Bad cyclist, good cop!

[Magpie]

No, the problem lies with cyclists who are completely oblivious to any form of danger, whether to themselves or to others. There are a lot of them, but not everyone who rides on the pavement is among them.

You're right, I have seen a few people who ride safely, though illegally. However, most of the people I see on the sidewalks tend to just blow through crosswalks at actual biking speed. I've had to drive a car a few times, and it freaks me out when all of a sudden the clear sidewalk isn't clear. I tend to remember them more than the people who have a clue for some reason...

[Flying Grype]

I am strictly a motorist due to physical issues, and it never fails to amaze me the aggression that cyclists seem to have even when I am doing everything that I am supposed to do.

It's funny, as a cyclist, the thing that gets me the most grief from drivers is actually something that the driving laws say I have to do, which is turning left from a left lane. Actually, anytime I'm not riding in the gutter of the right lane I get a barrage of honking and swearing.

If they read the frakking drivers' handbook they'd see that I have the right to ride in the same lane as a car does, ride in the center of the lane, or ride on the far right of the right lane.

[Andara Bledin]

I, quite honestly, don't know why any casual cyclist would ever make a left turn from a left turn lane. It just seems to be way too dangerous for everybody involved.

In that position, I go straight through the intersection, walk my bike to face left relative to how I was going, and then ride on through with traffic when the light changes for the cross.

As far as I can gather, that's well within all laws and doesn't involve me moving into traffic to cross to the left turn lane.

^-.-^

[Magpie]

I, quite honestly, don't know why any casual cyclist would ever make a left turn from a left turn lane. It just seems to be way too dangerous for everybody involved.
^-.-^

'cause we're lazy and in a hurry? (That's why I ride my bike in the first place, I know other people have other reasons.) It's more effort, and I'm still not sure it's completely legal to do the "stop and hop off" bit, not that it's directly illegal, but I think it might come under the heading of a "dangerous manoeuvre".

[protege]

It's funny, as a cyclist, the thing that gets me the most grief from drivers is actually something that the driving laws say I have to do, which is turning left from a left lane. Actually, anytime I'm not riding in the gutter of the right lane I get a barrage of honking and swearing.

I'd actually prefer if cyclists *would* use the damn turn lanes. Instead, many will hug the curb, and then whenever they need to turn...they'll suddenly veer across *both* lanes of traffic, usually without a hand signal Again, I don't know why they do that, since even my little Corolla will land them in the hospital

That's why I always assume that the cyclist is going to do something stupid...and try to keep my distance.

[Magpie]

That's why I always assume that the cyclist is going to do something stupid...and try to keep my distance.

Yep... and it will annoy the heck out of me if you're anywhere near me. It's why I have so little patience with people who merely think they know how to ride a bike. THEY are why cars do things like come to a dead stop before turning right, waiting for me to pass them on the right. Or wave me through the four-way stop, as if I should have KNOWN that they were going to let me go first, even if I arrived after they did, etc. Not the motorist's fault, because you really can't afford to assume we know how to drive properly, but doesn't mean I have to like it.

[Jack]

We have a lot of that here. I so desperately want to ride around Dallas with a bag full of pamphlets listing the vital points of vehicular cycling. Such ignorance saddens me.

I once rode a few blocks to 7-11 on my lunch break at oh-dark-thirty. The batteries in my headlight had gone out and I felt guilty as all hell riding down the residential streets without them, even if I did have the tail light on. I wouldn't have done that much without it.

I never ride on the sidewalk longer than it takes to come to a stop at a bike rack. I'll drift to the right to go up the pedestrian ramp onto the sidewalk if I see the path all clear, but not otherwise. Even doing that makes me feel a bit sucky.

I also don't wear a helmet, and I constantly remind myself that I'll never see the one that hits me, but I just can't do it with any degree of comfort. Look at these. What do you do with that? Maybe I should try a larger helmet but I find money rather tight. Yeah, no price for safety, etc.

I feel absolved now, thanks.

[Andara Bledin]

That's why I always assume that the cyclist is going to do something stupid...and try to keep my distance.

I just assume that everybody else within sight is going to do something stupid, and that seems to work.

Seems to be true most of the time, too, sadly enough.

^-.-^

[Rapscallion]

Look at these. What do you do with that? Maybe I should try a larger helmet but I find money rather tight. Yeah, no price for safety, etc.

Male pattern baldness ftw!

Saves a fortune on shampoo

Rapscallion