localboy":3eyatjjv said:
My only issue is this: I "CAN'T" go there, yet they (human & "wind" powered craft) can go ANYWHERE & EVERYWHERE. I don't see spots for "only boats w/ engines allowed". You get my point.
I can relate to the above sentiment. However, it is nice to have a few places in the world where it's quiet. For better or worse, we power boaters can make a lot of noise, especially some of the go fast boats. So a few quiet, non motorized places seems OK to me.
localboy":3eyatjjv said:
Like I said: I'm from another state. This place is bassackwards sometimes and all this special protections don't compute w/ me. The interesting thing about here is how a certain group of citizens screams about "fairness & equality", yet they (in general) are the very ones making up/demanding more rules, exclusions, special protected classes etc. It's like bicycle riders in Seattle. They want "equal" access to roads (that they don't pay for by the way) and when they get it, it's never enough. They have to have paths, lanes, bike boxes....and no one else better get in their way. Where does it end?
"Signs, signs...everywhere a sign...do this, don't do that...can't you read the sign?" I need to get out on my boat. Maybe Blind Bay on my next three day weekend. :twisted:
As someone who both bikes AND drives AND pays motor vehicle registration, gas taxes etc. the idea that I don't "pay for the roads" because I'm on my bike is simply ludicrous. I believe you'll find that most cyclists also own cars, pay license tab fees and occasionally (or often) buy gasoline and pay gasoline tax. So cyclists do in fact, contribute to paying for the roads. MOREOVER, I doubt that the damage done to roads by traveling over them is due to bicycles. It's more often due to large trucks and things like chains and studded tires. E.g. road maintenance costs are not due to cyclists AND most cyclists help pay for the roads.
In Washington State, it's not simply that bikers "want equal access to the roads", it's the law -
"When riding on a roadway, a cyclist has all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver (RCW 46.61.755). Cyclists who violate traffic laws may be ticketed (RCW 46.61.750). " BTW -
the exact same thing is true in Hawaii.
Unfortunately, there are many bicyclists who violate stop signs and stop lights and I love to see them all get ticketed. On the other hand, I've had motorists yell at me for simply using the road - e.g. making a left hand turn from the left turn lane at a stop light. In the most egregious case, I had no one behind me, slowed no one down and a motorist stopped at the light 90 degrees to the left of my path felt a need to yell at me. I've also had motorists speed by me on the left and then immediately turn right just in front of me nearly killing me. Of course, I avoid road travel by bicycle when there are available bike lanes or paths but sometimes it's unavoidable.
In general, both bicyclists and motorists need to understand the rules of the road and follow them. One of the major problems in my opinion is how many drivers a poorly informed with regards to the laws relating to the operation of a bicycle on the road and the motorists responsibility towards them. When I'm on my bike, I'm in a vulnerable position. If a driver around me (safely ensconced in his cage of steel), is in such a big hurry that he can't allow me to operate safely on the road, he (or she) should reassess their priorities. If you bike much, you'll rapidly learn that what you believed from the driver's seat, may not make much sense on the bike. For instance, there's one area on my way to and from work where I am forced to use city streets (Eastlake). There are cars parked along the side of the road. As a motorist, I'd love it if the bicyclists would keep far to the right so I can easily pass them. As a bicyclist, who has had a motorist or two open a door without ever looking, I'm going to be at least a full door length to the left of those cars, and if need be, I'll be in the middle of the lane to avoid potholes AND to make sure motorists can see me.
