road Safety (is there such a ministry? If not, we can give idea to our black money handling politicians to create one such cabinet ranked ministry) conducts Road Safety week every year and talks nothing about Pedestrians or non-polluting riders.

-Satheesh

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[Chidambaran Subramanian]

Deepa,

From your facebook photos,thought you were somewhere else and spent the better part of the morning envying you.

These days I tend to be patient with pedestrians during the few instances that I am actually behind a wheel. I tend to give them the right of way after making sure that there is no speed freak tailing me, willing to crash into me at any moment from behind. Many times when I ask the walkers to go acrosss, they are just shell-shocked and don't know how to react. I have to beckon violently asking them to cross :)

One instance when it does not make sense stopping at signals is early morning or late right when the speed freak behind you just expects you to go. If you stop, you go anyways so better go, unless there is another speed freak coming at 90 degrees to you. Then what do you do? No idea,haven't met a normal person who has personally been part of such an action and recounted the tale.

Regards
Chiddu

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 12:01 PM, Deepa Mohan <mohan...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

[Sameer Shisodia]

Its one thing to not respect pedestrians for not following rules and norms (tho there's a bunch of countries that have started putting all responsibility of safety on the thing that can cause the damage - the automobile) - and totally another thing to not recognize their logical/legal right of way. As a cyclist, I need to not only do it as the civil thing, but also to be able to carve out a socially acceptable space for myself on the pavement and at the traffic lights. Hopefully, if we're seen in a positive light we might be able to drive appropriate laws and norms that apply to us.

- sameer

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM, RT <rahul....@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm not too sure about this bit about a 'pedestrian's right of way'.
In India this translates to a guy stepping into oncoming traffic at

[RT]

Ok lets get one thing straight. I ALWAYS stop and let pedestrians
across. Even in the face of honking and abuse from vehicles behind me.
I'm no pedestrian-hunting, scourge of Bangalore roads. Having said
that, my stated opinion was based on a general perception from this
(and other threads) that the pedestrian is some kind of exalted, salt-
of-the-earth, perfect being because he/she is a non-polluting
commuter. A figure to be respected and praised across the board. And I
feel this is often misplaced in our (Indian) context.

On a separate note, I've often wondered about something. Why is it
that people who place such a low value on their own lives, expect the
world at large to value them more than they do themselves? Why does
our local Moses (when the option of waiting a few minutes is
available) expect a truck driver to value his life more than he does
himself when he ignores high speed traffic and walks across, expecting
the world to bend itself to his vision. Why does a chap hop across
railway tracks when he can go over and then expect people to help him
out of the way of a train? Why do people ignore underpasses and
overbridges? Why do posturing devotees drive past temples and churches
with eyes closed and hands off the wheel crossing themselves and
touching their eyes, tempting fate and taxing the very Gods they
invoke? Why do guys riding like maniacs with modded, illegal street
bikes, refusing to wear helmets expect the world to value that brain
(or lack thereof) more than they do themselves. Well, the unfortunate
truth is that we are all suckers for it! Sometimes I feel we care way
too much and if we did a little less, then natural selection might
actually kick in.

As for trying 'to carve out a socially acceptable space', I think
thats a bit far-fetched. Do you think you're garnering the undying
respect of truckers, bus drivers, pickup-truck/4WD owners or even
motorcyclists for that matter? Why? Do you think environmental
awareness is at a level where the general majority of the
aforementioned lot even know, let alone appreciate a drive to pollute
less? At one end of the spectrum their only concerns are with their
next pay day while at the other its all about the world knowing
they've arrived. Either way, cyclists are low enough down on their
priority list to not even be worth consideration let alone
acceptance.

Besides, purely on principle why should I be 'socially accepted'? I
couldn't care a fig for society accepting me. I'll settle for society
following the law!

On May 16, 1:21 pm, Sameer Shisodia <get.sam...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Its one thing to not respect pedestrians for not following rules and norms
> (tho there's a bunch of countries that have started putting all
> responsibility of safety on the thing that can cause the damage - the
> automobile) - and totally another thing to not recognize their logical/legal
> right of way. As a cyclist, I need to not only do it as the civil thing, but
> also to be able to carve out a socially acceptable space for myself on the
> pavement and at the traffic lights. Hopefully, if we're seen in a positive
> light we might be able to drive appropriate laws and norms that apply to us.
>
> - sameer
>

> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM, RT <rahul.tho...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I'm not too sure about this bit about a 'pedestrian's right of way'.
> > In India this translates to a guy stepping into oncoming traffic at
>
> --
>
> Sameer Shisodia, Bangalore

[Sameer Shisodia]

i'll let the rant pass and respond to just the 2 qns/points u put across

1. Yes. When I'm out on a bicycle, I already get much more leeway from many drivers (incl BMTC ones, who honk more readily at me when i'm on a motorbike. Of course this is personal, anecdotal evidence). The environment is orthogonal to the whole discussion here. Its about presence on the road, and acceptance of the same.

2. All new laws get framed around the commonly/socially accepted understanding of whats important/correct/appropriate in a particular context. If we need laws/norms around cycling someday, its upto us to set the context. We can take an antagonist stance, or make the first move towards creating space for ourselves on the road which will only be helped by us recognizing the needs of other road users, and fitting ourselves appropriately without creating risk, or being abrasive.

It neither means merely submitting to existing motor vehicle rules, nor being rebels in the face of them. 

Rgds,

Sameer

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 2:56 PM, RT <rahul....@gmail.com> wrote:

As for trying 'to carve out a socially acceptable space', 

I think

thats a bit far-fetched. Do you think you're garnering the undying

respect of truckers, bus drivers, pickup-truck/4WD owners or even

motorcyclists for that matter? 

Besides, purely on principle why should I be 'socially accepted'? 

--