Letter: Enforce traffic laws on bicyclists

Regarding the Sept. 12 letter 'Cyclists have same road rights as autos”:

I am wondering where the writer is getting the claim about bicyclists having the same road rights as autos. He states 'under the law, cyclists are afforded the same rights and responsibilities for road use as motorists.” The key word in that statement is responsibilities. If that is true, maybe it's time to enforce the traffic laws on cyclists the same way the laws are enforced on motor vehicles.

I have yet to see a cyclist stop for a red light or stop sign. Further, several of them ride in the opposite direction the traffic is going. Recently, in our neighborhood we came close to hitting two cyclists because they were breaking the laws, one by running a stop sign and the other crossing over from one side of the street to the other. This happened in the middle of the block directly in front of our car and then riding in the opposite direction the traffic is going. I certainly don't want to run over anyone; however, if the cyclists would obey the laws it would make it a lot easier on all of us. Granted, the motorists do not have priority over other road users and the same goes for the cyclists.

Russell Marks

Cedar Rapids