Originally posted by stevenaleach
The basic difference is that the "large number" of drivers to which you refer are the minority. The cyclists who are breaking traffic laws are the vast majority.
Actually, around here, the proportion is about the same for both groups. However, the point is moot. The right to harrass or insult someone does not arise because someone else ****** you off - regardless of whether that someone else is in the same group as the person you are yelling at now or not.
Originally posted by stevenaleach A bicycle is a vehicle. It is to be operated by the same rules that govern all other traffic. The sidewalk is for pedestrians not for vehicles. A red light means "STOP" not "JUMP ON THE THE SIDEWALK AND RIDE RIGHT ON THROUGH". I have never seen another cyclist stopped at a traffic light. And of course you're right, I get rude comments BECAUSE I am stopped at the light. But if I wasn't the only one that does it, this would not be the case.
No, they would just shout at the other guy who was stopped at the red light.
Originally posted by stevenaleach Vehicles in the United States use the right hand side of the road, not whichever damn side they choose. I see several bikes riding on the left hand side every day.. I have never seen a car doing that. Likewise, I have never seen a motorcycle being driven on the sidewalk although they would fit just as easily as a bicycle.
Perhaps you should spend some time here. You'd see plenty of cars driven on the footpath, and at much greater speed than bicycles. However, this doesn't happen with the same frequency - granted. However, I believe there are two reasons for this:
1. Generally cars simply do not fit on the footpath - although I've seen plenty of drivers
try to disprove that one.
2. Drivers generally don't have to put up with the "bikes as toys" mentality the way cyclists do - nor do they get shouted at everyday to "get off the f**kin' road". Nor, for that matter, do they get bombarded with media "editorials" on the "dangers of cycling".
Let's not underestimate the value of a bit of education here either. I don't know about your part of the world, but around here about the only consistent educational message given to cyclists is "wear your helmet". Now, I value the protection my helmet offers me, but there is certainly a lot more to cycling than that.
However, I do note that a number of "bicycle safety officers" (read: fat guy who has never ridden so much as around the block but has a vested interest) actually instruct many cyclists to both ride against the flow of traffic and use the footpath/sidewalk as frequently as possible. Perhaps if these people actually offered instruction in proper vehicular cycling, this would not be a problem.
Originally posted by stevenaleach And again, you are right. There are really bad drivers out there but we don't shout abuse at every driver we see. Why? Because the really bad drivers are in the minority. Why are cyclists in general the target of abuse? Because most completely disgregard traffic rules and act like they are completely unaware that they are doing anything wrong.
Again, no more so than drivers (see my point above). Although my view on this may be skewed by the fact that, because I stopped reading the propoganda in the media years ago, I only have my own observations to rely upon, rather than a few complaints on the letters page.
Originally posted by stevenaleach And remember: Its not just the majority of cyclists that think that they are supposed to be on the sidewalk instead of the road. Most drivers actually think that cyclists are SUPPOSED to stay off the road... and why wouldn't they think that? 99% of the bikes they see are on the sidewalk.
Or maybe it's because so few of them actually realise that bicycles are vehicles. After all, there is basically nothing on sharing the road with cyclists or pedestrians in the standard driving test, and if they are the same people who were "educated" by the safety officers I mentioned above, they are probably the same people who ride on the footpath, and the same people who believe that bikes don't belong on "their" roads.
Originally posted by stevenaleach Tired of the abuse you get while riding on the road?
To be honest I no longer care either way. If they want to waste time and effort shouting gibberish at me (90% of which I don't understand anyway), it's their problem - not mine. If they start throwing things I'll just call the cops and let them sort it out for me.
Originally posted by stevenaleach If you weren't in a tiny minority then drivers would be used to it and you would get much more respect.
I ride the same route to work everyday. The regular drivers on that route should be used to me by now. If they aren't - it isn't my problem.
Originally posted by stevenaleach Maybe WE need to start yelling at the sidewalk warriers as we pass.
Again, it's not my job. I am not a police officer, nor am I a "bicycle safety officer". And again, you haven't explained to me how you actually
know that these people are actually the cause of driver abuse, regardless of why you
think it is. The only way you'll ascertain that is by asking drivers - and then you're unlikely to get the real answer. How many racists have ever owned up to the true reasons for their prejudices?
I believe exactly the same forces are at work here. I know for a fact that there will be a number of drivers who shout abuse at me regardless of what I do. I deal with it. If it gets real nasty, I just call the cops. Works for me.
Best I think is just to smile and wave because they don't expect that.
