Cyclists, Explain Yourselves
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So I'm riding my bike. I look both ways before I cross the street. And whaddya know: someone in a truck blazes around the corner without signaling, almost hits me, and yells at me to watch where I'm going.
A few days later, there's a whiny editorial in the local newspaper about how bicyclists think they own the road.
'Nuff said.
A few days later, there's a whiny editorial in the local newspaper about how bicyclists think they own the road.
'Nuff said.
once this guy was running across the street on the yellow light, and this guy in a car waited for the light to change, followed the yellow light runner, stopped him, got out of his car, and roundhouse kicked him in the face. he leaned down, and said to the guy : " youve just been owned!!!! " true story, saw it on my way to school.BloatedGuppy said:
My sister's boyfriend was run off the road by a taxi whilst cycling perfectly normally and legally. He lost half his teeth.Soviet Heavy said:
Forgive me if I'm lacking in sympathy for some mild inconvenience some drivers experience as a result of stupid cyclists - the damage stupid drivers cause is just a tad more serious, and as a result they should hold their actions to a better standard of behaviour and responsibility.
But yeah, bad behaviour on the road is bad, whether it's a cyclist, motorist or pedestrian. Just don't try to act like any of those groups is infallible and we won't have any issues.
Cyclists here can fuck off.
I literally watched one get brained and - I'm not kidding - killed on the spot last year because he zipped through a roundabout past cars which were stopped, waiting for the GARBAGE TRUCK which had the right of way, which - again, true story - shattered his helmet and split his skull open on the road.
It was a horrible thing to see and a tragedy, but honestly what do you expect? There aren't cycle lanes; the sidewalks are double-wide for them to be able to share with people on foot but they insist on riding on the roads. There's no room, and they tried putting cycle lanes on some intersections to see how they'd work - but none of the fucking cyclists use them! They still weave through the fuckin' cars! So they just painted back over the cycle lanes.
They don't obey traffic laws, most here don't even wear helmets, most don't make the effort to be easy to see and avoid, and they'll pedal merrily the fuck away on the most dangerous STATE HIGHWAY ROADS, through roadworks and intersections and don't even give a fuck.
Last week there was one who was riding between a roadworks barrier which was encroaching onto the road already, and as a result he was holding everyone up. So I deliberately swerved in front of him, he swerves and hits the barrier, then climbs over and takes his bike with him. What was on the other side?
The temporary sidewalk, again built double-wide to accommodate them.
Fuck all cyclists. I don't want to start killing them but dammit they're trying. I hate to sound like an asshole motorist but they really are that bloody stupid and as much a danger to themselves and others as I describe, I swear.
I literally watched one get brained and - I'm not kidding - killed on the spot last year because he zipped through a roundabout past cars which were stopped, waiting for the GARBAGE TRUCK which had the right of way, which - again, true story - shattered his helmet and split his skull open on the road.
It was a horrible thing to see and a tragedy, but honestly what do you expect? There aren't cycle lanes; the sidewalks are double-wide for them to be able to share with people on foot but they insist on riding on the roads. There's no room, and they tried putting cycle lanes on some intersections to see how they'd work - but none of the fucking cyclists use them! They still weave through the fuckin' cars! So they just painted back over the cycle lanes.
They don't obey traffic laws, most here don't even wear helmets, most don't make the effort to be easy to see and avoid, and they'll pedal merrily the fuck away on the most dangerous STATE HIGHWAY ROADS, through roadworks and intersections and don't even give a fuck.
Last week there was one who was riding between a roadworks barrier which was encroaching onto the road already, and as a result he was holding everyone up. So I deliberately swerved in front of him, he swerves and hits the barrier, then climbs over and takes his bike with him. What was on the other side?
The temporary sidewalk, again built double-wide to accommodate them.
Fuck all cyclists. I don't want to start killing them but dammit they're trying. I hate to sound like an asshole motorist but they really are that bloody stupid and as much a danger to themselves and others as I describe, I swear.
As someone who both drives and cycles frequently drivers are worse where I'm from. The cyclist avoid the majority of roads like the plague as it is practically a death sentence, cars pass as close to bikes as possible, pull out right in front of bikes, overtake and immediatley turn, a couple of times while still passing, epople opening their doors so you have to swerve to avoid hitting them and frequently are blatantly oblivious to the world around them and can't drive straight(these have all happened within the past month). While cyclists can be annoying they only do those things because they have to to survive because car drivers are arrogant pricks. Actually try cycling before railing on it, its a terrfying affair and will probably make you a more courteous driver.
On the whole road tax/insurace thing cyclists do no notable damage to the road to warrant charging for maintainence and insurance is primarily to cover damage you do to others, how much damage does a bike do at 20km/hr when it hits compared to your 1/2 ton+ car at 50km/hr?
On the whole road tax/insurace thing cyclists do no notable damage to the road to warrant charging for maintainence and insurance is primarily to cover damage you do to others, how much damage does a bike do at 20km/hr when it hits compared to your 1/2 ton+ car at 50km/hr?
I'm going to cover this in two points, one from what common drivers get wrong and one that bikers get wrong.
Drivers.
Drivers commonly don't stop for pedestrians, and many treat Bikers like pedestrians. Most drivers have this sense of urgency which just isn't needed. When your going 45 miles on the highway, you do not need to speed to 55 miles to get where your going one second faster. Stop for pedestrians and treat cyclists like their on a vehicle, not a pedestrian going 40 miles a hour.
Simply put, obey the road-laws.
Cyclists.
Off the bat, do not ride on the roads if you can prevent it. Sidewalks which are big enough to accomadate you and other pedestrians should be where you are, not on the highway with beasts. Also, if you have cycle lanes, use them. Try to keep to the speed limit at max and don't attempt anything dangerous. People protected by 10 tons of metal or more wreck and die all the time, you on your 100 pound bike or whatever will easily wreck and get you killed if you don't take safety before hand.
Just obey the road laws.
Overall, cyclists should stick to sidewalks or bike lanes if they can prevent it and overall drivers need to learn to take things at a slightly slower pace and treat cyclists and pedestrians with more importance. A cyclist is not protected by ten tons of metal, and neither are pedestrians, so treat them with care while bikes need to learn simple road laws and regulations and need to be more careful.
Drivers.
Drivers commonly don't stop for pedestrians, and many treat Bikers like pedestrians. Most drivers have this sense of urgency which just isn't needed. When your going 45 miles on the highway, you do not need to speed to 55 miles to get where your going one second faster. Stop for pedestrians and treat cyclists like their on a vehicle, not a pedestrian going 40 miles a hour.
Simply put, obey the road-laws.
Cyclists.
Off the bat, do not ride on the roads if you can prevent it. Sidewalks which are big enough to accomadate you and other pedestrians should be where you are, not on the highway with beasts. Also, if you have cycle lanes, use them. Try to keep to the speed limit at max and don't attempt anything dangerous. People protected by 10 tons of metal or more wreck and die all the time, you on your 100 pound bike or whatever will easily wreck and get you killed if you don't take safety before hand.
Just obey the road laws.
Overall, cyclists should stick to sidewalks or bike lanes if they can prevent it and overall drivers need to learn to take things at a slightly slower pace and treat cyclists and pedestrians with more importance. A cyclist is not protected by ten tons of metal, and neither are pedestrians, so treat them with care while bikes need to learn simple road laws and regulations and need to be more careful.
What about all the ki--- No wait. You're American.TestECull said:
Yea I would make a lengthy arguement against you but here's what it ammounts to.
'Whatever you try to say. Whatever arguement you make. You cannot, without looking retarded. Say that a man on a bike, has the potential to easily cause as many deaths as a man in a car has the potential to"
Riders vs Automobiles, the original flamewar.... Hehe, I can do it too.Abandon4093 said:
To be honest it's the power plants and cows that appall me, coal plants in particular are like a big gaseous dickhead to the environment. The sooner people grow up and stop being terrified for nuclear power the better.TestECull said:
Personally I'm more about performance than sound, if a hybrid car or even full electric etc (think the Tesla) can outperform an equivalent full petrol engine car then I know which one I'd be more interested in owning.
I remember hearing what sounded like a conspiracy theory but google tells me its a valid one, painting all the roofs white to reduce global temperature, yeah it doesn't solve the underlying problems but does buy a little more time.
In the UK and I think a good portion of the EU riding on the pavement is illegal and could get me a hefty fine. Being on the road is perfectly legal, and being a careful cyclist I don't do anything 'dangerous,' it's usually the drivers that, often deliberately, don't leave me enough room so I cant pass or try to squeeze me out. Buses have full on cut me off and almost crushed me against parked cars.Aprilgold said:
There are bad cyclists and bad drivers, but only the latter kills people in swathes..
I think there's a difference between cyclists and people who ride bikes. Cyclists recognise that they are fragile and will get destroyed in an accident. They indicate etc. People riding bikes probably don't understand exactly how gears work and can veer of at any time.
The worst thing though is people who think they're too fucking cool for a bell. These fuckers have nearly ridden into the back of me when I've been walking too many times to count.
Ring your bell. Wait for me to move out of the way, being very gracious as you aren't legally allowed to even BE on the pavement you wanker. THEN pass me. Don't ignore it and try to pass me with a centimetres gap between us or use it as an after thought and not wait for me to move first thus riding into where I moved to get out of the way.
The worst thing though is people who think they're too fucking cool for a bell. These fuckers have nearly ridden into the back of me when I've been walking too many times to count.
Ring your bell. Wait for me to move out of the way, being very gracious as you aren't legally allowed to even BE on the pavement you wanker. THEN pass me. Don't ignore it and try to pass me with a centimetres gap between us or use it as an after thought and not wait for me to move first thus riding into where I moved to get out of the way.
Depends on where you are I guess.In Ireland cyclist are not exempt from the rules.The difference is that cyclists don't have to take a driving test so most of them have no fucking idea of the rules which may lead them to believe they are exemptTehCookie said:
I drive and cycle, though not necessarily at the same time.
Driving is easy. Cycling is suicidal. And that's even when you stick strictly to sidewalks and follow the rules.
Maybe it's because drivers in the area cannot drive whatsoever. Don't get me started on trying to cross at a main light with drivers who play the game, 'Beat the cyclist to the turn!' by speeding up and squealing on their brakes as they make the turn inches in front of you instead of stopping and waiting the three seconds it takes to pedal across.
And what do you do if you have no sidewalk? Cycle as crazy as possible while cars stack up behind you honking their horns and nosing your back tire with their bumper. Screw rules. There's no choice but to stop alongside the road in the grass when the option presents itself to let a slew of cars pass (because they wont go around you for some reason, even if you stay as hard as you can to the side of the land). Meanwhile they swear and throw shit out the window at you for taking up that minute of their time. Only to repeat the process all over again.
Driving is easy. Cycling is suicidal. And that's even when you stick strictly to sidewalks and follow the rules.
Maybe it's because drivers in the area cannot drive whatsoever. Don't get me started on trying to cross at a main light with drivers who play the game, 'Beat the cyclist to the turn!' by speeding up and squealing on their brakes as they make the turn inches in front of you instead of stopping and waiting the three seconds it takes to pedal across.
And what do you do if you have no sidewalk? Cycle as crazy as possible while cars stack up behind you honking their horns and nosing your back tire with their bumper. Screw rules. There's no choice but to stop alongside the road in the grass when the option presents itself to let a slew of cars pass (because they wont go around you for some reason, even if you stay as hard as you can to the side of the land). Meanwhile they swear and throw shit out the window at you for taking up that minute of their time. Only to repeat the process all over again.
Okay, so that pretty much sums up your point but I'm going to respond anywaySoviet Heavy said:
As an avid cyclist I can tell you for a fact that I treat my bike as a vehicle, just as the road rules treat them as a vehicle.
If some guy has cut off two lanes with his actions he's no different to someone in a car doing that, he's not exempt from those rules.
As far as I know there's no exemption mindset in cyclists though I can guarantee there will be some, but the thing you have to remember is a lot of cyclists are intimidated.
We're on the road surrounded by cars much bigger than us on what is essentially a piece of metal with wheels.
Oh, and as for the "cherry picking where we ride" bit? some bikes are specifically designed for smooth roads and can be damaged by taking harsher pieces, so we will avoid pot holes, harsh riding surfaces, manhole covers and shattered glass or stones.
I can't speak for everyone who rides a bike but I personally find this pretty stupid, because you're saying that cyclists feel superior while then trying to say you're superior for having a car.
TL
RBoth are a road legal vehicle and both have to follow the road rules, anybody who doesn't is a dick regardless of what they're riding
No, of course not. Why would you think we do?Soviet Heavy said:
Then again, it helps to understand that even if you follow every rule of the road, belligerent or inattentive drivers kill cyclers far more often than the other way around.
Utilizing some crazy tactics on the road - like making sure you're pissing people off or jumping onto the sidewalk for some bits - is more survival than not.
Why? Because I could ask the same of drivers that you ask of us. Those jagoffs who purposefully sideswipe cyclists, occupy bike lanes, or are generally not paying attention - do you condone those drivers? No, of course you don't.
The only difference is that seatbelts and airbags ensure people in cars survive most accidents. When your protection relies on other people knowing that you're there and a foam helmet, your habits change.
If I have to take up the entire lane because I don't feel safe, I'm doing it. If I have to use a bull-horn as I pass a long line of traffic so that some idiot further ahead won't pull out in front of me to turn right, I'm doing it. If I have to be obnoxious in any way shape or form so that it means I don't end up in the ER, I'm doing it.
I don't think it creates a very good driver-cyclist dynamic or relationship. I'd much rather have two lanes for cars, and the rest reserved for public transport and cyclists with some concrete inbetween. For old urban areas, I'd much rather have only public transport and bike roads, since IMHO - population density is becoming a serious issue and cars only work efficiently below certain thresholds.
But, really OP, the best way you can understand why some idiot cyclist might do something is to try it yourself. Spend a month cycling around town and see what happens. After biking for a year, the scant few times I do drive I really notice the cyclists who follow the rules of the road and appreciate them.
And yes, I know from experience how dangerous biking can be - even if you're following all the laws. I have a $32,000 hospital bill and two shoulder surgeries on my dominant arm to show how safe following biking laws can be as long as the driver doesn't pay attention.
A million times this. I don't want to keep dodging parked cars, steer too far, fall down and almost get hit by a bus ever again. Where I live, there are "bike lanes" but only in some places, I usually just end up using the sidewalk whenever it's empty.. or better yet, make it so people don't have to park their cars so four feet of the road is taken up on either side.MeChaNiZ3D said: