Stupid A-Hole Commuter-Types

[OwwMyLegs]

Is it just me or does Toronto have the lions share of Assoholic commuter-types. Most real commuters demonstrate courtesy and respect for the rules of the road and other cyclists. However, i've noticed a lot of a-hole commuter-types that blow thru red lights ,cut people off, and don't give right of way.

*removed by moderator*

Next time you blow by me thru a red light on your piece of crap wannabe commuter bike, i'm going to catch up and straight arm you.

You deserve a buspass *removed by moderator*.

[almo]

Well, though your post did sound *******ish its self - judge not, until you judge your self - but
I do agree, we need to be good riders to get the respect we deserve, as vehicles under the vheicular transportation act, or what not.

[sweep242]

Good god man relax!
http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=8 Go here you'll fit right in.

[OwwMyLegs]

How can I relax when all I want to do is ride my bike. I obey ALL the laws. I stop for red lights even though it messes up my rhythm. If these a-hole commuter wannabes keep giving cagers a reason to run us over- then they'll always have their way. I just wanna ride my freakin' bike without some car driver honking me 'cos i'm 2 inches from the curb and not riding on the sidewalk.

I'll relax when all those *removed by moderator* wannabes on the Queens Quay respect the rules of the road so I can have a decent ride.

If everyone tells these idiots to respect the rules of the road, we'll get the paths and the respect.

So far, a few dingbats have ruined it for most of us.
If i'm an *removed by moderator* for writing this, then god/allah/buddha help us all...

[chephy]

I never really understood the feeling of hatred towards other cyclists, even ones who are not exactly law-abiding. It's some sort of mix of self-righteousness and jealousy: "How come they're getting away with illegal behaviour while I obey all the rules of the road?.." But I don't get this feeling, really. The reason I obey the rules of the road is my own safety as well as courtesy. I don't care what other cyclists do. They're not under obligation to give "us all" a good name. If they ride like real morons, they'll pay for it sooner or later. If they just break traffic laws, but do so safely, I am not gonna care much, really. It's a jungle out there, and you gotta do what you think you gotta do. I don't run red lights myself but I know lots of cyclists who do because it's safer (and it is).

If everyone tells these idiots to respect the rules of the road, we'll get the paths and the respect.

So far, a few dingbats have ruined it for most of us.

Do you really believe that the reason cyclists don't get more respect on the road and better infrastructure because there are some scofflaw cyclists? Triple lol to that.

[IronMac]

Running red lights is safer? Under what circumstances?

As for scofflaw cyclists giving the rest of us a bad name, well, I believe that. We ask for respect but we don't give it.

[LikeToBike]

I'll relax when all those dumazz wannabes on the Queens Quay respect the rules of the road so I can have a decent ride.

Could not agree more!
I live down there and it really annoys me when I'm stuck on my bike at one of many lights there and you get the aforementioned a-holes just flying through them like the lights are not even there!

Annoys me further when they nearly run pedestrians over and then give a look as if the pedestrian was in the wrong.

[jm01]

I obey ALL the laws. I stop for red lights even though it messes up my rhythm. If i'm an azzhole for writing this, then god/allah/buddha help us all...

You need the proven two step program to remedy your problem:

1. Bend over

2. Pull out stick

FINE PRINT
Care must be taken when performing step 2 as any remaining brain matter may leak out

EFN Control freak

[timmhaan]

you'll never be happy if you concern yourself with what other's do. people are always going to be doing dumb azz things. it's been going on forever.

[timmhaan]

Annoys me further when they nearly run pedestrians over and then give a look as if the pedestrian was in the wrong.

yes, i've never understood this. it's completely ridiculous to act like this...especially considering that many drivers do the exact same thing to us. you would think that cyclists wouldn't then go and do that to someone else.

[jm01]

Betcha he gets upset with people taking 11 items through the express line...for some it's all about "rules"

[IronMac]

Betcha he gets upset with people taking 11 items through the express line...for some it's all about "rules"

Freedom's untidy, eh?

Just in case, that comes from Rumsfeld and we all know where that lead.

[Treker]

Betcha he gets upset with people taking 11 items through the express line...for some it's all about "rules"

ROTFLMAO

[chephy]

Running red lights is safer? Under what circumstances?

At a T-intersection, for example, with a pack of cars coming up behind you. If you blow the light, you have time to establish your lane position etc. while the cars are waiting at the light. If you wait, they'll try pulling up beside you (even if you're trying to take the lane), you'll all be starting out together, cars will try to accelerate past you when you're wobblier due to low speed. Note, I am not advocating the practice, but I can't deny that in some cases it is safer than waiting.

As for scofflaw cyclists giving the rest of us a bad name, well, I believe that.

I believe that too. But the lack of infrastructure and respect on the road has very little to do with cyclist behaviour. For starters, most drivers couldn't even tell you which cyclist actions are legal and which ones aren't. So they just get fumed about cyclist actions that slow them down (e.g. the perfectly legal taking of the lane), while not caring about and even praising illegal actions that remove cyclists from drivers' path (e.g. sidewalk riding).

[jm01]

+1...

...recently a three of us were cycling west on Dundas when a car pulled out of a beer store parking lot, almost hitting the lead cyclist....when he asked the driver why he did this, the driver replied "because I'm a car"

Jeez

[IronMac]

At a T-intersection, for example, with a pack of cars coming up behind you. If you blow the light, you have time to establish your lane position etc. while the cars are waiting at the light. If you wait, they'll try pulling up beside you (even if you're trying to take the lane), you'll all be starting out together, cars will try to accelerate past you when you're wobblier due to low speed. Note, I am not advocating the practice, but I can't deny that in some cases it is safer than waiting.

Hrmmm...I only know of one T-intersection (Spadina and Lakeshore?) but never felt unsafe waiting at the red. I'll have to think on that one.

I believe that too. But the lack of infrastructure and respect on the road has very little to do with cyclist behaviour. For starters, most drivers couldn't even tell you which cyclist actions are legal and which ones aren't. So they just get fumed about cyclist actions that slow them down (e.g. the perfectly legal taking of the lane), while not caring about and even praising illegal actions that remove cyclists from drivers' path (e.g. sidewalk riding).

It should be evident that running a red light is patently illegal. While not everyone knows that the code says that bikes are "vehicles" it should be clear that everyone using the road should follow the same rules.

[IronMac]

+1...

...recently a three of us were cycling west on Dundas when a car pulled out of a beer store parking lot, almost hitting the lead cyclist....when he asked the driver why he did this, the driver replied "because I'm a car"

Jeez

You've got idiots on both sides.

[OwwMyLegs]

*removed by moderator*

[chephy]

Hrmmm...I only know of one T-intersection (Spadina and Lakeshore?)

Huh? Do you ride one route only or something? They are all over the city! Queens Quay alone has a whole bunch. And T-intersections was just one example anyhow. A more drastic example would be Yonge Street (say, between College and St. Clair) with its puny narrow lanes, tons of lights (some at quiet intersections, some not at intersections at all). Picture the same situation here: a pack of cars chasing you... cabbies can get pretty crazy on Yonge...

It should be evident that running a red light is patently illegal.

Red light - yes. But make it a stop sign, and people aren't sure anymore. Lots of drivers seem to think that cyclists have "pedestrian" status at 4-way stops; i.e. are entitled to go first. I usually insist on waiting my turn at those stops, but a lot of drivers just sit there and try to wave me through...

While not everyone knows that the code says that bikes are "vehicles" it should be clear that everyone using the road should follow the same rules.

Then why is it not at all clear to drivers that I'm entitled to the whole lane just like they are?

[chephy]

As for the control freak reference, my goal isn't to rule the world. It's the desire for a safer environment for cyclists. In order to do that we need to abide by the rules.

An honourable goal, but what makes you think that "abiding by the rules" has anything to do with respect you get? Drivers break the law all the time, and in fact feel entitled to do that. Much like many cyclists think nothing about blowing a red light, most drivers think nothing about breaking the speed limit. So when I am going the speed limit and taking the lane, they pass me on the right in the right-turn only lane and honk their horn...

[IronMac]

Huh? Do you ride one route only or something? They are all over the city! Queens Quay alone has a whole bunch. And T-intersections was just one example anyhow. A more drastic example would be Yonge Street (say, between College and St. Clair) with its puny narrow lanes, tons of lights (some at quiet intersections, some not at intersections at all). Picture the same situation here: a pack of cars chasing you... cabbies can get pretty crazy on Yonge...

Actually, the route I use the most is from Sherbourne on Lakeshore/Front all the way to Ontario Place and you know what? I have never felt the need to run a red because of impatient drivers.

And I also know the section between College and St. Clair...there's a T near the Ethan Allen store...again, never felt the need to run a red.

I see a lot of cyclists running reds, especially on the Lakeshore/Front route and it's never because they want to establish lane position. I mean, I'm sitting at the red and they blow past me! It's simply because they see an opportunity to get across that much earlier.

Red light - yes. But make it a stop sign, and people aren't sure anymore. Lots of drivers seem to think that cyclists have "pedestrian" status at 4-way stops; i.e. are entitled to go first. I usually insist on waiting my turn at those stops, but a lot of drivers just sit there and try to wave me through...

True, but I always stop and jerk my head/wave my hand to show that they should go first if they arrived there first.

Then why is it not at all clear to drivers that I'm entitled to the whole lane just like they are?

Igorance is all I can say.

[IronMac]

Hey JM1- Pha-Que- You're a hick inbred fool from Wasaga who rode a tractor to your grade 7 prom .

I don't have stick up my ass, but rather I'm trying to prevent a car bumper running up it.

As for the control freak reference, my goal isn't to rule the world. It's the desire for a safer environment for cyclists. In order to do that we need to abide by the rules.

As for the grocery store reference- i don't care if you have 50 items or not- You look like an ass to everyone else anyway.

I bet you push old ladies out of the way to get a seat on the streetcar when you can't afford to fill the tank of your piece of crap Lincoln Navigator - stoooopid khunt. We can just imagine you driving an SUV - hogging lanes and polluting the world.

BTW- let me know what bike you ride So I can STRAIGHT ARM YOU NEXT WEEK- You're about as smart as a bag of hair.

I certainly hope not to see you on the road...and on this forum.

[IronMac]

An honourable goal, but what makes you think that "abiding by the rules" has anything to do with respect you get? Drivers break the law all the time, and in fact feel entitled to do that.

And how much respect do we give drivers then?

[chephy]

I see a lot of cyclists running reds, especially on the Lakeshore/Front route and it's never because they want to establish lane position. I mean, I'm sitting at the red and they blow past me! It's simply because they see an opportunity to get across that much earlier.

Did you read their minds to know why they do it as they blow past you?

It's not coincidence that in places like Netherlands there are separate cycling signals that turn green a few seconds before the drivers get the green light. And that there are "bike boxes" a bit ahead of where drivers stop. According to some numbers I checked these programs have a mixed success as far as improving safety goes, but at least they are there as a response to a known safety issue that you're trying to pretend does not exist.

True, but I always stop and jerk my head/wave my hand to show that they should go first if they arrived there first.
...

Igorance is all I can say.

In other words, they DON'T know that everyone on the road is supposed to follow the same rules. My point precisely.

I actually heard someone say once: "You know, there should be some sort of rules for cyclists too, not just for drivers!" Right now the general population thinks there is one rule for cyclists: keep out of the way. If you follow it, they don't give a bleep about your HTA violations; and if you don't - they don't care how closely you follow the HTA, they get mad anyhow.

And how much respect do we give drivers then?

Enough that they don't complain about being squeezed off the road and almost killed by reckless cyclists out there.

Seriously, is there a great public outcry (from ANY segment of population) about drivers doing 60-70 km/h in the 50 km/h zone (which is their usual, DEFAULT behaviour)? In fact the driver who's going to get harrassed is the one doing 50...

[stokell]

Sorry to break up a perfectly good argument, but I'll like to say something here.

I commute 48 kms a day through Toronto. We do have our share of idiots, I agree, but we are not traffic cops, so we would be unwise to call someone out.

It is safe to say that at most four-way stops in the city, no vehicle actually comes to a complete stop if no one else is in, or approaching the intersection.

Except at major intersections, traffic lights stay green for arterial roads unless a car trips the signal window or a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Sadly bikes don't trip the green light window except for a few downtown intersections where there are three yellow dots painted on the side of the road.

My ride is already over an hour each way. If I came to a complete stop at every deserted 4-way stop and waited for a car or pedestrian to trip the traffic light, then it would be double that. All that time would be waiting time because of the lack of respect for cyclists on the road. Cars rule in Toronto. Period.

Until that changes, people will blow stop signs and light as well as ride on sidewalks when it is unsafe to use the roads.