Commuting - Aggressive commuters?

Are bicycle commuters more more passionate about road-rights issues than non-commuting cyclists? Are we more likely to shout, "Yeah, come on back over here and let's talk about it!" even though we might be a mouse railing against an elephant?

I don't know.

Don't bicycle commuters typically cycle in the most densely trafficked areas of the city during the busiest hours of the day? Non-commuting cyclists have their choice of roads or trails, often preferring to drive away from the city to cycle where traffic is sparse.

If these assumptions are true, is that why I am a little crazy? (Please, take your time to answer this...)


:o

It seems to me that anybody who commutes even a few times will have a different outlook on road-rights issues from somebody who only transports his or her bike to a suburban bike trail and rides it once or twice around the trail among all the pretty twittering birds and beautiful flowers and lovely sunshine once a week--or once a year.

I think commuters are generally less keen on bike paths than leisure cyclists. Sharing a path with pedestrians isn't too bad if you're on a leisurely day out and don't mind pottering along at six miles an hour. Commuters want to be doing twice that speed....

Having said that if I lived in Whitstable I'd commute almost all the way on the Sustrans path rather than the road, the short section I sometimes use on one of my commute routes is extremely pleasant cycling.

Richard

Originally posted by Richard D
I think commuters are generally less keen on bike paths than leisure cyclists.

Commuters are less keen on bike paths because they see the bike as serious transport as opposed to a toy. If you commute on the bike paths in this part of the world, you won't get to work on time. What is the point in that?

Originally posted by Pete Clark
"Yeah, come on back over here and let's talk about it!" even though we might be a mouse railing against an elephant?

:o

I think you are right. I'm pretty assertive as a commuter as it makes my intentions clear to motorists but this shifts to aggression (I know I shouldn't let it get to me but it does) if given the chance.

This is partly a reaction to having been seriously injured by a motorist( while I was on my motorbike) and partly because I feel that society puts pressure on us to give in and commute the way the "normal" people do.

As to your quote, just last night I was tapped by a teenager in a group of 6 or 7 as I cycled past on the footpath/cycleway. I locked up the back brake and turned round to challenge them. as usual there was much mumbling and buck passing before the one who did it apologised.

Trouble is, I know one day I'm going to do it and get a right good kicking (as we say in these parts)

Originally posted by chewa


I think you are right. I'm pretty assertive as a commuter as it makes my intentions clear to motorists but this shifts to aggression (I know I shouldn't let it get to me but it does) if given the chance.
.....

Trouble is, I know one day I'm going to do it and get a right good kicking (as we say in these parts)

I confess to having stood my ground on the bike when a motorist has tried to ignore my right of way. Hopefully I'll always judge whether they might just run straight into me or not...

Richard

Its all about passion. Needless to say, the people in these forums are passionate about cycling and anything to do with it. Commuting is done for a number of reasons, health, necessity (carless), monetary etc. But it is mainly done by people on these forums because we love biking, so we chose to spend as much time as we can on our trusty steeds. It gets to a point where we become professional commuters (unlike your average car-driver) so it therefore follows that if some knob-jockey in a Merc cuts you up (like they do), then you get annoyed.

Other non-commuting cyclists may also enjoy getting out and about, but I think that they would not be as passionate as some of us perhaps. They obviously wouldn't experience the daily escapades of your average commuter, so I don't think they will be likely to involve themselves in road-rights issues.

Commuting by bike can be done by virtually everyone, but not everyone will become passionate about it. It takes a special kind of person......

You know who you are.

Originally posted by JonR
It seems to me that anybody who commutes even a few times will have a different outlook on road-rights issues from somebody who only transports his or her bike to a suburban bike trail and rides it once or twice around the trail among all the pretty twittering birds and beautiful flowers and lovely sunshine once a week--or once a year.
Jon, that doesn't sound too bad...

;)

We are not only passionate because we like cycling, but because a mistake by a driver (or ourselves) can maim or kill us, but not likely the driver. We have to constantly be aware of them, but they hardly pay us my attention. That's why I use the bike path if possible. Less intersections - which keeps me rolling and less chance of conflict, and not many people on the path that early - especially in the winter and especially in the mornings.

If I have to slow down for another path user, so be it. They have a right to be there too, I figure. The vast majority keep in their lane and present no problem. I usually say hi or give them a wave and get back up to speed. Cranking and feeling good.../Ken

I'm an agressive commuter, and I'll admit it openly. I got honked at TWICE this morning in the span of one minute. The line of traffic behind me was quite long, and the idiots were too scared to pass me. The first guy honked at me in a rude way. I flashed him a hand signature that was nasty, but it wasn't the middle finger. My Brazilian friend taught me a sign that in Brazil means "you are an A-hole!" It is the okay sign that we use so much in the states, only upside down.
Motorists who I flash that sign to don't really know what it means, and that is okay with me; I know what it means!
I'm just trying to get to work alive. I'm sorry that I get worked up about it.

Originally posted by A F Baker
I'm an agressive commuter, and I'll admit it openly. I got honked at TWICE this morning in the span of one minute
We have our revenge. When we get on the elevator and everyone else is struggling with their health while we are just thrilled with how simple it is and how good it feels.

Especially after a good ride. :D

Anyway, what kind of person honks at a cyclist?

This is tough to answer.

:(

Anyway, keep on the bright side! :)

Originally posted by A F Baker

I'm just trying to get to work alive. I'm sorry that I get worked up about it.

How exactly is giving a "hand signal" of any kind going to get you to work alive? I hear this comment all the time and I'm yet to understand it. Maybe someone can fill me in here.


Originally posted by Pete Clark

Anyway, what kind of person honks at a cyclist?

We've answered that one already. They are not people, they are motoring primates. An entirely different species as far as I'm concerned.

You're right Chris. The hand sign will not get me to work alive.
Being agressive will not get me to work alive. Being non-agressive will not get me to work alive. Riding a bike will not get me to work alive. Driving a car will not get me to work alive.
I will get me to work alive. When it is my time to go, it doesn't matter if I'm riding a bike or laying on the couch; it will be my time to go.