General Cycling Discussion - stupid kids on bikes

So I am driving home from the shop tonight, feeling good about today being payday when I see a couple of kids on bmx bikes riding down the street.

Normally, when I see kids on bikes I smile and give them a thumbs up. but these two morons were cruising down the street at 8:30 p.m. So it is dark out, the street is poorly lit and they were lucky that I spotted the ONE reflector one kid had on his pedal. Not to mention the fact that these two were weaving in and out of the oncoming lane of traffic!!! They were doing what most people typically do, which is ride against the flow of traffic.

So I flash my high beams so maybe they'll stop weaving, when one of them shoots the finger at me.

I've got the top down on the Jeep so I tell them to that they should ride with lights if they want to ride at night and that they should ride with the flow of traffic.

How is my concern for their safety met? With a slew of obscenities!!!



WTF is going on with these friggin' kids these days? Is it just me or has anyone else come across this kind of thing???

:mad: :mad: :mad:

Until they have had a few close calls they think they are immortal - it's nothing new.

BMX punks. I know from experience, my little brother is their leader. He has calmed down since I found him in a heap next to his bike on the side of the road. He had a minor concussion, he still has no idea if he fell, if he was hit by a car, or just passed out.

-Middi-zon

Even with the rude reception you got, lonestarcyclist, don't give up trying to help kids. If you talking to them keeps even ONE KID somewhere down the line from getting hurt, it will be worth it.

Keep it up!

:thumbup:

Lady Jane's remarks are right on target - gets a bit tougher when you face this daily on the roads or in some of our classrooms.

I never know what to do when I see stupidity on a bike so I usually just ignore them or give them a disapproving head shake. Most people don't like to be told what to do especially by a complete stranger. The last thing you want to do is feed their defiance. The other day I saw a mother and her young son biking against the flow of traffic and hiding behind a parked car to let traffic pass in my own neighborhood. I really wanted to say something then but it could be even worse to question a mother's parenting skills. I think the best thing to do is set a good example. If they see alot of cyclists travelling with the flow of traffic, obeying laws, being safe it will be more inspiration than a lecture from Joe Schmoe.

The BMX crowd seems to be the anti-social wing of the cycling spectrum. I'm surprised the snot-nosed twerp didn't yell a predictable obscenity at you...

It seems to be a new thing,going against traffic the last few years.I've said things on the bike path and either get the same result or a clueless look and they just keep going.I dont understand it.Tickets would help but most the kids dont have ID so the cops dont bother.

When I encounter this while cycling, I ride close to the curb to force them out!

Originally posted by lonestarcyclist
WTF is going on with these friggin' kids these days? Is it just me or has anyone else come across this kind of thing???

They sell bikes to idiots too. That's my quick and dirty explanation. I wouldn't read much more into it than that, really.

Another thing--BMX and BMX bikes encourage stupid riding. They are imitation stunt motorcycles, phony motor vehicles NOT real human-powered vehicles. The BMX culture does not value riding as part of traffic, does not acknowledge the notions of riding either for speed combined with distance or as part of the flow of other traffic. BMX makes bicycle riders stupid; it was the lobotomization of American cycling.

It's not just kids. Commuting back and forth to work every day in the Boston area I see people of all ages riding against traffic, without helmets, without lights, carrying cups of coffee, talking on cellphones, wearing headphones, etc... on bikes.

Just yesterday I saw a father riding his bike down Massachusetts Avenue (the main street through town) with his daughter sitting sideways on the rear rack holding on to him.... aiee!

some kids are just stupid and rude and there isn't anything that can be done short of a nice @ss whoopin' :-) Don't get me wrong, I'm not stereotyping all kids...I have come across many fine youngin's on the trails.

The other day I was called a rather lewd name by some kids in a car driving by as I was riding...man, i was pissed! I sped up to catch them at the next light...just to see if I was still a "lewd name" when I was right there next to them and not on the side of the street on my bike...being the punks that I had suspected, they sped off as I rode up along side of them. I think that made me even more mad as they were "tough" enough to call me a name driving by, but not "tough" enough to call me the name to my face. Sorry...I didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but it really got me fired up.

Same thing happened to me last week djpluv. I just had to think, "what a bunch of cowards!". I was waiting for the light to turn green and I was in the straight ahead lane, they were in the turn lane. They could have said it to me at any time, but they waited until they were almost through their turn. How do some people live with themselves? If I was that cowardly I would feel like a total loser. Maybe it's the fact that they don't stick around for any feedback on their actions that they don't realize they are being cowards. There, I've said coward three times, I feel much better. Thanks for letting me vent!

Don't know about BMXers, but most roadies (including myself) automatically assume any communication from a motorist is hostile. Usually, it is.

I sometimes see a kid with the helmet strapped to the handlebars or backpack. I usually say something like "Hey, nice helmet. Doesn't work if you don't put it on your head!" I try to keep it light, give them a smile and tap my own helmet. (Of course, under my breath I usually add "Dumbass!":p )

I figure that if enough adults yell at these kids, eventually one of them might actually put his helmet on. Or I'm just a prematurely cranky old man (to them).

BMX makes bicycle riders stupid; it was the lobotomization of American cycling.

Bright and insightful, give the man a cigar. (http://www.brianlopes.com/profile.htm)

Don't forget Tomac. (http://www.tomac.com/english/html/info/john_bio.html)

At least the kids were riding their bikes rather than driving a fricking Jeep.

I use to be just like them when I was younger(15yrs ago) on my BMX bike. So I don't give them a second thought. They'll grow up sometime.

Originally posted by Rotifer
At least the kids were riding their bikes rather than driving a fricking Jeep.


Very nice, Rotifer. What exactly was your point? Knocking my choice of vehicle? Think that I should have been riding my bike as well? Or was it just a shot at me in general?

Do tell, as I am dying to hear your brilliant insight.

You're right, I shouldn't have said anything about your Jeep. The tone the thread was developing hacked me off, neither do I like it when upright riders slam recumbent riders, xc riders slam dh'rs, etc. - ignorance, in short. Picture yourself, though , leaning out of a topless (probably sharp looking) jeep yelling (?) something unintelligible. I probably would have flipped you the finger as well. Is that brilliant enough for you?

:cheers:

Sharp, perhaps.

I did slow down enough for them not only to understand me but also for me to smell that they were in desperate need of a shower.

I appreciate your clarification.

"At least the kids were riding their bikes rather than driving a fricking Jeep."

That was going to be my response as well.

Everytime someone (knowing the amount of biking I do) talks to me about morons like this, I always say that at least they're not exibitting the same behaviour in a car and killing innocent victims.

Hey, young males sometimes need a gentle nudge toward the deodorized world.

When I moved to my new neighborhood the BMX kids were going to ride down a huge dirt pile, which was basically vertical. I was out working in the yard and shouted them some pointers so that I would not have to go over and scrap their bodies off the ground. (Just a note: The pile was 10% dirt and 90% shale (Rock)) I told them to push the bike out in front of them with their butt over the rear wheel. Well shortly after I heard "What do you know old man?” Well at the time I was 26 yrs old so being called an old man sort of pissed me off. I went in the house to the basement and got out my Trek 990. (I'm a roadie, but the dirt still calls me) I proceeded to put my Mtn shoes on and coast out onto the driveway. None of them had gone down the hill yet. It turns out they had big mouths, but were too afraid of the drop. They proceeded to yell things like "You are too old to ever climb this hill" So I climbed the hill. Once at the top they were silent. I proceeded to ride down the ledge butt over the rear wheel and pedal away. They never called me the old man again.

Last summer they started begging me to race them. So I did. My neighbors must think I am nuts racing a bunch of kids. Then they started coming to my door asking if I would come out and ride. My wife laughs every time they come to the door because it's like she has a 12 yr old kid. They even taunt me when I am outside in the yard. I've found that now when I give them pointers safety or otherwise they seem to listen. Maybe now I can teach them to respect the elderly like me.

P.S. Since I have been training this year I look forward to them coming to the door. :D

IT's not just BMXers, but a lot of kids in general- they seem to totally disregard everything around them. Last year, we were riding behind some teenage girl on a bike and suddenly she just turns off left without even signalling! When we called her on it all she said was SORRY. Dumb idiot. And I see kids riding their bikes right out into traffic, weaving in and out of pedestrians on sidewalks. Doesn't anyone teach them basic safety? BMXers are a problem too. I think BMX parks are a good idea, though, there should be more of them- it's safer for everyone and I am impressed with what some of those kids do! I look at it this way, at least the kids are out on bikes and doing stuff instead of sitting at home playing with video games or watching tv. Whenever I see kids on bikes I always wave at them, but I agree, a lot of them should know better.

To the person who commented that BMX riders are stupid, [insert generic insult here].
How about a mature insightful response next time? I don't ride BMX (at least not since I was 15) but there's no reason to make generalizations.

Everbody,slow down,some of us,and me,i think our age is showing.Just for a second think about what you did as a kid.If you can't think of some of the crap you did,well.If you did do anything,BORING.They piss me off to but thats what kids do.No a days they just have more balls then we did and we had more then or parents and so on and so on.They still piss me off.LOL

If we would all remember back to the day (not too long ago for me) we might recall not being much brighter or appreciative of criticism ourselves (although I doubt many of us would have been quite so insolent to wave the bird). It's not as much "kids these days" as it is "kids who parents don't teach them." Hopefully their learning how to listen will come soon and easily, but not everyone is lucky.
In addition, BMX has more of a reputation, especially among younger riders, as an extreme sport, and therefore attracts some of the more extreme riders.
One last interesting thought... I've noticed that a lot of pedestrians walk with the flow of traffic when there is no sidewalk, and a lot of cyclists ride against the flow of traffic, which is exactly backwards, so it is more surprising when I see adults doing it!

Before people complain too much about kids on bikes riding against the flow of traffic or weaving in and out of traffic or riding on the footpath or whatever. I would first suggest a call to your local "bicycle safety officer". It's more than probable that this sort of behaviour is being widely encouraged "in the interests of safety".

I don't ride BMX (at least not since I was 15)

I think this is where the problem lays. Most BMX'ers are around age 15. Most 15-yearolds are dumb@$$es. Probably is a connection here somewhere........

I don't get the BMX thing as it arrived here too late for me, but my nephew rides his all the time. I'm amazed at his control and ability.

Ok you can't go far or fast on a BMX but hey, it's better than sitting in front of the tube or hanging about on corners.

Having said that some I've seen do take lot's of risks near traffic and pedestrians.

Whenever I see a teenager on a BMX, the roadie snob in me is always tempted to yell "Hey, does your little brother know you stole his bike?" :p

But now that I think about it, that would be stupid of me. Those kids are on bikes and enjoying life and breathing the fresh air. Just like me.

We have a big BMX crew in town (which hosts the BMX world champinchips). Most of them are OK and they have pretty good bike handling skills, but are severly lacking in road sense. The top BMX champion rider was killed on a motor scooter, but no-one knows how or why.
Ive seen 2 pieces of totally moronic riding. One guy rides across a road at night without looking, into the path of a woman on a bike, who has a big truck on her tail. She had to swerve to avoid him, and almost came off under the truck.
Another BMX rider comes out of a junction as a large truck is passing, he slots in UNDERNEATH the truck and rides for about 30yards just infront of the rear wheels of the truck.

They all think that road safety is UNCOOL, and are deaf to any suggestions. It is not specifically BMX riders, but all teenage boys who are defective in this department. I once suggested to a teenage MTB rider that the quick-release lever of his wheel was unlocked, and he told me to go forth and multiply.

I have nothing at all against BMXers, in fact I'm all for it and have nothing but admiration for anyone who can do that stuff! However, doing it in the midst of traffic is probably not the best idea and is a danger to everyone involved. Also, BMXers think roadies are snobs and that we all look down on them. I think if they know that you don't have that attitude, they're less likely to be rude and insulting. Our neighbor actually works at the local BMX park, even though he himself isn't into bikes. One day we dropped by on the way home from a ride, and they were having some kind of competition. It was great fun to watch. I thought the kids would think "oh, look at the roadies" but instead they were really impressed and said, "hey nice bikes" and were amazed at how light our bikes were. But if they want to endanger themselves on the road, that's their business- I'm all for them getting exercise but if they're going to be stupid, that's their problem.

Ohhhh the little darlings of today lol!!!!

Maybe I'll start yelling "Hey, I hope you filled out your organ donor card!"

(Not that they'll have any clue what I'm talking about....)

Originally posted by caloso
Maybe I'll start yelling "Hey, I hope you filled out your organ donor card!"

As I said before, there's no point yelling at the kids about this one, it simply won't solve the problem. You need to attack the cause and not the sympton, this means yelling at those responsible for teaching kids to ride in your area. As I mentioned before, some of the behaviour they encourage from children is nothing short of ridiculous.

They do want they want by this age.We teach them right and they do what they want.They are kids.

Im sure none of you can beat this
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_367407.html

for a "stupid kids on bikes" story.
On a positive note, at least they showed some curiousity. They have the makings of fine engineers or scientists.

That's it, kids just think they are invincible and nothing will ever happen to them. We thought the same way. Now, after crashes and accidents, we all know better. They'll have to learn like everyone else. It's like smoking. Teens continue to smoke in spite of everything and then wish they hadn't started. Hey, at least BMXing is less deadly!

4 lb. of gunpowder???!!!!

Man, now that is stupid!!

Originally posted by Chris L
As I said before, there's no point yelling at the kids about this one, it simply won't solve the problem. You need to attack the cause and not the sympton, this means yelling at those responsible for teaching kids to ride in your area. As I mentioned before, some of the behaviour they encourage from children is nothing short of ridiculous.

Yeah, you're right. I'll yell, "Hey, kid! Go tell your parents that I hope you filled out your donor card!"

:p

Re the bikebomb, those kids have no imagination. They should have filled the top tube, drilled out the back, and attached a nozzle. Then you'd have something!

Originally posted by D*Alex
4 lb. of gunpowder???!!!!

Man, now that is stupid!!

That reminds me of a few years ago when bikes were banned from an area of London (was it Picadilly Square?) because the IRA were doing the same thing to bikes, parking them in the area and setting off the explosives remotely.

No they were not. Bicycles have hardly ever been used by the IRA as a delivery vehicle for their bombs and never in London. Bikes are banned from the whole of the Whitehall area of central London (govt offices) for reasons of general paranoia. Any left chained to a railing are quickly removed by the police and taken to a storage basement deep within one of the police stations of central London.
The usual delivery vehicle for the IRA munitions are cars and trucks, or bags.
According to UK palimentary records
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199394/cmhansrd/1994-07-08/Writtens-1.html

"
Mr. Robathan : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions bicycles have been found to contain illegal explosive devices for the use of terrorists, on the mainland of Great Britain.

Mr. Howard : The available records indicate that there have been two explosions in Great Britain involving bicycle bombs : in 1939 an IRA bicycle bomb exploded in Coventry killing five people and in 1979 a bomb exploded in a mailbag on a postman's bicycle in Streatley, Berkshire. Since then there have been three occasions when Irish Republican terrorists are believed to have been responsible for bicycle bomb attacks elsewhere, twice in Northern Ireland and once at a British military installation in Germany.

"

Originally posted by MichaelW
No they were not. Bicycles have hardly ever been used by the IRA as a delivery vehicle for their bombs and never in London. Bikes are banned from the whole of the Whitehall area of central London (govt offices) for reasons of general paranoia.
"

Thanks for the clarification!:)

I tried to remember instead of doing due dilligence and I see from the date (1994) from the link, it was too long ago to rely on my memory alone.:(

I think we should go back and reread RunYun's post because there's a valuable thing going there...to paraphrase, he got sassed in his yard for giving riding advice to some neighbor kids, and proceeded to hop on his bike and "back up" what he'd said. The kids then had some respect for him. Most of the time, unless you are on your bike when you give pointers, young kids see us as just a bunch of adults being bossy from the comfort of a passing car or while walking the dog and probably have no clue that we are bike nuts just like them. One time I got mouthed by some local 16-18 year-olds on BMXs as I came through a small town. I had just ridden close to 30 miles in a headwind and I was hardly fresh, but I was feeling ornery and I knew I had them and hollered back "Is that ALL you GOT??!!" I think they were a bit surprised, but they took off with me anyway. It was geat to see them begin dropping off, but the real victory came about a week later when I saw them again at the "hangout". I was thinking oh boy, what's going to happen here...and instead of mouthing me they flashed me a peace sign. Since then a few of them have even stopped me to ask about bike parts and so on.
On a related note some say that there's a big rift between the roadies and the BMXers, or the fat tire MTBs or whatever and to a degree this might be true, but when it comes down to it we all just love flying along on two wheels under our own legpower, right?

Originally posted by psycholist
...to paraphrase, he got sassed in his yard for giving riding advice to some neighbor kids, and proceeded to hop on his bike and "back up" what he'd said.

...but I was feeling ornery and I knew I had them and hollered back "Is that ALL you GOT??!!"

Sorry, but to get into any sort of verbal altercation with some kid is dumb. To egg one on or to 'back up' what you say is just immature.

Adults are supposed to act more mature than kids, not sink to their level of behavior.

There seems to be a general consensus that all adolescent teenagers are idiots, *******s, have no road sense and don't listen to what they are told! Being a 16y/o roadie, I highly resent this! I am currently riding just under 300km/week on the road, some of it on roads with 40,000cars/day or so. I know what I am doing thank you very much!

Brendon
:crash: :crash: :crash:

Well Jatkins, all I can say is that you can rest easy in knowing that I'm not usually prone to random acts of cycling immaturity. I do know that if I approached one of these youngsters now and mentioned their need to ride with a helmet or lights at night or etc.,, they would probably listen to me--that makes it worth it, doesn't it?


In most cases of verbal abuse, whether it's kids or older people, I guess trying to ignore things and ride on is the best solution.
So what would you have done?

Originally posted by NZLcyclist
There seems to be a general consensus that all adolescent teenagers are idiots, *******s, have no road sense and don't listen to what they are told!

I think this is the whole issue here. Again, I ask, how many of these kids have actually been instructed to ride this way. If you contact your local "bicycle safety officer", I would suggest you'd be surprised just how high that number actually is.