Why cyclists in rush-hour are an endangered species

[Zapf]

how about this... rush hour traffic and some stupid cyclist riding 2 ~ 3 across. taking up about 1/2 a lane and holding up the traffic. So I gave them a general toot as I was driving a car, and they give me a finger. So much for watching out for some of them.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I'd prefer to ride 2-3 across than get squeezed past in rush hour traffic. I always ride about 2 foot out from the kerb anyway, so very few can get past unless it is wide lanes. If you can't handle a small delay, stay out of rush hour.

[El Dopa]

Fuck that... were you hurt?
Sorry to hear that the cops over here are similarly inclined. They should at least speak to her and give her a warning, even if they don't charge her. Shame you have no way of knowing where she lives: a bucket of painstripper over her lovely shiny car might give her pause for thought...

Fortunately it was in heavy traffic so it was slow moving. I managed to drag my right foot clear of her front wheel arch as she steered into me. Unfortunately my pedal got caught in the wheelarch and bent parallel to the crank. Thanks a bunch, you crazy b***ch.

The cops were pretty good about it. They're obliged to investigate complaints, but what it came down to was my word against hers as I couldn't get hold of an independent witness. A colleague is married to a cop, so I was getting some procedural advice as well, and as my subsequent behaviour wasn't whiter than white, I decided to drop it and not push the issue. However, the paintstripper option remains open....

She basically said she hadn't seen me (lie, I made eye contact about 2 seconds before), and the first thing she knew about it was some psycho trying to put his fist through her windscreen. Apparently I left a crack, which surprised me, since I was thumping it with the side of my bare hand. I didn't realise windsceens were that easy to break, but if it happens again, I'll be seeing if I can dump the whole lot in the drivers lap.

On the wider issue of bad cyclist behaviour, I'm with Milky in this one. Cyclists are the most vulnerable road users, with all the disadvantages of a motorbike (no protection, low visibility), and none of the advantages (maneuverability and speed to get out of trouble). Given that they don't add to road congestion or parking problems, why don't you cut the riders a bit of slack? Failing that, try it for a week or two before hopping on the high horse.

[El Dopa]

how about this... rush hour traffic and some stupid cyclist riding 2 ~ 3 across. taking up about 1/2 a lane and holding up the traffic. So I gave them a general toot as I was driving a car, and they give me a finger. So much for watching out for some of them.

I assume you mean cyclist singular as opposed to a group riding side by side?

If it was one cyclist, I suggest you have a go at cycling on a road with parked cars on your left some time. Ever seen a fly hit a windsceen? Well something similar happens when stupid C*** cagers open the drivers door when you're about 3 foot away, riding as far over to the left as you can to let the traffic squeeze past on your right (which they'll usually do as close to you as they can, even when there's room to pull over to their right).

[texmo]

I bike everyday to school and I dont even bother trying to bike on the road I stick with the footpath....... Its just too dangerious because people dont look out for cyclists. Atleast when your on your bike you have the acceleration to get out of situations on keep up with the traffic.

[Milky]

...try it for a week or two before hopping on the high horse.

No other way about it I think...


Incidentally, I think I will be bicycling into uni the rest of this semester. I went for a ride up the not so One Tree Hill on saturday... I came down. I went up again. I came down. I went up again. I came down. I went up again. I came down. I guess you could say I was enjoying myself... It is things like that that envigorate the mind and refresh the soul.
Maybe a week of commuting the 25 odd k's to uni and back with mad, blind and homicidal drivers will make me re-evaluate my choice again though

[Fluffy Cat]

Hmm,lets see.Give me the figures for road deaths caused by cyclists,my guess it will be kind of low?.Now cars?trucks?and now motorbikes?.So how about cyclist verses pedestrian(mothers pushing child cart)again very low so whats the prob here am I missing something?.Those dam pesky cyclists eh!.