Bicyclists on the street
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From: Richmond
[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2020
[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?>>
did you actually do a real statistical count or are you generalizing?
In the same vein, I'd like to ask
[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?>>
did you actually do a real statistical count or are you generalizing?
In the same vein, I'd like to ask
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Doh!!
DaveZ,
I can answer the question but I thought I leave it to the reader to figure it out for himself.
My point is that in every group, there are bad apples (I used the popular examples of lawyers and SUV drivers) and if you generalize it's not a good thing.
I think that people have knee jerk reaction when ever someone different troubles them. Like Mgiang7's post states, people don't (or can't easily) group bad/slow drivers but they think cyclists are outlaws (b/c it's so much easier to do that).
I can answer the question but I thought I leave it to the reader to figure it out for himself.
My point is that in every group, there are bad apples (I used the popular examples of lawyers and SUV drivers) and if you generalize it's not a good thing.
I think that people have knee jerk reaction when ever someone different troubles them. Like Mgiang7's post states, people don't (or can't easily) group bad/slow drivers but they think cyclists are outlaws (b/c it's so much easier to do that).
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From: San Leandro,
Well, I just think that cyclist should stop at stop signs and stop lights because...well, because its the law (regardless of shoe clips, or whatever). They need to stop, just like the cars do. That's all.
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From: Manchester, England
Originally posted by Hunsvotti
I don't see why a bicyclist going 1/3 the speed limit has a right to hold up a line of cars. It's ***EXTREMELY*** inconsiderate during rush hour. Here we have some twit puttering along at 10MPH, idling, fiddling with his deriauler, pumping his legs a couple times just for show, then idling again, and there's 50 cars stacked up behind him. Why does one person have the right to waylay all these people? From where I sit it's a power trip. One guy on a bike can hold up a big line of cars.
I almost never use my horn with bikers, and when I do it's like a 1/4 second honk. They seem to appreciate that a lot more than leaning on it for five seconds. To their credit there are some nice bikers but it seems like more than half of them act like jerks.
And about these cyclists who beat up drivers... haha... they're reeeeally asking for it. It's just a matter of time before they annoy someone who will beat them to death. That's the trouble with engaging in combat with unknown opponents, you never know what you're getting into. My pals and I, we're all 200+ and over six feet and we all know how to fight, some better than others. Two of them have histories of pulling other motorists out of their cars and BEATING them. They've taken their licks a few times but it doesn't stop them. I don't have the anger management problems they do so I'd never start that kind of thing, but if some biker started trashing my ride I'd throw down and give them a free martial arts demonstration. I might not win but I can guarantee they'll leave with big nasty black bruises that take a week to heal, and probably a good deal more.
I don't see why a bicyclist going 1/3 the speed limit has a right to hold up a line of cars. It's ***EXTREMELY*** inconsiderate during rush hour. Here we have some twit puttering along at 10MPH, idling, fiddling with his deriauler, pumping his legs a couple times just for show, then idling again, and there's 50 cars stacked up behind him. Why does one person have the right to waylay all these people? From where I sit it's a power trip. One guy on a bike can hold up a big line of cars.
I almost never use my horn with bikers, and when I do it's like a 1/4 second honk. They seem to appreciate that a lot more than leaning on it for five seconds. To their credit there are some nice bikers but it seems like more than half of them act like jerks.
And about these cyclists who beat up drivers... haha... they're reeeeally asking for it. It's just a matter of time before they annoy someone who will beat them to death. That's the trouble with engaging in combat with unknown opponents, you never know what you're getting into. My pals and I, we're all 200+ and over six feet and we all know how to fight, some better than others. Two of them have histories of pulling other motorists out of their cars and BEATING them. They've taken their licks a few times but it doesn't stop them. I don't have the anger management problems they do so I'd never start that kind of thing, but if some biker started trashing my ride I'd throw down and give them a free martial arts demonstration. I might not win but I can guarantee they'll leave with big nasty black bruises that take a week to heal, and probably a good deal more.
Most cyclists appreciate a short honk to let us know you're there, however, you are absolutely right....exactly 52% of cyclists are in fact jerks. I'm truly lucky that I am one of the 48% that is not. Great point, very analytical.
Your pals sound like stand-up guys. They obviously realize the benefits of "BEATING" the courtesy into people. I wish you and your pals luck with your next bar fight. Nice post.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Nashville
Man , Most of you are idiots, Yes I will flame this issue. Hit a cyclist? F*%$in moron! I would take everything you own, then everything your family owns, then kick your ass.
Learn the rule of the road. Follow the rules of the road.
The elite cyclist will follow the rules of the road, posers and new riders will not. I have ridden many years, some of those competitive, and the serious riders look down on those not following the rules. We have the same rights, with a few different ones, as you do when using public roads. It is actually safer to ride in the street. Many have posted other +'s and they are right as well. So I will keep this brief. If you or any other cocky motorist harms me in any way, I will make your life a living hell!
- T -
Learn the rule of the road. Follow the rules of the road.
The elite cyclist will follow the rules of the road, posers and new riders will not. I have ridden many years, some of those competitive, and the serious riders look down on those not following the rules. We have the same rights, with a few different ones, as you do when using public roads. It is actually safer to ride in the street. Many have posted other +'s and they are right as well. So I will keep this brief. If you or any other cocky motorist harms me in any way, I will make your life a living hell!
- T -
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From: Los Angeles
It might be the law that a jerk can hold up tens of people for his own sake, but that doesn't make it right. That's all I'm trying to say. I don't mind sharing the road but getting stuck behind a bicyclist who thinks the whole world should want to go his speed is no better than getting stuck behind an octegenarian in a car worth $50 with the whole blinker thing going on for five miles.
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From: Floyds Knobs
Originally posted by Porsche951
No self respecting cyclist would be caught dead on a bike path. I've been a competitive cyclist for about 24 years now and usually have to put in 25-50 miles a day to get a decent workout. Bike paths are for children and casual bicyclists. I pay taxes and have as much right to a piece of the road as you do. P.S. I carry my Glock in an ankle holster on my right leg.
No self respecting cyclist would be caught dead on a bike path. I've been a competitive cyclist for about 24 years now and usually have to put in 25-50 miles a day to get a decent workout. Bike paths are for children and casual bicyclists. I pay taxes and have as much right to a piece of the road as you do. P.S. I carry my Glock in an ankle holster on my right leg.
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From: Socal
I've raced bikes as well and this topic is just sick...but unfortunately the main attitude people have toward cyclists...which is why I mtn bike most of the time. It is agreed that when there is a bike lane, cyclists should ride in them. I only do organized rides on the road, sad to say, where there are police officers guiding the route. What do you think the police officers do to people who drive in the bike lane? Even lance armstrong has been hit by cars out training - people need to respect cyclists and motorcyclists, get out of your 9000rpm dropping the clutch macho trip.
Just last weekend in my neighborhood a fellow pedal powered biker was taken out by some idiot racing through a turn in the bike lane. How many of you cut the turn in the canyons and ride the bike lane through a blind turn? Take a slow drive through your local canyon and look on the side of the road for the flowers and makeshift memorials...they are there for a reason, unfortunately, cyclists never win in these scenarios. I guess in the end we know who wins...but does it matter at that point? Bottom line, enjoy the road and share it with others to enjoy...other people are just as enthusiastic about cycling the road as you are about hitting 9000rpm in your s2000...
Just last weekend in my neighborhood a fellow pedal powered biker was taken out by some idiot racing through a turn in the bike lane. How many of you cut the turn in the canyons and ride the bike lane through a blind turn? Take a slow drive through your local canyon and look on the side of the road for the flowers and makeshift memorials...they are there for a reason, unfortunately, cyclists never win in these scenarios. I guess in the end we know who wins...but does it matter at that point? Bottom line, enjoy the road and share it with others to enjoy...other people are just as enthusiastic about cycling the road as you are about hitting 9000rpm in your s2000...