Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: UWMadTri on 2011-04-30 3:30 PM

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?

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: pitt83 on 2011-04-30 3:58 PM

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.
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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: wwlani on 2011-04-30 4:02 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.

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: crusevegas on 2011-04-30 4:34 PM

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.
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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: Cuetoy on 2011-04-30 6:12 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.

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: rayd on 2011-04-30 6:13 PM

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.

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: crusevegas on 2011-04-30 7:35 PM



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.

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: bel83 on 2011-04-30 7:54 PM

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.

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: 1stTimeTri on 2011-04-30 8:09 PM

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!!!

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: Dg0113 on 2011-04-30 8:48 PM

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!!

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: Artemis on 2011-04-30 9:02 PM

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.

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: SevenZulu on 2011-04-30 9:05 PM

Next time, just pull up alongside, roll down your window, and yell at him "Hey a$$----, your seat is too high."  Then drive away.

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: wwlani on 2011-04-30 9:06 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!

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: Fred D on 2011-04-30 9:21 PM

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.

Edited by Fred Doucette 2011-04-30 9:21 PM

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: wavedog on 2011-04-30 9:32 PM




And then I'd be thankful that I lived in Madison, one of the most awesomest cities ever.
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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: jonathan.evitts on 2011-04-30 9:49 PM

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!

RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: Artemis on 2011-04-30 10:02 PM

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

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: bel83 on 2011-04-30 10:39 PM

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.

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RE: Rant: I'm really getting tired of cyclists in this town
BY: crusevegas on 2011-05-01 8:23 AM

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.
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