To the Driver Who Honked at Me on Connecticut Ave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh is this one of those super tiresome threads where cyclists scold drivers, and vice versa?

A gentle reminder to cyclists that the *only* time you're ever allowed to go through a stop sign without stopping is if literally no one else is at the intersection. That includes pedestrians standing on the sidewalk. I'm amazed at how few bicyclists understand how "Idaho stops" work. Here's the text of the law.

"Sec. 9d. Riders' safe crossing at intersections.

"(a) A rider approaching a stop sign may go straight through the intersection or make a turn without stopping; provided, that the rider:

"(1) Is travelling at an appropriate speed to reasonably assess and avoid hazards;

"(2) Determines there is no immediate hazard; and

"(3) Yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

"(b) A rider approaching a steady red traffic control signal may go straight through the intersection or make a left turn; provided, that DDOT has posted signage expressly permitting such movements at that intersection, and that the rider:

"(1) Makes a complete stop;

"(2) Determines there is no immediate hazard; and

"(3) Yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

LOL. Cars literally NEVER fully stop at stopsigns. Never ever ever. This is the most ridiculous self-own. (Next you’ll also be complaining about stop sign camera tickets.)

[Anonymous]

In the same way that crime is waved off constantly in DC with “that’s just life in the city,” bike riders just have to accept that’s how it’s going to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are a traffic blocker. Choose a side road. There are many

I was going from Chesapeake and 36th to Adams Morgan. What other route was I supposed to take? Go down into pitch dark Rock Creek and then bike all the way back uphill? Please enlighten me. And to the other replier, I'm glad you're able to confirm how much bottled up rage you drivers have.

If you aren't fit enough for a safer commute, maybe take the bus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bike to/from work, and I hear you. So many dangerous drivers out there, and it gets worse in the rain.

For the record: I always stop for pedestrians (DUH), but I wish people wouldn't step out onto the bike lane at random locations (not crosswalk). I am watching you, but I can't guarantee I can come to a complete stop in time, if you suddenly veer right into the bike lane without looking.

You complaining about pedestrians, whose habits are annoying you as you are to drivers, but you think it's always the drivers and pedestrians who are wrong, never you.

[Anonymous]

This post is further proof that bikers are nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bikes do not belong on city roads in car driving lanes. End of story.

+1

Riding a bike in a big city is dangerous. You can do it, but don't be naive: you should expect to be hit by a car, sooner or later.

These fools who go around on cargo bikes with their kids riding in a big basket (but with no helmets and no seats/restraints) remind me of fools who let their kids ride in the flatbed of a pickup truck.

[Anonymous]

One time a biker spit on my windshield. I never liked cyclists prior to that and it certainly didn't help improve my impression of them going forward!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing that irks me about cyclists is they feel it's their absolute right to slow down car traffic so that they aren't inconvenienced but they always themselves seem to be cutting corners to make their trip faster either by advancing to the front of the traffic line on the side or not stopping at stop signs or whizzing past and terrifying pedestrians etc. Which is it? Everybody slows down and waits for one another or nobody cares about anyone else?

+1 This guy can't pull to the side because eventually he'd have to pull back over. But the inconvenience of everyone behind him going half speed so that he never has to merge is completely inconsequential.

My favorite is the stupid Idaho stop - "I shouldn't have to come to a stop because I'm using my legs! You don't understand how hard it is to start back up; I should definitely ignore all stop signs and red lights and let everyone else drive defensively so that I'm never bothered!" and then electric bikes come out and surprise: the same jerks are blowing stop signs on bikes that are using motors. Just say you think you're traffic worthy of taking up a whole lane, but not "traffic" worthy of obeying traffic laws.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh is this one of those super tiresome threads where cyclists scold drivers, and vice versa?

A gentle reminder to cyclists that the *only* time you're ever allowed to go through a stop sign without stopping is if literally no one else is at the intersection. That includes pedestrians standing on the sidewalk. I'm amazed at how few bicyclists understand how "Idaho stops" work. Here's the text of the law.

"Sec. 9d. Riders' safe crossing at intersections.

"(a) A rider approaching a stop sign may go straight through the intersection or make a turn without stopping; provided, that the rider:

"(1) Is travelling at an appropriate speed to reasonably assess and avoid hazards;

"(2) Determines there is no immediate hazard; and

"(3) Yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

"(b) A rider approaching a steady red traffic control signal may go straight through the intersection or make a left turn; provided, that DDOT has posted signage expressly permitting such movements at that intersection, and that the rider:

"(1) Makes a complete stop;

"(2) Determines there is no immediate hazard; and

"(3) Yields the right-of-way to pedestrians and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

LOL. Cars literally NEVER fully stop at stopsigns. Never ever ever. This is the most ridiculous self-own. (Next you’ll also be complaining about stop sign camera tickets.)

uh, what? bicyclists don't even make an effort to stop. they go through stop signs and red lights at full speed. even worse, i routinely hear bicyclists say they are not required to stop. why did they ask for this stupid idaho stop law if they have no intention of abiding by it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yet another entitled cyclist. As if traffic isn't painful enough.

The irony in this comment is sending me...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bikes do not belong on city roads in car driving lanes. End of story.

+1

Riding a bike in a big city is dangerous. You can do it, but don't be naive: you should expect to be hit by a car, sooner or later.

These fools who go around on cargo bikes with their kids riding in a big basket (but with no helmets and no seats/restraints) remind me of fools who let their kids ride in the flatbed of a pickup truck.

I saw what looked like a three year old on a bike on a very busy street. The parent was riding on separate bike behind the kid. How is this even legal? I love how cyclists say the streets are oh-so-dangerous, but somehow this is totally fine.

[Anonymous]

I dislike bicyclists because they are often rude and hog the road.

Disabled neighbor sitting in a chair in his front yard was yelled at by a bicyclist to "get off his lazy butt and do something". I witnessed this. The neighbor cried. The bicyclist appeared to be a professional man in his late 50s or early 60s riding with his son & daughter-in-law (or vice versa).

Other times bicyclists in groups occupy the entire lane even though there is a specific bike lane and refuse to let cars pass. Drivers have no recourse as the operator of a motor vehicle will always be in the wrong in the eyes of the law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
+1 This guy can't pull to the side because eventually he'd have to pull back over. But the inconvenience of everyone behind him going half speed so that he never has to merge is completely inconsequential.

Its really dangerous for the cyclist to yield and merge. Very few drivers would let them back in the flow of traffic safely. Most would gun it to avoid being stuck behind them. Its another example of driver's bad behavior coming back to bite them.

That being said, bikes and cars mixing on any street with a 20+ MPH speed limit is inherently dangerous. Its why dedicated infrastructure is needed, even if not on CT Ave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One time a biker spit on my windshield. I never liked cyclists prior to that and it certainly didn't help improve my impression of them going forward!

Cyclists sometimes seem to forget that road rage is a real thing. Spit on the wrong person's windshield, and they will put you in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Bicyclists need to stay in their lane, ride on designated trails, or move to China.

US bicyclists riding on public roads should have to be licensed & have a visible license plate on their bike so that they can be reported and identified and subject to fines for traffic offenses including vulgar acts of road rage such as spitting on a car's windshield.

I really dislike bicyclists based on their rude behavior which causes others to take risks and due to their sense of entitlement.