Mary Cheh wants to make it legal for bicyclists for blow stop signs and stop lights

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

Literally all of the things this person describes are dangerous because drivers are acting dangerously. Honestly the cultists are drivers who think that they can take every inch of the road and that if pedestrians and cyclists don't get out of their way it is the fault of the people who are not piloting two ton vehicles. NOPE. If cars are dangerous it has zero to do with the people not driving cars and everything to do with people who think it is normal to want to bring their living room with them everywhere they go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Do you think boxing can be made safe? Do you think football can be made safe? No, you don't. And, for the same reasons, riding a bike in a major city will never be safe. Doesn't everyone with a modicum of common sense know this? And it's not the government's job to spend billions of dollars trying to prevent you from hurting yourself while doing something that is inherently dangerous. You're free to ride, of course. But take some responsibility for your own actions. I know it's easier to blame everyone else for your problems, but take some ownership of the risks you choose to run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Do you think boxing can be made safe? Do you think football can be made safe? No, you don't. And, for the same reasons, riding a bike in a major city will never be safe. Doesn't everyone with a modicum of common sense know this? And it's not the government's job to spend billions of dollars trying to prevent you from hurting yourself while doing something that is inherently dangerous. You're free to ride, of course. But take some responsibility for your own actions. I know it's easier to blame everyone else for your problems, but take some ownership of the risks you choose to run.

What do boxing and football have to do with a transportation method? There are also major cities around the world where biking is incredibly safe. I also generally feel safe biking in DC, and appreciate that things are being done to make it even safer, as it is a more sustainable efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

You keep saying that like it's self-evident. Show me the evidence that biking is particularly dangerous compared to other common activities. And please no hand-waving with "it's just common sense" or "everyone knows." Evidence, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Do you think boxing can be made safe? Do you think football can be made safe? No, you don't. And, for the same reasons, riding a bike in a major city will never be safe. Doesn't everyone with a modicum of common sense know this? And it's not the government's job to spend billions of dollars trying to prevent you from hurting yourself while doing something that is inherently dangerous. You're free to ride, of course. But take some responsibility for your own actions. I know it's easier to blame everyone else for your problems, but take some ownership of the risks you choose to run.

"And for the same reasons"? And what are those reasons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She says it's important for bicyclists to be able to "maintain momentum."

Uh, what?

If you're too lazy to stop at stop signs, whether you're in a car or on a bike, maybe you shouldnt be on the road.

This being D.C., she is pairing this "safety" proposal with other plans to make it harder to drive a car.

This is what being captured by special interests (i.e., the bike lobby) looks like.

https://twitter.com/marycheh/status/1496223827524820995

Can you find something else to worry about? Who cares

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She says it's important for bicyclists to be able to "maintain momentum."

Uh, what?

If you're too lazy to stop at stop signs, whether you're in a car or on a bike, maybe you shouldnt be on the road.

This being D.C., she is pairing this "safety" proposal with other plans to make it harder to drive a car.

This is what being captured by special interests (i.e., the bike lobby) looks like.

https://twitter.com/marycheh/status/1496223827524820995

Can you find something else to worry about? Who cares

PP is fighting against Big Bike. it’s real, and they’re coming for your car!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The truth is, the same jerk who is going to be an a-hole as a driver, is also going to be an a-hole as a cyclist. In my experience, however, I have seen a LOT more a-hole drivers than I have seen a-hole cyclists.

And because I both drive and bike, I can tell the difference when a cyclist is being an a-hole vs when they are biking in a manner that is safest for them. Sometimes it's safer to roll through that stop sign, rather than stop at it, and I know that from experience as a cyclist. And sometimes it's safer to take the full lane rather than hug the right of the road - and I know that from experience as a cyclist.

If every driver would be required to ride a certain number of hours on the road as a cyclist, it really would be a no-brainer for all. Most cyclists also drive or have driven, so it's not like they don't understand what it's like to drive.

They certainly don't behave like they understand what it's like to drive. The posts on here indicate that cyclists hate cars and think they are terrible, unsafe and cause pollution. Are they hypocrites?

DP: I drove for a long time and then when I got a job that was in the city proper I switched to a bike commute. It's been a decade and I'm never going back. On a rainy day I'd rather take metro than use the car that sits patiently on the street (for emergencies). Does that make me a hypocrite, or have I evolved in how I use transportation in the city. I think cars cause pollution, but I think DRIVERS are what make them terrible and unsafe, particularly in the DMV area. I'm glad Mary Cheh and other members of DC government are working to make bike commuting safer so that more people will abandon their cars.

3 years ago, I also replaced most car trips with my bike. Every car trip I replace with a bike trip means less environmental impact, better physical and mental health for me, less car congestion , more fuel savings. And as for safety, traveling by bike makes it a whole lot less likely that you will severely injure or kill someone compared to if you are traveling in a 2 ton hunk of steel.

So I'm not sure how that makes us hypocrites to have realized that one mode of transportation IS better than the other.

How do you grocery shop? What if an elderly parent needs a ride to the drs? How do you transport your children to their various activities? Do you ride your bike at night to go out to dinner? Do you ride in the rain and snow? What about a trip that in a car would take an hour or more? Do you bike? Because these are just some of the things drivers do in their cars. Also drivers pay taxes just like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Drivers have made many salient and intelligent points here you just don't agree because you like to go fast on your bike. And not one biker has answered the question of why bike if it's so dangerous and there are so many bad drivers? How are YOU sharing the road when you bike two by two or in large packs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Do you think boxing can be made safe? Do you think football can be made safe? No, you don't. And, for the same reasons, riding a bike in a major city will never be safe. Doesn't everyone with a modicum of common sense know this? And it's not the government's job to spend billions of dollars trying to prevent you from hurting yourself while doing something that is inherently dangerous. You're free to ride, of course. But take some responsibility for your own actions. I know it's easier to blame everyone else for your problems, but take some ownership of the risks you choose to run.

"And for the same reasons"? And what are those reasons?

Well, since you are bringing up the economics.... it's a good thing that local governments are finally realizing that making the city safer for cyclists is actually a lot cheaper than the alternatives.
- $200k a mile for a protected bike lane vs, $60 million a mile for a freeway
- $12k on 160 bike parking spaces vs. $12k on a single car parking space

AND the potential healthcare savings with residents choosing healthier ways to get places.

Sorry to hear that you are late to the party on realizing that investing in bike infrastructure actually makes a heck of a lot more financial sense than investing in car infrastructure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The truth is, the same jerk who is going to be an a-hole as a driver, is also going to be an a-hole as a cyclist. In my experience, however, I have seen a LOT more a-hole drivers than I have seen a-hole cyclists.

And because I both drive and bike, I can tell the difference when a cyclist is being an a-hole vs when they are biking in a manner that is safest for them. Sometimes it's safer to roll through that stop sign, rather than stop at it, and I know that from experience as a cyclist. And sometimes it's safer to take the full lane rather than hug the right of the road - and I know that from experience as a cyclist.

If every driver would be required to ride a certain number of hours on the road as a cyclist, it really would be a no-brainer for all. Most cyclists also drive or have driven, so it's not like they don't understand what it's like to drive.

They certainly don't behave like they understand what it's like to drive. The posts on here indicate that cyclists hate cars and think they are terrible, unsafe and cause pollution. Are they hypocrites?

DP: I drove for a long time and then when I got a job that was in the city proper I switched to a bike commute. It's been a decade and I'm never going back. On a rainy day I'd rather take metro than use the car that sits patiently on the street (for emergencies). Does that make me a hypocrite, or have I evolved in how I use transportation in the city. I think cars cause pollution, but I think DRIVERS are what make them terrible and unsafe, particularly in the DMV area. I'm glad Mary Cheh and other members of DC government are working to make bike commuting safer so that more people will abandon their cars.

3 years ago, I also replaced most car trips with my bike. Every car trip I replace with a bike trip means less environmental impact, better physical and mental health for me, less car congestion , more fuel savings. And as for safety, traveling by bike makes it a whole lot less likely that you will severely injure or kill someone compared to if you are traveling in a 2 ton hunk of steel.

So I'm not sure how that makes us hypocrites to have realized that one mode of transportation IS better than the other.

How do you grocery shop? What if an elderly parent needs a ride to the drs? How do you transport your children to their various activities? Do you ride your bike at night to go out to dinner? Do you ride in the rain and snow? What about a trip that in a car would take an hour or more? Do you bike? Because these are just some of the things drivers do in their cars. Also drivers pay taxes just like everyone else.

DP: I have a very large book bag and a basket on my bike that combine to be sufficient for grocery shopping. There are also many car share and public transportation options for when biking is impossible. I typically do bike in the rain; less so in the snow. Trips that could take an hour or more usually have pretty great options via Amtrak, or I could always rent a car.

Thanks for asking these great questions. I hope it helped clarify how biking is feasible in the city!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The truth is, the same jerk who is going to be an a-hole as a driver, is also going to be an a-hole as a cyclist. In my experience, however, I have seen a LOT more a-hole drivers than I have seen a-hole cyclists.

And because I both drive and bike, I can tell the difference when a cyclist is being an a-hole vs when they are biking in a manner that is safest for them. Sometimes it's safer to roll through that stop sign, rather than stop at it, and I know that from experience as a cyclist. And sometimes it's safer to take the full lane rather than hug the right of the road - and I know that from experience as a cyclist.

If every driver would be required to ride a certain number of hours on the road as a cyclist, it really would be a no-brainer for all. Most cyclists also drive or have driven, so it's not like they don't understand what it's like to drive.

They certainly don't behave like they understand what it's like to drive. The posts on here indicate that cyclists hate cars and think they are terrible, unsafe and cause pollution. Are they hypocrites?

DP: I drove for a long time and then when I got a job that was in the city proper I switched to a bike commute. It's been a decade and I'm never going back. On a rainy day I'd rather take metro than use the car that sits patiently on the street (for emergencies). Does that make me a hypocrite, or have I evolved in how I use transportation in the city. I think cars cause pollution, but I think DRIVERS are what make them terrible and unsafe, particularly in the DMV area. I'm glad Mary Cheh and other members of DC government are working to make bike commuting safer so that more people will abandon their cars.

3 years ago, I also replaced most car trips with my bike. Every car trip I replace with a bike trip means less environmental impact, better physical and mental health for me, less car congestion , more fuel savings. And as for safety, traveling by bike makes it a whole lot less likely that you will severely injure or kill someone compared to if you are traveling in a 2 ton hunk of steel.

So I'm not sure how that makes us hypocrites to have realized that one mode of transportation IS better than the other.

How do you grocery shop? What if an elderly parent needs a ride to the drs? How do you transport your children to their various activities? Do you ride your bike at night to go out to dinner? Do you ride in the rain and snow? What about a trip that in a car would take an hour or more? Do you bike? Because these are just some of the things drivers do in their cars. Also drivers pay taxes just like everyone else.

I grocery shop with my bike, which can carry up to a week's worth of groceries, as well as my 2 kids. I transport my kids on the same bike, or an adult in the back. Yes, I either bike, walk or ride public transportation to go out to dinner. Sometimes I do ride in the rain and snow, but not always. Honestly, you should open up your mind and just try it. It is actually really, really fun, on top of it being cheaper than using a car, better for the environment, and healthier for you.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Some fun facts:

Car crashes kill 34,000 people each year in the US and car emissions kill 30,000.

In 2020, 932 cyclists and 6,700 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

Some more bad news for drivers: Motorists at fault in 90% of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists.

Good news for drivers: Most at-fault motorists who kill cyclists and pedestrians get off the hook. They don't get charged, cited or, often even found.

So let's talk again about how drivers who don't stop at stop signs are the problem. I would rather risk the chance of my vision or judgment being flawed as I roll through a stop sign, rather than stop and risk being rear-ended by a distracted driver behind me and end up under their car.

Congrats. You win the contest for dumbest argument on DCUM (and that is such a low bar!). You can just say you're too lazy to stop at stop signs. We all know that's the answer anyway.

And what exactly is your argument? That I should be penalized for choosing to do what I feel is safer for myself and others?

When I first started biking on the roads, I followed all the "traffic rules" like stopping at every stop sign. Multiple times, I experienced one of the 3 scenarios- a driver in a rush to pass me at a stop sign, zoom past me, and cut me off to make a right turn, almost crashing into me in the process. A driver behind me, slamming on their brakes at the last minute and honking very loudly. A frustrated driver tailgating me, and then revving their engine to close-pass me after.

When I got more experienced and started using my better judgment over following outdated traffic rules designed for cars and not bikes, I had a lot less of these close calls.

Sweetie, every single thing about riding a bike in a major city is dangerous. It's not just the part where you have to obey traffic laws. Seriously, it's like ya'll are in some crazy cult and have convinced yourself of some insane bullshit.

I don't think you realize that you haven't made a single real point.

I don't understand what it means to be "dangerous" aka do you have statistics or data that you'd like to use, or is your assessment on a scale of dangerous to not as dangerous.

If it is dangerous, then it would make sense that our leaders would work to make it safer, as it is a more sustainable, efficient, environmentally friendly way to travel.

Any other questions, sweetheart?

Drivers have made many salient and intelligent points here you just don't agree because you like to go fast on your bike. And not one biker has answered the question of why bike if it's so dangerous and there are so many bad drivers? How are YOU sharing the road when you bike two by two or in large packs?

You keep asserting that cycling is dangerous without offering a whisper of a scintilla of a shred of evidence.