Bikes vs. Cars- MSNBC Article

[chutch]

I see both sides as well. I regularly pass (obviously new and inexperienced) riders who are riding on the sidewalk or in parallel parking places (then weave in and out of traffic) and ignore stop lights/signs, etc. I try to set a good example by being extra diligent about following the rules of the road.

Unfortunately, the town I live in has a great cycling community but not a good bike shop where people can get good information and tips (the only option is in a sporting goods store where the mechanic is not a rider and knows nothing about bikes- it's quite sad).

Maybe bike shops should try to educate folks as they make the purchase (especially when its obvious that they don't know what they're doing), or the state DOTs could create information sheets for drivers and riders and mail them to people.

And of course I experience drivers who don't even try to pass appropriately or try to squeeze me out of the road. Some are doing it out of ignorance but others are doing it because they don't like to share the road. I even had a town police car pass me so close, I thought my elbow would bounce off the side mirror

I don't know what the answer is.

[Aggie_Ama]

Maybe I am a little defensive because we have had a couple of bicyclists killed or injured here and the public sentiment has been bikes don't belong except on paths. Then people chime in and say not on paths cause they don't watch for moms with strollers. I found many parts of the article were cyclists are a nuisance, get used to it. I agree the new riders are at risk because they don't know. But I see plenty of experienced riders doing stupid crap and it makes me fearful because it causes a blanket of hostility to us all. I unclip at stop signs, ride practically on the little curb and generally try to be courteous. But I get told at stop lights I need to get off their road, I am going to get hurt, why do I want to do something so dangerous or just get the finger.

Last week I am sitting in the car in heavy traffic. A cyclist in a full team kit comes through, on the left, down the yellow line and then traffic got too heavy, so he started going the wrong way in the other lane. I wanted to sink in my seat since my car has a big "please be kind to cyclists" bumper sticker.

Personally, I want the local cops to start ticketing the hell out of cyclists. I also support requiring a cyclist license, which has been suggested about 900 times in the local paper.

[Crankin]

I am seeing more and and more new cyclists, who are doing terrible things. These are people obviously commuting to save gas. No helmets, on the wrong side of the road, big giant headphones (I saw that on Tuesday when I rode to my acupuncture appt.). We also have the people who go up between the cars, but generally they have the bike handling skills to do that. My husband does that on his commute; no matter what i say to him, he says why ride if you have to get in the lane with a long line of traffic ? I just forget about it, because no amount of lecturing will change his mind. He does not do it when we ride together.
I think the bike license idea is good! My area already had a ton of cyclists who come out from the city to ride here. Now we have zillions of them!

[NoNo]

I was very concerned about the number of inexperience riders that were going to be on the road, not knowing the rules and potentially causing accidents. Then I fell yesterday (see commuting forum). I can't believe how many people at work were yelling at me for riding in the road! Hello?! I'm a vehicle! I don't belong on the sidewalk! For some reason, I can't get this point across to them. Both sides are responsible. Cyclists need to learn the rules and wear the proper safety gear. Motorists need to learn that cyclists have a right to be on the road. Unfortunately, there are many bad cyclists that don't obey the rules, and so most drivers lump us all together. It's going to be hard to change their opinion, especially with all these new riders flooding the streets.

[chutch]

I do think cyclists who break the law should be ticketed- as we've all said, it will take both sides to reach a happy compromise.

It is really disgusting to see a rider in a team kit doing stupid, irresponsible stuff. Our local college has a few arrogant guys on the cycling team who do ignore the laws and give other cyclists a bad name. I think we are all ambassadors for the sport and if you are decked out in your team/club/shop kit you are responsible for the organization's rep too.