One Reason Cyclists Are Disliked

[Crankin]

I so agree. I pretty much have stopped going on group rides, except for the ones I lead, or with leaders I know. Otherwise, I ride alone, with my dh, or just a few friends. I always say something when I observe bad cyclist behavior! It probably just makes me feel better, but, hey.

[ny biker]

It's not just group rides. I have a favorite training route that is good for long rides by myself, and is popular with many cyclists. I used to think that popularity was a good thing, because if I had a mechical problem there were lots of other folks around who might be able to help. But last year I was so angry at all the idiots around me who were blowing through stop signs and stoplights, that I've decided to find a different training route with fewer cyclists.

I try to tell myself that I shouldn't waste anger on other people, but the fact is that they do affect me because they're the reason so many drivers hate cyclists.

I'm especially appalled at the number of cyclists who don't even look for oncoming traffic at intersections.

I've also quit a local cycling forum because there were too many members who thought that they were too good to stop at stop signs and who felt that it was perfectly okay to be rude to the other users of the road just because those other people were driving cars and trucks.

If I'm on a group ride with people running stop signs and red lights, I just say, it's not worth dying over, and I stop. I don't care if I fall behind.

[Thorn]

If I'm on a group ride with people running stop signs and red lights, I just say, it's not worth dying over, and I stop. I don't care if I fall behind.

Yep.

We have a popular starting point that is in the suburbs. It is conveniently located with a nice park and an easy route out into the country side. Right outside of the park you need to cross a highway. There is a stoplight. The stoplight has a pedestrian "press here to trigger the light" *facing* the road, just for cyclists. I've been on group rides where no one paused to press the button--they just ran the light. DH and I stopped and nearly caused a pile up--the light was red, guys. We signaled we were stopping. What more information do you need?

[Pink Diva]

Man, that's just pain scary! I've only ridden on group rides where there was a 'no-drop' policy, but even then every single stop sign and red light was obeyed and every single car coming from in front of the group or behind was announced so we could fall into single file...man, I thought that was just the way you were supposed to ride in a group!

I say if you can't obey the rules and be nice to your fellow cyclists, then you should just stay away from the 'group'! Here's to living in a city where there are more stop signs then cars !

[maillotpois]

One of my best on bike moments this year came a month or two ago. I was meeting a friend and noticed a local race team in front of me. I figured I'd never see them again. Met up with my friend 5 - 8 miles into my ride, and we stopped briefly for a chat and kept going. We came up a series of 2 T-intersection stop signs that cyclists notoriously run - I noticed flashing lights ahead. It was a police car. My first reaction was gut wrenching concern that someone got hit or crashed or something. No. The entire race team, including a couple of friends of mine, were all pulled over for blowing the stop sign. They all got tickets.

So lovely. Especially the teasing afterward.

[Aggie_Ama]

I feel if I am going to drive a car with a bumper sticker that says "Please be kind to cyclists" I better earn that treatment. Drivers think lawlessness is par for the course with cyclists and I view myself as a constant advocate for the right to be on the road. Do I stop completely at signs in the middle of nowhere country when I am turning right and you can't hear a thing but a cow? No. But I do slow to a rolling stop- no blowing through at 15-20mph. I stop and put a foot donw at any stop sign with traffic.

Sure unclipping gets tiring but it was all worth it the day I was at a 3-way intersection most cyclists run. Most chose not to stop because when headed north you have a shoulder and no cross street on your side. On this day, I unclipped for the red light and looked at the woman stopped next to me who smiled and mouthed "thanks". I remember that day from last summer everytime I ride.

Austin and the county have started ticketing. I live in a neighboring county and I wish my county would because I get irked watching my fellow cyclist anger drivers.

[Jolt]

One of my best on bike moments this year came a month or two ago. I was meeting a friend and noticed a local race team in front of me. I figured I'd never see them again. Met up with my friend 5 - 8 miles into my ride, and we stopped briefly for a chat and kept going. We came up a series of 2 T-intersection stop signs that cyclists notoriously run - I noticed flashing lights ahead. It was a police car. My first reaction was gut wrenching concern that someone got hit or crashed or something. No. The entire race team, including a couple of friends of mine, were all pulled over for blowing the stop sign. They all got tickets.

So lovely. Especially the teasing afterward.

That is hilarious!