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"by going slower than the traffic behind them and holding up cars in traffic, or forcing them to merge into the left lane."
Do people seriously think that a cyclist, riding safely and properly and occasionally moving aside to allow traffic to pass them is really "CAUSING" accidents?
How do you deal with the fervent anti-cyclists out there? I don't really encounter that many on the road, but I have...
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"by going slower than the traffic behind them and holding up cars in traffic, or forcing them to merge into the left lane."
Do people seriously think that a cyclist, riding safely and properly and occasionally moving aside to allow traffic to pass them is really "CAUSING" accidents?
How do you deal with the fervent anti-cyclists out there? I don't really encounter that many on the road, but I have...
I ignore them.
"by going slower than the traffic behind them and holding up cars in traffic, or forcing them to merge into the left lane."
No-one's 'forcing' them to do anything. If they're too impatient to pass safely, that's hardly the cyclists fault. It's their own impatience that causes 'accidents', but their ego demands a scapegoat.
same way that I deal with all the other idiots life gives us as a daily gift.
Provoke, then mock.
same way that I deal with all the other idiots life gives us as a daily gift.
Provoke, then mock.
abso-f***ing-lutely
"Cause" in what sense? But for the presence of a slow vehicle (my little truck will count as well, or anyone actually driving the speed limit) the faster vehicle would not have moved into a dangerous position. So a slow vehicle is part of the cause of a problem.
Or "cause" as in legally responsible for? Unless breaking the law or violating other duty a cyclist or me in my truck isn't legally responsible for incidents generated by overtaking drivers.
So I would say that my presence has often nearly "caused" accidents in a "but for my presence" sense, but that I haven't been legally responsible for the incidents.
I just figure I'll eventually see some horrific head on collision and have to deal with that. I've worked lots of collisions and have seen many dead and splattered folks, so I can probably handle it.
I ignore them.
Yep. Sounds like the OP read that quote in some tabloid newspaper somewhere that's more interested in increasing it's circulation figures than publishing anything moderately factual or intelligent. Ignoring them (thus depriving them of what they're looking for) is the best response.
same way that I deal with all the other idiots life gives us as a daily gift.
Provoke, then mock.
You are a masterful linguist !!!
Thanks for making me smile !
Some people just have an irrational hate/fear of cyclists and since its irrational, there's no real point in trying to argue against their misconception that cyclists cause accidents. When someone is at that unreasoning level, its human nature to accuse the object of their fear/hatred as the cause of the problem.
Its similar to the wife beater saying, "She made me hit her, why did she make me hit her?"
Tangentially, the OP does bring up a good point, why do cars hate/fear cyclists. If we can understand the hate/fear, then we can begin to change drivers attitudes.
Tangentially, the OP does bring up a good point, why do cars hate/fear cyclists. If we can understand the hate/fear, then we can begin to change drivers attitudes.
"Cars" hate/fear cyclists... cute. Maybe the "cars" know whey they are eventually crushed they are turned into razor blades and bicycles.
The real question is why HUMAN motorists have such animosity toward HUMAN cyclists.
I heard rain causes accidents by making the road too slippery to go really fast on.
So I would say that my presence has often nearly "caused" accidents in a "but for my presence" sense, but that I haven't been legally responsible for the incidents.
Right -- that's why I really try to avoid impeding traffic. Drivers trying to move around a slower vehicle also have to try using their worst view -- behind & to the side -- to try to find a clear space. Then, the drivers behind & to the side end up trying to either squeeze past or get mad at the first driver, saying that they "cut me off".
Does the situation create accidents? Maybe. Does it aggravate people? Definitely. That's why they want us off the roads.
Don't forget what it's like to be a cager.
... why do cars hate/fear cyclists.
Maybe from seeing so many of them acting recklessly on the road?
Maybe from seeing so many of them acting recklessly on the road?
I don't agree with you that there are many reckless riders on the road.
I just wonder what percentage of cyclists are doing something really reckless on the road. Certainly no higher than the percentage of cars acting recklessly.
I will say from my experience riding in Miami, where the roads are especially crazy, that I don't really see many reckless cyclists. Wrong way riders, sidewalk riders, people riding different from me, but reckless, unpredictable riders, very few.
It makes sense that there would be few reckless cyclists. Darwin is especially good in weeding out the unfit cyclist in a bicycle/car environment. The reckless just won't be around for long.
I will say from my experience riding in Miami, where the roads are especially crazy, that I don't really see many reckless cyclists. Wrong way riders, sidewalk riders, people riding different from me, but reckless, unpredictable riders, very few.
But those wrong-way riders, sidewalk riders, and people riding different from you are all behaving unpredictably -- therefore they meet the broader definition of "reckless".
It makes sense that there would be few reckless cyclists. Darwin is especially good in weeding out the unfit cyclist in a bicycle/car environment. The reckless just won't be around for long.
There will always be more reckless/unpredictable cyclists to replace the ones that die off or learn their lessons.
"by going slower than the traffic behind them and holding up cars in traffic, or forcing them to merge into the left lane."
Here's the problem.
If you get rid of the strip in the middle of the road, the problem goes away because there is no more right and left lane. After repaving a two way street, traffic rolled around me quite smoothly due to the fact they did not draw the dual line down the middle of the road. The road therefore, belonged to everyone and no one was restricted to using one side of the road.
Some people just have an irrational hate/fear of cyclists and since its irrational, there's no real point in trying to argue against their misconception that cyclists cause accidents. When someone is at that unreasoning level, its human nature to accuse the object of their fear/hatred as the cause of the problem.
Its similar to the wife beater saying, "She made me hit her, why did she make me hit her?"
Tangentially, the OP does bring up a good point, why do cars hate/fear cyclists. If we can understand the hate/fear, then we can begin to change drivers attitudes.
I don't see that cars (or their drivers) hate cyclists. There are a few ignorant, aggressive, problem drivers out there, but, in my experience, car drivers do not hate cyclists. The OP's quote is probably not a quote at all, just something he/she made up to start yet another abstract discussion here that has little to do with reality.
Caruso
It's a lot of folly. The general priciple of law is that the vehile with the greatest potential for damage has the greatest obligation to err on the side of safety. A few generations ago, it was emphasised by DMV. It was called "defensive driving'. I recall having to view a film that placed me in a number of driving scenario and being asked what I could do to prevent a possible accident. (For example, driving along local street where children are playing on the sidewalk. Defensive driving dictates that I slow down and keep an eye on the kids as I pass with caution). Unfortunately, it is no longer pushed and as a result many motorists speed on local streets; posture agressively by pulling to within inches of your bumper when you are not driving fast enough for them, etc. That's why in many local municipalities motorists must yield to pedestrians in the street even if they are jay-walking.
The general priciple applies to motoritst-cyclist interactions as well. The motorist must take "reasonable care" in the presence of cyclists on the same road. Failure or refusal to do this on the part of the motorist; or flat-out road rage is usually the cause of unfortunate encounters.
Of course this does not give the cyclist a right to behave unreasonably on the road either. In short, no. Cyclists do not "cause" accidents in general. Usually it is inpatience or inattentiveness on the part of the mototist. Although, sometimes it is the fault of the cyclist.
But those wrong-way riders, sidewalk riders, and people riding different from you are all behaving unpredictably -- therefore they meet the broader definition of "reckless".
There will always be more reckless/unpredictable cyclists to replace the ones that die off or learn their lessons.
Not quite, but you did hint at your bottom line: Cyclists who ride differently than you (and those who don't fit your approved profile) are "reckless." And you and your fellow cyclists on that high horse are just the type of characters to nod in agreement with the dopey/smug statement the OP questioned.
People do come out with these strange statements. My dad says:
"People who drive slowly cause accidents, because they force other people to overtake them recklessly." (presumably with their majik mind control powers).
It's not dissimilar to the: "That woman caused the man to become a rapist because she was dressed provocatively."
Both statements/beliefs are obviously complete nonsense, but even intelligent people seem to switch off their minds at times.
Both statements/beliefs are obviously complete nonsense, but even intelligent people seem to switch off their minds at times.
Remember how non-intelligent most people are (half of 'em are dumber than average ;) ), then imagine what they're like when they switch off.
Oi...
How about "accidents cause cyclists" - particularly when people see just how much death/injuries/property damage are caused by car accidents. Suspended licences also probably cause some people to cycle as well.
How about "accidents cause cyclists" - particularly when people see just how much death/injuries/property damage are caused by car accidents.
Ya think? I doubt if there is a grain of truth in such a statement.
I don't see that cars (or their drivers) hate cyclists. There are a few ignorant, aggressive, problem drivers out there, but, in my experience, car drivers do not hate cyclists. The OP's quote is probably not a quote at all, just something he/she made up to start yet another abstract discussion here that has little to do with reality.
Caruso
actually, it was a quote from another forum I post on where I was trying to tell a particularly idiotic individual the following:
having to pass a slower moving vehicle is not endangering you. Changing lanes is not danger, it is a normal part of driving that you are expected to be able to perform in order to have a driver's license.
If you cannot safely change lanes around a slower vehicle, or other drivers will not allow you to change lanes safely, you do not deserve to have a driver's license.
I say this as the owner of 1 race car, luxury car, and a sport sedan who participates in motorsports events AS WELL as an avid cyclist.
My passion for driving is only slightly beaten by my passion for riding, but it makes me sad that drivers in the states have such WIDE lanes and yet still can't imagine HOW to safely pass a cyclist.
In Japan we had narrow roads and people didn't have a problem passing me as I rode my bicycle to the left (remember they drive on the other side).
How's that for the "Asian people can't drive" stereotype (but seriously, the drivers there were crazy and tons of accidents, but they never hit cyclists, at least)
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