Cyclists -- Why do you hog the road even with a large shoulder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my first few years of commuting, I commuted by car. I would curse pedestrians who wandered across the road against their signal and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

In my next few years of commuting, I commuted on foot. I would curse the cars that ran red lights and ignored cross walks and almost ran me over and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

Of all three, I think cars are the biggest menace. They are the most impatient and aggressive and pose the biggest risk to others around them.

They aren't the most aggressive, they are simply the most common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my first few years of commuting, I commuted by car. I would curse pedestrians who wandered across the road against their signal and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

In my next few years of commuting, I commuted on foot. I would curse the cars that ran red lights and ignored cross walks and almost ran me over and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

Of all three, I think cars are the biggest menace. They are the most impatient and aggressive and pose the biggest risk to others around them.

They aren't the most aggressive, they are simply the most common.

They are the heaviest and most deadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

So you should either blame yourself for not driving carefully or the other drivers for not allowing you to pass along with them in the chain of cars.

If this were your grandmother out for a sunday drive and this happened, you wouldn't blame her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I see cyclists routinely blow through both stop signs and traffic lights, go the wrong way on roads, weave in and out of traffic. This is not normal behavior for most drivers.

I see motorists do at least the first two things quite commonly. And I rarely see cyclists (reverse flow bike lanes excepted) do either of the latter. Unless you define "weaving in and out of traffic" to mean "constantly switching lanes" which is a common motorist behavior as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

If you didn't see him you either were not paying enough attention or you need your eyes checked. You almost RAN OVER a human being with your car and you are trying to blame him/her and make yourself the victim. Amazing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my first few years of commuting, I commuted by car. I would curse pedestrians who wandered across the road against their signal and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

In my next few years of commuting, I commuted on foot. I would curse the cars that ran red lights and ignored cross walks and almost ran me over and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

Of all three, I think cars are the biggest menace. They are the most impatient and aggressive and pose the biggest risk to others around them.

They aren't the most aggressive, they are simply the most common.

They are the heaviest and most deadly.

Which is why one should not "poke the proverbial bear." Don't assume that they see you, don't assume that they are not going to hit you. Basically, as the cyclist you will suffer the consequences more than they will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

If you didn't see him you either were not paying enough attention or you need your eyes checked. You almost RAN OVER a human being with your car and you are trying to blame him/her and make yourself the victim. Amazing

+1. Was the speed limit 40 or more there? And regardless of the speed limit, the basic speed rule says that you should be at a speed that is safe. If you couldn't stop for the cyclist because you couldn't see him you either have a vision issue or a speed issue. This isn't a deer jumping out from the bushes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

If you didn't see him you either were not paying enough attention or you need your eyes checked. You almost RAN OVER a human being with your car and you are trying to blame him/her and make yourself the victim. Amazing

Why, because he can't see a cyclist through a line of cars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

If you didn't see him you either were not paying enough attention or you need your eyes checked. You almost RAN OVER a human being with your car and you are trying to blame him/her and make yourself the victim. Amazing

Actually the poster never claimed they almost hit a cyclist, they claimed they almost got rear ended by braking and avoiding a cyclist. A human being was never in danger.

[Anonymous]

Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

You do know that unless in specific parts of the city the pedestrians do own the sidewalk? Since it has been established that bikers belong on the road with cars than they should stay off the sidewalks where they do not belong.

Cyclists don't like to admit it but you should stay off the sidewalks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

You do know that unless in specific parts of the city the pedestrians do own the sidewalk? Since it has been established that bikers belong on the road with cars than they should stay off the sidewalks where they do not belong.

Cyclists don't like to admit it but you should stay off the sidewalks.

No, cyclists own the road and the sidewalk. All of it is theirs. Damn the cars, damn the pedestrians. Damn everyone but themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my first few years of commuting, I commuted by car. I would curse pedestrians who wandered across the road against their signal and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

In my next few years of commuting, I commuted on foot. I would curse the cars that ran red lights and ignored cross walks and almost ran me over and cyclists who zoomed around without obeying any signage.

Now, I commute by bike. I curse the cars that run red lights and ignore cross walks and change lanes into me etc. etc. etc. and pedestrians who all have headphones in and walk around like they own every inch of sidewalk and are totally oblivious.

Of all three, I think cars are the biggest menace. They are the most impatient and aggressive and pose the biggest risk to others around them.

They aren't the most aggressive, they are simply the most common.

They are the heaviest and most deadly.

Which is why one should not "poke the proverbial bear." Don't assume that they see you, don't assume that they are not going to hit you. Basically, as the cyclist you will suffer the consequences more than they will.

Exaxtly, and this is why as a biker I take the entire lane unless I have a clear bike lane or shoulder. I assume all drivers are potentially like the PP who "didn't see" the cyclist on the right side of the road who all the cars were trying to pass and nearly ran her over. I would rather ride in the middle of the lane and piss off drivers like the PP who threatened to honk at drivers who take the lane. I'd rather be honked at than run over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know where this pull to the right nonsense is coming from

Cyclists have a right to the road just like cars

I blow through stopsigns and treat traffic lights like yields but I always check first. I used to obey all traffic laws but in DC no bikers actually wait at red lights or come to a full and complete stop at a 4 way stop so I joined the local customs.

It does amaze me watching some bikers blow through without looking. Thats asking for a serious accident.

I love the bike lanes in DC. Its tough riding in downtown I tend to avoid it if at all possible. Sometimes there is no choice and its pretty dangerous. I have a right to be on the road.

If you don't follow the rules of the road, then you don't have the right to the road like other cars.

Different poster here, and I agree.

Drivers, for the most part, follow traffic laws.

Cyclists, for the most part, don't. Which is why I don't believe they should be on the road.

That is why they are so infuriating.

BS. Try to drive at the speed limit. In most of the region you will be tailgated and honked at frequently, and always passed. Probably 90% of drivers speed, but we consider speeding less than 10MPH over the limit as "not really something to worry about" Cyclists almost never exceed the limit. OTOH the other hand they are more like to treat stop signs as yields, and red lights as stop signs. Because bikes and cars are different.

(of course in addition to speeding, probably at least 50% of drivers fail to signal turns consistently, and a big minority regularly proceed through stop signs just the way cyclists do, and more turn right on red without stopping - and of course some run reds, etc)

Bingo! No one is a saint! Folks just need to relax. Pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers- all break the laws. No one should want to pay the consequences if someone gets hurt or die. It's not worth it. Deal with crazies as one would otherwise- go on about your business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Almost got rear ended earlier today when I came upon a cyclist, had no room to swerve, and had to brake hard, slowing from 40 to about 15. There was a wide and debris free shoulder the cyclist could have been using.

Why did you not slow down earlier, and more gently, when you saw him? And why was the driver behind you going so fast that he had no room to stop? You could have had to brake suddenly for a variety of reasons, which is why when I learned to drive we were taught not to tailgate.

I didn't see the cyclist - all I noticed was that a number of cars in front of me started moving into the left lane to pass. When I saw the cyclist, I turned on my signal to pass, but a number of cars behind me had already made the same move so I had no opening - I had to suddenly brake.

The car behind me did have plenty of room but I don't think they realized the speed of my deceleration, hence almost being rear-ended.

If you didn't see him you either were not paying enough attention or you need your eyes checked. You almost RAN OVER a human being with your car and you are trying to blame him/her and make yourself the victim. Amazing

Actually the poster never claimed they almost hit a cyclist, they claimed they almost got rear ended by braking and avoiding a cyclist. A human being was never in danger.

Then why did he need to stop? Sounds like at least 3 humans were in danger - the cyclist, the driver, and the driver of the car behind. At least one of the two drivers wasn't paying sufficient attention, and because the PP said he had to stop suddenly because he came up on a cyclist unexpectedly, he would have hit the cyclist had he not braked.

I can understand being frustrated that a cyclist is going slower, and that you want to pass. But I cannot envision any scenario where hitting a cyclist that you are hoping to pass is anything but the driver's fault. This is not like having a cyclist blow through a stop sign in front of you, or come down the one way street the wrong way. If you are behind the cyclist and hit him, you are liable. If you are behind another car and hit it, you are liable. Same thing. No difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Why, because he can't see a cyclist through a line of cars?

No, because he didn't see a cyclist right in front of him, until he was so close he had to brake so hard that he almost got rear-ended.

It's a little hard to figure out what exactly happened, but it involved a cyclist riding along a road that people wanted to pass. Some of them didn't manage to execute the passing manuever in a way that avoided almost getting rear ended. That is not the cyclist's fault.