No wonder CO drivers hate cyclists

I was commuting to work today by car and came upon an intersection with a green light favoring me. I brake to let the truck in front of me turn right, and then notice that a cyclist who had been stopped on the far side of the intersection has decided to run his light and practically run into me. Fortunately he hadn't picked up much speed and was able to slow down and go behind me. I was a little shocked at his absolutely BLATANT ignorance of traffic laws - I'm staring at a GREEN LIGHT - and said "What in the h--- are you doing?"

He looks me in the eye as he rides at me, a foot from my car, and replies "F--- you."

Seriously? I felt like stopping right there and explaining that traffic laws pertain to bikes as well. He's lucky I wasn't in a hurry, because I think he was planning on going in front of me and if I'd accelerated after the guy in front of me turned I might have hit him. Grr...he better not be someone in my mtb group.

I'm very sorry to report that this behavior is not limited to CO. Unfortunately, neither is the attitude of the "cyclist". I see it here far too often - cyclists who feel entitled to the road (oh, and yes, I do ALSO see drivers who are the same), and acoff at the laws.

Until enforcement is consistent for drivers AND cyclists AND pedestrians, you will continue, sadly, to witness similar acts and attitudes.

Giving him a piece of your mind wouldn't have helped, FWIW. I've taken the approach to just smile and wave these days...

SheFly

they come in every shape and size, and ride bikes, drive cars, trucks, and motor cycles. And they are everywhere!

One reason I've decided to get the WA state bike license plate is to let jerks like that know I'm a cyclist, too.
Rarely have I said/done anything, but I want them to know I'm not just some jerk myself who doesn't want bikes on the road. It's not cyclists I don't want, it's them!

It's sad but true -- that kind of idiotic behavior is part of the human condition. It shows up whether people are cycling, driving, or walking.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

One reason I've decided to get the WA state bike license plate is to let jerks like that know I'm a cyclist, too.
Rarely have I said/done anything, but I want them to know I'm not just some jerk myself who doesn't want bikes on the road. It's not cyclists I don't want, it's them!

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You know - I hadn't thought of that. That's a really good idea.

Unfortunately I just renewed mine so I'll have to wait, but I'll try to write that somewhere so I remember it.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

One reason I've decided to get the WA state bike license plate is to let jerks like that know I'm a cyclist, too.
Rarely have I said/done anything, but I want them to know I'm not just some jerk myself who doesn't want bikes on the road. It's not cyclists I don't want, it's them!

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I really wish MI offered those plates, too...I'd get one in a heartbeat for THAT reason, alone.

Why do I keep wanting to read CO as carbon monoxide? :rolleyes:

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Why do I keep wanting to read CO as carbon monoxide? :rolleyes:

Veronica

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Because it is.

Yesterday i was stuck driving behind two cyclists in race kits riding side by side taking up the entire lane on a two lane road with a double line. I'm all for taking the lane in traffic to protect oneself, when necessary, but this? C'mon! If we expect drivers to be considerate of us as they should, we must also be considerate.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Why do I keep wanting to read CO as carbon monoxide? :rolleyes:

Veronica

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You're not the only one...
--chemist-type.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

One reason I've decided to get the WA state bike license plate is to let jerks like that know I'm a cyclist, too.
Rarely have I said/done anything, but I want them to know I'm not just some jerk myself who doesn't want bikes on the road. It's not cyclists I don't want, it's them!

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Unfortunately some of the very most obnoxious drivers I've encountered are those who preface their comments with "I'm a cyclist too and...." I've been told to do things that are completely unsafe because someone who is a "cyclist too" resents my "being in their way"....

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving down a street, and there were 2 cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road, right in the middle of the lane, not even off to the side. They were weaving around like they were slalom skiing, obviously having fun, but they really made cyclists look bad. My bf said I should honk at them, but when I got closer, I realized they were uniformed bike police. I wouldn't have been wrong to honk, but I didn't.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

A couple of weeks ago, I was driving down a street, and there were 2 cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road, right in the middle of the lane, not even off to the side. They were weaving around like they were slalom skiing, obviously having fun, but they really made cyclists look bad. My bf said I should honk at them, but when I got closer, I realized they were uniformed bike police. I wouldn't have been wrong to honk, but I didn't.

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I read this as uninformed bike police. They more than anyone else should be setting the right example.:0