NationStates Jolt Archive

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

It's because there are no black people in China.

whats that got to do with anything!

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

Get seperate cyclist roads.

how about you guys stay in the bike lane?

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!!

That's because adults get jobs, earn money and buy a car! If you insist on using a form of transportation that children use, you should expect to be treated like a child who has gotten in the way. God gave us the internal combustion engine, who are you to question its use? If God wanted people to ride bicycles he wouldn't have sent us the Blessed Automobile. Grow up. :p

no, two reasons,
a) it will cost too much money
b) why, it wouldnt make any difference

Bike lane? 'ere you're 'avin a larf aintcha? :D

cycling is a healthier, better and more environmentally friendly way of travelling!

no, two reasons,
a) it will cost too much money
b) why, it wouldnt make any difference

Oh, and try out the handy little "Quote" button in the lower right. That way we'll know which of your new friends you're addressing.

Oh, and try out the handy little "Quote" button in the lower right. That way we'll know which of your new friends you're addressing.

oh ure funny arent ya?!

cycling is a healthier, better and more environmentally friendly way of travelling!
Well, then use the goddamn bike lane or start riding the bus.

no answer!!! whys that!

That's because adults get jobs, earn money and buy a car! If you insist on using a form of transportation that children use, you should expect to be treated like a child who has gotten in the way. God gave us the internal combustion engine, who are you to question its use? If God wanted people to ride bicycles he wouldn't have sent us the Blessed Automobile. Grow up. :p

I have seen the light, praise be, no longer shall I cycle the half mile up the great central way into town. Instead I shall awaken the behemoth to drive its 2 liters of godly fuel injection 2 miles around the one way system so that I may bask in the light of the lord (or more likely the traffic signals).

Amen.

Well, then use the goddamn bike lane or start riding the bus.
there are too few bike lanes and plus busses are a good possibility, SAY THAT TO THE CAR DRIVERS

there are too few bike lanes and plus busses are a good possibility, SAY THAT TO THE CAR DRIVERS

if your city does not have bike lanes then you can assume that your mode of transport is unwelcome.

use public transport or buy a car.


*alternatively you could lobby your city officials to get bike lanes

there are too few bike lanes and plus busses are a good possibility, SAY THAT TO THE CAR DRIVERS

Buses don't run exactly when you need them and they don't take you everywhere you want to go.

I have seen the light, praise be, no longer shall I cycle the half mile up the great central way into town. Instead I shall awaken the behemoth to drive its 2 liters of godly fuel injection 2 miles around the one way system so that I may bask in the light of the lord (or more likely the traffic signals).

Amen.

*annointing the new convert with light sweet crude*

Bless you, child. Go and cycle no more.

cmon guys think about it, cycling is quick, easy and a good form of transport!

Cyclists can't win, can they? They're yelled at if they're on the sidewalk by pedestrians, and they're yelled at when they're in the roads.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

Just to let you know the continues beeping and shouting is caused by immature people riding and driving cars, trying to get you to mess up, so as long as you are on the road that will happen because there will always be immature people. Also cyclist do have more rights on the road the cars because they are considered pedistrians. If I hit you in the bike lane or not it is my fault. But you also have to think that everyone out there might not ride as respectful as you. I know numberous amounts of times I have had to lock my brakes because so stupid cyclist is riding through a stop sign or red light. You have to give respect to get respect and a lot of the bikers dont.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

Yeah right those idiots on the back roads with no shoulders. road hazzards

Stay off the road, or atleast to the side so that a vehicle can safely pass by you.

cmon guys think about it, cycling is quick, easy and a good form of transport!

So is farting your way to the library, but most people don't do it.

i respect cars and public transport! but insolent, arrogent thugs driving cars have no respect for cyclists

If God wanted people to ride bicycles he wouldn't have sent us the Blessed Automobile. Grow up. :p

In our increasingly complex world, our fundamental guiding principles (the precepts set forth in the Bible) are slowly being eroded. We are seemingly inexorably drifting away from religion as our dependence on technology increases, our faith is usurped by the computer or the car. No, we need to fight this destruction of our morality by this "brave new world." We need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.

for ure info, i am an atheist, and ure talking crap, utter crap!

In our increasingly complex world, our fundamental guiding principles (the precepts set forth in the Bible) are slowly being eroded. We are seemingly inexorably drifting away from religion as our dependence on technology increases our our faith is usurped by the computer or the car. No, we need to fight this destruction of our morality by this "brave new world." We need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.

Settle down, Beavis.

cmon guys think about it, cycling is quick, easy and a good form of transport!

As long as it isn't raining, snowing, howling a hurricane-force gale, bitter cold or blazing hot, and you don't have to carry anything weighing more than a couple of pounds.

Look, in town cycling probably is an excellent form of transport, and I'm sure that's what you mean. If you'd phrased your opening post this way, without the exclamation marks and, frankly, the "drivers hate me" attitude, you might have avoided a few of the jabs you got. And though I was being sarcastic, I do mean it about the "Quote" button. It's simple courtesy.

Stay off the road, or atleast to the side so that a vehicle can safely pass by you.
people say, stay off the road, i do sometimes, but then you get little old ladies telling u its illegal to ride on the pavement or get back on the road

i respect cars and public transport! but insolent, arrogent thugs driving cars have no respect for cyclists

It's because in 1785 Copernicus had sodmomy with Robert Kennedy and Denmark secceded from the United States. Then Tolstoy shot Wagner with a spork and man landed on the moon which is a fat, Chinaman's arse.

In our increasingly complex world, our fundamental guiding principles (the precepts set forth in the Bible) are slowly being eroded. We are seemingly inexorably drifting away from religion as our dependence on technology increases our our faith is usurped by the computer or the car. No, we need to fight this destruction of our morality by this "brave new world." We need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.

If so, why are you even on this forum? Isn't your use of the computer a moving away from God, in your own words?

As long as it isn't raining, snowing, howling a hurricane-force gale, bitter cold or blazing hot, and you don't have to carry anything weighing more than a couple of pounds.

Look, in town cycling probably is an excellent form of transport, and I'm sure that's what you mean. If you'd phrased your opening post this way, without the exclamation marks and, frankly, the "drivers hate me" attitude, you might have avoided a few of the jabs you got. And though I was being sarcastic, I do mean it about the "Quote" button. It's simple courtesy.

sorry, u do raise a good point, maybye i was a bit over the top at the start but im trying to raise an important issue here if u understand!

In our increasingly complex world, our fundamental guiding principles (the precepts set forth in the Bible) are slowly being eroded. We are seemingly inexorably drifting away from religion as our dependence on technology increases our our faith is usurped by the computer or the car. No, we need to fight this destruction of our morality by this "brave new world." We need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.
*buys a pogo stick*

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

I have much moore respect for people that ride bike instead of driving to work. It's better for themselves, the environment and it's a lot cheaper. It's actually a really smart move.

If so, why are you even on this forum? Isn't your use of the computer a moving away from God, in your own words?

It's just thread hijacking to get attention. Pay it no mind.

i shall leave u guys to battle it out, seeming as im overwhelmed

i respect cars and public transport! but insolent, arrogent thugs driving cars have no respect for cyclists

And cyclists out in the country often have no respect for motorists. I am sorry but choose a road with a shoulder for your Sunday ride rather then a bussy no shoulder road when farmers have to pass

If so, why are you even on this forum? Isn't your use of the computer a moving away from God, in your own words?

Computers take the world as a whole farther and farther away from God, but they do not necessarily cause every single individual to drift away. My convictions have been strengthened through the use of the internet, but I represent a minority. As I am sure you are aware, most of the people on this forum are atheist.

sorry, u do raise a good point, maybye i was a bit over the top at the start but im trying to raise an important issue here if u understand!

I do understand, and there should be a more concerted movement to get people out of cars and onto public transport (bikes if you like, if you're young and can get away with wearing spandex).

I'll tell you what, though, I have seen many, many cyclists who seem to feel that pedestrian crossings and red lights are just for those poor sods in the automobiles. They go blazing through intersections, hardly looking one way or the other. So, though drivers may be impolite to cyclists, it cuts both ways. Not every road in town should be taken as part of the Tour de France course.

Fuckin' A, man, please, NO religion in a goddamn cyclist thread.

Fuckin' A, man, please, NO religion in a goddamn cyclist thread.

I was simply sharing my views on the issues, but I felt the need to respond to a poster claiming to know the intent of God, while completely misconstruing his dictates.

I was simply sharing my views on the issues, but I felt the need to respond to a poster claiming to know the intent of God, while completely misconstruing his dictates.

If you mean my "If God had wanted us to ride bikes, He wouldn't have given us the Blessed Automobile" does that mean you took me seriously? :rolleyes:

There's always an answer for those who ride bikes:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1e/Caltrop.jpg

But don't expect much respect after you use'em... :D

In our increasingly complex world, our fundamental guiding principles (the precepts set forth in the Bible) are slowly being eroded. We are seemingly inexorably drifting away from religion as our dependence on technology increases, our faith is usurped by the computer or the car. No, we need to fight this destruction of our morality by this "brave new world." We need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.

For the love of dog this is a thread about cycling ... are you such a troll that you can not leave it out of a discussion about Cycling?

For the love of dog this is a thread about cycling ... are you such a troll that you can not leave it out of a discussion about Cycling?

Apparently (partly my fault for my "Blessed Automobile" joke, I suppose). He got distracted by the "Unicellular Organisms" thread for the moment.

I live in a provincial town, which is incidently the second largest city in my country... The city is built around the car, there is no thought given to alternative forms of transport, except for a couple bus routes and a few railways that lead out of the city. And absolutely no cycle lines.

Yet I find the vast majority of road users are considerate.

I do confess that I get frustrated when the cars pull up to traffic lights and I have to slow down to get past. But it's all cool really.

Bus drivers tend to be considerate. Taxi drivers and SUV drivers (who seem to be entirely female) are the worst.

how about you guys stay in the bike lane?
Most of us do. Let me guess, you're driving an SUV which renders the bike lane non-existent?

cmon guys think about it, cycling is quick, easy and a good form of transport!
I agree; I use it almost exclusively.

It offers unrivalled freedom over short to medium distances, as it allows one to bypass traffic jams entirely.

IWe need to fight against this culture of hedonism. We should regress to a level where we are willing to work for our rewards instead of having everything handed to us by technology. One way to do this is to abandon cars completely, as it would bring us closer to God. If you are not religious, I urge you not to bring God into the discussion, as you most likely speak out of ignorance.
You bring up interesting, and correct points.

I do understand, and there should be a more concerted movement to get people out of cars and onto public transport (bikes if you like, if you're young and can get away with wearing spandex).

Why do Americans always seem to think of riding a bicycle as a foreign concept, only for spandex wearing diehards? I have cycled most of my life, and never worn anything skintight.

... Why do Americans always seem to think of riding a bicycle as a foreign concept, only for spandex wearing diehards? I have cycled most of my life, and never worn anything skintight.

Bless you for that. Oh, and here's a [/sarcasm] tag for you, the one on my post must have fallen off.

Most of us do. Let me guess, you're driving an SUV which renders the bike lane non-existent?



I do drive an SUV and I stay in my lane, when I get repeatedly cut off by bikers it annoys me.

also, do you guys have to lean on my car at stop lights?! it freaks out my kids

Never seen anyone honking their horns or cursing bikeriders here...

cycling is a healthier, better and more environmentally friendly way of travelling!yep... which is why our buses have bikeracks...

guess it's not a better way of travelling...

i respect cars and public transport! but insolent, arrogent thugs driving cars have no respect for cyclists
And I have no respect for Biker riders who don't follow the rules of the road and think they don't need to 1) wear helmets, 2) ride in the center lanes, 3) don't signal when they make turns or switch lanes...

*buys a pogo stick*
*Imagines Smunkee on a Pogo Stick... buys Smunkee a trampolene.*

*snip* ... *Imagines Smunkee on a Pogo Stick... buys Smunkee a trampolene.*

:D I think I'll just dwell on that for a bit, thanks, JuNii.

I do drive an SUV and
Well then you deserve what you get.

You're a pedestrian. You go first. If they hit you, it's their fault. They have to give you the right of way. The law is on your side.

I'm a cyclist as well.

You're a pedestrian. You go first. If they hit you, it's their fault. They have to give you the right of way. The law is on your side.

I'm a cyclist as well.

Not if you're blazing through an intersection against the light, it's not the motorist's fault.

That's because adults get jobs, earn money and buy a car! If you insist on using a form of transportation that children use...

This summer I biked 13 Kilometers (Yes, Canadian) to work five days a week. I've got my license, a POS car, and 7 Grand if I wanted a new car. I have a job, have money, and a car. Do I drive? Noooo.

BTW, as for Jenrak, you're NOT a pedestrian, it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk therefore we MUST bike on the road. But, it's also illegal to pass a cyclist while staying in thier lane. I'll agree that some lazy, ignorant drivers come waaaay too close. Cyclist are legally vehicles and must be treated as such.

Buses don't run exactly when you need them and they don't take you everywhere you want to go.

There also aren't any buses in my area, except for school buses.

Why do Americans always seem to think of riding a bicycle as a foreign concept, only for spandex wearing diehards? I have cycled most of my life, and never worn anything skintight.

Because for many Americans it is. American cities are far more spread out than their European counterparts, and riding a bike often isn't a realistic choice. Also, many Americans work in a different city than the one they live in, due to overly expensive rent in the larger cities.

For example, we'll look at two similarly populated cities.

Geneva, Switzerland
Population: 185,526
Area: 15.86 km²

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Population: 197,800
Area: 115.6 km²

Clearly, a bike would be far more feasible in Geneva than in Grand Rapids.

Because for many Americans it is. American cities are far more spread out than their European counterparts, and riding a bike often isn't a realistic choice. Also, many Americans work in a different city than the one they live in, due to overly expensive rent in the larger cities.

For example, we'll look at two similarly populated cities.

Geneva, Switzerland
Population: 185,526
Area: 15.86 km²

Grand Rapids, Michigan
Population: 197,800
Area: 115.6 km²

Clearly, a bike would be far more feasible in Geneva than in Grand Rapids.

And in Canada we have...Saskatoon
Population: 206,500
Area: 176 km²

I find biking in Saskatoon not a problem.

And in Canada we have...Saskatoon
Population: 206,500
Area: 176 km²

I find biking in Saskatoon not a problem.

Good for you. I'll guess that Saskatoon was built with cyclists in mind more so than most American cities. I try to avoid Grand Rapids if I can, but I can tell you from driving there that I'd really rather not bike there.

Well then you deserve what you get.

I believe she drives a Jeep ... you can hardly put that in a class with a suburban

Hippie.
D:<

Just go back to Hippie Town, mm?
Where everything is rainbows and sunshine, and everyone rides bikes, mm?

BTW, as for Jenrak, you're NOT a pedestrian, it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk therefore we MUST bike on the road. But, it's also illegal to pass a cyclist while staying in thier lane. I'll agree that some lazy, ignorant drivers come waaaay too close. Cyclist are legally vehicles and must be treated as such.

Age < 17 (or 18, don't remember), then sidewalk

And you are labeled as far as I am concerned as a pedestrian by my old driver's test book.

Not if you're blazing through an intersection against the light, it's not the motorist's fault.

No, that's called common sense and the law.

Good for you. I'll guess that Saskatoon was built with cyclists in mind more so than most American cities. I try to avoid Grand Rapids if I can, but I can tell you from driving there that I'd really rather not bike there.

The routes aren't so bad, you get the occasional motorist attempting to squeeze a pass within a few inches of ya on the worst parts. Not sure about the states or Europe, but here cyclist are required by law to bike on the road so at least give them space. Has anybody heard of changing lanes? It's not hard, I do it when I'm driving. I can be courteous.

Age < 17 (or 18, don't remember), then sidewalk

And you are labeled as far as I am concerned as a pedestrian by my old driver's test book.


I am 17 so not sure where that puts me...btw about treating them like vehicles, I should also add it's important for them to act like vehicles.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!!

Car drivers are just directing ignorant rage at you because they can get away with it. It's not your fault. They are just throwing it at you what they got from bosses, co-workers, teachers and spouses.

people should be more careful,

Definitely. So should you. You're 'flesh around metal' and they are 'metal around flesh'.

or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

All the legal rights in the world won't help you when some overprotective Republican soccer mom in a SUV plow into you doing seventy while gossiping on her cell phone.

I fully support cyclists and think that anything one can do to avoid unecessary pollution is a good thing. On my driving lessons, however, I've encountered a distressing number of cyclists who cheerfully ignore the rules of the road and zig zag crazily across lanes. I don't think either side's free of guilt here.

...You're 'flesh around metal' and they are 'metal around flesh...All the legal rights in the world won't help you when some overprotective Republican soccer mom in a SUV plow into you doing seventy while gossiping on her cell phone.

Can't disagree with that, an SUV can be a lethal weapon (In more ways than one). Drivers must be safe and responsible, especially with the "flesh around metal" population. I mean they're licensed, but.....Is that enough?

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

*gasps for air*

What do you think we have roads for? If you answered for cars, then you are correct! :)

It's because there are no black people in China.

I hate that fad but the reference was still funny. :D

Not if you're blazing through an intersection against the light, it's not the motorist's fault.
You'ree damn right. I always stop for traffic lights, and I am sick of cyclists who don't.

I believe she drives a Jeep ... you can hardly put that in a class with a suburban
I group all big cars together as SUVs, because they all have an equally annoying effect.

btw, the "S" doesn't stand for suburban in Sports Utility Vehicle. These cars are misused, they were not designed for ordinary commuting.

I agree. Cars should be banned and only bikes be allowed.

yeah, drivers have no respect for anyone at all in Ireland, well most of them, no cycle lanes, cyclists are vilified, pedestrians and drivers alike hate us.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

*gasps for air*

What do you think we have roads for? If you answered for cars, then you are correct! :)

Think back...did your 'rents ever teach you about something called "sharing"?

I mean really, if I stay in my lane and you stay in yours there should be no trouble. Roads are for bikes, cyclists from Saskatchewan, Canada are required to ride on the road (all ages, not sure about other countries).

Riding on the road is something you can't hold against them. Some do crazy stuff I don't agree with, but that's putting themselves in danger.

Think back...did your 'rents ever teach you about something called "sharing"?

I mean really, if I stay in my lane and you stay in yours there should be no trouble. Roads are for bikes, cyclists from Saskatchewan, Canada are required to ride on the road (all ages, not sure about other countries).

Riding on the road is something you can't hold against them. Some do crazy stuff I don't agree with, but that's putting themselves in danger.

But roads everywhere are NOT designed for that ... there are a TONE of roads around here with absolutely no shoulder in heavy usage area's great for you but I dont feel like spending the next 10 miles going 20 mph

I group all big cars together as SUVs, because they all have an equally annoying effect.

btw, the "S" doesn't stand for suburban in Sports Utility Vehicle. These cars are misused, they were not designed for ordinary commuting.
I have the smallest vehicle available for my uses. I take good care of it and it gets better mileage than most minivans and it's half the size.

You'ree damn right. I always stop for traffic lights, and I am sick of cyclists who don't.


I group all big cars together as SUVs, because they all have an equally annoying effect.

btw, the "S" doesn't stand for suburban in Sports Utility Vehicle. These cars are misused, they were not designed for ordinary commuting.

Big cars? a jeep has like an 85 inch wheel base

http://crash.neotope.com/images/2005.1207.geotracker.jpg
Thats technically an SUV too ... See how making assumptions is not always good...

Think back...did your 'rents ever teach you about something called "sharing"?

I mean really, if I stay in my lane and you stay in yours there should be no trouble. Roads are for bikes, cyclists from Saskatchewan, Canada are required to ride on the road (all ages, not sure about other countries).

Riding on the road is something you can't hold against them. Some do crazy stuff I don't agree with, but that's putting themselves in danger.

Many roads have only one lane. Which means cars have to slow down and pass you annoying people. I don't know why cyclists don't ride on the edge of the road, the breakdown area, there is enough room for them to do so. But no, they ride in the middle of the lane and slow down traffic. Roads are made for AUTOMOBILES! Makes me glad I don't live in the western U.S., i hear places like Colorado are awful. Surprised bike riders aren't killed regularly.

...you annoying people...Surprised bike riders aren't killed regularly.

I agree, anybody who uses a different (Cheaper & More Effecient) form of transportation than I do is annoying and should be killed.

Tad Vicous?

I agree, anybody who uses a different (Cheaper & More Effecient) form of transportation than I do is annoying and should be killed.

Tad Vicous?

Isn't someone a tad sensitive? :rolleyes:


Besides, cars are trying to go much faster then bike riders and have to slow down to avoid them. Bicycles have no business being in the middle of the road where only automobiles belong. Ride on the side and stop holding up traffic.

Everybody keep in mind that riding on the road is not only legal, it's required to do so. I'll admit they must abide by the rules of the road, but they do have a right to be on it. Cyclist are required to be there just as much as automobiles.

Meh. After seeing the kind of respect that cyclist give pedestrians I have absolutely no sympathy for them.

Everybody keep in mind that riding on the road is not only legal, it's required to do so. I'll admit they must abide by the rules of the road, but they do have a right to be on it. Cyclist are required to be there just as much as automobiles.

It may be required by law but the idea that they have a "right" to be there is one that I outright reject.

Meh. After seeing the kind of respect that cyclist give pedestrians I have absolutely no sympathy for them.

There is that. Being almost run over by a couple of them really makes you want to be in a car. Turn the tables a bit.

*nods*

Meh. After seeing the kind of respect that cyclist give pedestrians I have absolutely no sympathy for them.

This being the main reason to ride on the road, no?

It may be required by law but the idea that they have a "right" to be there is one that I outright reject.


...we could always hike gas up to say $9/litre and let all the road construction/reapir be payed for by motorists. The way it is now they're completly public roads, you really don't own them.

Besides, there usually is no other choice but to ride on the road.

We have cycling lanes on most major roads, and most minor roads were built to accommodate a car and a cyclist side by side. Yet, where does the cyclist ride? The middle of the fucking lane!

Where it is really bad is intersections where there is a separate turning lane. They crowd the whole damn lane and you almost miss your turn because it would be illegal to run the cyclists down, and rude to sink to the cyclist level and black traffic.

...we could always hike gas up to say $9/litre and let all the road construction/reapir be payed for by motorists. The way it is now they're completly public roads, you really don't own them.

Besides, there usually is no other choice but to ride on the road.

Meh, no matter what you say, nothing can get rid of the complete irritation you feel when you have to slow down and pass cyclists in your way. Especially when there is plenty of space in the breakdown part of the road for them to ride on. People who hold up the flow of traffic are simply an irritation that shouldn't be tolerated.


Hmm. Something else to put in the pet peeves thread...

This being the main reason to ride on the road, no?

And respect pedestrian crossings.

PS. Which many don't.

This being the main reason to ride on the road, no?



...we could always hike gas up to say $9/litre and let all the road construction/reapir be payed for by motorists. The way it is now they're completly public roads, you really don't own them.

Besides, there usually is no other choice but to ride on the road.

Yeah you do that ... Lets neglect to remember the millions where bike riding is not practical...

You know I love the 20 mile a direction bike ride into town every day ... in winter
With well over a foot of snow ... at about -30F
Bout 80 percent of the time picking up seed or feed for the cattle or equipment for the farm ...

Yeah you do that ... Lets neglect to remember the millions where bike riding is not practical...

You know I love the 20 mile a direction bike ride into town every day ... in winter
With well over a foot of snow ... at about -30F
Bout 80 percent of the time picking up seed or feed for the cattle or equipment for the farm ...

Lol. My drive to uni is an hour long. To cycle it would take two and a half. I would have to leave at 530 and would not get home from my latest class until 2340!

Yeah you do that ... Lets neglect to remember the millions where bike riding is not practical...

You know I love the 20 mile a direction bike ride into town every day ... in winter
With well over a foot of snow ... at about -30F
Bout 80 percent of the time picking up seed or feed for the cattle or equipment for the farm ...

People on this forum generally seem to assume that everyone lives in an urban area like they do. What you're describing sounds a lot like my childhood in Michigan, except we were fortunate enough to have a pickup truck. And we picked up hay and silage. Damn, I hate silage.

Lol. My drive to uni is an hour long. To cycle it would take two and a half. I would have to leave at 530 and would not get home from my latest class until 2340!

Yeah ... I mean I know some people who do in the winter up here but that guy has more money stuck in his bike and gear then I do into my new Truck

Good for him but he lives in town

I am just a country boy, hell I need the 4 wheel drive in the winter to get in my frigging drive way not to mention pulling at least 1 load a day ...usually beyond what even a half tone pickup could do reliably ...

People on this forum generally seem to assume that everyone lives in an urban area like they do. What you're describing sounds a lot like my childhood in Michigan, except we were fortunate enough to have a pickup truck. And we picked up hay and silage. Damn, I hate silage.

Minnesota ... And own a 2500 HD for exactly that purpose

We own 200 acres and rent another 200 for farming and grazing land.

Lol. My drive to uni is an hour long. To cycle it would take two and a half. I would have to leave at 530 and would not get home from my latest class until 2340!

Main problem being the government subsidization of roads, insurance, and feul for far too long, increasing the demand to well beyond where it normally should be. That's a long drive let alone bike, people are now dependent on this subsidization since our cities (and rural areas) were built around this fact. Just a thought of the day....

Minnesota ... And own a 2500 HD for exactly that purpose

We own 200 acres and rent another 200 for farming and grazing land.

We had a small operation, only about 70 head of dairy cattle, but there was only myself and my step dad to milk them, and we only had 5 stanchions in the barn. They sold it all after I went away to the military, there just isn't any money in a small farm these days.

We had a small operation, only about 70 head of dairy cattle, but there was only myself and my step dad to milk them, and we only had 5 stanchions in the barn. They sold it all after I went away to the military, there just isn't any money in a small farm these days.

You are right there is not much money in it

We have a little over 150 head ... but they are beef not milk.

Also grow Corn,Soy and winter wheat.

Main problem being the government subsidization of roads, insurance, and feul for far too long, increasing the demand to well beyond where it normally should be. That's a long drive let alone bike, people are now dependent on this subsidization since our cities (and rural areas) were built around this fact. Just a thought of the day....

Without the government subsidization of roads/cars/insurance, I would not be able to got to university and would be stuck with a McJob.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

Why should cyclists have more rights than car drivers since the roads were made for cars and not bicycles. Cyclists need to learn to stay in single file on the side of the road, not bunched up and obstructing traffic. Oh, and remember the law of mass tonnage, cars are bigger than bicycles and will hurt you if they hit you.

Having come into contact with a considerable share of rude, inconsiderate, downright stupid cyclists - who seem to think that the entire automotive world should come to screeching halt for them - I think that cyclists should be more careful and considerate or get off the road.

if your city does not have bike lanes then you can assume that your mode of transport is unwelcome.

use public transport or buy a car.


No. I like my bicycle. I drive responsibly, on the road. If you do not like that, you do not have to use the road while I do so.

Yeah right those idiots on the back roads with no shoulders. road hazzards

Every person has the right to use a road. Our rights are more important than the mild inconvenience of having to go around us or slow down for us.

Stay off the road, or atleast to the side so that a vehicle can safely pass by you.

Riding off the road is dangerous. Cyclists attempt to stay on omne side of the road as muc has possible. Sometimes the road is too narrow for a car to pass a cyclist safely. Then the cyclist should take the whole lane, as that is the only safe option.

As long as it isn't raining, snowing, howling a hurricane-force gale, bitter cold or blazing hot, and you don't have to carry anything weighing more than a couple of pounds.

I ride in the rain, the snow, the blizzards, the summer heat waves, and I even moved a fridge once with my bike. Your inhibitions about using bicycles in less than optimal conditions are not universal.

And cyclists out in the country often have no respect for motorists. I am sorry but choose a road with a shoulder for your Sunday ride rather then a bussy no shoulder road when farmers have to pass

I choose whatever roads I want, just as motorists do.

also, do you guys have to lean on my car at stop lights?! it freaks out my kids

People do that to you? I never touch cars while I'm on my bike. Motorists tend to personally identify with their cars, and often get offended if you touch the car.

And I have no respect for Biker riders who don't follow the rules of the road and think they don't need to 1) wear helmets, 2) ride in the center lanes, 3) don't signal when they make turns or switch lanes...

I don't wear a helmet. i find it uncomfortable, useless, and motorists will take more ricks around you if they see you wearing a helmet.I also ride in the center lanes when the rightmost lane is gridlocked with cars, or if I am turning left at the next intersection. Yes, I take my left turns like a car would.
And signalling is trickier on a bike than you think. Imagine your car only had hand brakes and they were on the sterring wheel. Now imagine you have to signal with the same hand that supposedly is turning your car, and slowing it enough to make the turn.

This summer I biked 13 Kilometers (Yes, Canadian) to work five days a week. I've got my license, a POS car, and 7 Grand if I wanted a new car. I have a job, have money, and a car. Do I drive? Noooo.

BTW, as for Jenrak, you're NOT a pedestrian, it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk therefore we MUST bike on the road. But, it's also illegal to pass a cyclist while staying in thier lane. I'll agree that some lazy, ignorant drivers come waaaay too close. Cyclist are legally vehicles and must be treated as such.

I biked through a Saskatoon winter once. It's the wind that kills you.

Many roads have only one lane. Which means cars have to slow down and pass you annoying people. I don't know why cyclists don't ride on the edge of the road, the breakdown area, there is enough room for them to do so. But no, they ride in the middle of the lane and slow down traffic. Roads are made for AUTOMOBILES! Makes me glad I don't live in the western U.S., i hear places like Colorado are awful. Surprised bike riders aren't killed regularly.

Bike riders are killed regularly. Usually by people who attempt ride past them in a rage.

Besides, cars are trying to go much faster then bike riders and have to slow down to avoid them. Bicycles have no business being in the middle of the road where only automobiles belong. Ride on the side and stop holding up traffic.

The maximum speed in the city is 50 km/h. My bike goes that fast. Therefore a car going faster than me is breaking the law, and should slow down. In fact, cars often slow me down.

We have cycling lanes on most major roads, and most minor roads were built to accommodate a car and a cyclist side by side. Yet, where does the cyclist ride? The middle of the fucking lane!

Montreal has a lot of bike paths. On the 10km ride I do each day, apporximately 3 blocks have bike lanes, and these were added last week. Staying in the bike lanes would be easier if every street had a bike lane, and cars wouldn't park in them.

Montreal has a lot of bike paths. On the 10km ride I do each day, apporximately 3 blocks have bike lanes, and these were added last week. Staying in the bike lanes would be easier if every street had a bike lane, and cars wouldn't park in them.

Parking in the bike lane will get you towed here. If you are allowed to park on the street, there will be a separate parking lane between the curb and bike lane.
eg:

EDIT: I drew a ASCII picture, but Jolt fucked it up.

I think your problem is living in Quebec. They are the worst motorist known to mankind.

Parking in the bike lane will get you towed here. If you are allowed to park on the street, there will be a separate parking lane between the curb and bike lane.
eg:

EDIT: I drew a ASCII picture, but Jolt fucked it up.

I think your problem is living in Quebec. They are the worst motorist known to mankind.

I use the bike paths when they are there and they are not being used. But this is rare. I find when I am riding with my kids, I prefer to use them, but in the winter this is hard, and often our destination is off the bike path.

The idea that bikes should only use bike paths only works if you have a bike path infrastructure that is as big and ubiquitous as the street system. Until then, we have to share.

I don't wear a helmet. i find it uncomfortable, useless, and motorists will take more ricks around you if they see you wearing a helmet.I also ride in the center lanes when the rightmost lane is gridlocked with cars, or if I am turning left at the next intersection. Yes, I take my left turns like a car would.
And signalling is trickier on a bike than you think. Imagine your car only had hand brakes and they were on the sterring wheel. Now imagine you have to signal with the same hand that supposedly is turning your car, and slowing it enough to make the turn.

thanks, you just reinforced why I don't like some bikers.

Montreal?

bike Safety (http://english.montrealplus.ca/feature/crazy_for_cycling/8536/safety.jsp).

Follow turn signal regulations

All cyclists must indicate their intention to turn left or right in such a way that they will be seen by drivers well before the turn is made.

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/illus/ilt/T045163A.gif

and you make those signals before making your turn, that alerts the car behind you to your intent. you will find alot of people will be more accomidating when using such signals... of course some drivers will still be assholes...

thanks, you just reinforced why I don't like some bikers.

Montreal?

bike Safety (http://english.montrealplus.ca/feature/crazy_for_cycling/8536/safety.jsp).



http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/illus/ilt/T045163A.gif

and you make those signals before making your turn, that alerts the car behind you to your intent. you will find alot of people will be more accomidating when using such signals... of course some drivers will still be assholes...

Note that all hand signals are made with the left hand. The left hand controls the front brake on a bicycle. The front brake on a bicycle is where 80% of your braking power comes from.

Therefore, in order to make a hand signal, I have to either not slow down before a turn, or slow down a little bit with the same hand I am steering with, This latter option is a dicey maneuver under optimal conditions. Doing it in traffic is almost suicidal.

Now, to avoid skidding, do you brake before you turn or during your turn?

Before you turn.

Sometimes, when I feel skidding may be a danger, I will brake before turning. This makes it impossible to signal at the same time. If I can safely signal, I will. If I can not, I will not.

we're not allowed on the pavement, we're not wanted on the road, and there are no cycle lanes or routes between my home and the either of the places i most frequently cycle to
this is not fair!

we're not allowed on the pavement, we're not wanted on the road, and there are no cycle lanes or routes between my home and the either of the places i most frequently cycle to
this is not fair!

Next time you're riding past a traffic jam, simply yell out:

"The Freedom of a Car!"

Note that all hand signals are made with the left hand. The left hand controls the front brake on a bicycle. The front brake on a bicycle is where 80% of your braking power comes from.
80%, that leaves 20% for slowing down. so you can adequately slow down, and make the signal to convey your intent to change lane and turn then slow down with your left hand and make the change.

still no problem.

Therefore, in order to make a hand signal, I have to either not slow down before a turn, or slow down a little bit with the same hand I am steering with, This latter option is a dicey maneuver under optimal conditions. Doing it in traffic is almost suicidal.Hmmm... since you're supposed to make the signal BEFORE you turn, and I've seen many a bike rider make these signals, and I've done it myself, it's not that hard.

Now, to avoid skidding, do you brake before you turn or during your turn?

Before you turn. and after you signal...

Sometimes, when I feel skidding may be a danger, I will brake before turning. This makes it impossible to signal at the same time. If I can safely signal, I will. If I can not, I will not.
and all this shows is you don't know how and when to signal.

Next time you're riding past a traffic jam, simply yell out:

"The Freedom of a Car!"

Ohhh does that mean I can yell "Freedom of a Bike" to all those bikers who take the bus (and thus have to put their bikes on the bus' bike rack) when it's RAINING?

80%, that leaves 20% for slowing down. so you can adequately slow down, and make the signal to convey your intent to change lane and turn then slow down with your left hand and make the change.

still no problem.

Hmmm... since you're supposed to make the signal BEFORE you turn, and I've seen many a bike rider make these signals, and I've done it myself, it's not that hard.

and after you signal...


and all this shows is you don't know how and when to signal.

I am so grateful that you are condescending to tell me the error of my ways.

So, the first thing I do is slow down some, or do I signal first? I think you claim I should signal first.

Okay. I'm to the right of the rightmost lane. Now, I signal, then put my hand back on the bars, then I shoulder check to see if I can safely change lanes. Assuming I can, I change lanes. Okay. Now I'm in the middle of the lane. This is not safe, so I have to either get back to the side, or I have to continue changing lanes and complete my turn. Now since I'm slowing down, I have to keep my hands on the handlebars.
Or, as you suggest, I can simultaneously steer with my right hand, brake with my right hand, signal with my left arm, do a shoulder check over my left shoulder, and move through urban traffic.
Or I can keep both hands steering and braking, do my shoulder check, and change lanes.
But let's say I can do what you claim to have done on so many occasions.
Since I am slowing down to make a turn, I assume that the motorists are going faster than me. Therefore, those who see me signal will have already passed me when I get to my turn, as I must signal, then brake, then turn. Those who see me turn may not have seen me signal.

As I said before, I signal when it safe to do so. You do not ride your bicycle everyday through rush hour traffic. Leave it to those of us who do to decide what is safest.

Ohhh does that mean I can yell "Freedom of a Bike" to all those bikers who take the bus (and thus have to put their bikes on the bus' bike rack) when it's RAINING?

Sure. I ride in the rain. Less cyclists, you know.:)

in many western countries bikes have the same rights of being on the road as cars do by law.

what you can do is call people in for "road rage" if they are screaming at you.

what you can do is call people in for "road rage" if they are screaming at you.

Depending on where you are, of course. To my knowledge there is no law of any kind against "road rage" in my state.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

Legally cyclists have many legal rights out here. 1) I think the problem really lies in an immaturity about cars 2) Poor city design

In North America everyone seems to be so childish about cars and SUV's being status symbols that are highly expensive, deterimental to the environment and fund terrorism. Suv's take more gas and oil. The largest exporters are the Middle East and hostile Arab States. Who then take our money and after selling us oil and using to fund terrorists. Which is ironic has so many people drive around with little flags representing their country on top of their SUV's. Is it just me or is the irony revolting?

The other problem is civil engineers. They have designed cities that are are so sprawling that public transportation is no feasible. Yet in Asian countries cities are clean, effecient and built vertically. Most of the population live in apartment buildings and commute by bicycle. Cities like Sopporro are spotless with sub ways that run prefectly on time.

That's my rant! Please leave a dollar in the plate on your way out.

Cheers,

Talinos

p,s just puchased a $2000 mountain bike for $125 <- police auctions

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

I don't have any problem with any cyclist who is moving at the speed limit.

I give them room, and I am very courteous.

Virginia law says that any bicycle on the road has to be moving at the speed limit.

So if you can't move at the speed limit, get off the road.

Stay in the lane, not at the side of the road, and move at the speed limit.

So, the first thing I do is slow down some, or do I signal first? I think you claim I should signal first. you signal before you turn, not during your turn which is what you're claiming to do.

Okay. I'm to the right of the rightmost lane. Now, I signal, then put my hand back on the bars, then I shoulder check to see if I can safely change lanes. Assuming I can, I change lanes. Okay. correct.
Now I'm in the middle of the lane. This is not safe, so I have to either get back to the side, or I have to continue changing lanes and complete my turn. Now since I'm slowing down, I have to keep my hands on the handlebars. see, that's where some get it wrong. and it does vary from state to state, nation to nation.

when in the Not-the-right lanes, some regulations state to stay on the right side of that lane. not the center and definantly not weaving all over the lane (I've seen some bikers do that. ) Others only suggest staying on the right side, while some states have no mention of this (requiring instead that the biker turns at the intersection using the crosswalks... more humbug in my opinion.) then you repeat your process and move to the next lane (if needed.) as a car should, you change lanes ONE AT A TIME, not all at once.

As I said before, I signal when it safe to do so. You do not ride your bicycle everyday through rush hour traffic. Leave it to those of us who do to decide what is safest.
considering that you already said you ride without a helmet, that's hardly the "Safest..."

I don't have any problem with any cyclist who is moving at the speed limit.

I give them room, and I am very courteous.

Virginia law says that any bicycle on the road has to be moving at the speed limit.

So if you can't move at the speed limit, get off the road.

Stay in the lane, not at the side of the road, and move at the speed limit.

I am sure that if you look more carefully, you will see that the law probably says that any bicycle on the road has to have a maximum speed equal to the speed limit, like motorists. Or that bicycles have to maintain a minimum speed on certain thoroughfares, like highways.

Or perhaps Virginia has super-bikes that go from 0 to 55mph in a split second, and then won't go slower than that.

I am sure that if you look more carefully, you will see that the law probably says that any bicycle on the road has to have a maximum speed equal to the speed limit, like motorists. Or that bicycles have to maintain a minimum speed on certain thoroughfares, like highways.

Or perhaps Virginia has super-bikes that go from 0 to 55mph in a split second, and then won't go slower than that.

They're not allowed on roads where the rider and bike in combination cannot maintain the speed limit.

So while you may see a bike on a 35 mph road, he had better be going 35 mph, or he's getting a ticket.

Technically, it's illegal for a bicyclist to use the sidewalk when a road with a low enough speed limit is available. The bicyclist has to be in a regular lane on the road, moving at the speed limit.

They're not allowed on roads where the rider and bike in combination cannot maintain the speed limit.

So while you may see a bike on a 35 mph road, he had better be going 35 mph, or he's getting a ticket.

Technically, it's illegal for a bicyclist to use the sidewalk when a road with a low enough speed limit is available. The bicyclist has to be in a regular lane on the road, moving at the speed limit.

My question in all this is has anyone gotten a ticket for not following these rules? I have seen dozens of people riding on the sidewalks, dozens of people riding in the streets and ignoring traffic laws. I really don't think these violations are a high priority for law enforcement.

see, that's where some get it wrong. and it does vary from state to state, nation to nation.

I am not discussing laws. I am discussing physics. The laws of physics are much stricter, and are apllicable in all jurisdictions.

Your ideas may be legally correct, but they are not the safest couse of action to follow at all times. Every day, I go out and test my ideas about bike safety. I am successful when I arrive home safely. I am almost certain that the lawmakers do not have this experience. Trust me when I say that signalling is not always the safest course of action.

considering that you already said you ride without a helmet, that's hardly the "Safest..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/5334208.stm

Cyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be knocked down by passing vehicles, new research from Bath University suggests.

Since it is my cranium at risk, I tend to keep up with the latest information.

They're not allowed on roads where the rider and bike in combination cannot maintain the speed limit.

So while you may see a bike on a 35 mph road, he had better be going 35 mph, or he's getting a ticket.

Technically, it's illegal for a bicyclist to use the sidewalk when a road with a low enough speed limit is available. The bicyclist has to be in a regular lane on the road, moving at the speed limit.

This seems odd. Can you provide a link, please?

My question in all this is has anyone gotten a ticket for not following these rules? I have seen dozens of people riding on the sidewalks, dozens of people riding in the streets and ignoring traffic laws. I really don't think these violations are a high priority for law enforcement.

I've gotten a ticket for not maintaining the speed limit - on a bicycle.

It's not a priority, but it is certainly on the books.

The policeman told me it was also a problem if I got into an accident. If the driver could prove that I was not moving at the speed limit (or near it), they would not be at fault if they ran me over.

My question in all this is has anyone gotten a ticket for not following these rules? I have seen dozens of people riding on the sidewalks, dozens of people riding in the streets and ignoring traffic laws. I really don't think these violations are a high priority for law enforcement.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+coh+15.2-2001+402637

Sidewalks in Virginia are not, by default, bikepaths. They may be labeled as such, but are not such by default.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+coh+46.2-905+402637

Move the speed limit, or move to the edge of the road. If you're still blocking traffic, you had better get over some more.

I live in a fair area in the North of Michigan who in the last five years spent several millions of dollars to build bike paths connecting three major towns for cyclists to enjoy. However, the dolts still insist on maneouvering their rickshaws into the thick of traffic which receives a loud squeal of my brakes and a friendly (albeit short) reminder that we built beautiful bikepaths running parallel to all major roads.

Do they care? Nope. I usually just get a petulant, "Cyclists have rights, too!" Oh, for fuck's sake, bike in your designated area so I'm not faced with manslaughter charges for crushing your frail body under my twenty-first century mechanical marvel, k?

J.

EDIT: I'm geometrically disabled. The bike paths run parallel to all major roads, not perpendicular.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+coh+46.2-905+402637

Move the speed limit, or move to the edge of the road. If you're still blocking traffic, you had better get over some more.

That's the standard. I was under the impression that you meant that cyclists could not use the road at all unless they moved at a minimum speed equal to the maximum speed limit.

The law you linked to says that bikes have to move at the same speed of traffic if they are in the middle of the lane and there is space enough on the right for the cyclist to safely travel.

They're not allowed on roads where the rider and bike in combination cannot maintain the speed limit.

So while you may see a bike on a 35 mph road, he had better be going 35 mph, or he's getting a ticket.

Technically, it's illegal for a bicyclist to use the sidewalk when a road with a low enough speed limit is available. The bicyclist has to be in a regular lane on the road, moving at the speed limit.
Thanks for that... I have a pic of a cyclist trying to keep to a 55 mph limit... :D
I am not discussing laws. I am discussing physics. The laws of physics are much stricter, and are apllicable in all jurisdictions.and the Laws of Physics say you need to signal while simultaniously making the turn/lane change? I don't think so...

Your ideas may be legally correct, but they are not the safest couse of action to follow at all times. Every day, I go out and test my ideas about bike safety. I am successful when I arrive home safely. I am almost certain that the lawmakers do not have this experience. Trust me when I say that signalling is not always the safest course of action.ahh... but for your tests, they have to be correct 100% of the time, with NO margin of error.

and are you sure that the lawmakers DO NOT have this experience? perhaps, perhaps not, but they do get the reports of other people who, like you, test their own ideas of saftey... and fail. thus they have to take everything else into account. not just your results.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/5334208.stmand this actually happens in Montreal as well?

haven't seen that here in Hawaii...

So I guess I'll agree with you that British drivers don't care about Bikers, but that is hardly the world. please provide proof that this is going on in the USA or Canada.

Since it is my cranium at risk, I tend to keep up with the latest information.
GREAT!
http://www.healthunit.org/injury/summer/bikehel.htm
http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/helmets.htm
http://www.bhsi.org/
http://www.whohelmets.org/
and there are more...

Last thing I want to hear is that you or anyone died in a bike accident when a helmet could've saved your life.

as for those asshole drivers... if they run you down, take their licence and sic the cops on em.

Big cars? a jeep has like an 85 inch wheel base

http://crash.neotope.com/images/2005.1207.geotracker.jpg
Thats technically an SUV too ... See how making assumptions is not always good...
It's huge.

I have the smallest vehicle available for my uses.
What do you need a car like that for?

yeah, drivers have no respect for anyone at all in Ireland, well most of them, no cycle lanes, cyclists are vilified, pedestrians and drivers alike hate us.
In some places cycle lanes are quite good, such as Ballinteer, but there are some really bad places, like Camden St.

I was thinking of starting to go to the DCC (http://home.connect.ie/dcc/) meetings, you should too. (assuming you live in Dublin)

I agree. Cars should be banned and only bikes be allowed.
Not at all, cars have many legit uses that bicycles cannot possibly fulfil. I think that cyclists are just the superior form of city transport.

That's the standard. I was under the impression that you meant that cyclists could not use the road at all unless they moved at a minimum speed equal to the maximum speed limit.

The law you linked to says that bikes have to move at the same speed of traffic if they are in the middle of the lane and there is space enough on the right for the cyclist to safely travel.

If there are cars on the road, the bike had better move the speed limit, or essentially get off the road.

If you're in the road, and I hit you because you were doing 15 in a 35, your insurance pays for my bumper, even if you get killed.

and the Laws of Physics say you need to signal while simultaniously making the turn/lane change? I don't think so....

No, but while it is possible to break the law saying I have to signal, I cannot break the laws of physics. Consequently, I follow the former only when I am in good states with the latter.

]ahh... but for your tests, they have to be correct 100% of the time, with NO margin of error.

They are. I am 100% alive when I get home. If I make errors, I get hit by cars.

]and are you sure that the lawmakers DO NOT have this experience? perhaps, perhaps not, but they do get the reports of other people who, like you, test their own ideas of saftey... and fail. thus they have to take everything else into account. not just your results.

Of course I'm not sure. That's why I qualified my statement. And I am sure they have seen the consequences of bike safety failures, but it does not follow that they can accurately say what unsafe practices contributed to such an accident.

]and this actually happens in Montreal as well?

haven't seen that here in Hawaii...

So I guess I'll agree with you that British drivers don't care about Bikers, but that is hardly the world. please provide proof that this is going on in the USA or Canada.

Since this is the first study done of this nature, I can only wait for independent verification. My personal experience says that this also occurs in Montreal.

]GREAT!
http://www.healthunit.org/injury/summer/bikehel.htm
http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/helmets.htm
http://www.bhsi.org/
http://www.whohelmets.org/
and there are more...
Last thing I want to hear is that you or anyone died in a bike accident when a helmet could've saved your life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#Research_evidence
http://www.magma.ca/~ocbc/hfaq.html
http://www.momentumplanet.ca/?q=node/172
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0999/is_7293_322/ai_74798530
A helmet would not affect my injuries in the slightest if I was hit by a car.

No, but while it is possible to break the law saying I have to signal, I cannot break the laws of physics. Consequently, I follow the former only when I am in good states with the latter.and you just agreed that you can follow both. thus both can be followed with clear thinking and good judgement.

They are. I am 100% alive when I get home. If I make errors, I get hit by cars.so while others are learning from other people's mistakes, you only learn from yours. hope you survive your mistakes to learn from em.

Of course I'm not sure. That's why I qualified my statement. And I am sure they have seen the consequences of bike safety failures, but it does not follow that they can accurately say what unsafe practices contributed to such an accident.well, they can take the stance of Roads for Cars only and prevent all car/bike accidents. but we both know that's wrong.

Since this is the first study done of this nature, I can only wait for independent verification. My personal experience says that this also occurs in Montreal. so you actually Measured the distance cars use when they pass you when you ride with a helmet and when you don't? or is this just your Perception?

A helmet would not affect my injuries in the slightest if I was hit by a car.I didn't say and none of those websites said that a helmet will protect you if you were to be hit by a car, only that it would reduce and prevent some to most Head Injuries.

It's huge.


What do you need a car like that for?

Having a small car doesn't work very well if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow. I used to have a Mini Cooper, but when I moved back to Michigan I traded it for a Jeep. I was living about 10 miles away from Lake Superior, and if I hadn't had that Jeep someone would have found me buried in a ditch during the spring thaw. I've recently moved further south in the state and into town so I traded my Jeep for a Mazda MX-5, but if I didn't live in the same town I work in I'd be in rough shape. Even if this winter were as bad as last winter down here I'd still be in kinda rough shape. Also, I visit relatives who live in the country, and if this winter were as bad as last winter I wouldn't be able to make it down their road, since I wouldn't have enough ground clearance to clear the snow.

Remember, not everyone lives in exactly the same sort of place you do. Just because you live in an urban area in a place with a mild climate doesn't mean everyone else does.

It's huge.What do you need a car like that for?

my city is large and spread out (not large in population) for me to be able to run all my errands and do my job without wasting gas and time I have to fit everything in my car, lug my kids around, and make it all in one big round trip.

On grocery day we drop the kids off at the babysitter and fold down the center seat and fill the car with groceries, 6 stores and $700 later we have it full of food.


My life is not like yours, people always assume that since they can fit their laptop and some milk and bread in a backpack and bike through town when everything is within 5 miles that I can too, and I can't.

Having a small car doesn't work very well if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow. I used to have a Mini Cooper, but when I moved back to Michigan I traded it for a Jeep. I was living about 10 miles away from Lake Superior, and if I hadn't had that Jeep someone would have found me buried in a ditch during the spring thaw. I've recently moved further south in the state and into town so I traded my Jeep for a Mazda MX-5, but if I didn't live in the same town I work in I'd be in rough shape. Even if this winter were as bad as last winter down here I'd still be in kinda rough shape. Also, I visit relatives who live in the country, and if this winter were as bad as last winter I wouldn't be able to make it down their road, since I wouldn't have enough ground clearance to clear the snow.

Remember, not everyone lives in exactly the same sort of place you do. Just because you live in an urban area in a place with a mild climate doesn't mean everyone else does.

True. Every now and then I have to get off my bike and lift it over a snowbank. It inconveniences me for almost ten whole seconds.

But I will admit that bicycles have a limited range, especially when you are hauling things like building materials and furniture. If I lived in the country, I'd probably go to a biodiesel truck.

True. Every now and then I have to get off my bike and lift it over a snowbank. It inconveniences me for almost ten whole seconds.
except when you have 4-5 feet of snow everywhere it's not so convenient to carry your bike to work is it?

But I will admit that bicycles have a limited range, especially when you are hauling things like building materials and furniture. If I lived in the country, I'd probably go to a biodiesel truck.

If I lived in a proper city I probably wouldn't have a car. However, the city I currently live in is the largest I've lived in, with a population of 25,000. Most of my life, outside of the military, I've lived at least 10 miles away from any population center, so I've never been able to go without having a vehicle (except for when I was stationed in Germany, but they have proper public transit there).

Proberly because cyclists show no sense of road logic and just go on red traffic lights. Get a car, sit and drive while listening to your music.

except when you have 4-5 feet of snow everywhere it's not so convenient to carry your bike to work is it?

The snow banks that stop me aer about that high, yes. But they are few and far between. I can safely and easily drive through 6 inches of snow without problem. I've seen cars stuck in less.
And I can always walk my bike to the next clear patch. If your car gets stuck, can you do the same?

Besides, my municipality cleans the streets so that the motorists can drive. And so can I.

The snow banks that stop me aer about that high, yes. But they are few and far between. I can safely and easily drive through 6 inches of snow without problem. I've seen cars stuck in less.
And I can always walk my bike to the next clear patch. If your car gets stuck, can you do the same?

Besides, my municipality cleans the streets so that the motorists can drive. And so can I.

my city cleans the snow routes, the side streets that I have to travel are left alone. It's not often that we get more than a foot of snow, but we often get rather bad rainstorms with high winds and in the fall/winter very icy roads.

I doubt even on the 3 or so days a year when the weather is "perfect" that I could do everything that needs to be done on a bike even if my job didn't require me to lug around a ton of stuff and even if I didn't have to bring my kids everywhere I go.

the nearest grocery store is 10 miles away, my church is 30 miles away, my clients live as close as 3 miles away and as far as 130 miles away.

some people do need cars.

edit: and my Jeep doesn't get stuck.

my city cleans the snow routes, the side streets that I have to travel are left alone. It's not often that we get more than a foot of snow, but we often get rather bad rainstorms with high winds and in the fall/winter very icy roads.

I doubt even on the 3 or so days a year when the weather is "perfect" that I could do everything that needs to be done on a bike even if my job didn't require me to lug around a ton of stuff and even if I didn't have to bring my kids everywhere I go.

the nearest grocery store is 10 miles away, my church is 30 miles away, my clients live as close as 3 miles away and as far as 130 miles away.

some people do need cars.

edit: and my Jeep doesn't get stuck.

I should point out that I live within 20 km (12 miles) of everywhere I need to go in one day. My job requires me to lug around less than a knapsack's worth of stuff, and I only have two children, who both fit in the trailer, though sometimes I put the little one in the seat behind me.

Mind you, I take them to daycare and the dentist and shopping and birthday parties all year round in all conditions with my bike. So I put my money where my mouth is.

i am a cyclist myself and i think car drivers have no respect for people like me anymore. continually beeping and shouting at us. NO RESPECT AT ALL!!! people should be more careful, or cyclists should have more rights on the road than car drivers

If it makes you feel better, I never had any respect for cyclists. I don't see why motorists should have to be polite to people who like to dress in leotards and get in the way on roads they're not paying to use.

If it makes you feel better, I never had any respect for cyclists. I don't see why motorists should have to be polite to people who like to dress in leotards and get in the way on roads they're not paying to use.

Probably because we're using the road for the same reasons.

Cyclists have to get to work too.