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2011-04-30 3:30 PM

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Subject: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

Today, I was driving home with my kids in the car, making a left turn onto a street that has a stop sign. This particular intersection was the scene of a fatal bike accident either last year or the year before that. Cyclists constantly blow through the stop sign and the traffic move through the intersection has no stop, thereby creating a dangerous situation.

Back to today...I'm making the left turn and this cyclist is not even looking, riding in front of me. I slammed on my brakes so that I don't hit him, honk my horn so that he recognizes that someone is in fact driving on this street and he has the audacity to get pissed off at me, flipping me off.

I've been biking in this town pretty heavily for the last five years. I'm in the minority, but I stop at every stop sign, every red light, signal properly, etc. I'm getting really fed up with cyclists who do not obey traffic signals, because I have no interest in getting biker goo on the bottom of my car. This lack of respect for the road causes drivers to get pissed off at cyclists in general and then I have to contend with people giving me 5 inches of room on a 55 (those who've ridden IMMoo know Whalen Rd.; this happens about once every month or two for me out there).

What the heck do we do about this? It's a serious problem and we have no defined bike laws. Should licenses be required to ride a bike? Should cops ticket offending cyclists for breaking the law? Are they even breaking the law?

Sigh. WWCOJD?



2011-04-30 3:58 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Ask the police to "educate" them? Have them sit at that intersection and pull over cyclists who don't respect the laws? All the bikes are coming out with the daffodils and no one is paying attention yet.

We cyclists, if we truly share the road, have to follow the rules of the road as well.
2011-04-30 4:02 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Can I join your rant? Totally pi**es me off when riders ride 2 (or more) abreast, don't signal, blow stop signs, etc. Makes *most* drivers hate all cyclists not knowing that we are all not a**es.
2011-04-30 4:34 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
I also for the most part follow the letter of the law when riding when it comes to the stop signs/lights ect.

As far as WI laws for bicycles here ya go.
2011-04-30 6:12 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

It is frustrating to see cyclists disobey the traffic laws and do as they please when you know that next time you get on the bike you could suffer the consequences of their actions.

I wouldnt mind there being a license requirement to operate a bicycle on roads shared with vehicles.  That way after certain amount of infractions your license could be taken away.

2011-04-30 6:13 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

whoops!  Had I known that was you I wouldn't have flipped you off!

Seriously, there are bad cyclists just like there are bad drivers.  I really don't know what the answer is but I would actually like to see more bikes and fewer cars.  But yea, I get pizzed at cyclist for riding stupid almost as much as I do a driver talking or texting while driving.



2011-04-30 7:35 PM
in reply to: #3475156

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Cuetoy - 2011-04-30 4:12 PM

It is frustrating to see cyclists disobey the traffic laws and do as they please when you know that next time you get on the bike you could suffer the consequences of their actions.

I wouldnt mind there being a license requirement to operate a bicycle on roads shared with vehicles.  That way after certain amount of infractions your license could be taken away.



I think but am not positive that you can get traffic tickets on a bike just as you can in a car and they would or do count against your drivers license just as if you are driving a motor vehicle.
2011-04-30 7:54 PM
in reply to: #3474998

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

wwlani - 2011-04-30 2:02 PM Can I join your rant? Totally pi**es me off when riders ride 2 (or more) abreast, don't signal, blow stop signs, etc. Makes *most* drivers hate all cyclists not knowing that we are all not a**es.

for this part, check local law - it is legal to ride 2 across in Washington. it might not always be the best idea but in some situations it is the best bet for staying safe and visible.

I will agree that cyclists that do not obey the law me off just as much drivers who don't drive safely or recognize cyclists legal right to ride on the road. we all need to chill off and come to an understanding.

2011-04-30 8:09 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
You should've yelled out that he should be thanking you instead of flipping you off for being an observant driver and not found under your vehicle or thrown a few feet lying in a pool of blood because of his not obeying the traffic laws and STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN!!!
2011-04-30 8:48 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
I had the same problem yesterday on a multi-purpose trail, two guys not paying attention to people in from of them and nearly cliped me running down the trail, then I tell them to pay attention and they swear at me!!
2011-04-30 9:02 PM
in reply to: #3474998

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

wwlani - 2011-04-30 5:02 PM Can I join your rant? Totally pi**es me off when riders ride 2 (or more) abreast, don't signal, blow stop signs, etc. Makes *most* drivers hate all cyclists not knowing that we are all not a**es.

Depending on the state, it may be legal for cyclists to ride 2 abreast.  I know it is in Virginia.  But, yeah, people not following the laws really bother me.



2011-04-30 9:05 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Next time, just pull up alongside, roll down your window, and yell at him "Hey a$$----, your seat is too high."  Then drive away.
2011-04-30 9:06 PM
in reply to: #3475370

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
It "may" be legal but that doesn't mean it is safe OR smart. When 2 across on the ROAD (little to no shoulder on winding road) means cars can not SAFELY pass bikers they should go single file!
2011-04-30 9:21 PM
in reply to: #3474958

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by Fred Doucette 2011-04-30 9:21 PM
2011-04-30 9:32 PM
in reply to: #3475387

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Fred Doucette - 2011-04-30 8:21 PM

Sigh. WWCOJD?

I'd take a deep breath.

Then I would realize that there are good and bad cyclists. There are also good and bad drivers.

I'd then try to do both in a decent fashion.




And then I'd be thankful that I lived in Madison, one of the most awesomest cities ever.
2011-04-30 9:49 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
I'd have followed him and then ran him over at the next place he blew a stop sign. That'll show those pesky cyclists!


2011-04-30 10:02 PM
in reply to: #3475374

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

wwlani - 2011-04-30 10:06 PM It "may" be legal but that doesn't mean it is safe OR smart. When 2 across on the ROAD (little to no shoulder on winding road) means cars can not SAFELY pass bikers they should go single file!

Why is "may" be in quotes?  It IS legal in some states. 

2011-04-30 10:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

wwlani - 2011-04-30 7:06 PM It "may" be legal but that doesn't mean it is safe OR smart. When 2 across on the ROAD (little to no shoulder on winding road) means cars can not SAFELY pass bikers they should go single file!

not to belabor a point (though I do tend to do that) or throw this off topic, on narrow two lane roads, riding two abreast is actually SAFER, than riding single file because then cars are not able to pass you in an unsafe manner (usually) they might not like it and cars might be slowed a little, but delaying someone a few minutes is a small price to pay for someone elses safety.

that is how things generally go here in Washington anyway. again drivers might not like it but the law says we can do it and as traffic, like any car, we have the right to safe travel on the road.

2011-05-01 8:23 AM
in reply to: #3474958

Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
I think the point about riding two abreast is kind of like our freedom of speech in the USA. Just because you have the right doesn't "always" make it right to do. There are times when it makes sense to ride two abreast and times when it's not in the best interest to do it. Use common sense. As a cyclist no matter what you do some motorist will still think you should be on the sidewalk.
2011-05-01 10:56 AM
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2011-05-01 11:12 AM
in reply to: #3475476

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
bel83 - 2011-04-30 11:39 PM

wwlani - 2011-04-30 7:06 PM It "may" be legal but that doesn't mean it is safe OR smart. When 2 across on the ROAD (little to no shoulder on winding road) means cars can not SAFELY pass bikers they should go single file!

not to belabor a point (though I do tend to do that) or throw this off topic, on narrow two lane roads, riding two abreast is actually SAFER, than riding single file because then cars are not able to pass you in an unsafe manner (usually) they might not like it and cars might be slowed a little, but delaying someone a few minutes is a small price to pay for someone elses safety.

that is how things generally go here in Washington anyway. again drivers might not like it but the law says we can do it and as traffic, like any car, we have the right to safe travel on the road.

I would have to agree with this as well.  Here, if they think they can, cars will try to eek by you without crossing the yellow lines even if that means the are inches away from you.  Riding 2 abreast or farther out in the lane if you are alone forces them to swing around you and they will usually give you more space that way.



2011-05-01 5:23 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

In this case, it really is a case of the many ruining it for the few. 

I live in a city of cyclists, and it amazes me what people will do. Mostly the cars are prepared, but there are so many muppets who make drivers assume that we are all bad.

I actually was driving the other day, behind a bike, he had his earphones on etc, its a two way street, can't over take, so sit a nice distance back and wait for the chance, i overtake and he starts swearing at me, a couple of hundred yards later, at a traffic light, i am stuck for about 2 minutes, bike turns up, starts shouting at me inaudiably....

I despair. 

2011-05-01 5:24 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
Oh, and I would prefer you called them "Bicycle Riders" or Bike Riders, just to differeniate the fact that they are not cyclists like the rest of us who take it seriously....
2011-05-02 10:35 PM
in reply to: #3474958

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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

My bike is my main mode of transportation. For the most part, I obey all the rules of the road*.

It annoys me beyond measure when I see cyclists doing dumb and dangerous things, and generally being a *** in traffic. Although I have never heard of the police stopping cyclists around here, I know people who have been ticketed in other local communities.

Our local cycling community is relatively strong, and Sonoma County is a great place to live as a cyclist. The bike coalition is active in educating riders and that may play a part. I wouldn't mind seeing tickets given out to folks riding incorrectly (blowing stops, going the wrong way, talking on their cell phone, etc.).

 

*I treat neighborhood stop signs as yield signs. I treat my neighborhood stop light as a stop sign, as it has been proven to me to be unresponsive to my bike. Out on the main roads, I stop and wait at all signs and lights.

2011-05-03 10:17 AM
in reply to: #3474958

Elite
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Subject: RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town

I had a "Cyclist" come tearing through an intersection on my left side when I was making a left turn.  no helmet on this guy either..  I was tempted to follow him and give him what for.

Towns by me actually give tickets (I think they are $65.00) for not stopping and putting a foot down at stop signs.  You may proceed at a red light if you are not heavy enough to trigger it..

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