Cyclists Get No Respect

skibum1321 · Sep 24, 2007, 9:59 PM

http://laist.com/2007/09/24/hollywood_bus_d.php

Have any of you had a similar experience where a driver failed to recognize you as a vehicle? Almost anyone that has ever ridden on busy streets has had some close encounters. If so did you actually do anything about it?

**bvibert** · Sep 25, 2007, 7:16 AM

That sucks! It's dangerous enough when cars do that crap, but when a bus does it!

That bus driver should be fired and charges brought against her.

Since I hardly ever ride on the road I don't have any stories to tell. I'd like to do more road riding, but stories like these aren't exactly inspiring me to do so...

MonkeyBrook · Sep 25, 2007, 7:25 AM

The police were worse than the bus driver. For anyone who has ever taken the time or energy to ride a bike, they would understand. I have had many similiar incidents: honking at me, swerviing at me, yelling out the window. As I read in a recent Bike magazine, "do not engage the motorist, just take your sharpest tool to the side of their car at the next traffic light". I just love these people that have to pass you at double the speed limit while crossing a solid line in the other lane just to get around you while narrowly missing a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle....It will never change. So now, I just ride in the middle of the road as long as I can keep up with the speed limit.

skibum1321 · Sep 25, 2007, 7:58 AM

The safest way to do it is to ride in the middle of the road if there isn't a wide enough shoulder. Even if you can't keep up with the speed limit, you have every right to be there. The unfortunate part is that motorists and cops don't see it that way. Some people are just so ignorant to cyclist rights and they are in such a hurry to get wherever they "need" to be that they are willing to put the lives of others at risk.

Road riding can be safe if you stay on the right roads. It is clearly most dangerous when you are in the city - especially a city that doesn't have bike lanes or wide shoulders on the road. It's an awesome sport and I highly recommend getting into it, despite these stories. I used to be a mountain biker, but since I started road cycling last spring, I ride on the roads for about 95% of my biking.

GrilledSteezeSandwich · Sep 25, 2007, 8:21 AM

I wish cyclists used lights at night..alot don't...stay on bike paths...lol..just kidding...most drivers think cyclists should stay on the sidewalk but riding on the sidewalk is illegal..

I'm glad skiers and riders don't have to dodge cars

twinplanx · Sep 25, 2007, 8:44 AM

So I guess thats why my father(who worked in traffic safety) insisted that we kids keep to the sidewalk. Bikes pay no insurance or registration fees, thats why I say bikes belong in the woods. If the roads are covered in snow do I have the right to ski them?

I realize that posting this here will bring me my share of

flamming responses,

so this is where I'll state that the bus driver was wrong, he hit the guy! But I feel better venting my frustrations on a public forum rather than on the streets. Besides I need to get my post count up ala GSS:

bruno · Sep 25, 2007, 9:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinplanx

So I guess thats why my father(who worked in traffic safety) insisted that we kids keep to the sidewalk. Bikes pay no insurance or registration fees, thats why I say bikes belong in the woods. If the roads are covered in snow do I have the right to ski them?

I realize that posting this here will bring me my share of

flamming responses,

so this is where I'll state that the bus driver was wrong, he hit the guy! But I feel better venting my frustrations on a public forum rather than on the streets. Besides I need to get my post count up ala GSS:

i know you're jus' baitin' but cyclists pay taxes jus' like anybody else. besides roadies are usually rich so we pay more.

so there!

MonkeyBrook · Sep 25, 2007, 10:08 AM

funny theory twinplanx. Paying insurance has nothign to do with being able to share the road. It is a law that cyclists have the same right ot the road as motorists. but I am sure you just typed that reply to see how crazy you can make roadies. I do ride dirt, but spend much more time on the road.

skibum1321 · Sep 25, 2007, 10:12 AM

Regardless of how you personally feel about bikes, they are allowed on the road by law. They are another type of vehicle and it is attitudes like this that prevent them from gaining more traction. It's an unfortunate reality that a lot of people don't feel safe commuting on a bike. With some of the drivers out there, I don't blame people for this attitude. Too many drivers have a stick up their @$$ and drive extremely aggressively around cyclists. I have been cut off in a group of 6 people and it almost caused a huge pile up. Other drivers will beep, which scares me half to death and is far more dangerous than just passing at a close distance. Its sad, but the list goes on and on about how people screw cyclists over.

We would be far better off if we put more infrastructure into making bicycling a viable means of transportation. Instead, we rely heavily on cars, which end in far more fatalities each year than biking ever would.

And about taxes, most roadies don't ride exclusively so we all pay the gas tax and car insurance. Such an ignorant attitude

GrilledSteezeSandwich · Sep 25, 2007, 10:31 AM

bikers need to ride single file..I get pissed when they ride side by side..stay in the shoulder..

Sep 24, 2007, 9:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
skibum1321 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Malden, MA Posts: 1,349	Cyclists Get No Respect http://laist.com/2007/09/24/hollywood_bus_d.php Have any of you had a similar experience where a driver failed to recognize you as a vehicle? Almost anyone that has ever ridden on busy streets has had some close encounters. If so did you actually do anything about it? __________________ Fear should be treated like fire - it's a good thing that can keep you warm but it can also burn down the house

Sep 25, 2007, 7:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
bvibert Surfing AZ while waiting for snow Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Torrington, CT Posts: 12,447	That sucks! It's dangerous enough when cars do that crap, but when a bus does it! That bus driver should be fired and charges brought against her. Since I hardly ever ride on the road I don't have any stories to tell. I'd like to do more road riding, but stories like these aren't exactly inspiring me to do so... __________________ Brian SAC Tracker - Tramdock Tracker - Chainlove Tracker - WhiskeyMilitia Tracker

Sep 25, 2007, 7:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
skibum1321 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Malden, MA Posts: 1,349	The safest way to do it is to ride in the middle of the road if there isn't a wide enough shoulder. Even if you can't keep up with the speed limit, you have every right to be there. The unfortunate part is that motorists and cops don't see it that way. Some people are just so ignorant to cyclist rights and they are in such a hurry to get wherever they "need" to be that they are willing to put the lives of others at risk. Road riding can be safe if you stay on the right roads. It is clearly most dangerous when you are in the city - especially a city that doesn't have bike lanes or wide shoulders on the road. It's an awesome sport and I highly recommend getting into it, despite these stories. I used to be a mountain biker, but since I started road cycling last spring, I ride on the roads for about 95% of my biking. __________________ Fear should be treated like fire - it's a good thing that can keep you warm but it can also burn down the house

Sep 25, 2007, 8:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
twinplanx Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: lawnguyland Posts: 248	So I guess thats why my father(who worked in traffic safety) insisted that we kids keep to the sidewalk. Bikes pay no insurance or registration fees, thats why I say bikes belong in the woods. If the roads are covered in snow do I have the right to ski them? I realize that posting this here will bring me my share offlamming responses, so this is where I'll state that the bus driver was wrong, he hit the guy! But I feel better venting my frustrations on a public forum rather than on the streets. Besides I need to get my post count up ala GSS:

Sep 25, 2007, 10:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
skibum1321 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Malden, MA Posts: 1,349	Regardless of how you personally feel about bikes, they are allowed on the road by law. They are another type of vehicle and it is attitudes like this that prevent them from gaining more traction. It's an unfortunate reality that a lot of people don't feel safe commuting on a bike. With some of the drivers out there, I don't blame people for this attitude. Too many drivers have a stick up their @$$ and drive extremely aggressively around cyclists. I have been cut off in a group of 6 people and it almost caused a huge pile up. Other drivers will beep, which scares me half to death and is far more dangerous than just passing at a close distance. Its sad, but the list goes on and on about how people screw cyclists over. We would be far better off if we put more infrastructure into making bicycling a viable means of transportation. Instead, we rely heavily on cars, which end in far more fatalities each year than biking ever would. And about taxes, most roadies don't ride exclusively so we all pay the gas tax and car insurance. Such an ignorant attitude __________________ Fear should be treated like fire - it's a good thing that can keep you warm but it can also burn down the house

Sep 25, 2007, 7:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
MonkeyBrook Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 131	The police were worse than the bus driver. For anyone who has ever taken the time or energy to ride a bike, they would understand. I have had many similiar incidents: honking at me, swerviing at me, yelling out the window. As I read in a recent Bike magazine, "do not engage the motorist, just take your sharpest tool to the side of their car at the next traffic light". I just love these people that have to pass you at double the speed limit while crossing a solid line in the other lane just to get around you while narrowly missing a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle....It will never change. So now, I just ride in the middle of the road as long as I can keep up with the speed limit.

Sep 25, 2007, 8:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
GrilledSteezeSandwich Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 9,008	I wish cyclists used lights at night..alot don't...stay on bike paths...lol..just kidding...most drivers think cyclists should stay on the sidewalk but riding on the sidewalk is illegal.. I'm glad skiers and riders don't have to dodge cars

Sep 25, 2007, 10:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
MonkeyBrook Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 131	funny theory twinplanx. Paying insurance has nothign to do with being able to share the road. It is a law that cyclists have the same right ot the road as motorists. but I am sure you just typed that reply to see how crazy you can make roadies. I do ride dirt, but spend much more time on the road.

Sep 25, 2007, 10:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
GrilledSteezeSandwich Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 9,008	bikers need to ride single file..I get pissed when they ride side by side..stay in the shoulder..

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