As someone who bikes everywhere, I think this is the most annoying thing I encounter.

[F4lconF16]

18. Portland and Seattle are pretty bad for this.

I think that enough people cycle and there's enough "support" (bike lanes, sharrows, etc) that people start treating the roads as if there were no cars. In other cities, it's a dangerous enough experience to make people cautious. Of course, we could solve the problem by getting 60%+ of the population to use a bike as their primary form of transport. I think you'd see people becoming more aware of the laws.

100% agree with you, though. Riding a bike is the same as operating a vehicle. The laws need to be followed--I make it a point to come to a complete stop at stop signs if anyone else is around, and I never roll through at more than a mile an hour or so. It drives me nuts when I see a police car go after the guy who's doing 6mph over and not the biker that blew through the red light.

Also, about the riding in the dark: if you have to, you need a light. Period. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. You have to be seen. I think it should be legally required if you're ridiing in the road, actually. No other vehicle could get away with being invisible. (Of course, I say this after I get back from the store, riding without a light because mine is broken and I haven't fixed it yet )