Open Letter to Cyclists.

[The Ditch]

Hey you're cycling, that's great. I commend you on being "green" and getting in some exercise. If you could do a couple of things for me that would be great.


Unless you are a message courier, Alberta law says you are and have to act by all motor vehicle laws. So when you plow through that 4-way stop in the cross walk not even looking while it is my turn and I started to go, that is illegal. You cannot switch between pedestrian and motor vehicle when you feel like it, all that does is confuse everyone on the road and puts you at risk.

I understand riding lane center is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe, but if you notice on that 70 km/hr road that there is a line of 20 cars behind you, it would be great if you would pull off into the shoulder to let us pass.

That's about it, thanks for your time.

[CaptainCrunch]

There's a lot of issues that I have with bike riders right now. Guess it must be close to summer.

Way to many are still wearing dark clothes at night making it impossible to see them.

Lack of hand signals, its not like these people have signal lights.

The idiots that come screaming between two cars at red lights or go around the passenger side of the car.

Riders pedaling side by side talking away.

Honestly if we're expected to look out for bikers, they could at least look out for themselves.

[Dan02]

I was actually stopped at a light the other day, and this guy on his bike stayed in line and didn't blow by everyone. I was stunned.

The bikes switching between vehicle and pedestrian really annoy me too though.

[troutman]

My pet peeve is when cyclists ride on busy streets at rush hour, when there is a dedicated bike path 50 m away.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by troutman

My pet peeve is when cyclists ride on busy streets at rush hour, when there is a dedicated bike path 50 m away.

see usually bike paths have stupidly low speed limits though, atleast stupidly low if you're a realtively serious rider not out for a joy ridee.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Dan02

see usually bike paths have stupidly low speed limits though, atleast stupidly low if you're a realtively serious rider not out for a joy ridee.

Is that ever enforced?

I think the City should designate more paths to cyclists and allow riders to go faster.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by troutman

Is that ever enforced?

I personally wouldn't know, but i seem to remember some news report they seem to do every year about how they are cracking down on bike riders especially along the river pathways.

To me it seems as a bike rider I would rather be on the bike path then the road given the choice.

[Eric Vail]

I think Calgary is the least bike friendly place I have ever ridden. I don't know how many times I have been sworn at because I had the gall to ride on the road.

Another difference between the bike paths and a road, is if you are trying to make time, bike paths are very slow. They wind their way around and take much longer than the much more direct roads. The paths are great for recreation - but for transportation, they don't always make the grade.

Drivers need to realize the cyclists have just as much a right to the road as they do.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by troutman

Is that ever enforced?

I think the City should designate more paths to cyclists and allow riders to go faster.

yes, they give out tickets all the time. This is why you see people cycling on Memorial.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I think Calgary is the least bike friendly place I have ever ridden. I don't know how many times I have been sworn at because I had the gall to ride on the road.

Another difference between the bike paths and a road, is if you are trying to make time, bike paths are very slow. They wind their way around and take much longer than the much more direct roads. The paths are great for recreation - but for transportation, they don't always make the grade.

Drivers need to realize the cyclists have just as much a right to the road as they do.

Terrifice but cyclists also have to take some responsibility for their own safety and not peddle around like fools with carte blanche and no rules governing their action.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I think Calgary is the least bike friendly place I have ever ridden. I don't know how many times I have been sworn at because I had the gall to ride on the road.

Another difference between the bike paths and a road, is if you are trying to make time, bike paths are very slow. They wind their way around and take much longer than the much more direct roads. The paths are great for recreation - but for transportation, they don't always make the grade.

Drivers need to realize the cyclists have just as much a right to the road as they do.

Ah, but there's the rub. Follow the rules and act like any other vehicle on the roadway and people may have less displeasure for cyclists.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Ah, but there's the rub. Follow the rules and act like any other vehicle on the roadway and people may have less displeasure for cyclists.

There are idiots in both camps. Drivers need to give cyclists room when they pass. When I can reach my arm out and hit your car, you're way too close. Wait 5 or 10 seconds, pass safely, and get on with your day. How difficult is that?

The cyclists who don't follow the rules of the road bug me as much as they do you. The city also needs to do a much better job with bike lanes. With fuel prices and parking at ridiculous rates, not to mention our sub-par transit, there will only be more of us out there.

[MuffinChucker]

From May through to October I ride to work a minimum of 3 times/week. It's roughly 28 K each way. For the most part this city is set-up fairly well for bike paths... you can essentially get from Evergreen/Fish Creek all the way to Tuscany on designated bike path. However some of this designated bike path is on the road. I put up with the round about paths that add K's to my communte, but still have about 15 minutes of riding time on some pretty main roads... Elbow Drive, 24th Street SW, etc.

Calgary might be bike friendly as far as pathways are concerned, but the dirvers in this town definitely aren't. I have just as much right to be on the road as they do and don't need to be sworn at, honked at and almost clipped a couple times per week.

And yes if there are traffic delays I will us my bike to my advantage and pass the stopped cars along the road or take a short cut, but I don't do it stupidly. Drivers rarely look out for me so I look out for myself. That being said, if traffic is flowing as it should I will keep my place in line...

I challenge all of you that honk and swear at me to put out the smoke, put the cell phone down, get out of your Escalades try it just once...

[Got Miikka?]

I used to ride my bike in this city but eventually, as near-death experiences began to mount, I decided that since I ultimately would rather live than die that I would just put the wheels away. Calgary is a car city, and I have experienced the frustration that occurs when cyclists and motorists clash from both sides. But, the golden rule being "Car Always Wins" (especially in collisions), well, cars win.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by habernac

There are idiots in both camps. Drivers need to give cyclists room when they pass. When I can reach my arm out and hit your car, you're way too close. Wait 5 or 10 seconds, pass safely, and get on with your day. How difficult is that?

I've often wondered if it's actually by the book legal to pass a cyclist whilst he or she is riding on the shoulder. If I can't pull over into a different lane to pass, I'll rarely do it. Drives my wife nuts that I'm reluctant to go around.

That being said, if it's not legal to pass and a cyclist is holding up traffic then I would hope the cyclist pulls over or picks a different route. If a car were to be doing 20 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone and disrupting the flow of traffic then that would be a ticketable offence.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by The Ditch

Hey you're cycling, that's great. I commend you on being "green" and getting in some exercise. If you could do a couple of things for me that would be great.


Unless you are a message courier, Alberta law says you are and have to act by all motor vehicle laws. So when you plow through that 4-way stop in the cross walk not even looking while it is my turn and I started to go, that is illegal. You cannot switch between pedestrian and motor vehicle when you feel like it, all that does is confuse everyone on the road and puts you at risk.

I understand riding lane center is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe, but if you notice on that 70 km/hr road that there is a line of 20 cars behind you, it would be great if you would pull off into the shoulder to let us pass.

That's about it, thanks for your time.

No problem. Thanks for the message. I certainly do my best to ride within the rules.

I challenge all of you that honk and swear at me to put out the smoke, put the cell phone down, get out of your Escalades try it just once...

No kidding. When I lived in Marda Loop, I had to power up the hills on either 14th street, 36th ave, or Sifton Blvd. Getting home everyday conquering that monster made me fit, and of course going out and such later would sometimes see me hitting it three times a day. The burn is euphoric.

[enthused]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I think Calgary is the least bike friendly place I have ever ridden. I don't know how many times I have been sworn at because I had the gall to ride on the road.

Agreed. Calgary is definitely not very bike friendly. I agree that there are a lot of cyclists who pull a lot of bonehead moves, but I've got to say that sometimes we're forced to do it. A lot of drivers make it extemely difficult for cyclists, cutting us off, not giving us enough space, honking at us if we're going "too slow", etc. Eventually it gets to the point where we just have to stick up for ourselves. If drivers aren't going to respect our rights as cyclists, then how are we supposed to respect their rights as drivers?

Take 10th ave for example. There's a DESIGNATED bike lane along the whole stretch, yet you would never know it, because cars seem to have no problem plowing through it. Especially when you reach the end where it meets up with 14th street, cars swerve over into the bike lane so that they can turn right without even looking to see if there are any cyclists beside them. I can't tell you how many times I've come close to being hit.

Cyclists aren't perfect, I'm the first to admit, but neither are drivers. There needs to be compromise from both parties in order for things to run more smoothly. Or better yet, the city should make (and enforce) more bike lanes and paths, and then maybe everyone would be happy.

[MuffinChucker]

I'm not sure what the law is, but as long as you give me a little room (so I can't reach out and touch your car) and don't speed by me I'm okay. I hug the shoulder as tight as possible. My average speed is 25-30 KM/Hour, so yes I fully expect to get passed by cars.

[Eric Vail]

I've cycled all over Vancouver Island, from Vancouver to Calgary, Toronto to Halifax, around southern California and around Ireland. The most unfriendly place I have ridden is my hometown of Calgary.

I also look out for my own safety, and have never been in a collision with a car. I have had several frustrating moments with ignorant drivers. It seems very Calgary to have a thread on this forum hammering on cyclists.

[Russic]

The problem definitely goes both ways. I've only recently begun riding a bike to work and I find I'm always vigilant about not being one of those bikers that annoy me when I'm driving. People who blow through 4 ways or conveniently going from the road to the cross-walk have got to be the worst.

It seems the people that pull crap like that give the majority of bikers who follow the rules a bad name. As an unfortunate consequence it would appear that the crappy drivers in this city like to paint all bikers with the same brush.

edit: I think this thread is meant to hammer on cyclists who don't follow the rules. Nobody will argue that this city is a car city and that many of those in cars are tools. As I've never ridden anywhere else I will definitely believe anybody who says this city is the worst for cyclists. Still, the OP's post isn't negative towards all people on bikes, but rather those that abuse the rules of the road.