Advocacy & Safety - Saw something that made me cringe

I saw a cyclist do something yesterday that left me scratching my head. My son and I pulled up at a light on the main drag in the business district of a nearby town. Another cyclist, in full roadie regalia, pulled up behind us and waited for the light to change. We all pulled out from the light when it changed. One block later there is another light, but my son and I were headed for the Starbucks on the near corner, so we pulled off before the light. The other rider, though, apparently intended to go straight. There is technically only one lane at the light, but people often use the curb lane to turn right on red. Instead of either pulling in behind the cars waiting at the light or using the curb lane, this guy crossed to the center of the road between the first and second cars, rode around the driver's side of the first car, and pulled directly in front of the car. After the light changed, he made a wobbly start and did not move to the right until a good bit past the intersection. The driver of the car, probably an impatient type to begin with, was not amused. He laid on the horn until the cyclist drifted over to the right and then stomped his accelerator, squealing his tires, obviously to show how manly and manful he was.

Although the behavior of the car driver was hotheaded and unecessary, the cyclist's behavior was downright embarrassing. What a world! What a world!

Yup, sometimes bike riders are victims of bad automobile drivers. Other times, they are victims of themselves.

I see things like this all the time. When one of us dose something stupid like that it makes us all look like a bunch of loose screws. Riders ***** about drivers and drivers ***** about riders and each with good cause.

But one day as I was driving (head hung in shame) home from work I saw a rider in shop colors "blow" a light. He was nealy hit by two cars, then the rider turned and gave the ole one finger wave. Very rude, and not called for.

I expect to see kids do dumb things, and when I see them I give them lots of room. But when adults do stupid things like this. What will driver think of us? Makes me want to whip them with a inner tube...

I used to like large group rides, but after seeing how some people ride in traffic....:eek:

Originally posted by bentbaggerlen
I see things like this all the time. When one of us dose something stupid like that it makes us all look like a bunch of loose screws. Riders ***** about drivers and drivers ***** about riders and each with good cause.

But one day as I was driving (head hung in shame) home from work I saw a rider in shop colors "blow" a light. He was nealy hit by two cars, then the rider turned and gave the ole one finger wave. Very rude, and not called for.

I expect to see kids do dumb things, and when I see them I give them lots of room. But when adults do stupid things like this. What will driver think of us? Makes me want to whip them with a inner tube...

I used to like large group rides, but after seeing how some people ride in traffic....:eek:
You took the words right out of my mouth. So many people, so little self-discipline... :irritated

OH! Sorry all! I see I had been censored, that's fine community standards and all. I completely understand. :o

I rarely see cyclists break the laws. This is mainly because I am almost the only cyclist I usually see on the road.

When I see cyclists run the light, it makes me mad because they get a major lead on me after I stop for the light.

:irritated