I almost hit a biker this morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some bikers are just idiots. See, for example, the ones who insist on riding on Beach Drive/Rock Creek Parkway at rush hour on weekdays despite the bike path that parallels the road. My husband was driving, but we almost hit an older man the other day who was getting onto the road, from the path, on a blind curve. WTF?

The bike baths are full of tree roots, dug up asphalt, and other obstacles. Most sections are not very biker friendly.

[Anonymous]

Many bikers make me want to lose my religion. I've almost hit several at this one intersection in Reston. It's a pretty busy road, and the W&OD trail crosses over the road. Many (not all of course) of the cyclists will barely look and just shoot across the road (4-lane road). Drives me crazy and makes me very nervous. Of course I drive very slow at this section - but if I have a green light, please explain why these cyclists can't wait until there (1) is no traffic, or (2) there is a red light. I guess for them to stop means they get out of their groove or something.

[Anonymous]

I am a bike commuter, and I was hit by a car this past November.

I was lit up like a Christmas tree, had the green light as well as right of way, and was riding responsibly.

It was raining, and the woman who hit me had her line of sight obscured by a truck. She stopped, skidded, and I wound up on her hood, shoes and bike flying elsewhere. It was just an accident and not anybody's fault, but I could have died.

I'm lucky to be here writing this. Even though I was lit up, I added an outrageously flashy reflective vest to my ensemble that I wear religiously since. I also added extra reflectors.

I'm glad you didn't hit the biker, OP. I agree that dressing to match the asphalt is a really bad idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't worry, just try harder. You probably didn't have the right angle. I'm sure you'll get him next tim . . . oh. You meant that as a bad thing. Sorry.

...and up yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a bike commuter, and I was hit by a car this past November.

I was lit up like a Christmas tree, had the green light as well as right of way, and was riding responsibly.

It was raining, and the woman who hit me had her line of sight obscured by a truck. She stopped, skidded, and I wound up on her hood, shoes and bike flying elsewhere. It was just an accident and not anybody's fault, but I could have died.

I'm lucky to be here writing this. Even though I was lit up, I added an outrageously flashy reflective vest to my ensemble that I wear religiously since. I also added extra reflectors.

I'm glad you didn't hit the biker, OP. I agree that dressing to match the asphalt is a really bad idea.

And your take-away from this is to continue your bike commute??

It seems really odd to me that I can be fined if I don't wear seat belts in my nice safe heavy airbag equipped vehicle, and have my kids in car seats, whereas any biker can legally take much much greater risks in the event of a collision with minimal safety devices (i.e., one flimsy helmet). And expose their kids to risk by having them in the back. They should be banned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a bike commuter, and I was hit by a car this past November.

I was lit up like a Christmas tree, had the green light as well as right of way, and was riding responsibly.

It was raining, and the woman who hit me had her line of sight obscured by a truck. She stopped, skidded, and I wound up on her hood, shoes and bike flying elsewhere. It was just an accident and not anybody's fault, but I could have died.

I'm lucky to be here writing this. Even though I was lit up, I added an outrageously flashy reflective vest to my ensemble that I wear religiously since. I also added extra reflectors.

I'm glad you didn't hit the biker, OP. I agree that dressing to match the asphalt is a really bad idea.

And your take-away from this is to continue your bike commute??



It seems really odd to me that I can be fined if I don't wear seat belts in my nice safe heavy airbag equipped vehicle, and have my kids in car seats, whereas any biker can legally take much much greater risks in the event of a collision with minimal safety devices (i.e., one flimsy helmet). And expose their kids to risk by having them in the back. They should be banned.

Bike riders should obey the rules as should drivers. Bikers should not "be banned." They have every right to be out there riding. It would help if the area was better designed for bike commuters as other cities are, but that's another story. I see far more aggressive drivers than aggressive bikers (although certainly there are some). I also see a lot of pedestrians who do not obey signs/lights. Should they be banned as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[

Bike riders should obey the rules as should drivers. Bikers should not "be banned." They have every right to be out there riding. It would help if the area was better designed for bike commuters as other cities are, but that's another story. I see far more aggressive drivers than aggressive bikers (although certainly there are some). I also see a lot of pedestrians who do not obey signs/lights. Should they be banned as well?

yes, if they decide to commute to work by walking in the middle of traddic in a busy street. But wait, that is already banned!

[Anonymous]

I almost hit a guy on stationary bike at the gym the other day. He had pink spandex pants on and was singing some Cyndi Lauper song out loud. I would've punched him the face, but I thought that wouldn't be socially acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[

Bike riders should obey the rules as should drivers. Bikers should not "be banned." They have every right to be out there riding. It would help if the area was better designed for bike commuters as other cities are, but that's another story. I see far more aggressive drivers than aggressive bikers (although certainly there are some). I also see a lot of pedestrians who do not obey signs/lights. Should they be banned as well?

yes, if they decide to commute to work by walking in the middle of traddic in a busy street. But wait, that is already banned!

If the biker falls off or weaves suddenly into traffic and I hit or run over them - who is at fault? most of the bikers i see commuting appear to be 50 or more. Hunter Mill Rd in Reston/Vienna has a wod crossing with vehicles coming down a hill and trees block the view of the cyclists. They just zoom into the intersection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[

Bike riders should obey the rules as should drivers. Bikers should not "be banned." They have every right to be out there riding. It would help if the area was better designed for bike commuters as other cities are, but that's another story. I see far more aggressive drivers than aggressive bikers (although certainly there are some). I also see a lot of pedestrians who do not obey signs/lights. Should they be banned as well?

yes, if they decide to commute to work by walking in the middle of traddic in a busy street. But wait, that is already banned!

If the biker falls off or weaves suddenly into traffic and I hit or run over them - who is at fault? most of the bikers i see commuting appear to be 50 or more. Hunter Mill Rd in Reston/Vienna has a wod crossing with vehicles coming down a hill and trees block the view of the cyclists. They just zoom into the intersection.

14.32 again. I rode a bike as transportation when a teen. Not a racing bike but a regular old ten speed with a comfy seat. Many friends did the same since we did not have access to cars or busses. People were more respectful of dangers and cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[

Bike riders should obey the rules as should drivers. Bikers should not "be banned." They have every right to be out there riding. It would help if the area was better designed for bike commuters as other cities are, but that's another story. I see far more aggressive drivers than aggressive bikers (although certainly there are some). I also see a lot of pedestrians who do not obey signs/lights. Should they be banned as well?

yes, if they decide to commute to work by walking in the middle of traddic in a busy street. But wait, that is already banned!

So, we should ban pedestrians? Then we can all drive around on our fat out of shapes asses.

[Anonymous]

In my neck of the woods, it seems like the bikers have sense of entitlement b/c they're on bikes.

They whiz along traffic instead of being on the shoulder, they come all the way up to the traffic light instead of waiting in line like everyone else, and they don't have mirrors on the handle bars to note traffic around them. One guy zoomed out into traffic without looking.

I guess there are bad apples in every aspect of society.

[Anonymous]

No, that's why we have sidewalks.

Look, I have a kid who wants to ride a bike to school. If she drove, she could be fined for not taking precautions such as putting on her seat belt etc. But society seems cool with her getting on her bike and driving through heavy traffic, which is taking a much much greater risk. And parents can be fined for not using car seats for their small kids, but it's ok for them to stick a kid on the back of their bikes, where the kid can be hurled through the air in case of an accident, and with no side impact protection. How can that be right?

[Anonymous]

Actually, in many jurisdictions it's illegal to ride on the sidewalks. (No, they're not going to ticket your little kid riding a bike in front of your house. But a "real" cyclist on a sidewalk is not allowed.).

Legally, those cyclists don't have to be on the shoulder. They have the same right to be in the lane of traffic as the cars and motorcycles. For me, when I'm riding and hit a red light I do tend to pull up to the crosswalk so that cars are more likely to see me as opposed to being stopped in the midst or alongside cars where motorists might be paying attention, or might be on their cellphones and not even looking.

As a society we have multiple modes of transportation. If your child wants to ride her bike to school, she needs to wear her helmet and obey the traffic laws. Yes, society is okay wtih that. The problem is a car-focused environment that is slowly starting to evolve to recognize the benefits (economic, health, environmental) to not living in our cars. As drivers become more aware, and as transportation planners account for not just the SUVs but also mass transit and the mini Smartcars and the bikes and the pedestrians we all have more options.

While I appreciate your concerns, the reality is that this is a legal mode of transportation. So the issue is how to maximize safety and awareness for all parties involved -- motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, in many jurisdictions it's illegal to ride on the sidewalks. (No, they're not going to ticket your little kid riding a bike in front of your house. But a "real" cyclist on a sidewalk is not allowed.).

Legally, those cyclists don't have to be on the shoulder. They have the same right to be in the lane of traffic as the cars and motorcycles. For me, when I'm riding and hit a red light I do tend to pull up to the crosswalk so that cars are more likely to see me as opposed to being stopped in the midst or alongside cars where motorists might be paying attention, or might be on their cellphones and not even looking.

As a society we have multiple modes of transportation. If your child wants to ride her bike to school, she needs to wear her helmet and obey the traffic laws. Yes, society is okay wtih that. The problem is a car-focused environment that is slowly starting to evolve to recognize the benefits (economic, health, environmental) to not living in our cars. As drivers become more aware, and as transportation planners account for not just the SUVs but also mass transit and the mini Smartcars and the bikes and the pedestrians we all have more options.

While I appreciate your concerns, the reality is that this is a legal mode of transportation. So the issue is how to maximize safety and awareness for all parties involved -- motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Well said.