Bad Seattle Drivers GRRRRR

[East Hill]

You know, it's odd. I used to think that living on the East Hill was tough because we don't really appear to have the 'educated' crowd that Seattle should have.

But, I've never had a driver even come close to me. I've never had things thrown at me. I've never had people swear at me. When I've had to take the lane to make left turns, the drivers have been quite understanding. True, I've had some people go fast around me to beat me to the light, but they have not buzzed me in doing so.

Knock on wood.

East Hill

[Trek420]

Maybe he was from CA.

[mimitabby]

We used to blame a lot of our problems on California, but I can say that the talk show hosts have done bicyclists a horrible disservice. I wish I knew a litigious lawyer who wanted to take them on with a class action suit.
By stirring up hatred and anger in their listeners, they've changed the attitude
of drivers towards bikers here.
Eden, I'm sorry you ran into that idiot. At least you were prepared.

[missymaya]

yeah, from all of the stuff I've read, it seems that cyclists and drivers are at war with eachother. I read an article about big peleton rides down in south florida and there really wasn't a lot of good arguments on why it should be outlawed or not be outlawed (there were a few though) and cyclists who are associated with peletons that take the entire road (yes, sometimes unneccessarily) give all cyclists a bad name and all cyclists are now demonized! Yet, the last time I checked, a cyclist doesn't have a good chance winning the battle against a car so why would a cyclist jerk around when it could her/him killed. Seems obvious to me, but hey what do I know, Im just a 'dumb cyclist'
What really scared me were the comments left on the message board by both cyclists and drivers (but the drivers scared me more). Some of these comments were violent, ex:
loco
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Break out the pepper spray, guaranteed those bikes will move!
--
Cyclist Sucks
Hollywood, FL
I made a special set of extra long mirrors for my truck and go out on
sundays to take out the riders. It is so much fun, they eventually
learn that doubling up can get them hit. These bikers are a bunch of
idiots. Everyone should get extra long rearview mirrors.
--
bubba
Miami, FL
here's a thought, install a pepper spray nozzle on the right side of
your vehicle and give them a little love spray on your way by!

This frightens me but does not deter me from riding! In this case, we all need to be more considerate and respectful, for life is a precious thing (as cheesy as that sounds). Here are links to both the article and the message board:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...,7677208.story

http://www.topix.net/forum/source/so...3F7GKICLEAQIDG

[mimitabby]

I have seen similar stuff on Seattle Newpaper forums too. The nastiness and even death threats scares me to death.

[Geonz]

When I think about it, I think about hte courage it takes people to stand up to that stuff (and the people who have done that for all and sundry reasons through the years and centuries).