We cyclists talk a good game. We insist in being treated like any other traffic on streets and highways. Many of us have bumper stickers on our cars saying: “Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules” or some variation of that theme to remind others that bicycles are allowed on thoroughfares and should be treated in a courteous manner.

But, then what do the collective we of the cycling community do? We cross intersections during a red light, we pass cars on the left and right as they sit in traffic, and we disobey a plethora of other traffic laws. So, if we have the same rules, why do so many of us violate them? Seems like we insist on having our cake and eating it too.

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If cyclists wish to be respected by more motorists, then we need to respect the rules of the road (like them or not). Once we start making our own rules we are no better than those drivers who curse and criticize us.