The subject today is bicycles. I am glad that people are getting exercise and reducing pollution, but after the recent headline about the biker who lost his court case for a white truck passing too close and what happened recently, I just have to speak up.

Recently, while waiting at a red light, three bikers who were not traveling together rode up in between two lanes of stopped cars. If you are riding on the road, you must obey the rules of the road. Period. No bike lane exists in between the vehicle lanes on any road in Iowa. You represent all bikers, so you need to obey the laws.

Many drivers I have talked to are getting fed up with bicyclists who think they can do whatever they want. So many bikers will go from the street to sidewalk to avoid a stop sign or light. They don’t stop. They do whatever they want to avoid obeying the rules of the road. They want roads and shoulders wider and special lanes just for them, yet they throw it back in drivers’ faces that we have to wait, to obey the law.

Below is what I found on the League of American Bicyclists’ website. The League’s five “Rules of the Road” are the core of the Smart Cycling program and will prepare you for a safe and fun bike commute no matter where you are riding.

Follow the law

Your safety and image of bicyclists depend on you. You have the same rights and duties as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.

Be predictable

Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.

Be conspicuous

Ride where people can see you and wear bright clothing. Use a front white light, red rear light and reflectors when visibility is poor. Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks.

Think ahead

Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other people on bikes will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Ride ready

Check that your tires have sufficient air, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and supplies that are appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.

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A person riding a bicycle on the street or highway has all the rights applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle — and is required to know and obey all traffic laws and rules of the road. Bicyclists who violate traffic laws are subject to the same fines as motor vehicle drivers. According to the City of Ames’ website, “Under Iowa law, both bicyclists and motorists must comply with the same rules of the road and be afforded the same rights.”

If you are riding on the road you must obey all traffic laws. You are not allowed to go from street/road to sidewalk to avoid stopping. If on a sidewalk at a red light, you must wait for green, just like pedestrians and vehicles.

It’s bikers like you who make it hard for those who obey the laws to share the world with vehicle drivers.

Everyone needs to obey the rules. Using common courtesy would also be a good idea. Vehicles need to pay more attention to pedestrians, to intersections and bikes. Bikes need to stop like the rest of us.

I would think safety would be a big deal with bikers. Can you really be safe plowing through an intersection with 14 lanes of traffic? Maybe you can because the vehicles are obeying the rules and have stopped. Riding on the road means following road rules, and riding on the sidewalk means following pedestrian rules. Please be safe. Quit riding dangerously.