Trapped in a room with bike haters . . .

[Reesha]

I was not confrontational about it (at least I don't think, I sure tried not to be). I was really just trying to make a logical point. See, if you look at this way, it really makes sense for cyclists to be on the road . . .

Most people have their opinions and you really can't change them which is why I usually just keep my mouth shut. But I felt really hypocritical sitting there and not saying something. Especially if they all see me showing up at court tomorrow on my bike taking the LANE at the intersection. The horror!

Good for you though. I'm glad you said something, I would do the same in that situation

[grey]

Go get 'em Lime! That was great! Thanks for sticking up for us, that kind of thing is what helps.

Now if we could just get bicycle safety to be a part of driver's license tests and renewals.

And while they are at it: how about tax incentives for riding instead of driving.

(Wishes, here, I know).

SECONDED!
I try, really try, to always wave and be friendly to motorists that pass me and our group. I try to watch out for them and wave them on if it's safe to pass me or hold my hand in warning to signal how many cars are coming that they can't see around the bend yet, but I can. For some, I'm annoying anyway. I can't help them. But maybe, just maybe... by your being there, every day, and being a real, live person who rides a bike, someone they saw every day, will make them think a little. We're not obnoxious obstacles, we're people, and often, we're very nice people.

It's law here in GA now to give us 3 feet. But... who but us cyclists is even aware of that law? How can we get the great majority out there to realize how fast we are going?

Good luck, limewave! You may make them think, or they may just refuse to like you, but at least you are trying.

[Bike Writer]

SECONDED!
maybe, just maybe... by your being there, every day, and being a real, live person who rides a bike, someone they saw every day, will make them think a little. We're not obnoxious obstacles, we're people, and often, we're very nice people.

Good luck, limewave! You may make them think, or they may just refuse to like you, but at least you are trying.

This.

I was trying to think of a way to say that and you did.

[grey]

Funny, I go straight from here to Facebook, and here is what I read: A friend of mine in DC almost got knocked over while walking on the sidewalk because of a couple of guys zooming their bikes past her VERY close. The replies:

S: Did they have spandex on??? If they did you should have pushed them off the sidewalk....why?? Just because I hate that look on a bike...yuck. They are all over down here like cockroaches swarming all over the tiny country roads.

and more: All spandex here....ewwww Yeah there were a couple of times I could have gotten them w/the car door but that whole Karma thing got me too. LOL

it woulda been funny. Bowling for bikers!

I was/am hot. My friend knows I ride. Coming up with a response took me a minute, but do you gals think this was moderate enough?

I am one of those "spandex wearers". They should NOT have been on the SIDEWALK. We often ride at speeds over 20 mph and so the roads are where we belong. A bicycle counts as a vehicle, we have to follow the same rules of the road. Sadly, people like those Heather had today ruin it for the rest of us and encourage the same driver aggression that leads to mothers, fathers, friends and community leaders getting killed every year.

Not really a derail, since it's public aggression still. :-(

[smilingcat]

Another reason why gasoline for cars should cost $10.00/gallon!!

[Reesha]

Very reasonable, grey! I hope they inserted foot into mouth.

[channlluv]

Care to share the FB page, Grey? I'd kind of like to follow how they respond to you, and be there to back you up should they start flaming your very reasonable response.

Roxy

[MojoGrrl]

Once my ex-husband found out my boyfriend was a cyclist, he made some comment about "oh, another reason to hate cyclists even more." But the irony is, he (ex-husband) rides motorcycles and has been hit TWICE by cars and always complained about dangerous drivers...

[OakLeaf]

the irony is, he (ex-husband) rides motorcycles and has been hit TWICE by cars and always complained about dangerous drivers...

I think that's just it though. The ones who hate cyclists are the ones who resent the idea that they might have to pay attention while piloting a two-ton vehicle. There are unfortunately some motorcyclists (and some cyclists too, I just encountered one the other night) who feel the same way, and no matter how many times they crash, it's always someone else's fault.

[grey]

The person comparing cyclists to cockroaches has not responded. My friend did say "Grey, I see bikers here who do try to be careful, but there are so many aggressive and selfish bikers up here that I won't use bike/jog/walk trails now. I am tired of getting bullied just because I walk."
Those cyclists are in the wrong - nobody should be afraid to walk on the shared trail. I know they are probably weekend pleasure riders who don't know to call out "on your left" - still it produces hatred, and that hatred gets moved to the road...

[lph]

Good for you, Limewave! I'm pretty sure most of the bike haters don't really think about what they're saying, they just see "cyclists" as this strange thing out there that everyone can complain about. Like the weather, or taxes...

That doesn't excuse their behaviour, of course, but I'm betting that's why they all went quiet, because they were suddenly caught out behaving stoopidly . Even if you hadn't defended cycling at all, just announcing yourself as a cyclist and a real, normal, sensible person has made a difference.

I often get the "oh, but I don't mean YOU, I mean the ones that do x, y or z". So why not SAY the ones that do x. y or z, then. I don't come into work ranting about all taxi drivers being homicidal maniacs because one of them cut a close corner around me that morning. But it's in peoples nature to categorize, and to complain...

[beccaB]

Everyone at my workplace has heard about how I have to fill my gas tank less often because of riding my bike to work. Maybe some of your fellow jurors would benefit from a boldly asserted positive biking statement.

[MomOnBike]

You know, you could come in complaining about all the drivers speeding, running red lights, almost hitting pedestrians, etc. And how some idiot in a <fill in the blank> almost <fill in the blank>.

I do that, but I'm kind of passive-aggressive that way.

[redrhodie]

Like jury duty doesn't suck enough already; who wants to listen to that?! You could mention that they already make their views perfectly clear when they holler out their windows, beep, attempt to run you off the road, and throw things at you. Geez, all these things have really happened to me. Tell them to stuff it, cuz you're tired of defending yourself.

Hope you can find common ground if/when it comes to deliberating.

[Geonz]

One of our guys came up with a good answer to the "they're always running stop signs so they should be banned" sentiment:
Have you ever gone over the speed limit?

Oh, that's different? Could you explain how?