<p>My return to biking after ages of minimal activity and epicurious indulgence has been fun so far and has made me aware of important issues in the cycling community, such as traffic safety. Nevertheless I am surprised by the animosity of some ‘hard core’ cyclists towards automobiles. Moreover, the casual attitude demonstrated towards traffic laws by too many riders is equally annoying. Yesterday at rush hour downtown I watched a h*ll-bent cyclist whiz past a 10-ton city bus on its blind side as it attempted a right turn. This guy blew past the traffic officer who had admonished him to yield to the bus. And this wasn’t some teenager or bike messenger.</p>
<p>Seems like the anti-bike motorists may be right after all, a lot of bike riders, i.e. “The Spandex Crowd,” want it both ways; freedom from vehicles and the right to be freewheeling on the roads.</p>
<p>I notice a lot of bicyclists blowing through stop signs and red lights as well. I think they should be subjected to the same rules as cars if they are sharing the same road as cars.</p>
<p>WOW!
As the wife of a cyclist who puts in about 300 miles per week this thread scares the hell out of me. Yes there are some jerks in bikes out there and some jerky drivers as well. I can tell you some stories that would make you cringe about jerky things that drivers have done to my husband and other cyclists, but he still is careful to obey all of the same traffic laws and signal appropriately, etc.
The law gives them access to certain roadways and they should obey the proper protocal, but wishing any of them harm is extreme in my opinion!
How about equal respect and we’ll all be fine : )</p>
<p>Bikes need to blend with cars, and consideration needs to be shown by both sides. When biking, I’m always mindful of cars and esp. buses being bigger. However, the bike is most efficiently used when in motion. Stops are not efficient. I slow at stop signs, look, but only stop if there are other vehicles in the intersection. Same with red lights. If the intersection is unoccupied, sure I’ll go through a red light, as is safer for me than waiting till filled with turning cars but a green in my direction. </p>
<p>And yes, I was irritated too, when turning left recently on my green, to face that raised fist from a bicyclist. On a bike, I’d have slowed, coming to any intersection.</p>
<p>Stops aren’t efficient for cars either. You have to come to a complete stop and then start again to get up to speed. Stopping and starting uses more gas. Yet we do it, because the stop sign is there and that’s the law. I could just as easily slow my car, look to see no one is coming, and then go through the stop sign, but I don’t!</p>
<p>I can’t stand the cyclists who show total disregard for the rules…they make drivers more hostile to those of us who follow them. But it goes both ways - I’m with PA Mom about equal respect. In only a few days of bike commuting, I was astounded at the hostility of drivers who try to force me off the road or act like I have no right to be there at all (e.g nearly running me down as I switched into the left turn lane to make a left turn while giving a left turn arm signal, then honking and cursing). Several of my friends, including those who make a point of following the rules, have been injured by drivers in hit-and-run and dooring incidents.</p>
<p>I would like to start riding my bike after dark, especially as eventually the days will get short enough that it will be dark when I leave work. The law, and common sense, say that I should have lights and reflective gear to do that. A few people, though (and not all cyclists), have specifically told me that I shouldn’t, because it makes me a target for drivers who believe that in the dark they can get away with injuring a cyclist. I’m not sure what to do. :(</p>
<p>oregonian mom - the cyclists are subject to the same rules as cars. Unfortunately, just like drivers of cars, not all follow the rules. They could be ticketed the same as I could for failure to stop.
I have had my share of frustration with cyclists as well, especially the “packs” that were mentioned above, however violadad’s last couple of comments still strike me as wayyyyy over the top.</p>
<p>Wow - jessie- that’s scary. I would definitely vote with the “light” group. My husband uses a flashing light on his back that makes him very visible. I would hope that there are far fewer motorists that would wish you harm than otherwise.</p>
<p>Jessiehl, that’s the very reason that I won’t get on the bike at night. I’d love to ride after work during the fall and winter, but it’s too risky. If you must ride in the dark, then I’d suggest doing so in group with at least three partners. Alternatively, find a park or lighted dedicated path or trail for night riding.</p>
<p>I agree with PA Mom. The aggression shown by vehicle drivers towards cyclists far outweighs anything cyclists do. Yes, there are good and bad of both. In Dallas, they ARE ticketing cyclists at White Rock Lake, the favorite training area for cyclists. The fines are steep, too (stop signs).</p>
<p>My new hometown in the mid-south is much more bicycle friendly with more country roads. That said, I personally know a number of cyclists who have been seriously injured and killed by angry and negligent motorists.</p>
<p>I do have a constructive suggestion though - If you can figure out who this group is , maybe you can get a contact from a website or such. I would send a letter and copy the local law enforcement on it. Describe the unlawful acts ( riding more than 2 abreast) and that they don’t seem to respond to you appropriately. Perhaps you can be a conduit for change within your cycling community. The cyclists want and need respect and this would be a good way to try to resolve it.
I have often been frustrated as well, I feel your pain.</p>
<p>One thing I’ve had difficulty with is cars that stop on the road to let bycyclists cross. Although well intentioned the bicyclist has no assurance the car comming the other way will stop. Would you stop in the middle of the road to let a car cross?</p>
<p>Also, at intersections, I’ve had cars turn right on red, when as a cyclist I have a green light. They wouldn’t try that with a car.</p>
<p>Also, still see way too many cyclists without helmets.</p>
<p>Question: Who has the right of way in a no passing zone?
We live in the Boston area and the roads in our town are very hilly, winding, curvy, narrow an the trees are literally sometimes inches from the edge of the roads. I won’t let my son ride on the roads around our house because it practically a death wish. There are stretches of road with literally miles of no passing zone.</p>
<p>We have specially marked bicycle lanes on some of our roads around here and STILL the bikers insist on riding in the traffic lane. I have to swerve into the oncoming traffic lane to get around them when they have an empty bike lane just a foot away. </p>
<p>And what’s up with the middle-aged men dressing up like Lance Armstrong to go out biking - midlife crisis? </p>
<p>The shoulders of roads, including the usually-too-narrow “bike lanes,” are full of crap: glass, nails, stickers, tire bits, and other unfriendly schmutz. The reasons bikies prefer the edge of the traffic lane is that you get to spend your time riding and not fixing flats.</p>
<p>And the reason “middle-aged men” dress “like Lance Armstrong” is that middle-aged men are just as fond of NOT having saddle sores as professional cyclists. Bike shorts are not something you wear just to look goofy.</p>
<p>While skin tight bicycle attire isn’t the most flattering for many people, it serves a useful purpose. The padded shorts, as noted above, are essential and the tight jerseys have pockets to carry your gel/food etc, plus they are aerodynamic. I think anyone who is biking seriuosly is entitle to wear the geat.</p>
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