Why do cyclists cut to the front of the line at stop signs and red lights?
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Anonymous
| I ride on my bike, in traffic, a fair amount and I don't understand why so many cyclists do this. If I approach a traffic light, I get in my place directly behind the car in front of me. If I were to go to the front of the line, then all the cars I passed in order to do so would then have to re-pass me once the light changes. It seems like that is the more dangerous approach for everyone involved - or am I missing something? |
Anonymous
| I don't know but I HATE this. |
Anonymous
| Cyclist here. I hate it too. I act like a car and stop in line. But face it, you hate me there too! |
Freeman
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| Wait, you've seen a cyclist stop at a stop sign or red light? I didn't think any of them ever did that unless absolutely forced to. |
Anonymous
|
I love cyclists who act like cars. That is what they are supposed to do, and I respect and appreciate those who do.
The problem is the 85% of cyclists who don't. They ride the wrong way on one-way streets, run stop signs, run red lights, weave through traffic, etc. I once almost hit a cyclist (downtown - Dupont area). It was totally my fault - I just wasn't paying close enough attention. The guy absolutely chewed me out - went on a huge rant about how drivers in DC are terrible about cyclists. I held my tongue, but I often wish I had chewed him out right back. |
Anonymous
| I do it because I feel more visible there. Cars pass me regardless. I worry about cars turning right at the intersection not seeing me otherwise. |
Anonymous
OP here, and this is what I do too. Seems like the safest option. |
Anonymous
Yeah, I never see them stop. I've started honking to scare the crap out of them when the blow a light or stop sign. |
Anonymous
Ha ha. I've never seen a cyclist do this, so I'm not sure if I'd hate it. But I will admit that I hate what OP describes. I also hate it when bicyclists run red lights in this situation, and I also hate it when they don't run red lights because then they block me from turning right on red. And I really hate the dipshits who slow way down and circle in the intersection waiting for an opening before they run the red light. God forbid you let your foot touch the ground. |
Anonymous
It causes you to zip into and past people's blindspots. Very dangerous, especially if cars are taking a right turn. Or if you were to pass them on the right and then cut in front of them and they didn't see you while hitting the gas and heading straight. |
Anonymous
| I live in Portland OR and many many of our intersections have green bike boxes painted at the front of the line of cars at the intersection. It forces drivers to notice you and gives you a chance to get out of the intersection before someone needs to make a right turn and right hooks you and squishes you flat. People die here 2-3 times a year due to right hooks and the bike boxes are helping. |
Anonymous
| I do it at long red lights because I don't like breathing the exhaust from cars and buses. If I'm at the front, I don't get as much of it. When the light turns green, however, I don't make people pass me on the other side. I slow down and let them pass before I jump back on the road. |
Anonymous
| I'm terrified that someone will do this past me in my blind spot and I will hit them as I start to turn right. |
Anonymous
| because they're entitled assholes |
Anonymous
|
Probably for a similar reason that drivers check their e-mail at stop lights:
It's stupid and illegal, but they do it anyway because they can and no one has caught them yet. |