Comments on: Cycling to work – why people hate cyclists, part 1

By: Dominic

Dominic — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:59:47 +0000

Hi Juan,

There are bad cyclists as well as good! I’ve nearly killed two cyclists recently who seemed totally unaware they were in a left filter (UK roads) and sailed straight on in front of my car as I turned left.

I think my main concern is with drivers and pedestrians who have never ridden a bike, yet feel qualified to express opinions about cyclists’ behaviour. I do all three.

By: juan

juan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:42:16 +0000

Dominic, it is true that many states in the USA allow right turns on red, however, it is only allowed after coming to a full stop and making sure that there is no incoming traffic.

When you run red lights in your bicycle, and you make the same car go slooooowly behind you while trying to pass you only to get passed by you after you run the next red light, three or four lights in a row, the driver is not going to like you, and you might even be driving him mad and increasing the chances that he won’t be extra careful when he tries to pass you for the fifth time.

Today, in Washington DC, a cyclist cut in front of my car at a considerable slower speed. He did make a sing that he was going to do it, buy i barely had time to brake to avoid hitting him. He ran the next red light, as he had the one before. I certainly am in more inclined to hate –or at least dislike– cyclists now. Perhaps a sticker with the legend “I obey traffic laws” would be helpful to identify the nice kind of cyclist from behind. .

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:30:13 +0000

I missed the Never pay for their damage!!!

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:27:33 +0000

I would have been him and he would have deserved it (although of course the damage to my car would have been my cost cause cyclist pay for their damage) …. Do cyclist not realise what road rules are… he should have stopped on a junction because I was on the main road… it was my right of way (he obviously never read the highway code – a dash on the road means stop – - – - – - )…
And of course cyclist can do what ever they want (even against the law) and who has to pay… the driver

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:27:09 +0000

A cyclist only has to look in the mirror to see a wanker

The day the cyclist follow the rules will me the day I respect them… and some how I don’t think this will ever happen 

By: Dominic

Dominic — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:20:12 +0000

A cyclist “tried to run down your car”, Phil? I’m sorry but that’s an idiotic statement. Who do think would have come off worst if he or she had made contact?

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:33:14 +0000

I wish the cyclist would be forced to have Number Plates on their bikes… its about time they should suffer from their stupidity. Maybe people might respect them if they’re forced to follow the rules rather than doing what ever they want.
I was abused the other day by a cyclist when he tried to run down my car when it was might right of way… they think they’re gods but just idiots instead!!!!!!

By: Dominic

Dominic — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 08:08:36 +0000

Tom: you hate cyclists with passion? Hope I’m not cycling anywhere near where you’re driving :-)

Save your hate for evil people. Also, get a bike.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 04:17:15 +0000

Cyclists are to the streets what pedestrians are to the bike paths.

I hate cyclists with passion. Every summer, most 2 line boulevards in Montreal turn into overcrowded one line streets constantly clogged with cars who block it turning left and right. (turning line is take over by bikers). Cyclists are just everywhere making driving around 2 to 3 times slower than it is in the winter.

Argument that running red lights is OK for bikers, because it’s safer is BS. When I drive my car, it happens often I have to overtake the same bike 3-5 times because I stop on reds and he does not. Bike are slower vehicles, therefore they should stay wherever they happen to be in the line of cars waiting on red, and not just go between the cars to the front, just to slow everyone down and make them overtake again. Every overtaking maneuver is dangerous for the biker, especially in heavy traffic where drivers need to already avoid plenty of other obstacles.

By: Joshua Fields

Joshua Fields — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:51:14 +0000

I am a cyclist with a 2 stroke motor epa approved.I pedal and I use the engine sometimes.Many drivers need to be put off the road.But,Many cyclist are Idiots also.I ride close to the bank as possible and had drivers throw bottles at me or run me off the road thinking they are funny.Today I had an Incident with this black man who cursed me out passing me and he stopped at a red light.I fired up my engine and pulled beside him.He had his gangsta rap on and I fired up my motor full throttle to try to get a response.He would not look my way.Most people In cars are cowards when they have to stop at a red light and you pull beside them and confront them.But,I will also say that I seen cyclists and moped riders run red lights and be disrespectful to automobile drivers Who are just trying to drive to work,home,etc.etc.Point Is,Many people both cyclists and automobile drivers are rude pricks mad at the world.My proposition Is to build a separate bicycle/moped lane state to state away from traffic and to Increase laws to 20+ years prison time for a first offense for butthole drivers and cyclists both for breaking the law.I seen fault at both sides of this Issue and only way to deal with the deaths and financial woes of this Is to toughen laws.Till this Is done,It will only get worse for cyclists,Motorized bicycles,and automobile owners.BTW,This extensive road building would create thousands of jobs and help get america back on track.