If a cyclist runs a red light and gets in front of you. Hit him. He deserves it. This is coming from a cyclist. Many times I'll stop for a red light then roll through it; if there are no cars coming. If a biker attempts that with cars coming. He's stupid, punt him!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DaveZ
[B]Maybe someone in the pro-cyclist crowd can explain to me why 99 out of 100 cyclists I've seen on the road have utter disregard for traffic laws - running red lights & not stopping for stop signs?

 

Believe me, bikers can't bully anyone. Especially bikers that are serious and have their shoes clipped in to the pedals. Just push them from the side. They will go down. Kick their front tire, they will go down. If a biker runs in to you, they will get hurt badly. They clip you with the handle bar. The bar will move and they will fall. They run in to you with the front tire? They will fly over the handlebar. Bikers can't bully anyone. Sorry for the multiple posts in this thread. I just feel very strongly about this. Bikers need to stay to the right, cars need to respect bikers.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2000raj
[B]This is a tough debate.

 

I can't believe that we are debating whether or not owning a car gives you the right to take advantage of bicyclists who are sharing the street. I think we've hit a new low.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ZuMBLe
[B]If a cyclist runs a read light and gets in front of you.

 

Hey, if they take up the street, then you take up their bike lane!!!

 

People mock what they don't understand.....and I'm guitly of that at times too. That being said, I do understand the original posters' point, however, the act was still out of line.

Bike paths exist on minute percentage of the bikeable roads in the country. Bikers have become accustomed to sharing the roads with cars and should abide by the rules of the road. Self respecting road bikers, like myself (I'd like to think), ride with rules of etiquete and safety that keeps us from pissing off drivers and from tasting the pavement. Bikers that ignore the rules are risking their lives. Not that I condone "buzzing" a biker because he/she is riding like an idiot, but I certainly would say that the biker greatly increases the probability of such actions when they are arogant.

Most of the anti-biking posts in this thread are from people that simply don't understand our our sport. We like to use the street for the same reason that we don't take our S2000's out on gravel roads. We ride the streets because they generally have a smoother surface for our rather sensitive 3/4" tires, not because we are all aspiring triathaletes.

 

Rough pavement really zaps the energy out of a bicycle, which all needs to be replaced by the cyclist. For those doing long trips, this energy is costly. Don't be surprised when long-distance bicyclists go for the smooth stuff.

In bicyclist magazine, they recommend driving 6 inches inward from the white line. I think the biggest reason they recommend riding into the road is to force the traffic behind you to wait for clear opposing traffic before passing. I personally don't agree with this, because people in our area will get red hot angry with you.

 

After being hit by cars i have little sympathy for the non understanding motorist. To me it's no different than a unarmed man being threatened with a gun. Unfortunately in the isolation of our vehicles we too often forget that other less protected motorists (which includes motorcyclists and bicyclists) have no protection whatsoever from becoming a piece of hamburger meat.
A car in the hands of an ignorant driver is no less dangerous than a man with a loaded weapon... perhaps even more dangerous as automobiles are so common place little respect or attention is given to the amount of harm they can cause

In our world of instant gratification drivers become to angry at any vehicle that 'slows' them down getting from point A to B. Unfortunately unprotected cyclists are too often the victim of arrogant, irritable, impatient drivers. When i rode my bicycle on the road.. i took up the entire lane. If a police officer catches you flying by a cyclist on the road without a broken yellow line it is no different than passing a car on the double yellow.

A cyclist is not making any show of arrogance taking up his own lane, he is merely enjoying the right just as any other motorist of 'sharing the road' Don't get me wrong as often I would get off of the road to let motorists pass but nothing pissed me off more than people flying by me at wreckless speeds swerving as close as possible. Besides, what in anyone's life is so important as to endanger another's life. Irritated?? take a deep breath and enjoy the fact that you have the freedom and the fortune to be riding in a fine automobile.

 

From the S2Ki site regs: DON'T ATTACK EACH OTHER

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Don't attack others. Personal attacks on others will not be tolerated. Challenge others' points of view and opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully ... without insult and/or personal attack.
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So, I had to rethink my response to you. Yes, you do seem quite immature AND ignorant of traffic laws with respect to a cyclists legal RIGHT to ride on public streets. That said, most accomplished cyclist try to avoid traffic and train on less traveled roads (as to avoid people who drive like complete jerks).

As a former Pro Cyclist who also owns an S2K, I can certainly understand both sides of the issue. Although many enthusiasts new to cycling are still trying to find those great roads to train on, and that takes time. Conversely, many enthusiasts turned S2K owners should be finding out they can't drive like Mario Andretti by virtue of owning an S2K, again, that takes time.

I've been run off the road intentionally and unintentionally so many times I can't remember, it sucks either way. Fortunately, I was never hurt too bad. Although, I do remember on guy who ran me off the road and then ran over my bike lost his ass in the ensuing law suit. I walked with a boatload of cash (and a new bike), he got to experience criminal and civil court!

Also, concealed carry permits do not exclude taking your handgun for a little bike ride (I know I do!). So, something else to think about; you use an aluminum fender, they use a lead bullet. (there is case law for cyclist defending themselves with handguns from drivers using their cars as "deadly weapons").

I guess the easy way to say this is: chill out, cut these guys some slack, and try not to perpetuate the stereotype that all guys who drive sports cars are complete jerkoffs.

Cheers-

 

I can't believe someone is immature and stupid enough to do this to a cyclist and then is dumb enough to go on a forum and brag about it. Way to go dude, you're real cool.