Cyclists: Ever have weird encounters with motorists?

[MF DOOM]

It is a little disturbing all the homophobia that comes out when people talk about cyclist, yeah it's a bunch of dudes in tights typically. But seriously, as far as I'm concerned homophobia is just as bad as racism and really shouldn't be coming from a forum sponsor, Good&Tight... I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that here. That said the picture you posted is a typical cyclist bullshit that drives me mad.

Quit being a fag.

srsly.. crying about homophobia? Academia got you good, london.

They do own the road, exactly the same as you own the road. They are vehicles.

They are not vehicles and absolutely do not own the road. However, they are the most annoying thing on the road. I hate getting stuck behind some slapdik on his vintage schwinn in the turning lane with his arm stuck out to the left. I dont understand it. I ride my bike too but I always take routes that dont have me riding on busy 4 lane roads and I use the sidewalk for the most part. Its not hard to not be an idiot when riding a bike.

My parents live out of town about 8 miles and you take a highway (65mph) to get there. The cyclist d00shs (same breed as those pictured in good&tights photo) love to ride on that road. Its a god damn highway. No shoulder, no sidewalk. Tell me that isnt asking to get smothered.


EDIT: #CyclistH8Thread

[myinfernalbmw]

They do own the road, exactly the same as you own the road. They are vehicles.

Might want to brush up on your traffic law there hippie. In many places, cyclists are not supposed to ride more than two abreast in one lane. There are certain stipulations, but it seems to be a pretty common theme.

[Nesset]

Last summer when I used my single speed MTB to get around town, I was run off the road by some asshat in an older diesel ford truck that was lifted. Thank god there was a huge pond there to soften the fall... lol

[hoveringuy]

I don't have a problem with them unless they follow the rules, but when they ride like they own the road, the image of that station wagon plowing into them makes me smile.

They do own the road, exactly the same as you own the road. They are vehicles.

[London]

Quit being a fag.

[z31maniac]

It is a little disturbing all the homophobia that comes out when people talk about cyclist, yeah it's a bunch of dudes in tights typically. But seriously, as far as I'm concerned homophobia is just as bad as racism and really shouldn't be coming from a forum sponsor, Good&Tight... I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that here. That said the picture you posted is a typical cyclist bullshit that drives me mad.

Quit being a fag.

[Mr. Tasty]

I cycle all the time, and I hate other cyclists. I would hate to be associated with them.

[DER E30]

That said, nothing pisses me off like inconsiderate cyclists.

THIS!

So the other day, I'm sitting at this light in e30, the light is red. This young man on a bike is rolling real slow from my left like he's going straight across the intersection. The light turns green and I watch him look up at the light and he reaches for his brake then looks at me and undoubtedly hears me start to slip the clutch. (Loud muffler) He then retracts his finger from the fucking brake and continues (fucking slowly I might add) across my damn intersection when I have a green and he has the red!!!


THEN, when he's right in front of me this fuck looks over and fucking sticks his tongue out at me!!!

I've never wanted to run somebody over but this fuck would be first in my list!!! I wouldn't have been nearly so pissed off if he hadn't stuck his tongue out at me.
/rant

[London]

It is a little disturbing all the homophobia that comes out when people talk about cyclist, yeah it's a bunch of dudes in tights typically. But seriously, as far as I'm concerned homophobia is just as bad as racism and really shouldn't be coming from a forum sponsor, Good&Tight... I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that here. That said the picture you posted is a typical cyclist bullshit that drives me mad.

I'm a full time student and employee and my bike is my main mode of transportation. Always wear a helmet and always carry my lights in my backpack should I need them. Like everyone has said, obey the damn traffic laws and be fucking vigilant. I'm always watching for brake lights or a door to open slightly from a parked car. Gotta be aware of everything thats going on around you. Know the roads with less traffic, and the designated bike roads.

That said nothing pisses me off like inconsiderate cyclists. I'm not just annoyed as a driver but also as someone who rides their bike all the time cause that image is now shared with me. There were these guys riding abreast in their fluorescent tights on a two lane road blocking traffic. I come flying up the road the other way in my t and shorts with a 45lb backpack on my back. They all give me the thumbs up I give them the bird and yell, "quit being assholes!". I've been hit a couple times, clipped, countless close calls. Just comes with the territory I guess.

[Good & Tight]

This was taken a few days ago. It's around the corner from my house, it's the route they take. Can't count how many times these hot studs hog the road. Instead of single file they are two to three wide holding each others dicks. Not to mention I caught one peeing in front of my house in the road.

It's really irritating at times as part of their route is a two lane road with no shoulder at all. So in order to pass them you have to crossover into on coming traffic.

I don't have a problem with them unless they follow the rules, but when they ride like they own the road, the image of that station wagon plowing into them makes me smile.

[Navarone]

Cyclists: Ever have weird encounters with motorists?

The battery is in a holder velcroed securely to the spokes. It's just a 9v, and a few dozen grams in circuit boards, not really heavy. I also don't count the grams because it's a big inefficient mountain bike already. It can be any solid color you want, or flash with adjustable strobe timing, and a few built in fade patterns. I think it was $20 on partsexpress or monoprice or something. It's the same thing that Fry's sells for $60!

I pieced it together with this.

https://www.parts-express.com/24-key-led-control-unit-with-ir-remote-control--073-002

And this.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50192365/

[LateFan]

I ride with this going, and a flashing tail light, and about 300 lumens blasting out front.

Wow, THAT's pretty crazy... Are they heavy? Where does the battery go? Can they be solid color or do they always put on a light show?

Nobody could miss those.

[rzerob]

I think a a lot of car drivers have misplaced anger issues with other douche riders who honestly do deserve a surf in the ditch.

Nobody deserves to get hit into a ditch or run over by a car.

I don't come across an asshole driver every time I ride. I typically get the thumbs up from people when I am riding. Every now and again I will get an asshole who beeps his horn or yells something. So I would think it was the minority of people who had a problem with bikers.

And I just write those people off as the ones who were to embarrassed to get a shower in high school.

[Red_liner740]

Sure, command a lane and you'll be someone's hood ornament, intentional or not. Kinda hard to lift your head and say "I was legally in the right" when you're dead or crippled.

Rest of post is generic and not aimed at you.

I personally don't care as I have no issues waiting and passing a slower moving vehicle in the oncoming lane but a lot and I mean a LOT of vehicle drivers don't see you, as a bike rider, belonging on the roads.

One thing is someone commuting home on a bike, another thing is lance wannabes making a line of commuters go around them because douche wanted to re-enact tour de douche at 5pm rush hour traffic.

It's not their problem your 150psi skinnies require the smoothest and best pavement and the side of the roads all cracked and full of pebbles. If the idea of biking is to workout then wouldn't creating most resistance actually be beneficial. Yea but then you don't get to brag about doing centuries right?

I think a a lot of car drivers have misplaced anger issues with other douche riders who honestly do deserve a surf in the ditch.

Oh, that was intentional for sure. I once had a tan Mercedes C-class pass me in the same lane, despite there being two lanes in each direction and NO TRAFFIC anywhere. I learnt my lesson that day to always command your lane. Even if there is only one lane in each direction, if you're legally entitled to be there, command your lane and force vehicles to pass you as they would another vehicle. In Halifax it is illegal to pass a cyclist within 3ft. I can't say I've ever seen or heard of someone ticketed for it though.


I do want to share an alternate perspective too:

What always pissed me off being a driver is that I've almost hit my fare share of cyclists. Halifax, like many old east-coast cities, is poorly lit with lots of old-growth trees and tight streets to create visibility obstruction. It doesn't help that in the dark with rain, it is difficult to see other cars let alone cyclists. As a cycle commuter myself, I invested in some pretty bright LED lights for my bike. White strobe for front, red for rear. Total cost was about $70. Though the provincial laws state all bicycles must have a light, what kills me (reverse-pun intended) is when people buy a $2 clip-on single-LED light for their backpack. They are otherwise invisible. I'm not out to hurt anyone, but a little personal accountability would be nice. I drive a full-size truck and would feel terrible if I pulled out in front of someone because I couldn't see them.

A further note - when I was training for half-marathons, the majority of my running was done at night with my dog. It's for this reason he wears a reflective collar that glows orange. My shoes are also fluorescent yellow.

[cwatt]

And multiple flashers on the back so it vibrates like a police car.

That's actually a really good idea. I was talking with a co-worker who also rode to work - he ran one strobe and one solid red because the strobe alone, especially if it's a constant rate, can make it difficult for people behind you to get a sense of depth perception/distance. The strobe is for attention, the solid is to give an idea how close they are. The LED lights I use have a variable pattern with periods of solid, so I think it's a god compromise.