Advocacy & Safety - Pickup Truck Pissed at Me

Yesterday, I was coming across the dam at 32 mph in a 35 mph zone. Two hicks from Western Tennessee got pissed because I was on the road. The one sticks himself out the window and says "Get you f***ing a$$ off the road and get on the sidewalk." Now I mind to say they were driving a 70's model ford pickup truck. I responded by saying "I would get on the sidewalk if that piece of ***** you all are driving cost more than my bicycle!" That really pissed them both off. The funniest part of all was they hit the gas and he was still hanging out the window looking at me. What more would you expect from a dumb, stupid hick???

While on this subject, the only ones that have ever said anything to me, bad that is, are the "poor class", ones driving beatup cars and trucks. Middle and upper class have never been smart with me and are usually friendly. Granted, I have seen some of them talking about me within their car, but they never openly made a scene or said anything to me. Has anyone else noticed this?

While on this subject, the only ones that have ever said anything to me, bad that is, are the "poor class", ones driving beatup cars and trucks. Middle and upper class have never been smart with me and are usually friendly. Granted, I have seen some of them talking about me within their car, but they never openly made a scene or said anything to me. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yeah, but. It seems like when I ride through the "rougher" neighborhoods the locals are courteous to me.

I thought your post was about something far nastier.:)

man.. this was supposed to be aobut pissin.. where the pissin?!

I rode thru western TN from Land between the lakes all the way into
Mississippi and into Alabama, i had no problem at all, in fact everyone was
very nice...of course they probably recognized me as a "hick" from Kentucky

Yesterday, I was coming across the dam at 32 mph in a 35 mph zone. Two hicks from Western Tennessee got pissed because I was on the road. The one sticks himself out the window and says "Get you f***ing a$$ off the road and get on the sidewalk." Now I mind to say they were driving a 70's model ford pickup truck. I responded by saying "I would get on the sidewalk if that piece of ***** you all are driving cost more than my bicycle!" That really pissed them both off. The funniest part of all was they hit the gas and he was still hanging out the window looking at me. What more would you expect from a dumb, stupid hick???

While on this subject, the only ones that have ever said anything to me, bad that is, are the "poor class", ones driving beatup cars and trucks. Middle and upper class have never been smart with me and are usually friendly. Granted, I have seen some of them talking about me within their car, but they never openly made a scene or said anything to me. Has anyone else noticed this?

I guess I'm lucky, living in the city, I get used to it. I don't even think anything when they lean their horns on me as I take the lane, I mean they do it to everyone. I've seen people yelling at cops, ambulances, the herse...
In situations like yours, I'd just keep going, let them stew in their own ignorance.

While on this subject, the only ones that have ever said anything to me, bad that is, are the "poor class", ones driving beatup cars and trucks. Middle and upper class have never been smart with me and are usually friendly. Granted, I have seen some of them talking about me within their car, but they never openly made a scene or said anything to me. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yesterday I would have agreed with you. Today, I don't.

I had a very positive experience waiting at a red light on my way home from work. This was at an intersection just before going underneath a freeway. 4 lanes, and I was in the second lane from the left, in one of the two left-turn-only lanes. This old, beat up van pulls up in the lane next to me, on the left, and I heard someone shouting. My imidiate reaction was 'great, here we go again'. I turned, and there he was, prototype redneck with his window rolled down (in mid-day Houston heat) talking to me.

Turns out, he was commenting on the storm clouds forming up ahead! He was very friendly, I told him rain doesn't bother me. He said it would interfere with his work, they would have to quit early (doing whatever they were doing). As the light turned green he waved a friendly goodbye and drove off, while I had learned my lesson. Don't judge people prematurely, and don't generalize.

Sverre

what kind of bike do you ride?

I'm still trying to figure out why people here worry so much about verbal motorist abuse.

I consider myself one of those West Tennessee hicks. :p It just so happens that I am also a cyclist. I can say that I do get some flack, but not much. I see the problem here, not where they are from, there driving a Ford! ;) That would be enough to give any hick a complex. There also probably just frustrated trying to drive in Nashville.

I have ridden all over North West Tennessee, South West Kentucky, and East Missouri and have only had an occasional slur barked my way. Most often by teenagers, (not pointing a finger at the teens here) in there testesterone overloaded state. Most of the folk I encounter are great people, sorry you had an Ahole try and ruin your day. :o

I'm still trying to figure out why people here worry so much about verbal motorist abuse. When it reflects obvious lack of knowledge (or worse, "knowledge" of something that's not true) of the laws that govern ALL vehicles ("get...on the sidewalk..."), it's grounds to "worry".

Yesterday I would have agreed with you. Today, I don't.

I had a very positive experience waiting at a red light on my way home from work. This was at an intersection just before going underneath a freeway. 4 lanes, and I was in the second lane from the left, in one of the two left-turn-only lanes. This old, beat up van pulls up in the lane next to me, on the left, and I heard someone shouting. My imidiate reaction was 'great, here we go again'. I turned, and there he was, prototype redneck with his window rolled down (in mid-day Houston heat) talking to me.

Turns out, he was commenting on the storm clouds forming up ahead! He was very friendly, I told him rain doesn't bother me. He said it would interfere with his work, they would have to quit early (doing whatever they were doing). As the light turned green he waved a friendly goodbye and drove off, while I had learned my lesson. Don't judge people prematurely, and don't generalize.

Sverre

I agree and I try not to generalize, but for me, the only ones that have made comments and slurs have been red necks

what kind of bike do you ride?

Cannondale Ironman 800 with aerowheel and cosmic carbone wheel on the front

When it reflects obvious lack of knowledge (or worse, "knowledge" of something that's not true) of the laws that govern ALL vehicles ("get...on the sidewalk..."), it's grounds to "worry".

I'm with Chis on this one. When you ride a lot, you are going to get the occaisonal insult yelled at you. Unfortunately, there's not a thing you can do about it. Fortunately, the idiots who shout in your ear have seen you and haven't run into you so there's a bright side to it.

People who shout at you are just looking for a reaction from you. I guarantee they are watching you in their rear view mirrors in hope you shake you fist at them or show some sign of being rattled. The best course of action is to just ignore them with the knowledge that you your life is not so shallow that you have to harrass some guy on a bike to get your jollies.

If you really must respond, blow them a kiss. The last thing some teenager in a pickup wants is for a guy in tight lycra blowing him a kiss.

I'd be mad, you were prolly soaked..

If you really must respond, blow them a kiss. The last thing some teenager in a pickup wants is for a guy in tight lycra blowing him a kiss.

Although this is an amusing thought. I would not do this to someone that has just harrassed you. I could since I am a female. :) Although on second thought that many seem as just as much an invitation and is probably just as bad an idea.

You never know who may decide to stop and tke action against a "blown kiss" :(

I also think it is not a slight thing when motorists throw verbal and horn abuse at you. It constitutes aggression on thier part, and road rage is a serious issue these days. That said I think still the best way to handle it is to ignore it as much as possible, and don't give them the satisfaction of your stress.

I must pass on a recent story. I was cycling down a one lane road, with sidewalk on one side, and diagonal parked cars on the other (same way I take home everyday) when an SUV driver lays on the horn and revs up fast behind me. At the stop and turn onto the next one-way road (the only way to go) he continued to lay on the horn for what is like 20 full seconds while I wait for traffic, and he yells out the window (Wheres your ****ing license plate?) while his wife sits in horrorific embarrassment in the passnger seat.

So big deal, but what gets me is the arrogance that this fellow had to stop a police officer about 1/2 mile down the road and have him lookout for and stop me. I was incensed at this and immediately waved to the officer and rode up to him to tell the story. He immediately said he was sorry for the incident, he understands that people don't all understand that I have the right to the road too, and that he will talk to the idiot and set him straight. He then asks which way I am going, asks me to be careful and allows me on my way while the idiot driver has to sit and stew in the sun while the cop goes back and talks to him. That must have really pissed him off to see me on my way again as if nothing happened after sharing my 30 second story with the cop, and then having to sit there and be lectured at by the police!

Good one franklen.

I have my own story to share. Coming home from a trip downtown, just pulled into a two lane small road. A guy in a pickup towing a boat does a U-Turn just behind me onto my lane. I speed up a bit but he passes me anyways (very very closely I might add). So instead of trying to pass him on the right i slow down a bit behind him and move into the lane, at this point he was going fairly slowly. I had the temptation to pass him on the left but didn't.

It became clear why about 3 seconds later when he turned left into a residence driveway. The funny thing is he starts turning then checks his mirror, I slow to a stop and he yells something incomprehensible. I had the biggest urge to go up to him and ask what the F#*$ his problem was, but I didn't. It was VERY hot outisde yesterday coupled with the humidity.

Good one franklen.

I have my own story to share. Coming home from a trip downtown, just pulled into a two lane small road. A guy in a pickup towing a boat does a U-Turn just behind me onto my lane. I speed up a bit but he passes me anyways (very very closely I might add). So instead of trying to pass him on the right i slow down a bit behind him and move into the lane, at this point he was going fairly slowly. I had the temptation to pass him on the left but didn't.

It became clear why about 3 seconds later when he turned left into a residence driveway. The funny thing is he starts turning then checks his mirror, I slow to a stop and he yells something incomprehensible. I had the biggest urge to go up to him and ask what the F#*$ his problem was, but I didn't. It was VERY hot outisde yesterday coupled with the humidity.

Poor guy was out of beer and probably didn't catch any fish...

has anyone peed out of a moving vehicle before? i haven't but someday i would like to.

Nice try with the thread derailment there MERTON.

Nice try with the thread derailment there MERTON.

bah. thread derailment happens all the time. it's still kinda on toppic. i thought it might spur some funny sotries aboubt alcohol.

I drive a '76 Ford F250 just because I like tinkering with engines and I love a big 'ol carburated V8 (I also hunt and fish), but I'd hardly call myself a hick (city apartment, tech job, 'net junkie). However, I've also never shouted at cyclists...or urinated from a moving vehicle...

Anywho - book, cover, judging, etc.

:)

Thats true about the female thing. I have to deal with *******s while I'm running or biking, it's usually just something stupid like having someone yell at me trying to scare me. My girlfriend has to put up with guys whistling and cat calling all the time though. It bothers me because she's my girlfriend, but it also bothers me from a sociological level. It really sucks that we live in a society where women can't walk down the street without being called out. Also, as far as the redneck thing goes It does seem more prevelant I say that hesitantly though. The only reason I say that is because I would always get yelled at while I was running at my school. This was in a small university town in the middle of no where. However, now that I'm back in a middle to upper class suburb of Cleveland I haven't had an incident all summer, and neither has my girlfriend, even when she runs/bikes alone.

Does that mean we shouldn't get our girlfriends into biking?

Why do you twist what people say all the time?

I also think it is not a slight thing when motorists throw verbal and horn abuse at you. It constitutes aggression on thier part, and road rage is a serious issue these days.

There are different levels of aggression, and compared to some of the things I've recieved, horn or verbal abuse is pretty minor. After all, verbal abuse is just that, there are no lasting effects if you treat it with the contempt it deserves. And my own experience has shown that there is no correlation between verbal and physical abuse.

Why do you twist what people say all the time?

It was a JOKE.
What a troll.

It was a JOKE.
What a troll.

If you find that post was a troll, just use the ignore feature. Insults are not warranted, nor will they change the situation.

It was a JOKE.
What a troll.

WHy you always use troll, it sounds so stupid..

WHy you always use troll, it sounds so stupid..
http://www.fact-index.com/i/in/internet_troll.html Read this and learn

If you find that post was a troll, just use the ignore feature. Insults are not warranted, nor will they change the situation.
Never had to use it on forums before. I don't sugarcoat words.


http://www.fact-index.com/i/in/internet_troll.html Read this and learn
Had a good laugh out of that Raiyn :)

Do you not have anything better to do?

Do you not have anything better to do?
At 2:14 am on a Thursday night / Friday morning? Nope can't say that I do.

The last several times I've been harassed have been by passangers of baby-faced drivers. None of them have exibited any indication of being hicks, just rudeness, stupidity, and tender age.

My girlfriend has to put up with guys whistling and cat calling all the time though. It bothers me because she's my girlfriend, but it also bothers me from a sociological level. It really sucks that we live in a society where women can't walk down the street without being called out.

1) When I ride by the university here, and a woman whistles or catcalls at me, I wave, and feel good for the remainder of the ride. It is a compliment, and I don't care if the woman is centerfold material or distinctly unattractive. I choose to accept the better part of what they are communicating, and ignore the part which would make me angry. I have better things to occupy my time and energy. This also allows me to ignore the intended verbal abuse from motorists. Chris L is right, that there is little correlation between verbal and physical abuse. Your typical "shouter" is a complete coward, shouting from the safety of their escape vehicle.

2) I can only chuckle for people who get offended by a whistle or inappropriate compliment. This may sound like the "there's children starving in Ethiopia" routine some of our mothers subjected us to at the dinner table, but there are so many worse things people must overcome in the world. There are people out there who are learning to walk again, or winning sprints on carbon fiber springs which have replaced the feet they lost. Some people overcome cancer to ride again, only to win the Tour de France.

3) Several women I know who have gained weight or simply aged poorly are saddened by the loss of catcalls and whistles. This makes me laugh at the irony, that they publicly disdained the inapropriate compliments, but privately used it to esteem themselves. The absence of what they publicly decried as offensive is now a cherished memory.

Enjoy it while you can,
It's just like the weather,
So quit complainin' brother,
'Cuz no one lives forever.

There are different levels of aggression, and compared to some of the things I've recieved, horn or verbal abuse is pretty minor. After all, verbal abuse is just that, there are no lasting effects if you treat it with the contempt it deserves. And my own experience has shown that there is no correlation between verbal and physical abuse.

Chris, serious question. While cycling to work with friends, I was told the law was 'single file, closest to curb'. I am either misinformed or there is some basis of fact in his statement. He is a staff writer for the Dallas Morning News. I would like to forward your response to him.

- can a group of cyclists ride side by side on a street?
- can they ride 2, 3, 4 side by side? What is the limit? Is there any?
- does it depend on the roadway?
- what is safer, near the curb or to have traffic notice you more and go around?
- there are roads nearby that prohibit cycling all together (per street signs) on roads where fatalities have occured between cyclist and motorist (this is not highway, but a two lane road). Is it legal to prohibit cyclists from any road (besides highways)?
- are cyclists exempt from any traffic rules (for example, can one still go through the intersection on red, if riding on the sidewalk?
-

At 2:14 am on a Thursday night / Friday morning? Nope can't say that I do.

Hehe.

Chris, serious question. While cycling to work with friends, I was told the law was 'single file, closest to curb'. I am either misinformed or there is some basis of fact in his statement. He is a staff writer for the Dallas Morning News. I would like to forward your response to him.

- can a group of cyclists ride side by side on a street?
- can they ride 2, 3, 4 side by side? What is the limit? Is there any?
- does it depend on the roadway?
- what is safer, near the curb or to have traffic notice you more and go around?
- there are roads nearby that prohibit cycling all together (per street signs) on roads where fatalities have occured between cyclist and motorist (this is not highway, but a two lane road). Is it legal to prohibit cyclists from any road (besides highways)?
- are cyclists exempt from any traffic rules (for example, can one still go through the intersection on red, if riding on the sidewalk?
-

CycleAllDay,

Since you friend works for the Dallas Morning News, I assume you live in Texas. In Texas, the state laws concerning bicycles are primarily contained in the Transportation Code - chapter 551. If you do a google search for "Texas Code" you will get a link right at the top that will let you navigate and search the Texas Code. However, the short answer to you questions is as follows:

You must ride as far to the right as practicable. You may ride two abreast in a single lane so long as you do not impede the normal flow of traffic.

Depending on traffic and the condition of the road, you may sometimes find it to be safer near the curb and sometimes in the lane. It's a judgement call you have to make depending on what is 'practicable' to you.

The State and local governments do prohibit access to certain roads. The state certainly has that authority. I suspect the local governments do for roads under their control. At least they do until someone challenges them in court!

In Texas, cyclists are not exempt from any traffic laws except those that cannot apply to a bicycle due to its nature. Bicycles are subject to all traffic control devices (signals, stop signs, etc.) I believe a cyclist may elect to cross an intersection as a pedestrian if the cyclist dismounts and follows the same rules as pedestrians.

Local ordinances also apply so to get a full picture you may need to look up the ordinances for your city. However, the 'single file, closest to the curb' rule you stated has quite a few exemptions so it's not quite that simple.

Chris, serious question. While cycling to work with friends, I was told the law was 'single file, closest to curb'. I am either misinformed or there is some basis of fact in his statement. He is a staff writer for the Dallas Morning News. I would like to forward your response to him.

- can a group of cyclists ride side by side on a street?
- can they ride 2, 3, 4 side by side? What is the limit? Is there any?
- does it depend on the roadway?
- what is safer, near the curb or to have traffic notice you more and go around?
- there are roads nearby that prohibit cycling all together (per street signs) on roads where fatalities have occured between cyclist and motorist (this is not highway, but a two lane road). Is it legal to prohibit cyclists from any road (besides highways)?
- are cyclists exempt from any traffic rules (for example, can one still go through the intersection on red, if riding on the sidewalk?
-

For many of those questions, you should do a google search for Texas road rules as they pertain to bicycles. However, I know for a fact that in this neck of the woods cyclists are permitted to ride two abreast on pretty much every roadway in the state apart from the Pacific Motorway (and yes, that means we are allowed to ride on most of the highways here, including a six-lane job that I use daily). OF course, riding two abreast is a judgement call, and in heavy traffic you may decide to ride single file. I've never heard of that particular law changing depending on the roadway, apart from outright prohibitions.

However, with regard to the safety perspective and lane positioning, I think you'll find the law says "as close to the curb as practicable" (it does everywhere else). Note the difference in the wording -- Practicable does not mean "possible". There are many many situations where the safest practical place to ride is in the centre of the lane. This is so for a number of reasons, but the main ones are visibility to motorists (and yes, you are more visible in the lane), avoidance of debris, and the fact that many motorists are extremely poor at judging a safe distance to pass, hence requiring the cyclist to make that judgement for them. In summary I'd say near the curb if it's a wide lane with space to pass, but in the centre of the lane if it isn't, but use your judgement.

I've never heard of cyclists being exempt from road rules for riding on the sidewalk/footpath, but to be honest I tend to avoid riding there as the road is invariably the safer option (and yes, you can still get hit by cars on the footpath, particularly those coming out of driveways). Even if the exemption does apply, I'd be wary of going through a traffic light on red as the cross traffic won't be expecting that from you.

I hope this clears things up a little. I will, however, add one more thing. Journalists in this country rarely do any reasearch on the facts before writing a story in the press. I've no reason to expect things are any different over there. There is quite a possibility that your friend may be misinformed on this issue, I'd suggest reading the law yourself before taking anything for granted.

Texas law specifically exempts the "as far to the right as practicable" rule when there are obstacles in the roadway, the lane is less than 14 feet wide (anyone carry a tape measure?), or when there is not enough space for an automobile to pass a bicycle safely. Other than the 14 foot exemption, these all require judgement on the part of the cyclist.

3) Several women I know who have gained weight or simply aged poorly are saddened by the loss of catcalls and whistles. This makes me laugh at the irony, that they publicly disdained the inapropriate compliments, but privately used it to esteem themselves. The absence of what they publicly decried as offensive is now a cherished memory.

I have to agree after I overheard a couple of co-workers conversation. I heard one of them saying that she felt so much better after the other day a group of guys were making comments and whistling at her. She said that she would never cheat, but that it made her feel good to know that she was still attractive and that she heard it from others, not just her husband.

"How to get over being yelled at on your bicycle."
Work as a referee in a youth sports league.
Riding is R and R after that.

"How to get over being yelled at on your bicycle."
Work as a referee in a youth sports league.
Riding is R and R after that.

Hoooo doggy, you are not kidding! As a teen, I would umpire at Little League games in my area, for the 12-and-under teams. One would think that this was the World Series with the way the coaches and parents would act.

There are many many situations where the safest practical place to ride is in the centre of the lane. This is so for a number of reasons, but the main ones are visibility to motorists (and yes, you are more visible in the lane), avoidance of debris, and the fact that many motorists are extremely poor at judging a safe distance to pass, hence requiring the cyclist to make that judgement for them.

Chris, I have researched this topic per the inputs from this board.

Excerpts from 551.103. Operation on Roadway

"a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway"

and...

"Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway."

- the cyclists in this area regularly impede traffic, riding alone, 2 abreast, and then also 3 or more abreast. All appear contrary to the law. One would always expect the cyclist to move around objects on the side of the road (when traffic is clear), but riding as I described is common place in this area.

Comments please.

"as practicable"
"normal and reasonable"
These words make these laws "judgement based".
You as a cyclist must make these judgements for yourself.
However, a police officer watching you ride down the road will also use his/her judgement. Sometimes the 2 do not agree. You get a ticket or at least a lecture on the rules of the road.

Me and my club generally will only ride 2 abreast on multi-lane streets where cars can pass us easily, or on little travelled side streets where if cars are approaching from behind we'll "single up". But we have been lectured.

There are many many situations where the safest practical place to ride is in the centre of the lane. This is so for a number of reasons, but the main ones are visibility to motorists (and yes, you are more visible in the lane), avoidance of debris, and the fact that many motorists are extremely poor at judging a safe distance to pass, hence requiring the cyclist to make that judgement for them.

Chris, I have researched this topic per the inputs from this board.

Excerpts from 551.103. Operation on Roadway

"a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway"

and...

"Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway."

- the cyclists in this area regularly impede traffic, riding alone, 2 abreast, and then also 3 or more abreast. All appear contrary to the law. One would always expect the cyclist to move around objects on the side of the road (when traffic is clear), but riding as I described is common place in this area.

Comments please.

You forgot these important exemptions that are in 551.103:


(3) a condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed
or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, or
surface hazard prevents the person from safely riding next to the
right curb or edge of the roadway; or
(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outside
lane that is:
(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a
designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane; or
(B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle
to safely travel side by side.

Note that item (3) and (B) allow a cyclist to take the lane when conditions warrant. Sometimes I take the lane after a couple cars come too close to me. By the prevailing traffic conditions, the lane is demonstrated to be too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to travel side by side.

I figure that I don't have to wait for a car to actually hit me before deciding that the lane is too narrow.

There are many many situations where the safest practical place to ride is in the centre of the lane. This is so for a number of reasons, but the main ones are visibility to motorists (and yes, you are more visible in the lane), avoidance of debris, and the fact that many motorists are extremely poor at judging a safe distance to pass, hence requiring the cyclist to make that judgement for them.

Chris, I have researched this topic per the inputs from this board.

Excerpts from 551.103. Operation on Roadway

"a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway"

Again, the word is practicable. It does not mean "possible". If the most practicable place to ride in a given situation is the centre of the lane, that is where the law says you should ride.


and...

"Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway."

Go back and re-read the first paragraph of my post, and you'll note that I said basically the same thing. If the road is heavily trafficked, you may well be advised to ride in single file (although I don't consider it to be heavily trafficked unless it's gridlock).


- the cyclists in this area regularly impede traffic, riding alone, 2 abreast, and then also 3 or more abreast. All appear contrary to the law. One would always expect the cyclist to move around objects on the side of the road (when traffic is clear), but riding as I described is common place in this area.

Again, note the word "reasonable" in the law. Traffic lights impede traffic flow far more than any cyclist I've ever seen. A "reasonable" obstruction is not contrary to the law under that wording, nor is a cyclist riding in single file, as the law you quoted specifically to "persons riding two abreast". Hence, if a situation requires you to claim the lane while riding alone, you are legally within your rights to do it.

I will add that I have been doing this for enough years to clock up well over 100,000km of riding, often in plain view of the police, and have never received a ticket for any offence in my life to date.

I will add that I have been doing this for enough years to clock up well over 100,000km of riding, often in plain view of the police, and have never received a ticket for any offence in my life to date.

What interests me is the apparent disregard for the personal safety issue. In the two-part series in the Dallas Morning News, that issue will be addressed, with inputs from this internet forum, other forums, and interviews with cyclists and motorists.

Basically we have found two camps:

1. those that believe the law is written both to protect cyclist and motorist, and to allow good judgement. They exercise prudent riding habits and follow common sense. As one individual said "on any road, since I am almost always traveling slower than an automobile, there is no way I am going to ride in the middle of the lane. Why take the risk of getting run over? I am also not out to prove a point"

2. those that believe 'shared roadways' means reminding motorists that cyclists can interpet the law several ways, and put the legality issue above personal safety. They are willing to take significant risks to prove a point and in turn also allienate motorists. As one said "I have a right to ride in the lane [not always true] and when a motorist comes to close or yells at me, I let them know by giving them the [rude gester].

Comments?

Basically we have found two camps:

1. those that believe the law is written both to protect cyclist and motorist, and to allow good judgement. They exercise prudent riding habits and follow common sense. As one individual said "on any road, since I am almost always traveling slower than an automobile, there is no way I am going to ride in the middle of the lane. Why take the risk of getting run over? I am also not out to prove a point"

2. those that believe 'shared roadways' means reminding motorists that cyclists can interpet the law several ways, and put the legality issue above personal safety. They are willing to take significant risks to prove a point and in turn also allienate motorists. As one said "I have a right to ride in the lane [not always true] and when a motorist comes to close or yells at me, I let them know by giving them the [rude gester].

Comments?

Maybe I'm being trolled, here, but I'll let it go where it will...

Your presentation, above, is full of personal interpretation based on your own paradigm, which seems to be a member of group 1, above. Allow me to redefine these groups from within my paradigm.

1. Those cyclists who follow the way of Cyclist Inferiority. They believe that they are somehow less-deserving of road use, and therefore avoid use of an entire lane when a somehow more-important vehicle of greater size might use it. They often view those in group 2, below, as being rash, arrogant, brave, or scofflaws. They feel safest using footpaths, sidwalks, and Multi-use Trails, regardless of any studies, reports, or anecdotal evidence showing that these places are not safe when cyclists and other users interact.

2. Those cyclists who believe that they have a right to the same roads as automobiles, and that the safest way to interact with traffic is as a part of traffic, behaving in a manner which is familiar and predictable to the drivers of automobiles. They often view members of group 1 as uninitiated, ignorant, or unreasonably afraid of Vehicular Riding. Most of their interactions with automobile drivers are non-events, and when there is a dramatic interaction, it is shared with others to relieve frustration. Immediate reactions range from a lack of reaction (Chris L has made this famous on BF) to damaging the car, threatening the driver or shouting obscenities.

CycleAllDay and I have both painted false dichotomies. There are no two camps; there are as many camps as there are cyclists, because even though Chris L. and I agree on many points of riding as a member of traffic, I still sometimes fall back into Cyclist Inferiority patterns, which is usually when I experience a close call. Cyclists span an n-dimensional spectrum of paradigms, mores, and experience. Some may prefer to ride wheelies all day long, so that their front tires don't go flat. Still others want trikes so they can't fall down.

What interests me is the apparent disregard for the personal safety issue. In the two-part series in the Dallas Morning News, that issue will be addressed, with inputs from this internet forum, other forums, and interviews with cyclists and motorists.


I'm not sure where the disregard for personal safety comes in. In all honesty, I feel less safe riding along the right side of many roads because motorists often come very close to me when passing. I know that the motorists can see me; they just don't want to slow down for a few seconds and move to the left. If I move into the lane, then the motorist has to move to the left to pass me and will almost always move well into the next lane.

I ride in the Dallas area and have extensive experience with urban, suburban, and rural riding. I can state most emphatically that there are certain roads where you had better position yourself about 3-4 ft from the right side in order to get cars to give you a safe passing margin - especially with all of the glass and other debris that collects at the edge of the lane.