BIKE: Question for Mike Dahmus

[Mike Dahmus]

Chuck_Thomas wrote:

>So, the car beside me and I 'run the orange' at the same time.  The car
>exits the intersection just before the cross traffic light turns green
>

>and I just after.  Who is the greater offender? why?
>
For clarification: two possible interpretations here:

1. You and the car enter on a yellow that turns to a red
2. You and the car enter as the light is turning red and continue on the red

In case #1, if you're saying that the car makes it through before it 
turns red and you don't, it's pretty clear who is more wrong. I hope you 
don't need help there.

In case #1, if neither of you exits the intersection before it turns 
red, you're obviously equally wrong.

In case #2, you're obviously equally wrong.

The "all-red" gap that exists at some intersections (a delay for 
cross-traffic turning green) is not a factor in this at all.

Why is this so difficult to understand? In both a bike and a car, you 
have the obligation not to run the orange or the red; but running the 
red is worse. Likewise, going 80 through a school zone is worse than 
going 21.

- MD