Who Are the Annoying People Who Ride Their Bikes on River Road During Morning Rush Hour???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And the bike trail is pretty much parallel to the parkway from Mt Vernon to Memorial Bridge. I've seen bikers, going north and south in Fairfax County, in Alexandria, in Arlington by the airport and by the cemetery. so pretty much from end to end. Literally, all jazzed up in their biker clothes, in the GW parkway. They know exactly there is a bike lane

Please come back when you know the difference between a bike lane, a bike trail, and a multiuse trail.

What diffence does it make when the biker who rode on GW parkway ends up looking like Mr. Bill? All because he didn't want to use the trail or whatever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Not good statistics, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Do you actually think that ALL cyclists do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Well for one, while bike riding is often done for health reasons, some do it for other reasons. Amazingly, not all cyclists are the same.

Secondly, if you ever ride in traffic yourself, you will find that sometimes the things cyclists do that you think make them less safe, actually make them more safe, or do not have any net effect either way.

As for riding on busy streets, I don't know anyone who doesn't seek out the safest convenient route. But often times there are no good alternatives (and what you think is a good alternative, like a sidewalk is not) Note also what is safe depends on how people ride. A little kid going at 5MPH may be able to ride on a sidewalk that is a terrible choice for an adult riding at 16MPH.

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Its not. It has about double the risk per trip (bike trips are typically shorter than car trips though, so the folks riding a few miles in DC are MORE safe than someone driving in from MoCo - but lets assume the same distance for the sake of argument, someone driving from MoCo to DC vs someone riding from MoCo to DC). This is more than offset by the health benefits of riding.

Even before we adjust for the large number of bike fatalities that involve not wearing a helmet, or having inadequate lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Not good statistics, though.

You're right. Great ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Do you actually think that ALL cyclists do that?

If enough do it that you all have SUCH a horrible reputation, as so many have told you, perhaps it's time for some self reflection, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Well for one, while bike riding is often done for health reasons, some do it for other reasons. Amazingly, not all cyclists are the same.

Secondly, if you ever ride in traffic yourself, you will find that sometimes the things cyclists do that you think make them less safe, actually make them more safe, or do not have any net effect either way.

As for riding on busy streets, I don't know anyone who doesn't seek out the safest convenient route. But often times there are no good alternatives (and what you think is a good alternative, like a sidewalk is not) Note also what is safe depends on how people ride. A little kid going at 5MPH may be able to ride on a sidewalk that is a terrible choice for an adult riding at 16MPH.

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

You must not have read the whole article. It says that biking is overall healthier because of the benefits of exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Well for one, while bike riding is often done for health reasons, some do it for other reasons. Amazingly, not all cyclists are the same.

Secondly, if you ever ride in traffic yourself, you will find that sometimes the things cyclists do that you think make them less safe, actually make them more safe, or do not have any net effect either way.

As for riding on busy streets, I don't know anyone who doesn't seek out the safest convenient route. But often times there are no good alternatives (and what you think is a good alternative, like a sidewalk is not) Note also what is safe depends on how people ride. A little kid going at 5MPH may be able to ride on a sidewalk that is a terrible choice for an adult riding at 16MPH.

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Its not. It has about double the risk per trip (bike trips are typically shorter than car trips though, so the folks riding a few miles in DC are MORE safe than someone driving in from MoCo - but lets assume the same distance for the sake of argument, someone driving from MoCo to DC vs someone riding from MoCo to DC). This is more than offset by the health benefits of riding.

Even before we adjust for the large number of bike fatalities that involve not wearing a helmet, or having inadequate lights.

You literally said "it's not" and then proceeded to directly support everything i said.

Thanks... I guess?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

And the bike trail is pretty much parallel to the parkway from Mt Vernon to Memorial Bridge. I've seen bikers, going north and south in Fairfax County, in Alexandria, in Arlington by the airport and by the cemetery. so pretty much from end to end. Literally, all jazzed up in their biker clothes, in the GW parkway. They know exactly there is a bike lane

Please come back when you know the difference between a bike lane, a bike trail, and a multiuse trail.

What diffence does it make when the biker who rode on GW parkway ends up looking like Mr. Bill? All because he didn't want to use the trail or whatever?

Well its kind of hard to have an intelligent conversatioin with someone who doesnt know what they are talking about.

And again, I have never seen a rider on the GW Parkway. And I ride the MVT ALOT. I mean I am sure it happens, but is it as common as, say, people who drive their cars into stores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Well for one, while bike riding is often done for health reasons, some do it for other reasons. Amazingly, not all cyclists are the same.

Secondly, if you ever ride in traffic yourself, you will find that sometimes the things cyclists do that you think make them less safe, actually make them more safe, or do not have any net effect either way.

As for riding on busy streets, I don't know anyone who doesn't seek out the safest convenient route. But often times there are no good alternatives (and what you think is a good alternative, like a sidewalk is not) Note also what is safe depends on how people ride. A little kid going at 5MPH may be able to ride on a sidewalk that is a terrible choice for an adult riding at 16MPH.

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Its not. It has about double the risk per trip (bike trips are typically shorter than car trips though, so the folks riding a few miles in DC are MORE safe than someone driving in from MoCo - but lets assume the same distance for the sake of argument, someone driving from MoCo to DC vs someone riding from MoCo to DC). This is more than offset by the health benefits of riding.

Even before we adjust for the large number of bike fatalities that involve not wearing a helmet, or having inadequate lights.

You literally said "it's not" and then proceeded to directly support everything i said.

Thanks... I guess?

Sorry my post was too long for you to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But we have statistics demonstrating that cycling is incredibly less safe than driving in a car. This is not a matter of opinion or interpretation- we have facts.

Not good statistics, though.

You're right. Great ones.

Nope. Look up the safety data for CitiBike (NYC) and Capitol Bikeshare (DC).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Do you actually think that ALL cyclists do that?

If enough do it that you all have SUCH a horrible reputation, as so many have told you, perhaps it's time for some self reflection, no?

Just curious if you know your own reputation as a driver. Do you live in MD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Well its kind of hard to have an intelligent conversatioin with someone who doesnt know what they are talking about.

And again, I have never seen a rider on the GW Parkway. And I ride the MVT ALOT. I mean I am sure it happens, but is it as common as, say, people who drive their cars into stores?

This actually happens all.the.time. And it's not as though the store just jumped out at the driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don't quite understand is that cycling is supposed to be something done for health reasons, and then the cyclist engages in all manner of risky behaviors, one of which is riding on busy streets and disobeying traffic laws. Then the cyclist gets clipped and dies, so what is the point?

Do you actually think that ALL cyclists do that?

If enough do it that you all have SUCH a horrible reputation, as so many have told you, perhaps it's time for some self reflection, no?

The reputation comes because

A. Many drivers can't tell the difference between an Idaho stop, and "blowing through" a red light or stop signs
B. The cyclists who do not Idaho stop signs, or seldom do, or who never Idaho red lights, are invisible, because of confirmation bias (that is a nerdy word, sorry)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Well its kind of hard to have an intelligent conversatioin with someone who doesnt know what they are talking about.

And again, I have never seen a rider on the GW Parkway. And I ride the MVT ALOT. I mean I am sure it happens, but is it as common as, say, people who drive their cars into stores?

This actually happens all.the.time. And it's not as though the store just jumped out at the driver.

Its the fault of the store, for running stop signs.