[MIMIC]

To be honest, I HATE bicyclists but I've never honked my horn at them....or THROWN things at them. @_@ That's fucked up

[Vagabundo]

Things that drive me nuts about cyclists:

- Ignoring all traffic laws, lights, etc.
- just pulling out in front of you or swerving all over the place.
- Not cycling on the bicycle lane if there is one there.
- Not wear high vis gear and having lights. Makes them nearly impossible to see.
- Cycling fast on the paths.

None of the above gives you the right to be an asshole to them either, they are on the road and they are something that you have to deal with, however I do think they should have to have a licence saying they have done a basic safety course and should have their bike confiscated if they are going around recklessly or for not having basic visibility equipment.

[thetechkid]

I've read the examples you've posted and in those cases you seem to be right. The problem was that I just can't see any of those happening very often where I live, so the thought of them didn't even cross my mind.

You don't ride a bike so you don't have any experience and where you live it works differently from everywhere else so you have like zero ground to say anything. You need to stop posting.

[Nilaul]

F*&k you. Offensive photo of injuries Seriously, what the hell is your deal? It's Father's Day and I'm just out trying to exercise on my new bike. Not only do I get honked at by people at least six times (they wait until they are right on you to honk in hopes it spooks you) but then one ass threw a half-eaten orange at me! It hit me square in the shoulder, nearly knocked me off my bike, when I was just five minutes from a family reunion! Then, after the reunion, I start riding back home and some other douche in a large pickup truck decides it would be fun to play chicken with a man on a 7-speed. It landed me in a five foot ditch. After making sure my brand new bike wasn't ruined I continued on my way only to get honked at some more. WTF!? My faith in the human race fell about 10 points today.

This is why its fun to record your journeys, you can always then report them to the police or succesfully sue them :P

[AnGer]

I do think they should have to have a licence saying they have done a basic safety course and should have their bike confiscated if they are going around recklessly or for not having basic visibility equipment.

In Germany you can be stripped of your driving license if you are caught disobeying traffic laws.

[AdrianWerner]

You don't ride a bike so you don't have any experience and where you live it works differently from everywhere else so you have like zero ground to say anything. You need to stop posting.

You need to calm down and stop acting like an ass. Your examples simply do not work here because people aren't supposed to drive their bikes through crossings.

[Kentpaul]

Oh man great show and that is a hilarious scene.

[AnGer]

You need to calm down and stop acting like an ass. Your examples simply do not work here because people aren't supposed to drive their bikes through crossings.

Not true. Crossroads on roads with cycling lanes even (mostly) feature special traffic lights for them.

[thetechkid]

You need to calm down and stop acting like an ass. Your examples simply do not work here because people aren't supposed to drive their bikes through crossings.

Things do not work the same there so you assumed they worked like that everywhere, you have no experience with the subject, just blew off everything people said and ignored all kinds of bike safety, and said changing the law would somehow make it safe.

[AdrianWerner]

Not true. Crossroads on roads with cycling lanes even (mostly) feature special traffic lights for them.

On dedicated cycling lanes, on pedestrian lanes you're supposed to dismount and walk your bike, precisely to avoid danger of getting hit my a car, since driver has time to react to pedestrian, but reacing to somebody driving a bike there is often impossible.

[AdrianWerner]

Things do not work the same there so you assumed they worked like that everywhere, you have no experience with the subject, just blew off everything people said and ignored all kinds of bike safety, and said changing the law would somehow make it safe.

I said what I thought based on local conditions and then after reading multiple posts acknowledged it wouldn;t work everywhere. So I acted like any civilized person in discussion should. Why you're still barking at me?

[AnGer]

On dedicated cycling lanes, on pedestrian lanes you're supposed to dismount and walk your bike, precisely to avoid danger of getting hit my a car, since driver has time to react to pedestrian, but reacing to somebody driving a bike there is often impossible.

You don't cycle on pedestrian lanes either.

And if you're going straight at an intersection the car needs to pay attention to you anyway because "stronger" traffic participants are required to pay attention to weaker traffic participants.

[2San]

I come from this country:


Even though I dislike bikes myself, when I'm going somewhere in my town, I'm very likely to just grab my bike.

http://bicyclesafe.com

How the hell is this a common problem? Isn't it standard practice to look before you step out of your car? People even died? Isn't there a major fine for this?

[thetechkid]

How the hell is this a common problem? Isn't it standard practice to look before you step out of your car? People even died? Isn't there a major fine for this?

That is what people should be doing, but a lot of the time they don't pay attention when opening their doors.

[AdrianWerner]

You don't cycle on pedestrian lanes either.

You can, if there's no dedicated cycle lane and the road allows the traffic with 50 km/h or higher

[:Motorbass]

In my city in Germany, car lanes get merged in favor of bicycle lanes. (e.g. before: 2 car lanes; after: 1 broader car lane, 1 bike lane). So I haven't heard of this problem before. I feel sorry for you. :/

[Raiden]

Maybe your kid(s) played a prank on you and attached a paper on your back that says honk at me.

Seriously six times? I rode a bike for over a decade and never been honked at.

[AdrianWerner]

How the hell is this a common problem? Isn't it standard practice to look before you step out of your car? People even died? Isn't there a major fine for this?

Lol...I also don't get people like that. I mean, it's not precausion for cyclists sake, an incoming car can just as well rip your door off.

But then you get celebirities doing this on national TV, in a show about cars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoAV0YXJi1g
:D

[AnGer]

How the hell is this a common problem? Isn't it standard practice to look before you step out of your car? People even died? Isn't there a major fine for this?

Some people don't do such things.

Sadly, what traffic participants seem to be largely lacking is the ability to be constantly aware of the situation around them was well as respect for other traffic participants. This doesn't just apply to drivers and cyclists, but to almost anyone who is part of the system we call "traffic".

You can, if there's no dedicated cycle lane and the road allows the traffic with 50 km/h or higher

That may be allowed in your country, but it is strictly forbidden here in Germany unless the lane is designated with this sign:

or any other sign stating that it is allowed to use bicycles on the pedestrian lane.

[dab0ne]

I currently live in England (from the US) and I hate when cyclists are on the road. Not because I don't like cyclists but because I'm terrified for their safety. There is no room on the road for them and cars, so cars have to get into the other lane to get around them. The roads are narrow, have no shoulders, and lots of blind turns. They ride on roads where the speed limit is 50-60 miles per hour. I don't blame them I blame the village I live in and the ones I live near. There should be better bike lanes (in most cases there are no bike lanes at all) for the cyclists. I would be terrified to ride my bike here. These English cyclists have balls of steel!

[AdrianWerner]

That may be allowed in your country, but it is strictly forbidden here in Germany.

Really? Damn... I would be scared to get with a bike on a road where everybody drives really fast.

[Antagon]

Really? Damn... I would be scared to get with a bike on a road where everybody drives really fast.

It's the same in the Netherlands. Not really a problem though, as roads over 50 km/h are more likely to have a bicycle lane then a pedestrian lane. And you're not allowed to cycle on roads with a 100+ km/h speed limit anyway.

[2San]

Some people don't do such things. Sadly, what traffic participants seem to be largely lacking is the ability to be constantly aware of the situation around them was well as respect for other traffic participants. This doesn't just apply to drivers and cyclists, but to almost anyone who is part of the system we call "traffic".

That is what people should be doing, but a lot of the time they don't pay attention when opening their doors.

It's been pretty much drilled into me when since I was a kid and it got drilled into me some more when going to driving school. To always look before opening the door.

Lol...I also don't get people like that. I mean, it's not precausion for cyclists sake, an incoming car can just as well rip your door off. But then you get celebirities doing this on national TV, in a show about cars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoAV0YXJi1g :D

Who's car was it? :p

[CiSTM]

Really? Damn... I would be scared to get with a bike on a road where everybody drives really fast.

Where do you live? If in US then post some pics of the roads. Here you have plenty of room to pass bikers. Really sounds that transportation is nightmare for both bikers and car drivers in us :D

[AnGer]

Really? Damn... I would be scared to get with a bike on a road where everybody drives really fast.

Depends. Since city limits are 50 km/h, it can get ugly sometimes, most country roads however have a smaller road nearby that cyclists can use or there's a shared pedestrian/cycling lane on the side. Some cyclists tend to not use the first ones however, mainly because their bikes are not built for these roads.

[Cindres]

I've started cycling everywhere now, mainly for the great exercise. Not had any problems with motorists (in the UK) except for one time I was pulling out of Halfords and nearly got hit by an incoming car.

The writing on the floor said "EXIT", so I went that way, then a car came in the opposite direction. I was mad thinking he was coming in through the exit, I carried on and when I got to the end of the driveway the next one said "NO EXIT", went back and realised the "NO" from the first one had almost totally rubbed off :|

Always careful on my bike though, lights at night (though that is the law) and a hi-vis jacket if it's at night. Always with a helment as my uncle, grandad and mate's dad all had their lives saved by their helmets when ignorant motorists pulled out in front of them without looking. Very aware of the risks so I make sure to be cautious.

[beje]

I bike 10 miles (16Km.) and back everyday to work and I respect all signs so deal with it. Besides, I don't know how bad is it in other cities but in Madrid there's a very curious syndrome: the haste to reach the next red traffic light. Ok, so you hit the gas like crazy, pass me thinking "out of my way, you snail"... just to arrive at the next closed traffic light while I reach you again at my own pace for quite a long street, rinse and repeat. Problem is that people is so stupid that they don't realize that in the end, using a car in the middle of a city is as fucking slow as a bike as soon as you have to deter from main traffic arteries.

[Redux]

I never even knew this was a widespread issue. Do people just really hate cyclists where you live?

Do you not get out of your house? Or do you just ride your little bike in your safe neighborhood around the block a few times?

[AdrianWerner]

It's been pretty much drilled into me when since I was a kid and it got drilled into me some more when going to driving school. To always look before opening the door. Who's car was it? :p

Loaned from the car dealer for test :D

[Hoo-doo]

Do you not get out of your house? Or do you just ride your little bike in your safe neighborhood around the block a few times?

Eh, some people live in bike-friendly countries with excellent bike-related infrastructure.
I often feel safer on my bike than I do in a car.

[AdrianWerner]

Where do you live?

In Poland and yeah, you would have problems driving some of the wider american cars here :D Lanes in cities tend to be 3-3,5 meters wide max

[Johnlenham]

Mad haro dude. For the record I never see BMXers doing douchey things on the road, only Lance Armstrong wanna-be's.

Thats because we are quite happy to hop onto the sidewalks when it seems clear and seem to be abit more aware of everything else around us.

[opticalmace]

Sorry to hear it buddy. That totally sucks.

Unfortunately it seems to depend on the city/state.. I've lived in quite a few places, and it's been a mix of great-for-cyclists and absolutely terrible.

I'm on vacation right now in Amsterdam and it is cycling heaven.

[CiSTM]

In Poland and yeah, you would have problems driving some of the wider american cars here :D Lanes in cities tend to be 3-3,5 meters wide max

Now I understand you. It's really all about proper infrastructure, if the roads are not designed for bikes then it will be hard for both cyclists and car drivers.

[Tashi]

Haha. What? Being annoyed is fine (many bikers feel the same way about cars), but it should be the same annoyance you level at other drivers because bikers have equal right to be there too. The rage that car drivers feel for bikers is so overblown that it's frightening, and because many car drivers don't /think/ that bikers have a right to be there, they tend to act on that rage as if it were justified. That's just what I'm scared of. In a bike vs. car fight, the car is generally going to win (as the OP showed in his pic).

The way I see it is, if I were a biker, in my town at least, I wouldn't ride a bike. I would honestly rather walk. It's too dangerous. There are some roads where there's plenty of room so getting place to place there would be ok but then there are not. All I'm worried about is safety, I'm not trying to knock a biker off the road. I may curse and yell from inside my car but 10 seconds later I forget about it...until the next one comes along lol :P

[Vagabundo]

I'm on vacation right now in Amsterdam and it is cycling heaven.

In Amsterdam the cyclists hate pedestrians. The cycle of hate continues.

[beje]

Thats because we are quite happy to hop onto the sidewalks when it seems clear and seem to be abit more aware of everything else around us.

Yeah, in some way, fuck those Tour de France wannabes that think they can do whatever the fuck they want with the traffic rules just because "they have to maintain a heart rate". If you're riding your bike for sports and you're not willing to follow the rules... yes, in that case I strongly agree that you should go to a park or a fucking circuit where you're not disturbing cars, commuting bikes or pedestrians.

Though I don't like hopping on sidewalks (besides, I think it's indeed illegal here unless you're on snail speed), in my daily commute there's only one moment I do it, and it's because I have to cross one of the biggest and busiest crossroads of Madrid and I'd rather not mess with cars there. I go back to being normal traffic as soon as I can. Using secondary or lesser streets also help a lot, there's no need to use big avenues unless there's no other option.

[AnGer]

Using secondary or lesser streets also help a lot, there's no need to use big avenues unless there's no other option.

I agree on that. Going through pedestrian precincts and/or parks also helps a lot. If bicycles are allowed there, that is.

[opticalmace]

In Amsterdam the cyclists hate pedestrians. The cycle of hate continues.

Maybe, but at least I don't have to worry about getting hit by a car like I do back home. :P

So jealous of how nice it is in Holland for cyclists... maybe I can work here someday.

[Mohonky]

I don't agree with running cyclists off the road.

However I am going to say rarely have I ever encountered a cyclist doing the right thing, so when I hear about cyclists complaining about cars and saying they always obey the road rules and try to be as unobtrusive as possible, I wonder where these people ride because I've certainly never seen them.

[McLovin]

Cars don't want you on the road people don't want you on the sidewalk. I had in old lady jump in front of me once hoping to make me crash.

[Jzero]

Cars don't want you on the road people don't want you on the sidewalk. I had in old lady jump in front of me once hoping to make me crash.

Everyone hates us :(

[cutmeamango]

I never even knew this was a widespread issue.

Man, that sucks. I didn't realize people actually did that

People really do this?

I have never even heard of this happening.

Never knew people did this. What....

What? Who does this? That's horrible dude.

Me neither, and I've been trying to find the most unreasonable reasons and I just can't come up with any.
Were bikers so shitty, breaking mirrors and crowding lanes that it generated this behaviour? Or is it some fucking twisted road bullying?

Crazy stuff.

[Jobiensis]

I don't agree with running cyclists off the road. However I am going to say rarely have I ever encountered a cyclist doing the right thing, so when I hear about cyclists complaining about cars and saying they always obey the road rules and try to be as unobtrusive as possible, I wonder where these people ride because I've certainly never seen them.

You probably haven't seen half the cyclists you have passed.

[xxracerxx]

You probably haven't seen half the cyclists you have passed.

This.

[Dave Inc.]

Everyone hates us :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzFyT1tkw8E

[zargle]

Where I live in Ohio, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk if you are older than 15. Of course none of the drivers here know this, so some of them still yell at cyclists when they are riding on the road. Luckily I've never had any serious issues here, but I also mostly ride in more rural areas and stay out of the more heavily trafficked areas.

[rhfb]

I'm lucky that most of the paths I ride on are "bike friendly" sidewalks. I'd never bike in the street, mostly because I know I'm not that fast (and I don't wear a helmet/reflective stuff/tight body suit/ect). Never really had an issue with walkers on paths though, as long as you slow down and announce to them that you are passing they get out of the way and let you continue on.

[Mohonky]

You probably haven't seen half the cyclists you have passed.

I find that hard to believe in suburbia in Brisbane where there is nothing on the side of the roads except front lawns, a sidewalk, a bike path and then car lanes. Unless they are riding through peoples back yards and in the bushes maybe.....

[xxracerxx]

I find that hard to believe in suburbia in Brisbane where there is nothing on the side of the roads except front lawns, a sidewalk, a bike path and then car lanes. Unless they are riding through peoples back yards and in the bushes maybe.....

What he is saying is that the only reason you remember some cyclists you pass is because they are being complete dicks.

You don't remember every car you pass unless that driver is being a total idiot.