I almost hit a biker this morning.

[Anonymous]

Funny. The cab drivers seem to know how to share the road with me.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are a polite rider. I have no problems at all waiting until it is safe to pass, even if it is a relatively slow cyclist, and hope that my going 10 mph with some distance provides the cyclist some comfort that I see them and am not going to run them over. I must confess to being somewhat less conscientious the third or fourth time I'm passing the same person.

By the same token, I live out by MacArthur Blvd, and can't tell you how frustrating it is to be behind cyclists riding two- or three-abreast -- unlawfully if I understand Maryland law correctly -- who are obviously "making a point" about their entitlement to the road, which happens almost every weekend day out there. I just think that if cyclists are going to insist on their strict rights under the law, they should follow their strict obligations as well.

There are enough jerk drivers and jerk cyclists to break down civility on both sides, and I think things will get worse before they get better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you are a polite rider. I have no problems at all waiting until it is safe to pass, even if it is a relatively slow cyclist, and hope that my going 10 mph with some distance provides the cyclist some comfort that I see them and am not going to run them over. I must confess to being somewhat less conscientious the third or fourth time I'm passing the same person.

By the same token, I live out by MacArthur Blvd, and can't tell you how frustrating it is to be behind cyclists riding two- or three-abreast -- unlawfully if I understand Maryland law correctly -- who are obviously "making a point" about their entitlement to the road, which happens almost every weekend day out there. I just think that if cyclists are going to insist on their strict rights under the law, they should follow their strict obligations as well.

There are enough jerk drivers and jerk cyclists to break down civility on both sides, and I think things will get worse before they get better.

Couple thoughts:

You're right. Single file is the way to go.

Folks out on the weekends may very well be only weekend riders and not as versed as a regular commuter in safety, rules, or etiquette. It may not be intentionally provocative.

The pulse of urban traffic means we're likely going to meet up at the light a few times at least. I must admit I've been known to jump a light to break up the pattern once in a while, especially if I'm behind something with, uh, old-school emissions. I don't do it at busy intersections. This is also why you see cyclists up at the front of a line of cars at a stoplight. It's to get some space and visibility, as well as to not be in the way of other people and/or in danger between lanes.

[Anonymous]

there is a crew of bikers who jet south down connecticut avenue in front of the zoo with total disregard for cars exiting the zoo (who have the light) and any pedestrian unfortunate enough to be in the crossing...

[Anonymous]

There's no question that there are rude cyclists. Heck, some of them are rude on trails to other cyclists and pedestrians, not just when they're on the roads. But there are also rude and aggressive drivers -- people on cell phones, people who don't signal, people who cut you off, etc...

I treat an obnoxious cyclist the way I do an obnoxious driver. Try to get away from them, curse and then move on with my day rather than making a blanket presumption that an entire class of people are horrible and have no right to the roadways.

[Anonymous]

Pedestrian here: I have been nearly hit by bikes in intersections more times than I can count. The worst is when I'm with my young child and I have to haul her out of the way of a bicycle that is zooming through an intersection against the light. Second worst is when they are on the sidewalk. That is illegal, people. You can say that you enjoy it, you can say that it's easier, and you can say that the roads are too dangerous because of potholes and bad drivers, but that does not change the fact that it is illegal. Sidewalks were built for my mode of transportation. In many neighborhoods, they are also home to strollers, as well as people walking with toddlers by their side. We are allowed to do it because it is the sideWALK. It is illegal for you to do it because it is the sideWALK. When walking on the sidewalk, I should not have to worry that an unauthorized vehicle is going to clip me, but it has happened.

I don't get why that's so hard for bike riders to understand.

I personally think it's a terrible idea to call for banning bikes. The giant gas-guzzling, intersection-clogging SUVs with one person in them ought to go first. Bikes are a solution to some of our city's problems. As long as they stay where vehicles belong. I'd be glad to see the city invest in more and better bike routes-- then maybe we can all stay out of each other's hair.

[Anonymous]

OK- dressing all in black while biking bad idea. Cyclists should do what they can to maximize their visibility to motorists. And follow the applicale road rules. But all this hostility to bikers is SCARY. Especially since most motorists don't even know what rules/laws apply to bikers on the roadway. A good friend of ours was hit by a car while biking (not his fault). He nearly died - spent several months in the hospital, and is still undergoing PT a year later. He has a lovely wife and adorable 3 year old - and he almost wasn't there for them anymore. People, bikers have every right to be on the road just like those of us in cars or walking. Motorists need to slow themselves down, look around and be aware. Those driving the biggest piece of machinery don't own the roads.

[Anonymous]

Even if you have every right to be on the road with cars, if you have a lovely wife and an adorable 3 year old maybe it is not really a good idea to choose such a dangerous means of transportation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pedestrian here: I have been nearly hit by bikes in intersections more times than I can count. The worst is when I'm with my young child and I have to haul her out of the way of a bicycle that is zooming through an intersection against the light. Second worst is when they are on the sidewalk. That is illegal, people. You can say that you enjoy it, you can say that it's easier, and you can say that the roads are too dangerous because of potholes and bad drivers, but that does not change the fact that it is illegal. Sidewalks were built for my mode of transportation. In many neighborhoods, they are also home to strollers, as well as people walking with toddlers by their side. We are allowed to do it because it is the sideWALK. It is illegal for you to do it because it is the sideWALK. When walking on the sidewalk, I should not have to worry that an unauthorized vehicle is going to clip me, but it has happened.

I don't get why that's so hard for bike riders to understand.

I personally think it's a terrible idea to call for banning bikes. The giant gas-guzzling, intersection-clogging SUVs with one person in them ought to go first. Bikes are a solution to some of our city's problems. As long as they stay where vehicles belong. I'd be glad to see the city invest in more and better bike routes-- then maybe we can all stay out of each other's hair.

I was going to respond and say much of the above.

I was hit and badly injured several years ago by a bike messenger traveling on the sidewalk. He sped away as I lay there bleeding from my face and flipped the people trying to get him to stop the bird as he rode away. Polite cyclist, I don't think anybody is talking about you when they say they want to stick an umbrella in a biker's spokes or ban bikes or run over them. They are talking about That Guy. Unfortunately, there are scores of bikers just like him who put pedestrians in jeopardy every day. And don't even get me started on the assholes who ride scooters on the sidewalk!

[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.

I live 1/2 mile from the Hunter Mill WOD crossing. And it makes me absolutely livid the way cars NEVER stop for these bikes. I will get into a fight one of these days over this issue. It is my #1 pet peeve. Funny thing is I think bike riders are a total nuisance usually because they ride on roads meant for cars, get in the way and almost get themselves killed and the drivers in trouble. But when they are on a friggin bike trail let them be! I've passed this road 20,000 times and 99% of the time it is the cars that don't stop when bikers are waiting. Hardly ever ever ever seen a bike zip past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I was hit and badly injured several years ago by a bike messenger traveling on the sidewalk. He sped away as I lay there bleeding from my face and flipped the people trying to get him to stop the bird as he rode away. Polite cyclist, I don't think anybody is talking about you when they say they want to stick an umbrella in a biker's spokes or ban bikes or run over them. They are talking about That Guy. Unfortunately, there are scores of bikers just like him who put pedestrians in jeopardy every day. And don't even get me started on the assholes who ride scooters on the sidewalk!

Oh, but on some level they are talking about me. I'm an urban commuter of 17 years duration (and only would up getting hit by a car once, knock on wood.), but people occasionally shout all kinds of abuse at me when I'm going about my business, following the rules, being polite. Doesn't matter. And I stand by my earlier statement that it's statistically more dangerous to be in a motor vehicle. What happened to you is horrible. The hostility and entitlement that runs rampant in this city is everywhere, and seeps into everything.

[Anonymous]

How about this?

"In one of the busiest shopping districts in Long Beach, Calif., bicyclists are kings of the road in an experiment that turns frustrated motorists into serfs. The seaside city south of Los Angeles is encouraging bikers to get right in front of cars. It painted a five-foot wide green stripe down the middle of one of the two lanes in either direction of the Belmont Shore section of the city. Even though cars were whizzing by at 30 miles an hour yesterday, bikes were free to ride right in their path."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2009/10/620000725/1

[Anonymous]

You guys are fucked.

Jerks exist everywhere. On bikes, in cars, walking, on the internet....

Not all cyclists are idiots. Not all drivers are idiots.

[Anonymous]

Wow, a lot of fat pissed off soccer mommies out there.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to respond to the comment about cyclists riding to the front of the line -not taking their-turn.

We do this because if we wait in line, the line behind us can't make the light - road rage. At the light, I pull all the way up to the front. That enables at lease 2 extra cars to get through the light. All seem OK with that.