Cyclists, Explain Yourselves

[lacktheknack]

Wow, all the cyclist hate.

Considering how I'm an aware pedestrian, all close-calls I've had in crosswalks have been idiot motorists WHO CAN'T BE ASSED TO LOOK OUT THEIR WINDSHIELD TO NOT PLOW INTO THE GIANT HULK OF A PEDESTRIAN WHO IS NOW GIVING YOU THE DEATH STARE OF TERROR WHILE RUBBING IS NOW-SORE SHINS BECAUSE YOU DECIDED TO RUN A RED LIGHT.

So I'd propose a ban on cars before I proposed a ban on cyclists.

 

[Krion_Vark]

If cyclists had to adhere to the rules of the road the same way motorists do,

That is just it though. They DO have to adhere to all of the same rules that motorists do. They just don't. They are no legally allowed to ride on sidewalks.

Here in Germany, we have dedicated cycling lanes almost everywhere. Accidents with cars are frequent, but rarer than in other countries.

In heavily populated areas in the USA(or where I live at least) there are dedicated bike lanes as well doesn't mean the cyclists use them.

 

[Joshimodo]

It's time for another episode of "Here in Germany" with your friendly host Smash. Yay! Smash will now briefly explain why Germany is superior where cycling is concerned. Coming up in future episodes; Smash explains why Germany is superior in and at anything and everything else.

Here in Germany, we have dedicated cycling lanes almost everywhere. Accidents with cars are frequent, but rarer than in other countries.

Cycling lanes on pavements in most of Berlin. MUCH more sensible, safe, and less frustrating than having them on roads. Fuck cyclists.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

When I'm on my bicycle, cars are bullies and snobs who are never paying full attention.

When I'm in the car, cyclists are glorified pedestrians who should always yield, don't pay road tax are a general nuisance. Yay for human nature.

As a pedestrian, I have been knocked over by cyclists twice. Cars never though, motorists usually know they shouldn't be on the pavement.

 

[Retal19]

I don't drive, but still

For the love
of god
if twenty of you are cycling
on the same road
stay
in god damn
single file
like you're supposed to.
We do not want to have to blunder into oncoming traffic in a big, unwieldy car just because you want to talk to your friends on their bikes while you ride your bike. If you stay in single file, we can get past just fine.

If not, someone is getting killed. Don't be a dick, you don't need to talk to your friend whenever you should be concentrating on not getting demolished by two tons of steel moving at 60mph.

 

[Tiger Sora]

I now have the urge to go to Toronto when I get back to Ontario and push a biker to the ground if he passes me on the sidewalk.

Well least here in Alberta, where I am, theres few cyclists. Drivers are fucking insane, thought they're very good letting pedestrians like me cross. Better than my own province. But against other cars, it's bad.

And now I must leave for work....... I'm scared.

 

[Timmey]

Surprised no one linked this yet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ

saying that though I do find it annoying that some cyclists are so vocal about how people in cars miss treat them but most I see don't even wear helmets. Worse than that are those who cycle at night, with no lights on ... in black clothes like a bloody ninja, if your gona cycle at night put lights on your bike and wear something visible ffs.

 

[jimbob123432]

Here in Winnipeg, we suffer from what I like to call "Transforming Cyclists". These are cyclists who are vehicles (most of whom follow the rules of the road) but they become pedestrians whenever it's convenient for them (such as going through a red light). This is a major problems (mainly because other drivers might not see them when they're going through the crosswalk because they're so fast) but Heaven help you if you try and tell them to stop. One cyclist, I'm not kidding, actually tried to defend himself from a ticket he got for running a red by saying "according to physics, you can never really stop motion and I was just applying that law to my cycling." I don't know if we have a leaking mercury storage facility in town, but cyclists in downtown Winnipeg are fucking stupid.

I also don't agree with the "we're vehicles too" argument. If you run into a car when you're biking (completely your fault), who has to pay the insurance fees? The driver (at least that's how it works here in Winnipeg). If you have zero liability on the road and zero training required to be on the road, get on the fucking sidewalk. I'm sorry for those cyclists out there who follow the rules of the road and aren't jerks, but a few of you are ruining it for everyone else. I'm personally all for licensing cyclists, even for free. Just take a test, show that you know what you're doing, and you can have your license.

 

[Slayer_2]

Cyclists are bad? What about fucking skateboarders? I hate all skateboarders who go on the road. Honestly, if you skateboard on the road at any point while a car is around, you're on my "biggest douche" list. "Lets all go and take our boards out for a 20kmph cruise down the slow lane of the highway, great idea dduudddeeee!!! But to make it more rad, lets wait till night!"

As a driver and cyclist, the thing that peeves me off most is bikers that ride side by side on a road. No. Just no. Don't block traffic so you and your buddy can chat. The other thing is bikers that stay at least 2 meters away from the curb, like they're scared it's gonna try to move and hit them or something. Get some measure of skill and stay within a foot or two, max.

I am guilty of running red lights and shit, but only when it's 3am and there are no cars around. Of course, I always check to make sure it's safe, first. The rule I follow is: cars are bigger and stronger than you, get the fuck out of the way and stay there. The law says "you have the right of way", common sense says "they have the right of way".

EDIT:

get on the fucking sidewalk

See, I have a problem with people who say this, since cops DO give tickets to anyone over 7 riding a bike on a sidewalk. It's rare, but it happens. Don't ask me to risk a $200 fine, have to dodge pedestrians/poles, and deal with a seat that acts and feels much like a motorized dildo up the ass just because you lack the patience and skill to maneuver around me. That said, don't be a dick (and stupid), hug as close to the sidewalk as you can so cars can get past easily.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Cyclists vs Drivers - the original flame war.

Thing I find hilarious is that EVERY SINGLE ONE of each side's arguments are 100% applicable to themselves.

This is bizarre. The arguments re: bad cyclists and the arguments re: bad motorists are completely different.

So a cyclist yelling at a motorist for being a fuel guzzling, environment killing menace is issuing an argument that applies to himself? On his bicycle?

I know you're doing a whole "I'm above the fray" thing here but think your comments through, guy.

 

[dragonswarrior]

Soooooo... I am a cyclist.

And I am a very courteous one.

And all I have to say is all this ridiculous hate that cyclists get is exactly why many of them are dicks.

It's hard to not feel special and entitled when you also feel like THE WHOLE WORLD LITERALLY HATES YOU AND YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

I mean, that's not true. I understand why you hate cyclists. I just don't understand why you hate me.

Also, it's very hard to share the road with moving death machines that will kill you if you sneeze wrong. Car drivers, please try to remember this.

Now, there are cyclists that are dicks. I hate them too. They're incredibly annoying.

But listening to this kind of talk is why I also feel some sympathy for them. Seriously, why do you want to shove my head in a grate? Or shoot me with a paintball gun? Please stop guys... *makes a sad pitying face*

 

[Casual Shinji]

Well, over here in Holland we have cycling lanes, the same as every other moderately developed country.

And on the few roads without these lanes we simply keep to our right side of the road where motorists can easily spot us.

..............................

I kind of fail to see the problem here.

See, you're following the rules. I'm just annoyed as all hell by the idiots who think they are above the rules.

I live in Guelph Ontario. They have bike lanes everywhere. And yet this moron insisted on slowly crossing a six lane highway because he couldn't be assed to stay on the road, so he took the sidewalk.

I guess I just never realized how cyclists are viewed abroad. From what I gather Holland has one of the highest cyclist ratios in the world and there's no real hostility between cyclists and motorists here at all.

It's probably a cultural thing, the first thing we do after we learn how to walk is learn how to ride a bike. And I don't know how it is now, but back in my elementary school days we had exams on how to behave in traffic while riding a bike. And even now when the end of summer vacation nears we put up temporary traffic signs signifying to mororists the beginning of a new school year, thus an increase of kids on bikes.

The only cyclists I hate are sports cylists since they have a complete disregard for everyone else on cycling lanes, everyone that gets in the way of their precious speed.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

Cyclists, Explain Yourselves

I don't even need to read the thread, this is the greatest thread of all time.

What would you suggest be done differently?

Build more cycle lanes to accommodate the cycling traffic?

Or break all their bikes.

I mean, either way problem solved.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

Here in Britain there are a few problems i've noticed since i started going cycling regularly.

1) lack of Cycle lanes/paths most roads don't have them so..
2) Cycling on a road without one can be pretty dangerous. Especially on old roads that barely have enough room for cars nevermind bikes.
3) Most drivers don't realise how much room you have to leave making the above problem even more dangerous.
4) Lack of knowledge about the rules. Some schools make you do a cycling proficiency test. Mine did not, as such I don't actually know most of the non-obvious rules... Speaking of which I'm going to look those up right now...

EDIT: although the lack of rules knowledge applies to drivers too btw.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

Here in Britain there are a few problems i've noticed since i started going cycling regularly.

1) lack of Cycle lanes/paths most roads don't have them so..
2) Cycling on a road without one can be pretty dangerous. Especially on old roads that barely have enough room for cars nevermind bikes.
3) Most drivers don't realise how much room you have to leave making the above problem even more dangerous.
4) Lack of knowledge about the rules. Some schools make you do a cycling proficiency test. Mine did not, as such I don't actually know most of the non-obvious rules... Speaking of which I'm going to look those up right now...

Local library or bookshop should have a basic road rules manual (it includes car,horse pedestrian as well, but importantly it will tell you the bike stuff )

Thanks
I go cycling with friends who did do their cycling proficiency, so i just follow them which has so far stopped me from dying but it's about time I learned what's what for myself.

 

[Padwolf]

Cyclists annoy the hell out of me. They think they own the bloody road, they don't look properly when turning, they don't even look out for pedestrians. There have been a few times when I've been crossing the road, the cars have stopped for me, but cyclists have continued and nearly knocked me down. The stupid cyclists need to learn that they have to follow the rules of the road. I once saw some cyclists pulling out from the pavement, when a truck was going by, I was in the car behind it, and the truck swerved and fell on it's side, all because those two cyclists didn't bother to stop and look where they were going. It was a busy road and cars had the right of way. It was terrifying to be behind that. Car drivers aren't perfect either, but some cyclists really do need to learn the rules of the road.