During a recent Critical Mass demonstration in Brazil, some dude went nuts and plowed through a bunch of cyclists. Here is the video: LINK Around here, there is a lot of animosity towards cyclists. The cycling culture has not reached the South yet. We have small groups (mostly hipsters) that commute regularly on bikes, but it is my no means wide spread like cities such as Portland, Denver, San Fran and even NYC. We don't have designated bike lanes and not many bike paths, therefore I find myself on the streets, and well, people seem to just get pissed off at the site of someone on a bike in the street. I don't know how many times I've had people yell at me to get on the sidewalk and then for me to have to explain that it is illegal. I ride on the sidewalks alot though, just because I don't trust most drivers, especially on busy streets. Do you hate cyclists? Does it bother you when you have to slow down for some "Lance wannabe"? Do you feel the urge to yell "GIT OFF DA ROAD!!!" if you get delayed 30 seconds because of a cyclists? I doubt you guys in rural areas have to deal with this often, but maybe y'all get some cyclists going on long rides.
Yep, cyclist annoy the crap of me. So instead of riding single file, giving ample room for drivers to get by, they will ride in the middle of the road and won't budge. Then when you swoop around, they act all shocked and shooken, like "how could they". Clueless.
I do not hate them. Annoyed by some at times, especially when they have room to slide over and do not. Its not all cyclists that do this. I'm not a fan of anyone that thinks what they are doing, or their time, is more important than another's. Its actually worse on rural roads here, if there is enough oncoming traffic or hills that you cannot pass. The city I live in has wider shoulders though for the cyclists and runners. The south is weird.
I have no problem with cyclists as long as they stay 2 wide or single file... when they get to 3-4-5 wide its a problem (and i think against the law)... however........ these Critical Mass idiots, that is a different thing altogether... I've seen critical mass rides in chicago before, a bunch of self-righteous dooshbags... folks that cycle for enjoyment/exercise are generally respectful as long as you treat them as equals on the road...
Yeah I'm not a fan of the Critical Mass stuff either. Purposely clogging the streets is not the proper way to get better cycling infrastructure.
I don't hate cyclists. I don't feel I'm so important a person that I can't take a few seconds to pass someone on a bike. But there are a couple of things that do annoy me. 1- You're in traffic. You and the line of cars ahead of you have slowed down and worked your way around a cyclist. Fine. But then you come to a red light and the retard on the bike slides alongside the curb to the front of the line and forces everyone to pass him all over again, and maybe even runs the red light. 2- There is a narrow two-lane road on the way to our favorite bar with curves and hills. The speed limit is 35 on that stretch but increases to 45 after our turn. It's really exciting to come upon a cyclist around a curve or over a rise on an extremely narrow road. Why can't those retards ride on the wider four- lanes in the area? 3- I wonder if some of the hostility isn't directed at the spandex, which they all feel they have to wear, and those dorky helmets. 4- Cyclists should keep in mind that motorists are on an important mission. The are on their way to work or school, picking up groceries, picking up a girlfriend/boyfriend, or to get some beer. All a cyclist is doing is riding a bike. Stay as much out of the way as possible. Bicycles are basically toys for children or backup transportation for guys who have lost their license for DUI.
Oh I completely agree. Cyclist need to obey the laws of the road if they wish to be taken seriously. Again, I agree, but some people do use bikes at their primary mode for transportation. No argument here, except for the helmet. It is pretty stupid to ride on a street without a helmet. What about cycling commuters? I ride my bike to work or the grocery store pretty often. Am I not on an important mission as well?
definitely not as important, otherwise you'd be in a cage traveling along at 75mph and taking up the whole road cuz, well, you're the bigger one and its ~your~ road... :p
Generally not a fan of cyclist. They are nothing but an inconvenience. More of them should realize that they will lose EVERY time if they are hit by a car, and they should drive accordingly. When you are zipping between cars and ignoring all traffic laws, I have no sympathy for you if you get run over.
People don't commute on bicycles here unless their license has been revoked/suspended. The only people here who use a bike as their primary means of transportation are those guys with the overcoats from Goodwill, mittens with holes in them, towing a shopping cart behind the bike. If you're curious as to why, check out the Michigan weather. :D A great way to commute here would be on a sled, but they don't allow it.
I was up in Ottawa a few months ago. One thing I know I would vote yes for is a cycle lane on major roads. Anything two wheels. Country roads, (where cyclist love to ride and make my life hell) I realize its not econimical or smart. But many places, I can see it.
In Mpls they are everywhere and own the road. The city granted millions of dollars to re route the traffic lanes downtown to cater to the bikers. Hmmm.....bike lanes or add more police officers?? They chose bike lanes?!?!?!
We get alot of cyclists here, due to the Blue ridge parkway being a stones throw from my house... There's even some sort of "ride" that takes place through here from time to time, they're not uncommon here on the roads but they've never posed a problem either... I like to bike myself, just not on the road, we have a trail system here also that runs several miles of old rail road, and it's flat. When your there, you are the bigger guy next a pedestrian, just don't try to run over a horse. :D
The only problem I have with cyclists is that their bikes scratch my car whenever I hit them. The blood rinses right off but the scratches in the paint need to be touched up and buffed out and sometimes there are a lot.
so here is my beef with cyclist If i drive my car 20 miles per hour under the speed limit i get a ticket for being a hazard but the guys on the bikes are riding 3 wide and going 40-50 mile mph under the limit and they have a right to be there? this makes no since.What lobby has bought off the state in this matter, Seen this just last summer on i64 with a speed limit of 65 mph three bikes wide rush hour traffic 4 lane interstate hwy. also i live on a blacktop 2 lane hwy with a 55 mph speed limit with little to no shoulders and cyclist are risking everyone's life here,so when you come over a small rolling hill and find a bike inching alone at 10 mph something has to give. do you take the ditch or cross over and possibly hit a oncoming car head on? The bike has the rightaway? whats going on here!
It is illegal to ride on interstates. They should have been ticketed. You slow down, and wait till it is safe to pass, just like you would do if it was a slow car. Of course the bike has the right of way, it is considered another mode of transportation.
