Jerk Motorcyclist!

[kenyonchris]

Maybe it is something in the air, I was driving down our main street today and a kid on a motorcycle was birddogging the people he was following, weaving in and out of traffic, and generally being an idiot....he nearly ran a little old lady tooling along under speed off the road. I came up beside him (he couldn't get very far very fast, despite his efforts...traffic was heavy) and mouthed, "Knock it off..." and shook my head and gave him the mom frown. He proceeded to then birddog ME...which irritated me to no end...so I did what I have only done once before...I flipped open my badge and ID and held it out the window. That shut him up, and he drove like a human being, at least until I turned off. I hate doing that, when I am off duty I am off duty (I am not one of those gun toting everywhere cops), but this kid was dangerous. And, since only a month ago we sent a kid and his limb to the hospital in two different ambulances after he collided with a minivan, I might have been (at least temporarily) saving him from himself (and those around him from him).
Motorcyclists can be the most courteous on the road, and the most dangerous.

[Biciclista]

generally speaking, motorcyclists, even the bad bad guys have treated me like an ally on the road. except for the one who swore at us and told us to get off the road as we were riding into a state park!
I think his fellow motorcyclists were as surprised as we were.

[Chicken Little]

As I am also a motorcyclist, I would like to personally apologize for my people. I don't know what gets into men. Sorry for the sexism, but the worst part of their gender shows itself straddling a combustion engine.

[tctrek]

There are always a few jerks out there. Just because they are on two wheels doesn't mean they are soul-mates. I've seen cyclists out there that are rude, too. I figure if people want to be ugly and rude that's their business... I just try to keep it all in perspective and not let those folks steal the joy of my ride. Life is too short to dwell on the weirdos out there -- you do have to wonder what kind of miserable life some of them must have, though.

[canonsue]

I am also a motorcyclist. When we ride in a group and pass a bicyclist, the leader always gives the single file signal and we pass with plenty of room.

However, in Colorado, bicyclists generally have a bad reputation for taking up the entire lane. I think that people forget that if you are riding downhill with very steep curves, you need the lane. Also when riding downhill, you are usually going the speed of traffic.

I think the biggest problem is when some bicyclists ride next to each other and will not ride single file when in traffic. That is why we have many signs that tell bicyclists to ride single file. You would think that is common sense.

I agree that there are always a few (motorcyclists and bicyclists) who are jerks.

[Heifzilla]

I was just surprised, that's all. I mean, ok, if you have to nearly run me over when I am on the shoulder when you have an entire freaking lane to ride in to avoid me you already have an issue. But to flip me off for absolutely no reason?

There's no need to apologize for fellow motorcyclists here. In general, most of them are extremely aware and polite to me *because* they have had many experiences with jerk motorists. So believe me, I don't equate all motorcyclists with this one jerk. I also didn't let it ruin my ride, there was no point.

In general, most motorcyclists and motorists in general are very cognizant of the fact that they need to move over when I am on the road. I try to be courteous to them as well. I am a slow rider, so I very rarely take the lane unless I am waiting to make a left turn or I am waiting at a light. And then, once the light has changed, I move myself over to the right as soon as I can because I know that they don't want to be stuck behind pokey, but at least they know I am there at that point because they have been sitting right behind me.

I have seen a lot of jerk bicyclists, too. They take lanes when they are pootling along at 12 mph, flip motorists off that honk at them, and refuse to get out of the way (in situations where they *can* get out of the way...I understand sometimes it is simply not possible: been there, done that). I think it's that kind of "I own the road" attitude that pisses off the motorists. But they need to learn that just as not all motorists are jerks, neither are all cyclists. Treat every situation case by case.

Anyway, I'm over it now and getting ready to do today's ride...with an even bigger Hill Cars around here struggle to get up this Hill. In the winter, you have to be super careful because at the bottom of the Hill ends at a very busy, 55 mph road. We've seen some spectacular wrecks there

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day...and don't forget those who have fallen for our country!

[OakLeaf]

Heif, taking the lane has nothing to do with what speed you're going. (To a Buick going 60 mph, there's not a whole lot of difference between a bicyclist going 12 and a bicyclist going 28, anyhow. ) It has to do with whether the lane can safely be shared with a motor vehicle, or not. If there's no room in the lane for you and a car and three feet between you, TAKE THE LANE, unless you're out on a country road with plenty of visibility (no steep hills or tight turns).

[Eden]

I think the biggest problem is when some bicyclists ride next to each other and will not ride single file when in traffic. That is why we have many signs that tell bicyclists to ride single file. You would think that is common sense.

Careful with statements like that one... as with many traffic laws it depends totally on *where* you are. We don't have a national code for this so individual jurisdictions are free to do what they think is best. In Washington state it is entirely legal to ride two abreast. That doesn't necessarily mean we don't ever think riding single file is the sensical and do it, but being two abreast is not illegal, traffic or no traffic.

[canonsue]

Careful with statements like that one... as with many traffic laws it depends totally on *where* you are. We don't have a national code for this so individual jurisdictions are free to do what they think is best. In Washington state it is entirely legal to ride two abreast. That doesn't necessarily mean we don't ever think riding single file is the sensical and do it, but being two abreast is not illegal, traffic or no traffic.

It is legal here in Colorado as well except where it impedes car traffic. So when cars are present, we are supposed to ride single file. However, for many motorists, two bicyclists riding side by side taking the entire lane seems to just aggravate them to no end. But what they do not understand is that on narrow, curvy roads, they need to be patient as the bicyclist does have a legal right to the lane. And on these types of roads the rider needs the entire lane to ride safely.

And yes, it is legal to use the entire lane on other roads as well. But it is just common courtesy to ride as far to the right as it is safe to do so to allow a car to pass safely.