I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
Words and Lyrics by Freddie Mercury, Queen

'Tis bicycle season in Winnipeg. Let the battle begin!

It seems there is an us against them mentality on our roads and streets. Rather than share the road and respect each other we are quite exuberant in staking our claim and demanding our rights...

I have a bike, but mostly I'm a motorist.

Some Winnipeg cyclists:

• ignore most if not all traffic signals, they are for CARS not cyclists after all...
  
• drive on the sidewalks, and give you a dirty look if you don't like them riding on sidewalks...
• press the button at crosswalks and ride across...
• drive the wrong way against traffic, mostly because they can...
• don't signal turns and lane changes...
  
• ride two and three abreast...
  

I think its because we grew up riding our bikes on (relatively) safe residential side streets, mostly ignoring traffic, and stop signs. When young, most drivers - likely our neighbours, forgive those transgressions and we blissfully assume it will always be thus.

Then we graduated to busier streets. Not so safe. More traffic. More signals. And in our blissful ignorance we forget that the rules of the road apply to EVERYONE. And we get righteous if we're confronted and forced to comply.

I know the arguments. Motorists don't play nice. Cyclists are forced to the sidewalks. We feel silly using arm signals. I'm in a hurry and can't walk my bike across the cross walk. The rules don't really apply to us do they?

Cyclists, the rules do apply to you. All of them. You must:

• obey all traffic signals.
• ride on roadways only, you are not permitted to ride on sidewalks, period.
• ride single file.

And, if you are breaking the rules, don't get so indignant if someone reminds you that you are an @#$%&(?.