So...almost killed that guy.
09-07-2008, 09:50 PM
#1
BANNED IN D.C.
SuperSport
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 701
So...almost killed that guy.
I live in a college town and there are always a lot of hippies riding hither and yon on their bicycles. That's all well and good, but I think if youre going to ride a bike on the road, FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD. I was taking a left from a stop light and some dude just goes straight through the light without even so much as a glance. He was no more than 6 inches from my bumper when my car finally chirped to a stop. He was hauling ***...I was only going about 20, but he would have been fucked regardless. He looked back and shouted something at me, but I didnt hear exactly what he said. I thought very hard about turning around, catching up, and snatching his *** off that bike and giving him a good ol fashioned beat down. Alas, I did not because i was more scared than mad. It really, really scared me. But, im sure if i would have taken him out, I would have gotten a citation/arrest and it would have been my 'fault'. If youre going to ride your bike on the road, please follow the rules of the road. The whole "share the road" bullshit makes me mad, because they dont 'share' the road. they think they own that ****. what pisses me off the most is that they do not have to pay to register the bike, license it, or license themselves.... yet they act like the roads were built for their ******* 10 speed. Nor do you have to pay taxes on the bike annually....nor insurance. If you want to share the road, share the whole responsibility. And...USE YOUR ******* HEAD.
09-07-2008, 10:43 PM
#2
Uhhhhh..huh.huh..Member..
Superstock
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Vancouver, WA
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My mother in law hit a kid on a bike last week. Kid didnt even look. Just rode right out in the road. He was getting chased by his friend. All of the witnesses agreed it was the kids fault. He even admitted it. He only got a few staples in his scalp out of it, but could have been much worse. The mother in law was freaked out pretty bad.
09-07-2008, 11:18 PM
#3
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I almost never say anything like this about anything but this is one area where we need more enthusiatic law enforcement.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
09-07-2008, 11:33 PM
#4
Uhhhhh..huh.huh..Member..
Superstock
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Vancouver, WA
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I almost never say anything like this about anything but this is one area where we need more enthusiatic law enforcement.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
09-08-2008, 04:50 AM
#5
Post Whore Junior
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Location: Triad, NC
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I almost never say anything like this about anything but this is one area where we need more enthusiatic law enforcement.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
People on bicycles who run stop signs, red lights, ride on the sidewalk, through crosswalks or ride on the wrong side of the road should be treated exactly the same as if they were doing it in a Camry instead of on a bicycle.
09-08-2008, 06:39 AM
#6
Out of my mind, back in 5
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Skurup, Sweden
Posts: 6,109
Why, you ask... Well I actually have a DUI on my record... one... in my whole life... and that was on a bicycle... altough I actually contested it and won... as I was at the time to incapactiated to actually get on the bike... I did manage to scrape up my knee and fall off the road though (sloped plantation in a park)...
And at the same time as the police here can dole out DUI's to people on a bicycle there is also one of world histories most stupid traffic laws in effect... Basicly in any incident concerning a motor vehicle and a pedestrian or operator of an "unpowered vehicle" (*) then the operator of the motor vehicle is at fault, by law... So basicly if I jump of an overpass and land on a car, it's his fault... Go figure...
The effect of this is in my mind absolutely ridiculous... People walk right out in the street not looking, since by law it's the cars fault if they get hit... Now in theory I can't fault their logic, altough it wouldn't do them any good once they are dead and buried... Me on the other hand have some self preservation left and I look before walking... Not because I have to, but because I want to...
Prime example... Yesterday I almost hit a young mom with a baby stroller... I get a green light (which means she has a red...) and she just walks out infront of me with the stroller in front of her... I saw her and knew what was coming... otherwise I'd run straight over the stroller...
(*) I can't realy accurately translate it... mainly anyone on a bicycle or similar that doesn't have an engine, but is considered as means of transportation on a puplic road... ie a skateboard would apply (it's been tested in court)... Though a tricyle or anything else similar might not... Dunno exactly where they draw the limit...
09-08-2008, 06:56 AM
#7
Rooster Wolf
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Location: Knightdale, NC
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If youre going to ride your bike on the road, please follow the rules of the road. ....they think they own that ****. what pisses me off the most is that they do not have to pay to register the bike, license it, or license themselves.... yet they act like the roads were built for their ******* 10 speed. Nor do you have to pay taxes on the bike annually....nor insurance. If you want to share the road, share the whole responsibility. And...USE YOUR ******* HEAD.
09-08-2008, 05:24 PM
#8
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SuperSport
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pa
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I agree as well.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I653Q7I0x8
http://times-up.org/index.php?page=critical-mass
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I653Q7I0x8
http://times-up.org/index.php?page=critical-mass
09-08-2008, 08:40 PM
#10
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+1 Condor! I've been forced, by what I call a GAGGLE of road bikers in their brightly colored spandex, to cross the double yellow on many occasions, since they take up almost the whole friggin' lane riding 4 or 5 abreast. But what really pisses me off is when I'm on the opposite side of the road on my VTR and an SUV is coming straight at me having been forced to cross the double yellow by some arrogant GAGGLE of spandex f#**@&s.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 09-08-2008 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Edited offensive politically incorrect word
09-09-2008, 12:58 PM
#11
2nd mouse gets the cheese
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I gotta tell you I have been on both ends of this problem and my conclusion is it only a minority of both groups. For example I ride my bicycle on the road and I do my best to give cars as much of the road as I can but sometimes depending on the road or the condition of the shoulder I will end up hovering on the white line. Some people find this angering and then try and get as close to killing me as they can without actually hitting me. Mind you a 6000 pound suv only needs to clip me to kill me. I follow the laws on my bike so I don't feel its right for angry car drivers to take it out on me, or any other cyclist just solely for the reason that you could kill them. Chances are all we are doing is slowing you down a little. Relax people. Now the other side, should bicyclists follow the law? Yes. Stop at red lights? yes. Ride two or more abrest on a busy road? No. Now for my point, not every driver buzzes me maybe 1 in 50. And likewise not every bicyclist disobeys the law probably about the same 1 in 50 but it still happens too often, and until some great resolution is made please at least grant riders some space even if you have to slow down. Just my 2 cents...
09-09-2008, 02:29 PM
#13
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visiting my son at college and having lived in seattle I agree with condor completely. why they feel they are immune to being injured I don't know. Or riding at night without a bit of reflective material or no light and assuming they'll be seen. And it is a terrible thing to have to live with (both legally and guilt-wise) if you hit someone like that even if its through no fault of your own.
I've also lived in communities where pedestrians do the same - or they interpret the signs that say "peds in crosswalk have right of way" to mean they can jump into the crosswalk at the last minute while you are moving at 30 MPH and you will simply stop on a dime.
I've also lived in communities where pedestrians do the same - or they interpret the signs that say "peds in crosswalk have right of way" to mean they can jump into the crosswalk at the last minute while you are moving at 30 MPH and you will simply stop on a dime.
09-09-2008, 04:52 PM
#14
Duc Hawk
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I had a road bike guy clad in spandex yell "HEY! Watch out!" to me while he was in the opposite lane, going the other direction, hugging the center stripe in a corner. I was in the outside wheel track, to avoid some gravel, and also near to the center but well within my lane.
09-09-2008, 06:13 PM
#15
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I gotta tell you I have been on both ends of this problem and my conclusion is it only a minority of both groups. For example I ride my bicycle on the road and I do my best to give cars as much of the road as I can but sometimes depending on the road or the condition of the shoulder I will end up hovering on the white line. Some people find this angering and then try and get as close to killing me as they can without actually hitting me. Mind you a 6000 pound suv only needs to clip me to kill me. I follow the laws on my bike so I don't feel its right for angry car drivers to take it out on me, or any other cyclist just solely for the reason that you could kill them. Chances are all we are doing is slowing you down a little. Relax people. Now the other side, should bicyclists follow the law? Yes. Stop at red lights? yes. Ride two or more abrest on a busy road? No. Now for my point, not every driver buzzes me maybe 1 in 50. And likewise not every bicyclist disobeys the law probably about the same 1 in 50 but it still happens too often, and until some great resolution is made please at least grant riders some space even if you have to slow down. Just my 2 cents...
But the people who race around town, then get pissed when people almost hit them are asking for it and making people resent road riders. Much like the road racers on motorcycles that give motorcyclists a bad name.
In my opinion, it is much safer to be on a motorcycle than a bicycle on the road. Bicycles are travelling much slower than cars and can't see cars coming up behind them. Drivers need to recognize how exposed bicyclists are. And cyclists need to show appreciation and respect for drivers, and make sure they have room to get around you.
09-09-2008, 07:01 PM
#16
ATGATT
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In my opinion, it is much safer to be on a motorcycle than a bicycle on the road. Bicycles are travelling much slower than cars and can't see cars coming up behind them. Drivers need to recognize how exposed bicyclists are. And cyclists need to show appreciation and respect for drivers, and make sure they have room to get around you.
I'm glad you managed not to hit the guy both for him and yourself. Anger is natural when you realize what could have happened and the other party is less respecting of the situation. We are all just trying to make it home so keep your cool and watch out for the ones who aren't.
09-09-2008, 07:54 PM
#17
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Like a couple of people here, I've been on both sides of this issue, too. I rode a bicycle as primary transportation for several years.
As a bicyclist I tried my best to follow the traffic laws, but at the same time I had to "claim my space" on the road. Otherwise you just get abused by some drivers.
In Condor's situation it sounds like the bicyclist stupidly violated the signal and then felt indignant about almost getting wiped out. No excuse for that.
Still, no need to build up a list of gripes & then ascribe them to all bicyclists because you're miffed at one or two dumbasses. We should know better, seeing as how motorcyclist often get painted with a broad brush.
Also, we don't need more laws, licensing, restrictions ad infinitum. The situation generally works pretty well as is. That's my 2.
As a bicyclist I tried my best to follow the traffic laws, but at the same time I had to "claim my space" on the road. Otherwise you just get abused by some drivers.
In Condor's situation it sounds like the bicyclist stupidly violated the signal and then felt indignant about almost getting wiped out. No excuse for that.
Still, no need to build up a list of gripes & then ascribe them to all bicyclists because you're miffed at one or two dumbasses. We should know better, seeing as how motorcyclist often get painted with a broad brush.
Also, we don't need more laws, licensing, restrictions ad infinitum. The situation generally works pretty well as is. That's my 2.
09-09-2008, 08:06 PM
#18
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Here in SoCal these "GAGGLES" of road bikers will ride up to 4 or 5 abreast, blocking more than half of the only lane going in that direction, and they are obviously peddling at less than the speed limit. And yes, there is a bike lane.
I ride a mountain bike, sometimes on the street, but like on my VTR I ride to live.....STAY OUT OF THE F%#@&*%$ CARS' WAY.
I ride a mountain bike, sometimes on the street, but like on my VTR I ride to live.....STAY OUT OF THE F%#@&*%$ CARS' WAY.
09-10-2008, 05:00 AM
#19
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Sounds like some laying on of the horn is needed. Be ready with the brakes though. I've seen people freeze and fall off the bike when a horn blows (only once. Laughed my *** off).
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