Originally Posted by
JeremyZ
The problem is that you're thinking like a cyclist and not like a motorist. If you want to survive, you have to think like a motorist. The typical motorist wants to go as fast as traffic is going, not necessarily the speed limit.
In other words, sometimes, you have to speed quite a bit or not "take your lane" to be considerate. It bugs motorists that a cyclist would take a whole lane when he cannot keep up with traffic. (as is the case here) You're all right, theoretically speaking. But this is reality.
I find that I get a lot more consideration from motorists when I take only the room I need to. This consideration translates to a safer ride for all involved.
It is also technically illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk. But when the road is bad enough or there isn't enough room for me on the road, I ride on the sidewalk. I have NEVER been hassled for it either. There is almost zero chance of getting hit by a car on a sidewalk. Theoretically, it is wrong. But in practice, it can make me safer sometimes.
I can't help but notice after being here a while that the people who have the most problems with road raging motorists and getting clipped, and getting into fights are the ones who insist on taking the whole lane. What good is it to point out this technicality and ***** about how we are treated if you're dead or crippled?
As a UK citizen, I am, of course, ignorant of US traffic law. However, and I apologise if I'm wrong, don't double yellow lines mean that you can't cross them? And if the cyclist in front is doing either the posted speed limit, or even, in this case over it, why should the driver concerned have have any reason to overtake? Unless of course it's mandatory.
And if he was doing the posted speed limit and was taking the lane and the driver had stayed in lane, why would there have been a case of road rage?
And if cyclists are legally taking the lane and there is a case of road rage, does that not mean that the driver concerned is breaking the law? And if so, how is that the cyclist's fault?
I am, of course, a simple and ignorant foreigner, unversed in your ways and culture, so please forgive me if my questions indicate abysmal ignorance.