What's your opinion on Cyclists on the road?
 

I'm going to try not to rant on this but I would love to know what your opinions are on cyclists riding on the road? How do you approach them on the road? Do you approve of cyclist on the road or not?

When I drive they don't really bother me... so it doesn't really matter if they are there or not to me.

Cyclist as in motorcyclist or bicyclist?

I'm assuming the later, and I don't really mind them, but some of them ride very close (and sometimes IN) the lanes, which bothers me.

I usually only cycle in neighborhoods, where traffic is much less. That being said, I have been hit twice in 14 years. My first time was due to an old lady speeding the wrong way in a school zone. I now have no child hood memories (absolutely nothing) due to a massive concussion (that happened at age 8) and I have a few damaged disks in my back. At age 22 I was hit again, this time by a woman who ran a stop sign. No where near as fast as the first, and I saw it coming. Took some skin off my back, but no head injuries!

Personally, most people who are driving are not paying attention (too busy being sheep, or a waste of sperm). Who knows how many accidents I have avoided while driving. I always pay attention, to cyclists, and everything else. I know the circustances when a 2 ton object hits you. It sucks. i would hate to kill or maim someone due to my own negligence.

i dont mind them , but i have seen many who ride 3 wide on hte edge of the road , even though there is a bike lane..........

and i really hate the ones who pedal through a 4 way stop and give you the finger cause you start into the intersection and they didnt want to stop, ill share the road if they obey the rules of the road:rules:

When they are on the road they should follow traffic laws as if they were in a car. This is rarely the case.

Exactly! But so many don't!

I have to agree that there are a lot of cyclists on the road who have a death wish when it comes to not obeying the road rules. You can't stoop to their level though because they won't kill you but you can easily kill them if something goes wrong. I ride by myself mostly to and from work and the scariest thing is when I meet another cyclist as you have no idea how they will behave. They often decide to race and do incredibly stupid things like run red traffic lights.

The riding multiple people across the road is something even as a cyclist I disapprove of if not appropriate but there are times when it is. When there is a cycling lane available the cyclist should use it and at least here you are required to by law (unless there is a good reason you can't). One reason cyclists do ride multiple across instead of in a long line is that people will drive up beside the group of cyclists and turn right (for those who drive on the right) on top of them. It sounds silly but it happens to me all the time and I ride by myself mostly, in a group it gets far worse and becomes harder to avoid an accident. Sometimes it helps to ride in the middle of the road to stop cars attempting unsafe overtaking manoeuvres as well.

I am glad that everyone here seems to not be bothered by cyclist on the road. Really how much do they really slow you down even if you do have to wait for them. Normally far less then even a minute. You could easily waste more time scratching your ....

It's a problem and it probably annoys me more then most as I cop the flack for other cyclist doing the wrong thing. My friend and I have abused other cyclists who have run red lights or done something else stupid. What normally happens is that we will have overtaken them or caught them a few hundred metres before the lights. They then run the red to either get in front or to stay in front of us. We then catch them later down the road and tell them off as we pass them again.

for this purpose my car is equiped with the ultimate anti-cyclists weapon -> windshield washer along with headlight washer :)

Thats a problem in itself. I cyclist has to obey the same traffic rules as a motorist here in the US but how many motorists treat a cyclist like another motorist? This means no passing the cyclist no matter how much room you have. I agree with you all about the stupid cyclists that never ride in the Bike lanes because they think they are special. I love to pull in front of them and slam my brakes on then get next to them and explain the road. I was hit on my bike when some one was not paying attention to where he or she was driving. Ran me over and ran away. :grrrrrr:

I have been hit by a car while riding my bike also . I try & watch but what really ticks me off is when they ride the wrong way. The law dictates that while riding a bike they are supposed ride with the flow of traffic & not against it, like alot of them do.

I cycle a lot (not so much during winter, during this season i drive my atb around the other day for a 60 km trip. (roughly 3-4 times a week, In the summer i cycle more) i respect bikers on the road. I stop for them if they cross my path, since i know it can be frustrating to hit full brakes if your on a go.

Since i bike in the winter, it's mostly dark if i go out; i use some bright LED lights (about 420 lumen on full power) this helps a lot. I also drive through a piece of forrest with an overpopulation of wild hogs.. They are scary.. Two weeks ago i had a close encounter with a large hog.. Amazing how fast man can go..

I also drive a lot for my work (car), i drive about 95,000 km per year. I see both sides of the story.

I read in a book of Lance Armstrong that you guys have got allmost no special roads for cyclists. (And the lack of respect you guys get on the bike from fellow road users who drive a car.) We do have them, and a lot of them as well. I remember if a place/vilage in the US has a road for cyclists, they advertise with it.. This is hilarious IMO.. (can't remember the name of the place, it was in Vermont) it was just a simple tarmac route for cyclists.. Too funny..

in many circumstances, a cyclist here has the same rights like a car.
Though you guys seem to have more respect to other road users in cars than for cyclists.

I love to cycle, but would "never" do it on the road with cars cause people are talking and texting, blackberrying these days...so my life is not worth an idiots mistake cause they were not even looking ...these people scare me daily in my car let alone on a bike ..

There have been at least half dozen people killed riding bikes here in Houston in teh past 3 or 4 years and these are just the ones where the driver never stopped.

I'm with austinmaxx, its too dangerous. I am getting to where I don't even ride my motorcycle here anymore.

I have mixed feelings. I used to ride a lot but I think of pedal bikes in the same category as pedestrians. Cars pay insurance and such to drive on the roads. When I see a bike cut across traffic and jump to the left turn lane in front of cars, I think that person should have pushed the walk button signal and used the crosswalk rather than create road rage. Some friends of mine are downtown bike couriers and they are insane the way they move around, though downtown a bike is faster than a car to get around.

there are so many idiot drivers out there and the bikers take their lives in their hands so a little safety needs to be considered. most are smart and drive fair, but just driving on a roadside say in rush hour where there is no room for error because they can and traffic can't get by, or thy might get caught by a mirror (I remember taking a mirror off my cube van going down 12th Ave because the lane was so small and trees along the edge) is not too safe. myself, I would have ridden a block over on a safer street or used the 5 foot wide sidewalk. pick your route with bike lanes, not the tight streets where cars can't get by because some idiot will be on the cel, flicking a butt out the window, spilling coffee, making a sandwich etc and it'll be game over.

to those that ride safe, I have have no problems sharing the road. to those that think they are above the laws and such, get off the roads because I don't want to be the one to hit them. I do mobile auto detailing and my car is packed front to back with gear. if you can't see me, I can't see you when I turn a corner

i dont really like them on tight roads where they are being a road hazard,i am a mountain biker so i ride on dirt only,just like my emaxx:lol:

Interesting, there was a news feature a week or so ago about cyclists in the UK and how alot of them in cities especially dont obey the rules of the road. One big thing that was brought up was how people cycle along the edge of the road (like you are ment to when there is no cycle lane), but make the error of pulling up along side large vehicles; one poor woman pulled up next to a cement mixer lorry at some lights, and then it turned left at the same time as she did.... she got pulled under its wheels and it drove over hed head... splat Im affraid to say. Tragic as that is, it does highlight the danger of cycling in cities, and how easy to overlook cyclists it is.

Personally I used to cycle alot when I was young, but nower days I walk everywhere, though I would like a Quadbike = better than a bike, cheaper than a car.

Personally, in my area, they even pull out in front of the cops and get nothing. My personal belief is that those over 16 should have a license and tag w/insurance. If they want to ride on the road, they should have to contribute to its upkeep. I deal as best as i can, but i think some are looking for a lawsuit so they don't have to work, or at least get a small payoff. I was stopped at a red light, a guy run into my rear bumper and flew into my bed (yes like a movie stunt) I was in the right and the guy sounded like he had a few, told me i was to go buy him a new bike right then and there. So i started to call the police to let them see what happened, he said forget itrode off with his wobbly wheel and bruised ego.

I think if they had to pay for the right to be on the road and were held accountable, they would be more respectful

not in America. There are rarely provisions for bikes and drivers are idiots. Like people have already stated, instead of paying attention to the road people are making phone calls, text messaging, eating, applying make up, etc. etc. People don't see me in my bright yellow wheelchair, I can't imagine going on the roads with a little bike. That being said, I respect bikers rights, and think people need to watch out more and share the road!

Here in SoCal, I see cyclists all the time riding way out from the curb making it impossible for cars to pass. This causes a huge bottleneck as cars try to change lanes and get around him. The cyclist just keeps riding ignoring the train of cars behind him trying to get around.

I read about that. It is definitely a dangerous situation. This is one of the reasons when I pull up to a set of lights I always stop past the white line. This means that the cars pulled up beside me know that I am there. Also if a truck is beside you it means you can get started and be well through the intersection by the time the truck catches you again. You have to be really careful though as if the light changes as you approach the intersection you can get into trouble. I will normally hang back and sit in the line of traffic unless there is a slip lane or I know for sure that the lights will not go green.

Something I notice which annoys some motorists is when you pass them on the left (or right in the US). At least in our road rules it is perfectly legal to do and considering cars pass us on the right all the time I don't really see much of a difference.

Thats because the cyclist is obeying the LAW. Same road laws apply to cyclists that apply to motorists. If a motorist is going slow you still have the same option. Go around him. There is a speed limit on how fast you can travel on a road not how slow you can travel. I am sorry if our commuting speed is not up to your speed. Thats why we leave earlier to get to work.:whistle:

Here there must be safe room to overtake the cyclist meaning you must give them as much room as you would to pass a car. They also say that you have to give them enough space that if they swerve to mis something on the road you don't hit them.

The same laws apply here. The problem is most motorists don't follow the laws or even remember them. Yet we renew their drivers License!?!

I'm a cyclist somewhat, but I rarely ever ride on the road (mountain bike). I think there are far too many idiot drivers out there that aren't paying attention for me to ride safely, I really don't want to be hit by somebody and lose the function of any of my body parts, concussion, etc. due to somebody else's stupidity. :whip: I really can't believe how people think that they can text/read/apply makeup/etc. while driving on a busy street; peripheral vision isn't enough to drive with! I feel uncomfortable just eating or talking on the phone sometimes, since I'm not driving at 100%, how you can text or read is beyond me.
I also think some cyclists are just disrespectful as well, they should recognize when they do or don't have the right of way, and I've seen a few that just act like ***holes. :diablo:

Scariest thing (also the most stupid) I saw was while we were driving. We were on a very narrow 2 lane road with a lot of cars and cyclist travelling in both directions. The road was only a very short stretch between two intersections. The road was far to narrow to overtake the cyclists yet the idiot drivers were still trying too. So basically there were cyclists on both sides of the road with cars driving down the middle of the road head on at each other. We were just sitting behind waiting and watching in horror but somehow there was no accident just a lot of horn blowing.

The other scary thing is that when they hit a cyclist they don't stop. Out of the three accidents my friends have been in with cars, twice the car has driven off. One of them left my mate lying in the middle of the road unconscious and he then spent a week in hospital. The other friend was hit and he had to crawl off the road as no one stopped, his bike was still on the road and people were just driving around him and his bike. Someone did eventually stop and I think called an ambulance.

Also the statistics in some countries say that close to half of all cycling accidents involving motorists, the motorist does not stop.

Wow, that's horrible. :no:
I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hit ANYONE and didn't stop!

Ahhh.....not so. The instant soot pipe I have sticking out the back of mine does wonders for the healthy minded individual trying to suck in his last breath of fresh air!!! :lol:
Huge black clouds of smoke are a bikers worst dream.....and yes, I only do it when the cyclist is rude or ignorant.

(cough, cough....HAAAACK cough) that one was really..... black..... (hack COUGH) :lol:

i mountain bike a lot, and have to ride on the side of some main roads to get to trails near me. i get WAAAY off on the shoulder, just to be safe. one day a big truck swerved at me, and i was off on the shoulder. he did it purposely. it's people like that who make me 2nd guess whether i should get a motorcycle or not.

Had to threaten a cyclist this morning! Came to a red light, two lanes of traffic and a bike lane, myself, another car and a bike stopped at the light. The bike then rides off through the red light. I honk at him as I drive by after the light turns green. At the next red light he catches up, I rolled down my window and told him if he runs this red light I would run him over myself!

I see your license plate there and think of Twiggy from Buck Rogers LOL

Yah..I figured these cyclists aren't doing anything illegal. I just find it terribly inconsiderate to force a line of cars behind you to cruise at 15mph before they can pass. I don't mind it when there is no traffic and it is easy to safely pass the cyclist.

That has happend to me a few times. A truck past me and he came awfuly close and I was well off to the side. I didn't think much of it and passed him again at the lights. Once past the lights I moved way out onto the shoulder (not part of the road). The stupid truck driver followed me and once again passed stupidly close to me even though I was probably a metre and a half off the road.

Nice work. I just about saw a guy get cleaned up after riding straight passed us even though we were already stopped at the lights.

I just picked up one of these:
http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1
http://lh6.google.co.uk/MTBikerTim/R.../airzound2.jpg

All I can say is it's loud. This is going to be so much fun.

Sort of funny for me to see this topic at this time.

I am very into biking. For example right now I know that at my Lactate Threshold I produce 4.2 watts per kilo. If you know about this sort of stuff, you would know that thats pretty damn good.

Yesterday I was riding on a local fast ride. (About 60 miles long. takes 3 hours. usually around 50 guys. 20 mph average. ride leader ex Olympian also there national tri champion state champions etc thelist goes on)

About 2 hours into the ride, we are riding in a group of about 40 people. It is a narrow 2 lane road that sees almost no traffic. We are in a rotation. So there are 2 lines of people. One is going a little bit faster. The person at the front of the faster one will move over to the slower one and rest. Thats the rotation. Thus making it so we are always passing someone, which makes it legal in the state CA.

A guy comes up from behind us pissed off that he has to wait 10 seconds for a safe place to pass. (Take into consideration that we are moving along at 30mph) This guy goes past us with his horn on. Then when he nears the front he swerved over into the pack but not far enough to cause him to crash. Several people flick him off and he pulls infront of the pack, stops and jams it into reverse. He hit one guy, but just barely.

Luckily no one was hurt, but unfortunately he didn't get locked up. Partially because the guy who he ran into grabbed him and shook him around a bit.

Chuck one of those horns on your bike then you can honk back. :lol:

Thats not the first time I have heard that kind of story. That happend to a guy in the UK I think and he wasn't so lucky. The guy ran over him and his daughter in the trailer he was towing. Well as oil prices go up and the economy crashes hopefully people like that will loose their cars and end up having to ride everywhere.