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A maddening conversation with a co-worker about "stupid" cyclists

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sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
I just had a conversation about my co-worker's perception about how cyclists are stupid. After he wouldn't get the clue to go away, I told him I've been hit by cars 3 times, and if he wanted to see it from the other perspective, take a ride with me.

I doubt it sank in...
 
llkoolkeg

llkoolkeg

Ranger LL
Sep 5, 2001
4,335
15
in da shed, mon, in da shed
Some cyclists ARE stupid. The roadies around here in Hunt Valley piss me off almost every day. Did he offer any supporting evidence for his conclusion?

Perhaps he was one of the choads who ran you down.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
llkoolkeg said:
Some cyclists ARE stupid. The roadies around here in Hunt Valley piss me off almost every day. Did he offer any supporting evidence for his conclusion?

Perhaps he was one of the choads who ran you down.
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I can't deny there are some stupid riders on the road, but it would like me scoffing at the poor just because I'm not...
 
RhinofromWA

RhinofromWA

Brevity R Us
Aug 16, 2001
4,622
0
Lynnwood, WA
Well there isn't a test to ride a bike....

:D j/k

I see glaring examples of "Daryl's" on bikes and in shops all the time.

Make me seem like a rocket scientist....not an easy feat.
 
hooples3

hooples3

Fuggetaboutit!
Mar 14, 2005
5,245
0
Brooklyn
some people just dont realize that your on a bike.. that there isnt 3 tons of steel surrounding your body and that will save your life (Hopefully) in case of an accident. Those are the people that speed up to make a right in front of you.
 
Brian HCM#1

Brian HCM#1

Don’t feed the troll
Sep 7, 2001
32,230
382
Bay Area, California
I don't know about dumb, but roadies piss me off cause they take up 1/2 the road. Especially on the back roads I travel on, where it's all blind curves and I'm unable to go around since there is no bike lane.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
Brian HCM#1 said:
I don't know about dumb, but roadies piss me off cause they take up 1/2 the road. Especially on the back roads I travel on, where it's all blind curves and I'm unable to go around since there is no bike lane.
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Not to reopen the can of arrogant and stupid roadies, but this guy was talking about the busboy bikers...

EDIT: I think the point is not that cyclists can be stupid but from my perspective where any mistake from leaving my light at home to running a red light could be fatal, I don't want to hear about how someone who has never been on a bike in traffic thinks cyclists are stupid.
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,735
1,247
NORCAL is the hizzle
What is a busboy biker?

As the number of cyclists grows, the more cyclists reflect the general population. And there are a lot of morons in the general population.

Overall I think more people on bikes is a good thing.
 
rideit

rideit

Bob the Builder
Aug 24, 2004
24,703
12,492
In the cleavage of the Tetons
If there is no minimum speed limit, cyclists in general have the exact same rights as you on the road...you are obligated to wait for a passing lane (or passing lane dividers) before you can legally pass them, regardless of where they are in the lane.
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,735
1,247
NORCAL is the hizzle
rideit said:
If there is no minimum speed limit, cyclists in general have the exact same rights as you on the road...you are obligated to wait for a passing lane (or passing lane dividers) before you can legally pass them, regardless of where they are in the lane.
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All well and good. But as a cyclist and a driver, I know (a) it's not that hard to ride single file and allow room for people to pass and (b) it's frustrating as hell to see riders intentionally block the road.

"Share the road" and common courtesy go both ways. Just like too many drivers unfairly expect every cyclist to do something stupid, too many cyclists assert the right of way for no damn reason.
 
skatetokil

skatetokil

Turbo Monkey
Jan 2, 2005
2,383
-1
DC/Bluemont VA
which is a stupid law.

If you can bunny hop a curb you should get the hell off the road if a car is trying to pass. Besides, its fun and you get to scare the pedestrians.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
OGRipper said:
All well and good. But as a cyclist and a driver, I know (a) it's not that hard to ride single file and allow room for people to pass and (b) it's frustrating as hell to see riders intentionally block the road.

"Share the road" and common courtesy go both ways. Just like too many drivers unfairly expect every cyclist to do something stupid, too many cyclists assert the right of way for no damn reason.
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If I am in middle of nowhere (which is like places like Livermore/Clayton for me), I might not ride on the edge of the road at all times. If a car comes on me while I am away from the edge, it is because I was spacing, and I don't think I deserve to get hit or even honked. Give me a second, and I will back over so you can pass.

However, I mostly ride in heavily travelled roads, like Canada Road or Alameda De Las Pulgas. I am always on the shoulder or near the edge.
 
loco-gringo

loco-gringo

Crusading Clamp Monkey
Sep 27, 2006
8,887
14
Deep in the heart of TEXAS
OGRipper said:
All well and good. But as a cyclist and a driver, I know (a) it's not that hard to ride single file and allow room for people to pass and (b) it's frustrating as hell to see riders intentionally block the road.

"Share the road" and common courtesy go both ways. Just like too many drivers unfairly expect every cyclist to do something stupid, too many cyclists assert the right of way for no damn reason.
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I couldn't agree more. I am going to start a monthly awareness campaign at our bike club meetings.
 
W

weimie

Monkey
May 11, 2006
236
0
Boulder, CO
skatetokil said:
which is a stupid law.

If you can bunny hop a curb you should get the hell off the road if a car is trying to pass. Besides, its fun and you get to scare the pedestrians.
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Are you serious? Why can't a car move over a little and pass when it's safe?

norco-freerider said:
what i HATE is roadies that ride SIDE BY SIDE..........
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What if they are in a bike lane large enough for side by side riding?

Being someone who commutes to work everyday....some of you scare me.
 
I

ito

Mr. Schwinn Effing Armstrong
Oct 3, 2003
1,709
0
Avoiding the nine to five
I'm gonna delete all I was going to say. What it really comes down to is cyclists in traffic should be confident and aware. Drivers around cyclists should be considerate and aware.

As a commuter I know that the majority of drivers have no idea how dangerous it can be for us (or how dangerous we can make it.....*evil laugh*). I see it as the cyclist's job (on the bike or through raising awareness publically) to let the driver know. This can be done through websites and local advocacy groups or by kicking in the side panel of the jackass who decided to be a dick on the roadway.

The Ito
 
biggins

biggins

Rump Junkie
May 18, 2003
7,173
9
johnbryanpeters said:
So get pissed off at the road designers, dumbling. :bonk:
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uhhh its hard to get pissed off at the road designers when most times (western NC is a great example)the road is dictated by the topography.

it boils down to one thing ithink and that is that if riders want to be taken seriously on the road they need to pay attention to laws. i see bike commuters all the time that pull up to a red light where all the cars are stopped and waiting then go on through it when it is safe and usually not wearing a helmet law either. do you think people in cars sitting there watching a cyclist break the law is really going to give a rats ass about sharing the road?

and the critical mass rides are a whole other ballgame..i have been stuck behind a critical mass and it pissed me off. they try to make some kind of statement but all they are doing is giving commuting and cycling a bad name. bunch of people riding in mass, most not wearing helmets and none of them obeying traffic laws or anything else.

until cyclists take themselves seriously vehicle operators never will.....
 
I

ito

Mr. Schwinn Effing Armstrong
Oct 3, 2003
1,709
0
Avoiding the nine to five
biggins said:
and the critical mass rides are a whole other ballgame..i have been stuck behind a critical mass and it pissed me off. they try to make some kind of statement but all they are doing is giving commuting and cycling a bad name. bunch of people riding in mass, most not wearing helmets and none of them obeying traffic laws or anything else.

until cyclists take themselves seriously vehicle operators never will.....
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CM is some dumb****. While entertaining to watch, I'm proud to say I've never been involved in one. The number of idiot cyclists multiply when those things happen.

I am however one of those cyclists who breaks laws all of the time. Ran 4 red lights on the way to work today (at 5:30 am though and with no cars in sight). It isn't right, but I somehow just don't care. Same with the whole oneway street thing. I tend to ignore it. Things may change though, I am now wearing my helmet 100% of the time while riding my bike in traffic or commuting.

The Ito
 
johnbryanpeters

johnbryanpeters

Hero
Sep 27, 2001
36,818
18,394
Making moss sad in New Haven, Vermont
Sorry, but I run red lights and stop signs if it does not interfere with traffic or pedestrians. Momentum is precious.

I do try to be considerate of motor vehicles and will hop a curb in tight traffic to make way for motor vehicles. Usually, this is only an issue for large trucks. It's easier for cars to get by safely.

skatetokil's scaring pedestrians comment was stupid, not funny. :bonk:

I think the whole dealio is mutual respect. Don't take a lane if you don't need it. If you're driving, stay off the horn, the bicyclist can hear you just fine. When in doubt, give the other guy the right of way.
 
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