Bicyclists suck!

[Resolute 14]

112 years later, not much has changed!

http://communities.canada.com/calgar...nd-horses.aspx

It is amusing how the comments section has already turned into motorists and cyclists arguing about how much the other sucks.

[YYC in LAX]

nm

[Bill Bumface]

I love how many cyclists pretend they don't own a car.

In other news, I've repaired the rear brakes on my bike. That little kid will stand a better chance next time.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

i think cyclists should get a bike lane somehow on our roads, don't get me started on cyclists. Last summer i felt the air move as a bike courier almost took me out as i crossed in a cross walk downtown with a walk signal.

[Resolute 14]

It is somewhat odd how few bike lanes there really are. The only one I ever see is on 26 Street SW.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It is somewhat odd how few bike lanes there really are. The only one I ever see is on 26 Street SW.

There's also one on (I think) 11th St SW, but many people -- motorists and cyclists alike -- don't seem to know about it and consequently ignore it.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It is somewhat odd how few bike lanes there really are. The only one I ever see is on 26 Street SW.

Theres one that runs all through Strathcona they put in last year. I've probably seen a half-dozen people actually use it. Luckily I still use it as a regular lane for my Canyonero

[MarchHare]

Luckily I still use it as a regular lane for my Canyonero

Top of the line in utility sports, unexplained fires are a matter for the courts! Canyonero! Canyonero! Ya!

[Flashpoint]

I always get a kick out of cyclists who say "I'm exactly like a car. You should treat me the same way."

Yeah, a really really slow car that doesn't stop at stop signs.

Fundamentally cars and cycles just shouldn't share the road - it's not a compatible relationship, and it's not enjoyable for either party.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I always get a kick out of cyclists who say "I'm exactly like a car. You should treat me the same way."
.

I really hate cyclists who only choose to obey traffic laws when it's convenient to them. They're absolutely right that they should be treated like any other vehicle on the road, which means they don't get to use crosswalks, have to stop at stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and stay off the sidewalks.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Jackpot_Smooth

i think cyclists should get a bike lane somehow on our roads, don't get me started on cyclists. Last summer i felt the air move as a bike courier almost took me out as i crossed in a cross walk downtown with a walk signal.

So you've never almost got run over by a car that was running a red?

There are crappy drivers and crappy bikers. I bike to work and I drive a vehicle. No matter which one I am using, I make sure to obey all traffic lights, stop signs, road rules, etc. It makes me angry when I see bikers or drivers breaking the rules and endangering my safety.

Two things happened on my bike home yesterday.

1. A mail truck was parked in the bike lane. Bikes couldn't go around either side because of the concrete barricades. I waited for the driver and asked why he was parked in the bike lane. He said he would only be a minute and there weren't parking spots. I showed him a spot across the street and even if there weren't spots, he still can't park here. He said he couldn't park on the street because the cars wouldn't be able to go around him, even though there were two lanes.

2. I was crossing at a crossbike where the cars have a stop sign and a flashing red light. A car wasn't going to stop and I almost got hit. He gave me an exasperated look, so I stopped and asked what was wrong. He asked why would I assume he would stop. I said because he had a stop sign, a flashing red light and a sign that showed where cars were supposed to stop, plus I have the right of way. He said he was already in the intersection and thus should get to go, even if he never stopped. We yelled at each other and moved on.

There are many more stories like this of drivers not caring about bikers. There are also many stories of bikers not obeying the rules and endangering people with their actions. I don't have many of these personally as I don't do that and I won't bike with people who do.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I always get a kick out of cyclists who say "I'm exactly like a car. You should treat me the same way."

Yeah, a really really slow car that doesn't stop at stop signs.

That really GMG.

[OilKiller]

Personally I think the cyclists who choose to use Center street every day are taking their lives into their hands going into downtown.

And I agree with others here...it seems they want to be treated like a car, until it's no longer convenient. Then it's OK to weave in and out of traffic, go between cars, cut in front of other cars, go through stop signs and even red lights, etc.

[Yasa]

I'd feel a lot better about bikes and cyclists if they just threw a couple more wheels on there, maybe a motor and a couple seats. Surround themselves in layers of metal and plastic then drive in a lane and obey the signs.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I really hate cyclists who only choose to obey traffic laws when it's convenient to them. They're absolutely right that they should be treated like any other vehicle on the road, which means they don't get to use crosswalks, have to stop at stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and stay off the sidewalks.

There's actually some interesting traffic laws down in the states. Iowa (or Idaho can't remember) allows cyclists to treat Stop signs as a yield. That would be a welcome amendment. It just isn't feasible to come to a stop as a cyclist. And there's dubious safety reasons for it too.

Cross walks and all that are different, no way should they be taking crosswalks. But stop signs just will never be stopped at all the time, just as cars don't. I think that changing that law would actually serve both sides better.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

That really GMG.

Well I can gurantee it really grinds the gear of every cyclist on the road when cars pretend they aren't there and pass them in the same lane with 6 inches to spare instead of moving over to the other lane like they are legally required to do.

Sure some cyclists are jerks and disobey the rules, but there are a lot more drivers putting cyclists in danger than there are cyclists who are jerks and ignore all of the rules of the road.

Yes, a lot of times cyclists simply ignore the rules because they want to get somewhere faster, but a lot of times it is also a matter of staying away from drivers who are also ingoring the rules and putting the cyclist in danger.

For example, this morning I was riding in and had to make a left hand turn into the plaza in front of my office. I had every right to merge to the left lane and make a turn from there, but there was no way I was gonna trust the cars behind me to not run me over, so I went to the end of the road, hopped up on the sidewalk and used the crosswalk.

Was I breaking the rules? Yup, but I was doing it because drivers who don't understand my rights as a cyclist were likely to put me in danger.

[Tinordi]

Also, the "obeying traffic laws when it's convenient" argument is a bit of a misnomer as well. Good cyclists obey traffic laws when it's safe for both parties but often it's safer and more convenient to disobey them like moving up to the front of the line at a red light. Ever been to Asia? This is common practice with bikes and scooters. The idea is that you're much easier seen at the front of the line and can take the lane much easier.

Drivers that moan about obeying the traffic rules ALL the time obviously don't know the realities of being on a bike. It just seems like petty jealousy or something. Be grateful for the bikes, more bikes mean much less congestion. It can work for both parties.

[MarchHare]

It just isn't feasible to come to a stop as a cyclist.

I call BS on this. I understand that slamming on the breaks suddenly can send you flying over your handlebars, but if a vehicle can't safely come to a stop with plenty of advance warning (as would be the case with an upcoming stop sign at an intersection), then they shouldn't be allowed on the road.

Besides, even if stop signs were treated as yields for cyclists, what would you do if you actually had to, you know, yield to someone? Are you still going to say that it's not feasible to stop?

[sec304]

Couriers are the worst type of human beings that are out there behind the handle bars

[Tinordi]

I would agree about aggressive couriers. They deserve little respect because they have no respect for anyone else. That still doesn't mean you can mess around with them when you're driving a vehicle as they're out there in their skivvies.