spirochete to cyclists: I HATE YOU. I hate you so much and I hate your next 15 generations

I hope your bikes melt down and your little helmets crack and and you lose a bike seat up your butt.

Do you ride on the bike path RIGHT NEXT TO THE STREET? HELL NO! You ride right in the street and hold up traffic.

Do you ride single file as traffic goes by? HELL NO! You ride in pairs while blocking traffic and we're all at your mercy driving at bicycle speed for miles on end.

Do you ride in a responsible manner? HELL NO! You cry that you have just as much right to the street as I do in my car yet you run EVERY SINGLE stop sign, turn without signaling and whatever illegal maneuvers you can think up while wearing a Doritos branded spandex team shirt.

I seriously hate cyclists so much.

hear hear

Wow, I didn't know this happened in other places, but this behavior is RAMPANT where I live, which is a huge bicycling community. And I totally agree. Justice always seems to favor cyclists too, when it comes down to it...

Ugh.  That must be a pain to deal with.

There aren't many cyclists around here, but for the most part, they seem pretty tolerable.  I guess I should consider myself lucky.

There are tons of cyclists around here. They are like an evil viral plague that infest the streets and make everyone want to start a murder spree

^I'm sure they have an equally high opinion of you.

Original Post by lysistrata:

^I'm sure they have an equally high opinion of you.

Because I'm driving on the road and obeying traffic laws? What does this even mean

I don't agree with cyclists who blow off the road rules, and I do try to spend as much time as possible OFF the road, but it is not always possible.  In Maryland, that lane is mine -- I am to be treated as a car (that is, me on my bike).  It is recommended that I stay as close to the curb/shoulder as possible -- slotted storm drains do a wonderful job of making that "as possible" be about 4 feet into the traffic.

I don't like biking in traffic -- I'd much rather have a dedicated lane or a path -- maybe when gas prices get higher, something more will be done about that.

By the way, I'm none to keen on those motorists who fly past me at 15-20 over the limit and share my lane -- when the lane next to them is empty.

Original Post by coach_k:

I don't like biking in traffic -- I'd much rather have a dedicated lane or a path -- maybe when gas prices get higher, something more will be done about that.

By the way, I'm none to keen on those motorists who fly past me at 15-20 over the limit and share my lane -- when the lane next to them is empty.

There is a bike path that runs along side the road by my house. A BIKE path, not a sidewalk. Why would cyclists go on the street instead? Why would you ride your bike in traffic instead of the bike path 7 feet to your right?

Secondly, I wouldn't do that because I don't want my insurance to go up if you (not YOU coach_k, you know what I mean) decide to oh I don't know meander out into the lane and ignore all other conventions of common sense.

I swear to God if I wasn't too old I'd join the police force and make it my sole duty to hand out tickets to cyclists

Sec. 11-1505.1. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast, except on paths or parts of the roadway set aside for their exclusive use. Persons riding 2 abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane subject to the provisions of Section 11-1505 (625 ILCS 5/11-1505).

I live in a college town. Want to talk about rude cyclists? Most of the cyclists here are 18-22 year olds!

You all haven't mentioned my favorite cyclist trick ever, when they scoot up along the right side of a line of traffic to get closer to a stop sign, risking being absolutely flattened if someone plans on turning right. Makes me CRAZY!

I think they're crazy. If I were to ride my bike anywhere it would be on sidewalks, not those bicycle lanes right on the street where oncoming traffic driving 50 mph in your direction are only inches away from knocking you over. It seems like they're begging to get hit. Why must they choose such busy and narrow roads with no sidewalks to ride on? They scare the crap out of me.

just yesterday i was at a four way stop turning left. the traffic light had turned for the cars coming straight at me. i am looking to the left as that is where i am going and all the sudden this chick on her bike starts heading straight into the road in front of that oncoming car. i swear to god i thought that suv was going to hit her and throw her straight into my side of my car! at the last second she turns her bike to the right onto the bike lane. holy cow lady you gave me a freaking heart attack!! what if the dude that was in the suv thought you where going straight at him and thought it would be nicer to swerve to the left and hit me rather than a cyclelist? thanks a lot!!  *goes home and changes shorts*

Original Post by peacecalilove:

I think they're crazy. If I were to ride my bike anywhere it would be on sidewalks, not those bicycle lanes right on the street where oncoming traffic driving 50 mph in your direction are only inches away from knocking you over. It seems like they're begging to get hit. Why must they choose such busy and narrow roads with no sidewalks to ride on? They scare the crap out of me.

Actually it's illegal for them to ride on sidewalks so often they don't have a choice. If you ever make me defend a cyclist again I'll make my next hate thread about you

That's the point gmule!  These cyclists aren't riding on the roads the same as cars.  They are being "cars" when it's convenient, being "pedestrians" when that's convenient, or acting like complete idiots by not following any rules at all.

I can agree with that.

I call those cyclist organ donors. Why is it that motorist only remember the ones that run the lights?

So much for free speach!!

Since I have been moderated I'll try this again.

Bicyclist have the right to use the road.

Have any of you ever actually tried to ride a bike on the paths?

1. The bike paths don't go anywhere.  

2. they are not designed for high speed travel.

Seriously are you in that big of a hurry that a 2 second delay is going to kill you?

How many cars do you see everyday that run red lights?

How many drivers do you see doing everthing except driving?

talking on phones, eating, Puting on make up etc.

with the rising price of fuel you are going to see more and more of us so get used to it.

Peacelove, if you are riding your bicycle against traffic you are riding the wrong way. Bicycles should ride with traffic.

I'm sure that the rules vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but here in Ontario, cyclists have the same rights and obligations as motorists, UNLESS there is a designated bicycle lane, in which case they're expected to occupy that lane.  Cycling is far healthier for the rider and the environment - I'm more than happy to show a little respect when I'm driving, and hope for the same courtesy when I'm cycling. 

Split

Why is it that motorist only remember the ones that run the lights?

Because the normal ones aren't almost killed by their own stupidity.

Come on Split.  It doesn't bother you when a cyclist will be going along with traffic until they hit a red light, then they hop up on the sidewalk and continue on their merry way?

I invite gmule to come to Toronto to drive around downtown with all the cyclists breaking every traffic rule known to man and nearly causing accidents at every block.  He may change his tune a little.

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

Come on Split.  It doesn't bother you when a cyclist will be going along with traffic until they hit a red light, then they hop up on the sidewalk and continue on their merry way?

I invite gmule to come to Toronto to drive around downtown with all the cyclists breaking every traffic rule known to man and nearly causing accidents at every block.  He may change his tune a little.

 Agree 100%