pssst Idaho allows it. It’s LEGAL Eagle Writer! Utah and Wyoming also allow bicycle traffic on the Interstate as do other states. That’s called “equality”.

EW, You are also wrong in spouting that cyclists do not have “equal standing” to pedestrians on sidewalks. Wrong again. Sidewalk riding is permitted by state law- unless specifically prohibited by local ordinance. Of course, pedestrians do get the right-of-way on a sidewalk; they also get the right-of-way in the road- in case you were not aware of that ‘disequal’ law.
Hmm, seems like bicycles and cars have legal lawsuitiquality (see I just made up).

EW, you admit riding a bicycle on rural roads and “highways”… I’ll guess you are one of those idiots bicycling on Beacon Light and Floating Feather where there is NO paved shoulder to actually ride on so you are forced to back up the taxpaying, vehicle traffic. Thanks ACHD!
Google street maps actually shows a recdumbbent (made up that word too) bike, without adequate flaggin, riding ahead of the Google car at Linder and Floating Feather. Is that you Eagle Writer? You were out for an afternoon ride on an ‘disregistered’ bike weren’t you?
So 40 & 55 mph (60+ in reality) is safe for you to ride on, but downtown 30mph, 3 lanes of travel for safe and wide passes, with lights every block is too dangerous for you?
Well, those are just “disequal” thoughts, Eagle Writer.
Yeah, that even feels wrong typing– it’s NOT a word!

Why are you so wrong on this issue Eagle Writer?

EDITOR NOTE–You guys have gotten off the main route which was the ACHD/city downtown. Gotta go on to other things.

I plan to stay “comfy” and rely on my car as I watch consumer trends closely and I do not see an oil shortage nor reduction in auto manufacturing in the next 50 years.

Clancy, “dis” is simply a prefix that means “opposite or absence of.” I use “disequal” a lot and thus it is word, and in fact always feels much stronger than “un.” To clarify, yes of course your standing in life and to drive our roads is equal to all. Your standing to bike the interstate lanes is not. Your standing to bike the sidewalks is not equal to that of pedestrians, and until bikes are registered, riders licensed, safety equipment mandated, and “equal” taxes paid, your standing to bike the city streets is not equal.

I bike too and regularly. One bike for trails and one for rural roads and highways. But I always know I am not equal to mountain lions, or drunks pulling boats to or from McCall. And I don’t ask or expect the trails or roads to be changed on my account.

Ride your bike downtown, but don’t ask or expect the town to be changed for the very small minority.

We do have more efficient autos however. They are smaller than the conspicuous caddy’s of the past. They are safer, and by the way, a family of four or five can safely travel together in downtown to eat at the restaurant that was there last week, but gone this week.

Perhaps creating, educating about, and enforcing a downtown driving zone would work. 20 mph like residential. Timed lights. Photographic run the light or run the stop sign mechanisms until people comply out of being scared of the fine.

I know! Let’s send the transportation planners to metros that do this. Won’t work, but fun to imagine.

How are we unequal? I hope you are talking about physically unequal. I am sure my life and my rights to the road are equal to yours. I should not be thought lesser just because I choose to ride my bike.

Compromises between parties of disequal standing do not work and should not be made. Would you meet a homeless person halfway on rights to your front lawn? How does a compromise between good and evil work?

City streets are for autos. To try and make our city streets dual function corridors is to ruin them for autos and still have them dangerous for bikes. It will destroy our downtown appeal.

Almost 20 years of walking, driving and riding my bike in Boise… never seen a police officer giving a citation to a cyclist, pedestrian, or leash laws, but I see the infractions daily. I don’t deny it happens, just never seen it.

Some police jurisdictions realize this (tendency for police to not enforce minor infractions) and they hire lower paid Police Aides, or other similar title, these unarmed non-POST positions are allowed to enforce vehicle registrations on parked cars, parking citations, pedestrian/bicycle infractions, leash laws, littering etc. This position has more authority and training than a security officer, but not the high cost of additional police.

If we are going to have these laws on the books, there should be enforcement. Whether or not these laws are on the books is a second and different question.

I agree with the part about “mechanism for teaching them,” not the rest.

Road-going cyclists are legally recognized as vehicles in Idaho (and coincidentally, the other 49 states, too). They are expected to follow the same rules. The notable exception in Idaho is the famous “Idaho Stop.” (Cyclists may treat a stop sign as a yield sign, treat a stop signal as a stop sign.) And in Boise it is illegal to pass within 3 feet of a cyclist, or harass a cyclist. (Unfortunately, none are enforced regularly unless a collision is involved. I’m FULLY in favor of enhanced education and enforcement.)

In order to get a driver’s license in Idaho, you need to take a test which includes several questions about cyclists using the road.

I’ve been transportation-cycling in Boise for 30+ years, including downtown 5 days a week for 20+ years. If a cyclist is riding legally, visibly, predictably and defensively, it’s pretty darn safe. (Nobody is safe from yahoos pilotiing 4000-pound lethal missiles while staring at a handheld electronic gizmo. Another law that needs better enforcement!)

20mph limits in the same zones, with traffic lights timed for 20mph

No bicycle riding on sidewalks, no skates, no skateboards in the wheels up zone of downtown. If the street is too dangerous for your slow brain, fine get off the bike and walk it on the sidewalk.

Right lane of the street is for bicycles either as a dedicated bike lane or a sharrow- with appropriate signs for infrequent users.

40 feet clearance of no parking on downstream side of intersection (enhances visibility for all).

Simple.
Consistent.
Compromises for all parties.

Unfortunately simple and consistent are NOT terms known to ACHD.