Cars: 15 - Cyclists: 0

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by koop

The problem I had that was after finally passing a cyclist I would pull up to a traffic light, and the cyclist would ride down the shoulder past all of the cars. Then everyone would spend the next 5 minutes trying to pass him again only to have the entire process repeat at the next set of lights.

I had this happen to me when I was going into downtown across the center street bridge. The next time I got by the bike and traffic stopped I turned the nose of my car right to the edge of the curb. The bike had to stop and when the light turned green I didn't have to worry about passing her again.

The next red light, 4-5 cars behind me all did the same thing.

I bike now but my two pet peeves are bikers who use major roads (like Crowchild up the hill right before McMahon) and bikers who are part-pedestrian, part-vehicle and switch in between. They ride along holding up traffic, but when it's convenient, they hop on the sidewalk/cross walk.

I'm just waiting for some deranged motorist to plow through critical mass one day. It'll happen...

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by koop

The problem is that so many cyclists pick and choose when they are going to follow the rules of the road.

Exactly!

Another situation which is annoying and not to mention dangerous is when cyclists are in vehicle mode driving down the street, but turn into pedestrian mode and use the cross walk. Thus cutting you off when you need to turn and almost killing themselves because they don't dismount from their bikes.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Indeed!

As a full-time pedestrian, my two biggest peeves are:

A) drivers who think that red lights have a 3-second grace period
B) cyclists who think the sidewalk is a bike path

I can't even begin to count the number of times I've nearly been run into while on a sidewalk by some jackass on a bike whizzing past me. A bicycle is a vehicle -- use the road with the other vehicles.

I walk a lot downtown and those things make me bonkers as well. But I do one thing that I am sure pisses off drivers to no end, and that's walking when the flashing hand comes on. I only do it in one situation, and I try to cross as fast as possible and stop traffic as little as possible, and that's when it freezing your balls off cold outside. I don't really care if you miss the turn and are now a minute and a half behind schedule, but you're in a car that has a heater and is shielded from the elements suck it up.

[Resolute 14]

What this thread is telling me is that bicyclists are almost always in the wrong. Sounds about right to me. I don't ride my bike very often, but when I do, it is always on pathways. I hate cyclists on the road when I'm driving, so I make it a point not to become one of those idiots myself. Paths are easy if you are watching out for, and warning pedestrians when you are coming.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by habernac

Bicycles are vehicles. Get used to it.

Agreed that they're vehicles, but there's a lot of idiots out there don't follow the rules of the road.

Get hit by a car and have a head injury whilst not having a helmet on then Insurance should just say FU.

Riding more than 2 abreast. Then cops should be booking them.

Cycling whilst listening to an Ipod. Book them

Cycling at night without lights and a reflector jacket/bands. Book them.

Too many self righteous idiots out there that can't follow simple rules to keep themselves or others safe.

[Locke]

I'm actually kind of disappointed that cars didnt score higher.

Come on car guys, lets run this score up!!

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Agreed that they're vehicles, but there's a lot of idiots out there don't follow the rules of the road.

Get hit by a car and have a head injury whilst not having a helmet on then Insurance should just say FU.

Riding more than 2 abreast. Then cops should be booking them.

Cycling whilst listening to an Ipod. Book them

Cycling at night without lights and a reflector jacket/bands. Book them.

Too many self righteous idiots out there that can't follow simple rules to keep themselves or others safe.

And there's a lot of crappy motorists out there, too. What's your point? Share the road.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by habernac

And there's a lot of crappy motorists out there, too. What's your point? Share the road.

My point is simple.

Share the responsibility.

Crappy drivers still have to be illuminated in the dark.

[HOZ]

Here is what Al Gore uses to clear his road. Bikers, Gannies, CO2 abusers....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBMvz7j2J1k

[enthused]

Originally Posted by koop

The problem is that so many cyclists pick and choose when they are going to follow the rules of the road.

That's very true, but Calgary isn't a very "bike friendly" city, and sometimes cyclists have to adapt in order to not get run over.

I know that bikes are considered to be vehicles and they should obey the same rules of the road. But I find that a lot of drivers get too frustrated or annoyed with cyclists who are trying to be a "vehicle". When I'm biking I try my best to obey the rules of the road, but I can't tell you how many pig-faced triangle-men in Hummers have cut me off or tried to run me off the road simply because I am on a bike. So I find that a lot of time I have to be more aggressive while biking, mostly to avoid getting run over.

Cyclists definitely need to obey the rules and try to stay out of cars way, but drivers also need to be patient and realize that bikes are apparently vehicles as well. Its a two way street.

I'm sure lots of problems could be avoided if we had more bike lanes and paths here... but I guess we've got to make do with what we have in the mean time.

[Phanuthier]

I am a cyclist and I approve this thread

[Kolbe31]

Originally Posted by habernac

Iginla puts in a fair amount of time on the bike as well. Kobasew, too.

That must've been why he fell down so much when he played for the Flames; he thought he was riding his bike.