Bicycle commute + Road Rage...?

[aaron313]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronin74 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Kramer, Was there another lane to your right, a right turn only lane? Some intersections have the bike lane split the far right lane and the "go straight" lane. Also was the portion of bike lane you were in delineated with solid white lines or dashed white lines? If the sidewalk was directly to your right and the bike lane was painted with solid white lines, you were definitely in the right-of-way, but you being right doesn't matter, the car aways wins. If the cross traffic was clear I would have run the light. Check out how to avoid the Red light of Death.

Oh man, I wish every cyclist would read this guide.

 

[Carmantom]

The ordinary driver just doesn't get it. As one poster said its the drivers who need the education and there is no excuse for it not to happen. The motor vehicles agencies could make it a high priority item when testing.

As also indicated your patience is commendable. When someone is being an idiot everyone but the idiot is aware of it. Continue to ignore.

People forget it was bicycles that made way to cars a long time ago, not the other way around.

 

[greenhorn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aimless1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif As a bicyclist if no bike lane is available you are entitled to the entire lane.

Are you sure? And are you using this so-called "right" of yours?

Deliberately forcing all the cars behind you to slow down at let's say 25 or 30 km/h (your speed) while they should be able to drive at 50 km/h (or whatever the legal speed limit is).

What about behaving in a "normal" manner and driving your bicycle on the right side of the lane, allowing cars to pass as well?

 

[Aimless1]

I am ABSOLUTELY certain!

I'm also a motorist.

Yes, the bicyclist has a right to the entire lane, not just the right side. As a matter of courtesy, I will ride about 2' off the right side of the lane on the road, but will assume possession of the lane if my personal safety dictates it.

That being said, I had a bicyclists pass a stopped line of cars in the other lane and cut in front of my truck while stopped for a traffic light. That biker was just as wrong as the lady giving holy heck to Kramer.

 

[beerguy0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aimless1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am ABSOLUTELY certain! I'm also a motorist. Yes, the bicyclist has a right to the entire lane, not just the right side. As a matter of courtesy, I will ride about 2' off the right side of the lane on the road, but will assume possession of the lane if my personal safety dictates it. That being said, I had a bicyclists pass a stopped line of cars in the other lane and cut in front of my truck while stopped for a traffic light. That biker was just as wrong as the lady giving holy heck to Kramer.

I used to bicycle a lot, (200-300 miles/week, including commuting to work). I'm amazed at the crap I see cyclists pull in traffic - riding on the wrong side of the road, blowing through 4-way stops and red lights, etc. The worst thing a cyclist can do, IMO, is force the same cars to pass them repeatedly. Ideally, as a cyclist you ride to the lights, but maintain your position in traffic. IOW, when you stop for a light, don't ride up to the intersection - wait where you stopped, then go when it's your turn, just as if you were in a car. Otherwise, all the cars that already passed you once (or more) have to pass you again.

As a motorist and a cyclist, I'm sensitive to both sides of the issue. One thing I would never do on a bicycle is flip off or otherwise deliberately antagonize a motorist. In the battle of car vs. bicycle, the car will win every time. Do your best to ignore the idiots around you, and ride paranoid. I had several close calls while riding legally, like cars running red lights when I was only a few feet from entering the intersection.

Oh, and cyclists should always wear a helmet. Lots of stuff can happen - storm grates, car doors, truck mirrors, etc.

 

[intoflatlines]

In Chicago you can get a ticket if you "door" a biker.

 

[ecclesand]

You were totally in the right. As has probably already been mentioned, many motorists think bike lanes are their personal turn lanes. The community I live in is very bike friendly and many people get tickets when trying to use the bike lanes as turn lanes...you think they'd learn...

You should carry one of those expandable rods that you can fully extend with a flick of your wrist and promptly pummel the offending vehicle. Or the driver if you're close enough.

 

[TSi]

I woulda got off the bike and threw the bike at her

 

[Dr. T]

I have been avidly cycling for several years and have noticed a distinct increase in incidents like the one described in the OP. Both myself and others I know. I think part of it is increasing traffic, but I think that it has had a more direct correlation to gas prices. People are pissed that they are burning through gas money and they are taking it out on anything seen as an impedance to them. Expect it to get worse.
My advice - remain pleasant or ignore. That usually makes them even more flustered. Maybe offer to flag down a police officer and get a reading of state/municipal statutes. And make sure you are obeying the law. As noted by others, some cyclists have contributed to a poor perception by disobeying traffic rules.

 

[ronin74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Living in Berkeley, I have to put up with all kinds of annoying cyclists. Honestly, these people think they own the road. They disobey traffic signals, blow through stop signs, cut you off, ride in the middle of the street, etc. However, when you have your own lane, and you stay in it, you have the right of way. If I were a cop, I would have pulled that bitch over and given her a mouthful. It's important for cyclists to be just as vigilant as motorists, but you can't expect a cyclist to move onto the sidewalk so that you can make a right turn.

I ride through Berkeley on my commute and will do whatever it takes to keep my ass off the bloody pavement. I'd rather get a ticket than become a hood ornament. If I cut you off sorry about that, but I doubt it was me, I know the cage will always win.

BTW in Berkeley there are dedicated "Bike Boulevards" where the bikes can take up the whole lane.

 

[Lazarus Short]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecclesand /img/forum/go_quote.gif You should carry one of those expandable rods that you can fully extend with a flick of your wrist and promptly pummel the offending vehicle. Or the driver if you're close enough.

This would probably not work today, but I read of one cyclist years ago who got tired of the interference he was getting from motorists. He slung a plastic replica M-16 over his shoulder on his commute and things got a lot better. Yes, even the old-fashioned bike flags are an aid, especially if your riding style wiggles the pole.

Laz

 

[Rednamalas1]

or carry bow & arrows, as seen in Weather man

 

[gshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. T /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been avidly cycling for several years and have noticed a distinct increase in incidents like the one described in the OP. Both myself and others I know. I think part of it is increasing traffic, but I think that it has had a more direct correlation to gas prices. People are pissed that they are burning through gas money and they are taking it out on anything seen as an impedance to them. Expect it to get worse.

It's perhaps part of it, but honestly I think a lot of people are just either selfish or careless drivers in general. I probably have a crapty driving habit or two, but some people are just ridiculous.

 

[rincewind]

There was a recent incident in Australia where someone drove into the path of a bunch of training cyclists then slammed on the brakes, pretty crazy. Driver claimed he was having trouble with a gas converted engine... yeah right

Road rage cyclists want $50,000 - Beijing Olympics - Fox Sports

 

[ronnielee54]

Man you are lucky you don't live in Arkansas. We are deninitely not bike friendly. I have seen stuff that makes me cringe, and I don't even ride a bike.