Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Dog and Bike laws
- This topic has 21 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by 22blades.
-
AuthorPosts
-
April 22, 2018 at 3:37 pm #914665
CarDriverParticipantOff leash dogs on the beach at Alki(elsewhere too!)are a daily issue. Any thoughts on why the city ignores their own leash laws?? Question for the dog owners: if you don’t like the existing leash laws why aren’t you working to change them?? Seeing more bikes with flashing strobe lights. According to a past Seattle Times “traffic lab” article these are illegal-they gave the smc#. Also there are helmet laws. Why does the city ignore? Question for the bike riders: if you don’t like these laws why aren’t you working to change them?
April 23, 2018 at 1:42 am #914668
anonymeParticipantMost (or all) of these laws exist for good reason. The issue isn’t whether or not scofflaws should challenge laws they “don’t like”. These folks are too lazy and too entitled to be bothered to either abide by the laws, or to challenge them. The real issue is why Seattle will not enforce it’s own laws.
April 23, 2018 at 7:40 am #914733
TSurlyParticipantAny thoughts on why the city ignores their own leash laws??
The police have more important things to do, like dealing with real crime.Seeing more bikes with flashing strobe lights. According to a past Seattle Times “traffic lab” article these are illegal-they gave the smc#. Also there are helmet laws. Why does the city ignore?
See above.Question for the bike riders: if you don’t like these laws why aren’t you working to change them?
Why would I waste energy trying to change a law that an already overburdened police force is never going to enforce? Also, I’m going to continue to shine my annoyingly bright helmet mounted stobing light at approaching cars. Why? It gets their attention when they are distracted texting, puting on makeup, reading the paper and drinking their 600 calorie lattes when considering making a left turning in front of me.April 23, 2018 at 9:41 am #914740
newnativeParticipantTSurly, as a pedestrian and bus rider, I hate those strobing lights. I have to cover my eyes when a bike approaches or passes me which puts me in great danger. If I were driving a car and I saw those, I might crash right into you. They cause great harm to many of us that can’t handle strobe lights. Why would you want to inflict harm on me?
April 23, 2018 at 10:14 am #914743
TSurlyParticipantNewnative, if they bother you, don’t look directly at them. Do what drivers are supposed to do when an oncoming car has their highbeams on, look towards the right edge of the lane. Or, in a pedestrians case, look towards the right side of the side walk an wait the few seconds until it passes. Cyclists (and walkers, runners) are not intentionally trying to cause you any harm, only using every tool available to keep inattentive or distracted drivers from killing us.
April 23, 2018 at 11:33 am #914772
newnativeParticipantDid you willfully ignore the part where I said I have to cover my eyes? It’s not at all like high beams (which are also illegal to use when there is traffic). The flashing is unbearable and when a bike passes me, it’s often too late to look away or cover my eyes.
April 23, 2018 at 11:42 am #914773
newnativeParticipanthttps://crosscut.com/2013/11/bicycle-bullies-turn-your-blinking-lights“>
“Actually, there already is a clear and decisive light regulation in the state traffic code, though almost no one concerned seems to know about it, much less enforce it. RCW 46.37.280 declares that “flashing lights are prohibited except as required in [emergency situations], warning lamps authorized by the state patrol, and light-emitting diode flashing taillights on bicycles.” (Emphasis added.) The exemption for taillights confirms that bicycle headlights are included in the prohibition.”
- This reply was modified 6 years ago by newnative. Reason: link not working
April 23, 2018 at 3:23 pm #914790
CarDriverParticipantTSurly the Times article said that bike riders have been ticketed-as they should. Your comment about the strobe being annoying say’s it all. As someone who was taught to pay attention I agree fully that there are a LOT of inattentive and just plain bad drivers out there. I would love to see a LOT more tickets handed out. As to your comment about the police having “better things to do” laws are laws. Law enforcement is paid to, and sworn to uphold the law. Do you really want them to “pick and chose” what laws they enforce?
April 23, 2018 at 5:16 pm #914799
JoBParticipantCarDriver
the flashing strobes aren’t just annoying to me.. and from the reaction that new native described they aren’t to them either.
there is a very good reason they are illegal… they trigger mini strokes and severe sudden onset migraines ..
which surprisingly enough make legal drivers dangerous for those who ride around with those little strobe lights…April 25, 2018 at 5:00 am #914918
mark47nParticipantWow! That’s a lot of hard feelings about strobing headlights on bikes! Siezures, headaches, global warming…It’s all caused by strobes on bikes? Who knew.
I ride my bike all the time and I don’t use a strobe because it annoys me. I set my taillight to strobe without a second thought. I do these things because my wee little light has no horsepower in comparison to the headlights on cars. Nothing. At. All.
Yes, the strobing effect is illegal. Oddly, it’s never enforced because it’s not a high priority for the cops who do get to have some discretion about what laws are enforced. Like helmet laws.
So, stop looking at the bright shiny lights, especially you beds on the busses! There is no reason to stare into the light, you’re not Carol Ann, don’t go into the light!
April 25, 2018 at 7:44 am #914923
JoBParticipantmark47n
anyone who suffers from stroke disorders and migraines knows about those little strobe lights.
be thankful you don’t.this is another case of my wishing other people’s ignorance and disbelief would make my illness disappear :(
if looking away solved the problem we wouldn’t make the effort to educate people who clearly could care less whether their lawbreaking impacted the lives of others.
- This reply was modified 6 years ago by JoB.
April 25, 2018 at 8:49 am #914928April 25, 2018 at 8:58 am #914929
mark47nParticipantThe world and road is full of flashing lights, many of which serve no purpose at all. To say that the flashing lights that may be mounted on a bicycle are responsible for your ills, and all of the world’s, is a bunch of bollocks. I almost get killed by aggressive drives, in front of cops, and nothing happens (except once). My wife gets hit by a kid in a car (she’s standing in front of the car) and the cops don’t care. I call the cops because my wife’s ex-husband has decided to sit in our living room and refuse to leave. Nothing.
If flashing and blinking lights are the biggest problem in your life then I’d say you’re doing pretty well. If they are the biggest thing then I’d recommend you start with every flashing sign, tow truck, marquee, et al, before you focus on a wee little head light on a bicycle.
Finally, if this is the only law I’m breaking then I feel like I’m doing pretty well.
April 25, 2018 at 5:11 pm #914978
JoBParticipantmark47n
i can’t tell you how many people wish that people like you saying that what i true for us is a bunch of bullocks would suddenly cause us all to be cured of our afflictions.
Unfortunately that isn’t true.
Yes, the world is full of flashing lights which is why i drive in sunglasses with special lens and wide earpieces to diminish their effects…
the key word there is diminish…
and no. flashing lights are not the biggest problem in my life.. those 6 month lease on life scans probably sit right there near the top right now..
but those lights are illegal on bikes for a reason
and when people decide they don’t have to pay attention to the law that severely limits my ability to function at all.f.. you is not an answer when you are breaking a law.
April 25, 2018 at 5:19 pm #914979
ATLienParticipantThere are too many off leash dogs on Alki Beach. I don’t mind on leash dogs being on the beach, even though it’s against the law, but off leash is an irresponsible owner.
Is there anyway to raise awareness to Seattle Animal Control about the issue?
Currently, there are four dogs roaming freely within sight on Alki. (17:19, April 25) 🙄
May 1, 2018 at 4:58 am #915391
mark47nParticipantJoB first things first: There is a tremendous difference between bollocks and bullocks.Not the same at all. Moving on…
If you read what I said a bit more carefully you’d note that said I DON’t use flashing headlights. I DO use a flashing taillight which IS permitted by RCW 46.61.780, the relevant section is as follows:
Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the state patrol which shall be visible from all distances up to six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. A light-emitting diode flashing taillight visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may also be used in addition to the red reflector.”
RCW 46.61.280 is the section that prohibits flashing lights in pretty much all situations with the exceptions being emergency equipment and school busses.
I reserve my flippant tone for threads like this, threads where the issues at hand are rather petty. I save my rants for the sections of road that have almost killed me, such as the section of 35th, just S of the bus stop at Avalon. The state has a duty to repair dangerous road sections but that’s neglected which leads to serious injuries. I will rant about cars that sweep me back by passing dangerously close or passengers that throw things at me. How about another bicycle related thread about the ridiculousness of some legislators who believe that cyclists emit more CO2 that cars? That is real, but the way:
Also, you claim that it is environmentally friendly to ride a bike. But if I am not mistaken, a cyclists has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is deemed to be a greenhouse gas and a pollutant, bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride.
Can you believe that? This guy, Dale Orcutt (Kalama) is responsible for making laws! There’s a worthy rant for you!
How about this? The island of Kauai, a part of the USA has been flooded so that the entire N. shore region, such as Princeville, Hanalei, Haena and many other parts of the island, are severely damaged. Homes washed away, roads pummeled and destroyed. 4′ of rain in one day. Did you hear about this? Pretty serious, but it received little national coverage. Oh, it was mentioned but not so much as whatever ridiculous tweet the Yahoo-in-Chief created at 3am while stuffing his face with McDonalds while watching Fox.
How about the fact that Puerto Rico suffered another collapse to their power grid. This island, also a part of the US, has received a mere $2.2BN for aid. Yes, other much larger amounts have been bandied about but it seems that none has been really approved beyond the $2.2BN. The PR governor say it’s receiving $16BN but a quick search doesn’t indicate any money being released. Trump says that PR has enough money.
Is all of that rant worthy?
But I digress. I don’t like flashing headlights. They are irritating. I also hate, far more, the ultra bright headlights that are out there on cars. The RCW also limits headlights to 300 foot candles and must hit the pavement no more than 75′ away from the front of the car. I really hate those. They make driving into oncoming traffic really hairy because I have to look at them. I don’t see a lot of enforcement on that.
I would also rant about dogs, running lose, festooned in flashing lights of all colors pooping all over while their owners shuffle down the sidewalk and into the street while staring at their phones with earbuds or holding the phone to their mouth yelling into the phone while on speaker and pushing a stroller with their super-special, exceptional child that they plan on hovering over for their entire lives so as to protect their oh so delicate feelings! THAT, MY FRIENDS, THAT WOULD BE WORTH RANTING ABOUT!
How’s that? That’s my 0400-0500 rant for the day. Tune in again for the latest chapter of “what’s bugging Mark47n today”.
May 1, 2018 at 8:02 am #915399
JoBParticipantmark47n
you are right. thee is a difference between bullocks and bollocks. i chose the less offensive term. i sincerely wish you had. and then.. you doubled down “I reserve my flippant tone for threads like this, threads where the issues at hand are rather petty.”your ignorance is no excuse. MIWS posted an informative link that it is obvious you either chose not to read or chose to ignore.
News Flash.. just because something is not a problem for you does not mean that it is not a problem for other people.
kudos on following the law. as it turns out that is all this “petty” thread asked people to do.
but i am not so impressed with your insistence that only you know what is worthy of a rant…
or your rudeness.May 1, 2018 at 9:04 am #915407
mark47nParticipantI believe the following is straight from your keyboard.
f.. you is not an answer when you are breaking a law.
I’m not ignorant to the issue, as you so kindly stated, my point is more along the lines that if we try to accommodate every single infirmity in every single situation we will bog down to a ridiculous point. It is impossible to accommodate this.
You’ve chosen to take tongue in cheek replies personally, which is the norm these days, and up the ante. to calling me rude, and ignorant. I’ve not made a single derogatory comment towards you, that’s all you.
I feel this issue is petty. If this is what people are ranting about then things are pretty good. Moreover, it’s my right to view this as a rather petty issue. It’s your right to take it, and my absurd statements regarding dogs festooned with flashing lights, personally. It doesn’t concern me. If this is the hill you want to die on the good for you but that still doesn’t mean that you should make it personal.
May 1, 2018 at 1:54 pm #915430
JoBParticipantmark47n
you might want to look up the meaning of the term you chose. it is indeed rude.whether or not we can accommodate this infirmity to some extent is a moot point.. the lights in question are illegal…
the fact that you don’t use them does not change your defense of them or your callous and rude behavior to those for whom those laws are literally life changing.
i believe my statement was accurate… it did not refer to you as a law breaker but stated that dismissing the valid and legal concerns of others was not a rationalization for breaking the law.
it’s called having consideration for others Mark47n…
this planet does not exist for your pleasure alone.
yes.. you do have the right to belittle other people
but that doesn’t mean you have the right to do so without being chastised for your behavior.- This reply was modified 5 years, 12 months ago by JoB.
May 1, 2018 at 2:13 pm #915433
JoBParticipantMark47n
i know you probably think i am just some mean old b…h… and maybe i am.
But here’s the thing… people who suffer from things you think are trivial have it hard enough as it is… going around making it harder for them doesn’t really gain anyone very much but it sure does affect the lives of those who are already struggling just to live a somewhat normal life.
think about how difficult it would be for you to function if you couldn’t walk out the door and jump on that bike of yours… if driving to your destination was dependant upon daylight or parking within feet of the door or …
if those lights you think are no big deal or the sounds you think are no big deal were automatic migraine triggers… headaches so bad that the world spins and you hope there is a restroom nearby so that you can throw up with some semblance of privacy…
what if all anybody had to do to accommodate you was to obey the law…
but they thought even that was too much?you accuse me of making this personal…
i have to tell you Mark47n that when i am in the nearest restroom bent over the toilet because some idiot decided their right to break the law was more important than my right to be able to drive to the local grocery or to drive along alki… it is personal.
the difference between me and most other people who are denied the basic right to function is that i am old and i no longer care what other people think.. i want the best quality of life that i can manage.. so i speak up.
May 1, 2018 at 3:13 pm #915441
JanSParticipantI will say this once..Dear Mark..how the f— do we know what’s being said in jest or not? It’s the internet, and sometimes things don’t translate very well. Dammit, I want to be accommodated, too. But I stay home mostly, a virtual recluse that can no longer work because of disability issues, living on the second floor with no elevator. Yeah, another “old cranky lady”. Someday you or your wife are gonna be there, and that precious bike that too many riders break the law with will do you absolutely no good at all…and you’ll bitch , too. Personal? How can one not take it personally, when one lives it? I like you , Mark, always have…grow some empathy. People don’t want to hear about other people’s problems, so I’ll leave it at that…looking for my teeny violin now.
May 2, 2018 at 4:09 pm #915534
22bladesParticipant1. “Any thoughts on why the city ignores their own leash laws??” It used to be a reasonable assumption that people would abide by the laws without enforcement intervention. Dog owners are responsible for and choose not to abide by the existing laws. Law enforcement can’t be expected to be babysitters.
2. ” Seeing more bikes with flashing strobe lights. According to a past Seattle Times “traffic lab” article these are illegal…” Even as a cyclist, I believe this something cyclists (& to some extent bike stores) are not living up their end of the bargain. Anti-Collision lights require vary few lumens to be effective. A 1000+ lumens is great for lighting up the road in front of you, but, are a serious hazard to drivers, pedestrians and even other cyclists. Now, however, if it’s about making a statement to drivers, or you choose not to educate yourself on proper cycling practices, you deserve the wrath of all.
3. “Why does the city ignore? ” Why does the user, be it a dog owner, driver, cyclist or a pedestrian choose to ignore? Let me get a mirror…
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.