Originally Posted by
SBRDude
I guess it depends on the speed. Where I am most often passed in close quarters, cars are probably going anywhere from 20 to 40 mph, so I don't mind a couple feet at those speeds.
My bigger concern is actually when cars get backed up behind me because it increases the odds that someone will get impatient and do something stupid. I quit riding on one road in particular because more than once multiple cars got backed up and then all of them tried to pass and the last guy came too close (for my standards, at least) to a head on collision in the other lane. It would have been his own fault, of course, but I would still be involved and I just don't want that on my conscience so I don't ride there anymore.
I would rather be in a ton of metal, than passed too close, regardless of their speed. I don't want to be like the guy in the All State car insurance commercial where the car is in a spin and the guy is hanging on to the car from outside, but with his back to the car.
As for someone getting impatient and/or stupid just because they are behind me. I have encountered that numerous times. Every time I have encountered motorists' like that, I shake my head and/or, tell them to shut up. Because if they are in such a rush, they should get in the passing lane. That is what it is there for.
Originally Posted by
SBRDude
If a motorist is trying to drive unsafe, that's a situation I don't want to be involved in. I would try to get out of the way ASAP by pulling over, taking a different road, etc. I believe in my right to be there, but I'm not going to die over it.
Trying, and doing, are two different things in this situation. One requires intent, while the other only requires stupidity but not intent.
Originally Posted by
SBRDude
This is where I have to disagree with you. I doubt that most people who kill others on accident don't care about the tragedy. And, I don't believe there are a bunch of motorists out there hell bent on running down cyclists and killing them just to prove a point. People like that are crazy, and like I said, I don't think most people are crazy.
There is still the 'hit and run' crowd. For one, the doctor out in California who intentionally caused the accident with the two cyclists that rear-ended him. There are many more like him.