Originally posted by CarsRCool
Alright here's the deal why us car drivers have problems with cyclists in general...
I'm a motorist. Please don't speak for me.
Now I'm not saying any of you would do this, but these comments are all based on my personal experience. The one thing that makes me incredibly mad is the fact that some of you have the audacity to ride on a HIGHWAY where the speed limit is 55 or even greater?! I have seen this several times, and on every occasion there was a sidewalk not 10 feet from these assholes! I call these people assholes because they are not only risking their lives, but also everyone else on the road who has to avoid them.
Why it any more audacious for a cyclist to be there than it is for you? I'm wondering how much of a problem this actually is. How often exactly has a cyclist on one of these roads actually caused you more than a few seconds delay?
On the matter of sidewalks: in many jurisdictions it actually illegal to ride on them. Either way, a sidewalk is never an adequate substitute for the road. If you'd ridden a bike for any length of time you'd know this.
Im sorry, but percentage wise cars DO in-fact, own the road. I know legally you have as many rights as I do, but most of road cyclists I've seen are either completely oblivious to or just don't care about common courtesy.
Two separate issues. First of all, no, motorists do not own the road merely because there's more of them. Majority rule does apply to the roads, but not in the way you think. It works like this: The majority elect a government, the government define a set of road rules with the approval of the majority, and the rules say that cyclists and motorists have an equal place on the road. By using the road, you have agreed to follow it's rules, so get over the idea that you own it.
Secondly you seem to think that because 'cars own the road' that the only courtesy that cyclists should exhibit is to stay out of your way. Sorry to burst your bubble, dude, but traffic doesn't work that way. Cyclists are no more required to stay out of your way than traffic lights are required to be green every time you approach them. The key to happiness in traffic is to go with the flow. You would do well to learn it.
I'm sorry but if I'm in my car I don't want to sit behind you going 15 when the speed limit is 35!!
The keyword here is 'want'. Frankly, I don't have a lot of sympathy for someone who's problems with cyclists stem from their own impatience. The rules here are clear - you don't overtake until there's sufficient room to do so safely, no matter how fast you
want to go. Where are you going anyway that a few seconds delay is a matter of life and death?
Now road cyclists have to obey all laws that cars are given, correct? Well one day on my way to the gym I was at a red light getting ready to make my right turn, as I start to go, some douchebag on his super ultimate million dollar bike decides to sneak up on my right side and go across the street in front of me. So I have to slam on my brakes so as not to kill the idiot and he has the balls to stare at me like I'm in the wrong!
Well I personally wouldn't try a move like that. Using the kerbside in that situation is asking for trouble, so yes, this cyclist was an idiot. Here in Aus, a move like that is illegal anyway. So what's your point? People do stupid things on the road? No argument there, but cyclists don't have a monopoly on that you know.
Again, how often has this happened? Just the once? I get people attempting to left hook me once or twice a month. The trick is to avoid crashing as best you can and get on with the trip. Turning it into a generalised rant against all motorists/cyclists serves no useful purpose.
I viewed a post a little far back about how much your bikes are worth, if they are so super why would you risk them doing stunts like these?! Im sorry but it's people like these examples that make me want to hold a bat out my window whenever I pass a biker so I wont have to worry about them in the future.
Heh. I feel the same way sometimes. See? We're not so different after all.
And before you all start flaming me, please no "get out of your car fatass" comments because I am a very fit golden glove boxer, and I can guarantee that my car is worth more than your bike as well.
The dollar value of you car is irrelevant. The value you place on human life is.
That said, before ranting against cyclists on a cycling forum, it would be prudent to actually have some experience to speak from. I drive a car regularly, so I think I've got a pretty good handle on the driver's perspective, even if it does differ from yours. Can you say the same about cycling?
I apologize if this doesnt pertain to you, but I'm trying to represent a car driver's perspective on this. There are asshole drivers, but you guys arent perfect either!
Again, as a motorist, please don't speak for me. The only thing you can speak of with any certainty is your own attitudes and experience. I think you've made those pretty clear, but please don't try and give it some sort of veneer of universality. It adds nothing to the point you're trying to make.
