[Crashtest]

I've been reading a lot of threads about drivers yelling at cyclists, throwing stuff out the window, trying to run them off the road and so on. I had a lot of that last year, and it seemed to happen mostly in the spring. I wonder if later in the year, when there are more cyclists on the road, the thrill sort of wears off for these cretins? I have not had any hostile drivers hassle me so far this year, thank goodness. Only one jerk wearing a red beret and driving a sports car who ran a red light, almost T-boned me and gave me a snotty little wave as he drove away.

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[spindog]

I can guess that some of the added frustration to drivers here in the Northeast anyways, (I'm from Connecticut) is due to the fact that to a driver - a cyclist appears to be riding too far into the lane than they think they should be. Most drivers believe that cyclists should ride up against the curb if not closer.

To a cyclist - we are just avoiding the deep and dangerous sand that lines the sides of the roads from the over 6 feet of snow that accumulated this winter season. They don't sweep up until usually April or May. This obviously frustrates both, drivers and cyclists. The amount of sand on the roads near my house is downright dangerous.

It's easy to say that one should wait until the sand is gone to ride - but after a long winter and last week still in the 20's- 30's, today it is an incredible 61 degrees and sunny. Who doesn't have Spring fever?

[MassBiker]

I can guess that some of the added frustration to drivers here in the Northeast anyways, (I'm from Connecticut) is due to the fact that to a driver - a cyclist appears to be riding too far into the lane than they think they should be. Most drivers believe that cyclists should ride up against the curb if not closer.

To a cyclist - we are just avoiding the deep and dangerous sand that lines the sides of the roads from the over 6 feet of snow that accumulated this winter season. They don't sweep up until usually April or May. This obviously frustrates both, drivers and cyclists. The amount of sand on the roads near my house is downright dangerous.

It's easy to say that one should wait until the sand is gone to ride - but after a long winter and last week still in the 20's- 30's, today it is an incredible 61 degrees and sunny. Who doesn't have Spring fever?

Amen, amen, amen! I'm in Boston, and I have noticed greater aggressiveness by motorists, and I'm also aware that the right edge of the road is *crappy* right now. All the debris of winter, all the junk that got buried in the snow has melted itself into the gutter, and that's filled with holes and broken paving.

But I also think that people get invigorated by the sudden blast of spring, after a horrible winter. On today's commute, for example, I think I witnessed four or five confrontations between motorists -- cut offs with horns, waved hands, and so on -- that had nothin' to do with me or where I was riding.

Think about it: it's springtime. When bugs awaken and when bunnies mate. No different for cagers -- they've come out to rut, too. And when in the rut, the bulls get very aggressive.

[Mr. Miskatonic]

A couple of driving friends of mine were talking and one made a comment:

There is an evil driver technique of driving up to the right of a car stopped at a red light (basicly being in what is, and will still be a parking lane) and then gunning it when the light turns green (or before) to beat out the other driver, basicly risking life and limb to pass one or two cars and race to the next red light. (incidently, I ended up in front of these people once, and while I wondered if he planned to turn the wrong way he started blasting his horn at me and making hand motions for me to run the red light and clear the way for him. Too bad for him I don't pull that stuff.

Anyone, driving friend #1 noted that he hadn't seen this done in a while and wondered if these jerks had been weeded out or if there was some quiet police crackdown on them.

Driving Friend #2 commented that it was likely they just went into hibernation for the winter since trying such a stunt would mean they plowed their car where everyone shovels their snow. They'd be back for spring.

Its the same thing with jerks. With the roads clearer, some folks feel more free to take a hand off the wheel to blast the horn.

Others might just be frustrated. Its a lovely day, and they are stuck in a cage. I noticed the more sealed to car is (lack of sunroof, i.e.) the more likely they are to get frustrated and honk.

[darkmother]

Yeah, the spring gets the hormones flowing for the cagers, no doubt about it-they aren't completely dead inside you know. Personally, I find myself riding a lot faster and more aggressively too. Probably a combination of both.

I think kryptonite should make a billy stick that mounts under your top tube.

[Metro]

In Spring, there are more cyclists on the roads as well. Thats more "jerks" in skin-tights on their stupid toys in my way. You know I have to be the first one at the next red light in order to qualify for the Indi 500! Besides, the weather is warm, so I can roll down the window and gesture, shout and throw things as I fly past. Ahahahahahaaaaa!

[Chris L]

I think it's just warmer weather generally that does it. No doubt it's worse here in summer, but then, it's not as if there are any increased numbers of cyclists on the roads during that time. After all, in terms of weather conditions, winter is a far more pleasant time of the year to ride in Queensland than summer. However, one other observation I've noted is that when I've cycled in other states with cooler climates, the amount of abuse/generally bad behaviour I have to deal with is considerably less than here in Queensland. To me this indicates that it's just hot weather shortening people's tempers, which is hardly a surprise.

For all the talk I hear about people supposedly preferring warmer climates, I can't say I've ever met anyone who actually does.

[recursive]

It's easy to say that one should wait until the sand is gone to ride - but after a long winter and last week still in the 20's- 30's, today it is an incredible 61 degrees and sunny. Who doesn't have Spring fever?

While I also have spring fever and share your general sentiment, be careful about using that to "justify" riding. Cycling is allowed in all conditions, including sand and snow. If there is debris on the road, that's the city's responsibility. Cyclists are not required to ride through sand or potholes, so if someone thinks you should be using a bike lane, they should take it up with the city.

[recursive]

It's also the first time the cagers have their windows rolled down so we can hear them cursing.

Ah, the sweet sounds of spring.

[BeTheChange]

I used to think when it was cold the cagers would be nice because they felt sympathy toward me riding in the cold (not knowing how much fun it is). But I realized that it is just that it's too cold for them to roll down their window to yell at me. If there was just a way to make all of the cagers feel uncofortable while they drive we wouldn't have any problems.

[kb0tnv]

Warm weather is the worst time I think... yes it is the cold that keeps them from opening up their windows and some probably do feel "sorry" for us... I think it will be worse this year because of gas prices going up...but I also hope to see more cyclists out there....That will make things better for us all (safety in numbers)...except for those "wrong way" cyclists... I fear them but am glad that it is lighter out so I can see them! I am starting to not really worry as much about cars... I am trying to find routes away from peds... these darn kids just stare at me like deer in the headlights... I even honk my loud air horn and they don't give me much room...

Keep Cycling!