good laaawwd have mercy, cuss cuss! cyclist rant

[highland145]

It's what the lance armstrong-wannabe douchebags call people who don't ride bikes.

Thanks. Never heard that term before...but this is the South. Not Cali.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The greatest dangers to pedestrians and cyclists are not themselves, it is cars. In NYC, there is a big problem with poor traffic enforcement and drivers being able to kill people with impunity, thanks to poorly worded state law which effectively means a driver's license is a license to kill.

Exactly, so why should bikes be in the middle of traffic, where it's more dangerous? Cars are the most dangerous and fastest out of pedestrians, bikes and cars so they should be left to their own space, period.

NYC and Toronto are probably bad examples and exceptions, it takes a crazy person to want to bike or drive there, and there actually is lot of pedestrians so it would be harder to move around them on a bike, it would actually be easier to just walk the bike when going through crowds. Probably a good place to use one of those folding bikes, so you can say fuck it, and just walk the bad spots. But I'm talking about normal cities, where it's not overcrowded everywhere you go, but still has a decent amount of traffic.

Funny you talk about ruts and stuff, and you think the roads are any better? Hell, the roads are WORSE than the sidewalks, at least here. A pot hole for a bike would mean the tire lodging itself, getting stuck and the cyclist flying off. The sidewalks have minor cracks and stuff but nothing all that bad. The trails have lot of rocks and tree roots and stuff and cyclists do fine.

People generally drive 80k/h on your urban roads that have pavements?

Limit is 60 on the highway, 50 on most roads such as residential/side roads, but people here seem to like speeding, sometimes, a lot.

 

[zinfamous]

I'm convinced guys. I'm going to stop riding my bike and exclusively drive, because drivers always obey the law and never do anything illegal.

The best part is how he is filming everything, looking all around the car....while he should be driving.

classic.

 

[_Rick_]

In town I will usually match/exceed a car's average speed on my bike.
Since all traffic is constrained by red lights, and I REALLY want to make green lights when I commute, there really isn't any moment in time, where I'm really in anyones way.

The scariest bit, is when you have to pull into the left lane to pass some car that's stopped/turning right/unloading. Negotiating where I fit into those cars that do feel like they need to pass me, isn't always easy. But I usually spend at least 10 seconds trying to communicate my intent, by looking (and thus turning my head), holding my arm out as is possible, and then accelerating into the gap.

Generally, around here most car drivers are careful around cyclists.

But, there's a reason I didn't use the cycling lane, while commuting.
I was too fast for it, constantly having to go by other bikes, there were plenty of bikes going the wrong way, and pedestrians were on it as well, making sudden changes in direction, not reacting to the bell, and generally being a nuisance. On the road, there's clear running, and I can catch the odd draft.

I would like to have some kind of brake light though, because around here cars don't reliably stop at pedestrian crossings, so when I do on my bike, I never know if the cars behind me will anticipate this behavior.

Also, it's not the spandex clad cyclist you have to watch out for. Those guys usually stick to daylight hours, and are somewhat aware of the dangers of cycling, and have major mileage. It's the other guys, riding run down wrecks of a bike, that have zero self-preservation and road awareness, go the wrong way, snake around, have no working lights, and no respect for any rules, because they do not consider themselves as vehicles. They're just fast pedestrians, and in France, pedestrians do what they want.
This behavior also affects scooter drivers, especially delivery guys. These guys know no law.

 

[highland145]

Rick, don't bring this real life shit to OT.


Does not compute.

 

[MrSquished]

Exactly, so why should bikes be in the middle of traffic, where it's more dangerous? Cars are the most dangerous and fastest out of pedestrians, bikes and cars so they should be left to their own space, period.

NYC and Toronto are probably bad examples and exceptions, it takes a crazy person to want to bike or drive there, and there actually is lot of pedestrians so it would be harder to move around them on a bike, it would actually be easier to just walk the bike when going through crowds. Probably a good place to use one of those folding bikes, so you can say fuck it, and just walk the bad spots. But I'm talking about normal cities, where it's not overcrowded everywhere you go, but still has a decent amount of traffic.

Funny you talk about ruts and stuff, and you think the roads are any better? Hell, the roads are WORSE than the sidewalks, at least here. A pot hole for a bike would mean the tire lodging itself, getting stuck and the cyclist flying off. The sidewalks have minor cracks and stuff but nothing all that bad. The trails have lot of rocks and tree roots and stuff and cyclists do fine.




Limit is 60 on the highway, 50 on most roads such as residential/side roads, but people here seem to like speeding, sometimes, a lot.

man you don't know much about anything you be talking about in this post.

you know nothing about New York City and I'm guessin Toronto either. haven't been to Toronto but can't imagine it being even close to the density of NYC. having been all around this country and to parts of Canada, no city comes even close to the intensity of NYC. and riding and driving in the city are not crazy. the worst thing about driving in NYC is the traffic, and it's not even close to LA traffic. and that's why riding around the city is a fantastic way to get around. you see little old ladies riding nice and safe on their bike, if you don't think you can keep up with them, don't. but don't stereotype things you know nothing about.

you compare bikes riding on trails (which are mountain bikes) to road bikes and road-leaning hybrids on sidewalks. it's just totally nonsensical.

potholes are indeed dangerous but that's why you have eyeballs. if a route you normally take has an abnormal amount of potholes due to this winter, find a new route.

 

[MrSquished]

anyways, people just love to lump everybody into one tidy package. there are asshole cyclists there are asshole drivers.

as a cyclist who drives often, i can relate to both. when people drive like assholes, that's them, not all drivers. when i see a cyclist riding at night without a single light? i get mad at them too.

but some of you bike-haters are just foolish cause it's usually the bike haters that just lump all cyclists into one big convenient package of being assholes.

 

[Venix]

Yes, but motorists attempting to pass cyclists in that kind of situation is one of the things that they are always complaining about. In fact, it's the primary justification they use for riding in the middle of the lane so no one can even attempt to pass them.

They complain about incompetent and aggressive drivers who pass dangerously.

The cyclists in the video were riding at the edge of the lane to facilitate passing. If some other cyclist somewhere else hogs the entire lane, how is that at all relevant? Do you think all cyclists belong to a single hive mind or something?

 

[momeNt]

I think it's libelous to call the video premeditation. He hasn't run anybody over, nor is there any indication that he is planning to. Taking videos of people that annoy you does not mean you are premeditating their harm. Joy cycling during commuting hours on single lane, no passing roads is pretty rude. There are other routes to take your joy cycling. Work commute cycling is a different story since you are bound to your hours and destination.

 

[Brainonska511]

I think it's libelous to call the video premeditation. He hasn't run anybody over, nor is there any indication that he is planning to. Taking videos of people that annoy you does not mean you are premeditating their harm. Joy cycling during commuting hours on single lane, no passing roads is pretty rude. There are other routes to take your joy cycling. Work commute cycling is a different story since you are bound to your hours and destination.

How do you know the people in the video are joy cycling? Perhaps they change when they get to work.

 

[momeNt]

How do you know the people in the video are joy cycling? Perhaps they change when they get to work.

Perhaps they do. Perhaps they don't.

Even if they are commute cycling, he can still be annoyed, and posting videos of his annoyance doesn't mean he is premeditating harming them.

 

[amdhunter]

you should watch the video. it will be like looking in the mirror.

I have the right to be angry. I got hit by one biker, who rode the wrong way and slammed into my brand new car. The asshole tried to ask me for money and I only lucked out that there was an unmarked police car right behind me who witnessed everything.

Second time, dude crashed into my front fender, laughed at me and drove away while I was stuck at a red light.

F these guys. I've seen more jackass bikers than lawful ones. The amount of asshattery has been multiplied greatly by the new Citibike n00bs. Holy shit I can't stand them.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Perhaps they do. Perhaps they don't.

Even if they are commute cycling, he can still be annoyed, and posting videos of his annoyance doesn't mean he is premeditating harming them.

I say watch the video again. The road wasn't busy and the first two cyclist, he could easily pass them on the left with no traffic coming the other way but he's still annoyed and making threats. Later, there is a vehicle coming the other way and he's forced to slow down, oh noes! The last cyclists, he buzzes by so closely, he was endangering the cyclists and arrested for it.

 

[sourceninja]

I normally don't have a problem with cyclists. However there is a bike shop near my house and in the summer they do daily group rides. This in itself is not bad, we have lots of nice country roads to ride on. What is bad is that they pick the roads with 55mph speed limits at 5pm and take up the whole freaking lane. This made my 15 minute commute to work a 45 minute commute home.

 

[Ns1]

I have the right to be angry. I got hit by one biker, who rode the wrong way and slammed into my brand new car. The asshole tried to ask me for money and I only lucked out that there was an unmarked police car right behind me who witnessed everything.

Second time, dude crashed into my front fender, laughed at me and drove away while I was stuck at a red light.

F these guys. I've seen more jackass bikers than lawful ones. The amount of asshattery has been multiplied greatly by the new Citibike n00bs. Holy shit I can't stand them.

Go luck at all the hit and run statistics against cyclists.

 

[OutHouse]

man, all you bicycle haters and the inbred hick in the video would have a psychotic episode if you lived in Colorado.

 

[twinrider1]

Sticking with the video...were the cyclists on that road legally? Given the double yellow lines, the speed limit was at least 35mph and I'm betting it was higher. They have to maintain a minimum speed like everyone else on the road. And be it a bicycle or a car, if you're stuck behind someone going 10+mph UNDER the speed limit, you're going to be pissed about it. Not excusing the guy's actions, but I understand them.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sticking with the video...were the cyclists on that road legally? Given the double yellow lines, the speed limit was at least 35mph and I'm betting it was higher. They have to maintain a minimum speed like everyone else on the road. And be it a bicycle or a car, if you're stuck behind someone going 10+mph UNDER the speed limit, you're going to be pissed about it. Not excusing the guy's actions, but I understand them.

No they don't. I've ridden all over New England on roads like that (55mph speed limit roads) and there is no such legal requirement.

 

[Venix]

Sticking with the video...were the cyclists on that road legally? Given the double yellow lines, the speed limit was at least 35mph and I'm betting it was higher. They have to maintain a minimum speed like everyone else on the road. And be it a bicycle or a car, if you're stuck behind someone going 10+mph UNDER the speed limit, you're going to be pissed about it. Not excusing the guy's actions, but I understand them.

Yes, they were on the road legally. No, they don't have to maintain any minimum speed.

No one was stuck behind them. The fat redneck could have effortlessly passed them by turning his wheel slightly left and maintaining his speed. Someone who rages over the trivial inconvenience of moving a few feet to the left shouldn't be driving.

 

[FleshLight]

Sticking with the video...were the cyclists on that road legally? Given the double yellow lines, the speed limit was at least 35mph and I'm betting it was higher. They have to maintain a minimum speed like everyone else on the road. And be it a bicycle or a car, if you're stuck behind someone going 10+mph UNDER the speed limit, you're going to be pissed about it. Not excusing the guy's actions, but I understand them.

You can actually ride on the interstate in some places (65 mph+ speed limit)

 

[OCGuy]

I would have sworn that one guy that takes his paper-route much too seriously would have been here right now to cuss everyone out.

 

[OutHouse]

Sticking with the video...were the cyclists on that road legally? Given the double yellow lines, the speed limit was at least 35mph and I'm betting it was higher. They have to maintain a minimum speed like everyone else on the road. And be it a bicycle or a car, if you're stuck behind someone going 10+mph UNDER the speed limit, you're going to be pissed about it. Not excusing the guy's actions, but I understand them.

fail. where did you get this?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3b5_1400689840


Great video of these elitist cyclists that think they own the road. They ride as if they're invincible, ignoring everything around them, then act surprised when they get run over by a soccer mom just trying to get her kids to practice. They ride offensively, refuse to give way to anybody, then act blown away that nobody cares when they get run over.



A lance armstrong wannabe holding up a line of 10+ cars peddling furiously uphill at 15mph causes far more traffic and pollution than if they drove their hybrid or a motorcycle.

Equal rights = equal taxation. Tax, tag, insurance should be required for anyone on the roadway. They should all wear velcro number plates on their spandex so we can call 911 when they run red lights and force granma off the crosswalks.


Thankfully my state has recognized these issues and haven't passed any pro-bicyclists laws in over 5 years.


I'll be back later tonight.

 

[twinrider1]

No they don't. I've ridden all over New England on roads like that (55mph speed limit roads) and there is no such legal requirement.

Yes, they were on the road legally. No, they don't have to maintain any minimum speed...

You can actually ride on the interstate in some places (65 mph+ speed limit)

Well, since we can't seem to reach a consensus, I must be right.

I stand corrected. But how is the guy supposed to pass given the double yellow line?

 

[OutHouse]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3b5_1400689840


Great video of these elitist cyclists that think they own the road. They ride as if they're invincible, ignoring everything around them, then act surprised when they get run over by a soccer mom just trying to get her kids to practice. They ride offensively, refuse to give way to anybody, then act blown away that nobody cares when they get run over.



A lance armstrong wannabe holding up a line of 10+ cars peddling furiously uphill at 15mph causes far more traffic and pollution than if they drove their hybrid or a motorcycle.

Equal rights = equal taxation. Tax, tag, insurance should be required for anyone on the roadway. They should all wear velcro number plates on their spandex so we can call 911 when they run red lights and force granma off the crosswalks.


Thankfully my state has recognized these issues and haven't passed any pro-bicyclists laws in over 5 years.


I'll be back later tonight.

watched the video and I dont see that that guy did anything wrong. looked like to me the cars were trying to take him out.