Educating local cyclists of their faults
#51
Don from Austin Texas
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I consider the type of action as an act of "bullying", especially when conducted by a person who has no authority to stop and advise another road user about their personal road use habits.
If the person was riding with the flow of traffic, they could still swerve or drop their bike just as easily if they were going counter flow, the only difference is the closing speed. You stated that this incident was done at a slow speed, giving you plenty of time to easily pass the cyclist, but you chose not to.
While driving my car just a couple of hours ago, I encountered a salmon cyclist in the middle of the road way, I just slowed done, waited a few seconds for the cyclist to move to the curb, made the pass without incident, and I was on to my destination.
If the person was riding with the flow of traffic, they could still swerve or drop their bike just as easily if they were going counter flow, the only difference is the closing speed. You stated that this incident was done at a slow speed, giving you plenty of time to easily pass the cyclist, but you chose not to.
While driving my car just a couple of hours ago, I encountered a salmon cyclist in the middle of the road way, I just slowed done, waited a few seconds for the cyclist to move to the curb, made the pass without incident, and I was on to my destination.
Don in Austin
#52
Don from Austin Texas
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Don in Austin
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#56
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If what they're doing does not directly make my life more difficult, I just mind my own business.
That said, there's a bunch of busy MUP intersections with riders going both ways in my commute. If cyclists in both directions keep single file, everyone will get through the green light well. But every now and then when I'm waiting for the green light, someone passes the line from behind and stands beside me. I usually start a polite conversation, commenting on weather or whatever, then ask them where exactly are they planning to go once the light turns green. Particularly considering there's a horde of cyclists at the other side, preparing to ride straight at them when the light changes. Usually there's no response, but they do make an effort to get out of the way, instead of just trying to squeeze through.
--J
That said, there's a bunch of busy MUP intersections with riders going both ways in my commute. If cyclists in both directions keep single file, everyone will get through the green light well. But every now and then when I'm waiting for the green light, someone passes the line from behind and stands beside me. I usually start a polite conversation, commenting on weather or whatever, then ask them where exactly are they planning to go once the light turns green. Particularly considering there's a horde of cyclists at the other side, preparing to ride straight at them when the light changes. Usually there's no response, but they do make an effort to get out of the way, instead of just trying to squeeze through.
--J
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To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
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#57
Don from Austin Texas
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Can't prove it to you and you are free to believe or not. I expect you don't.
Don in Austin
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I think the original poster's question is a fair one. There are many times I'd like to talk with cyclists who blow stop signs, lights, etc., but nobody is going to listen to me. I think about the best I can do is to follow the rules and leave it at that.
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Funny thing. . . what Don did would have not only been ACCEPTABLE 40 years ago, it would have been met with PRAISE! How things have changed. . . .
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
#61
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When I see cyclists doing that, I just sit there and shake my head so that hopefully the motorists will know that I don't approve or agree with their actions. I've even seen cyclists who are riding on the sidewalk (which is legal here in Florida) not stop when the crosswalk light is red. They think that because light for the travel lane is green they can go through the intersection even though they're on the sidewalk.
#62
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Funny thing. . . what Don did would have not only been ACCEPTABLE 40 years ago, it would have been met with PRAISE! How things have changed. . . .
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
#63
Randomhead
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I think the best you can do as far as education is to ride safely and legally. People will notice what you do.
I don't really want to pile on Don, but most road rage incidents are caused by people that are trying to correct the driving of others. 40 years ago was before people started acknowledging the dangers of road rage. I can come up with a fairly extensive list of things that were acceptable 40 years ago that are recognized to be problematic now.
I don't really want to pile on Don, but most road rage incidents are caused by people that are trying to correct the driving of others. 40 years ago was before people started acknowledging the dangers of road rage. I can come up with a fairly extensive list of things that were acceptable 40 years ago that are recognized to be problematic now.
#64
Senior Member
This is pure passive-aggressive rationalizing. You deliberately pulled into they guy's path in order to "teach him a lesson", which is, like it or not, an act of road rage. Talking about whether you were "enraged" or not is irrelevant sophistry. You were using your car as a weapon.
Dude should have put a U-lock through your windshield.
Dude should have put a U-lock through your windshield.
absolutely agree (well, not the u-lock)
People justify their hostile actions because "the other guy started it"; my illegal or hostile action is justified to show you the error of your ways.
It's a sign of immaturity and no control over one's emotions.
Playing police commander and telling everyone what they are doing wrong is just sad.
This forum should be changed from "Advocacy & Safety" to "Love to be outraged & immature"
#65
Senior Member
Funny thing. . . what Don did would have not only been ACCEPTABLE 40 years ago, it would have been met with PRAISE! How things have changed. . . .
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
Awful lot of undeclared Darwinists out there. (I accept the theory, that being 'sooner or later, your stupidity will weed you out of the gene pool') But I have a few simple rules I live by:
1. If you want the benefits of civilized society, you have to follow its rules.
2. "Grown" (adult) means YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVERY DAY, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, NOT "I'm grown, I can do whatever I please." (If you need a REASON to do the right thing, you're not grown.)
3. You must BE correct in order to correct others.
There are others, of course, like "I will spill your blood to protect my kids." But these are the basics. They are my 11th, 12th, and 13th Commandments.
If you choose to accept other people's wrong conduct, and do nothing to TRY to correct it, then you are condoning it. (Oscar Wilde was BIG on that.)
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Hmmm, how, then, do you explain, "If your brother (doesn't have to be blood, means all men) wrongs you, go to him; if he refuses you, go with another, that he may see the error of his ways." It goes further, but you get the idea.
Funny you quote a *****exual writer who was imprisoned for UNACCEPTABLE behavior, which is ACCEPTABLE today.
#66
Hogosha Sekai
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Agreed, those who habitually run red lights and stop signs will use whatever rationalization to justify why it's okay to run red lights and stop signs. And sadly I constantly see cyclists running red lights and stop signs when there is cross traffic, turning traffic, and traffic traveling in their direction but stopped for the light or stop sign.
When I see cyclists doing that, I just sit there and shake my head so that hopefully the motorists will know that I don't approve or agree with their actions. I've even seen cyclists who are riding on the sidewalk (which is legal here in Florida) not stop when the crosswalk light is red. They think that because light for the travel lane is green they can go through the intersection even though they're on the sidewalk.
When I see cyclists doing that, I just sit there and shake my head so that hopefully the motorists will know that I don't approve or agree with their actions. I've even seen cyclists who are riding on the sidewalk (which is legal here in Florida) not stop when the crosswalk light is red. They think that because light for the travel lane is green they can go through the intersection even though they're on the sidewalk.
#67
Senior Member
The problem is that the people who would be broadminded enough to take your comments seriously are the ones who are thoughtful enough to not hurt anyone else. It's the ****** bags who are totally arrogant that do all the stupid things.
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Well, I used to do that sort of thing...
I had taken it upon myself to lecture people on the proper way to ride on the roads until one day, I was walking with my daughter on an MUP along the shore. It was raining, the place was nearly deserted. Some woman on a bike came blowing past and proceeded to give us a stern lecture about walking as far right as possible, even though we already were as far right as possible, because she started yelling that she was about to pass us, quite a ways back. Apparently our attempt to comply was not good enough for her. I had even said thanks for the warning, but she kept on going on on and on about how bicycles have a right to the MUP as well, etc.. etc...etc... yes, yes, we know, yes thank you, you're preaching to the choir -- okay, geez, shut up already!
It cured me of my bike rules street preaching, let me tell you...
I had taken it upon myself to lecture people on the proper way to ride on the roads until one day, I was walking with my daughter on an MUP along the shore. It was raining, the place was nearly deserted. Some woman on a bike came blowing past and proceeded to give us a stern lecture about walking as far right as possible, even though we already were as far right as possible, because she started yelling that she was about to pass us, quite a ways back. Apparently our attempt to comply was not good enough for her. I had even said thanks for the warning, but she kept on going on on and on about how bicycles have a right to the MUP as well, etc.. etc...etc... yes, yes, we know, yes thank you, you're preaching to the choir -- okay, geez, shut up already!
It cured me of my bike rules street preaching, let me tell you...
__________________
What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
#70
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Well, I used to do that sort of thing...
I had taken it upon myself to lecture people on the proper way to ride on the roads until one day, I was walking with my daughter on an MUP along the shore. It was raining, the place was nearly deserted. Some woman on a bike came blowing past and proceeded to give us a stern lecture about walking as far right as possible, even though we already were as far right as possible, because she started yelling that she was about to pass us, quite a ways back. Apparently our attempt to comply was not good enough for her. I had even said thanks for the warning, but she kept on going on on and on about how bicycles have a right to the MUP as well, etc.. etc...etc... yes, yes, we know, yes thank you, you're preaching to the choir -- okay, geez, shut up already!
It cured me of my bike rules street preaching, let me tell you...
I had taken it upon myself to lecture people on the proper way to ride on the roads until one day, I was walking with my daughter on an MUP along the shore. It was raining, the place was nearly deserted. Some woman on a bike came blowing past and proceeded to give us a stern lecture about walking as far right as possible, even though we already were as far right as possible, because she started yelling that she was about to pass us, quite a ways back. Apparently our attempt to comply was not good enough for her. I had even said thanks for the warning, but she kept on going on on and on about how bicycles have a right to the MUP as well, etc.. etc...etc... yes, yes, we know, yes thank you, you're preaching to the choir -- okay, geez, shut up already!
It cured me of my bike rules street preaching, let me tell you...
#71
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Meh, let the cops know about it. Maybe they will watch it, maybe they won't. I also informed the building manager and co-workers on how to report issue online so they can provide better info as to when it is an issue. Perhaps a few tickets will change someones mind, or it wont. Maybe they will get hit and no longer be a nuisance.
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Have to admit, she didn't stop lecturing, albeit loudly, until I lost my patience and yelled at her to shut up. She flinched and went on her way in silence. I regret yelling like that, but sometimes you just get too wound up to think straight. Better not to say anything, and just keep moving... communication is not my forte, it takes a lot of work.
__________________
What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
What do you call a cyclist who sells potpourri on the road? A pedaling petal-peddler.
#73
Banned
Have to admit, she didn't stop lecturing, albeit loudly, until I lost my patience and yelled at her to shut up. She flinched and went on her way in silence. I regret yelling like that, but sometimes you just get too wound up to think straight. Better not to say anything, and just keep moving... communication is not my forte, it takes a lot of work.
I had a similar incident with a woman who lectured me in always using the bike lane or the sidewalk, of course this wouldn't have all come about if she hadn't swerved at me and if I hadn't made an effort to get her license number. Once I was able to write down her vehicle license number, I slowly drifted away without say more than a few quiet words about her driving practices.
Last edited by dynodonn; 11-20-11 at 05:39 PM.
#74
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Meh, let the cops know about it. Maybe they will watch it, maybe they won't. I also informed the building manager and co-workers on how to report issue online so they can provide better info as to when it is an issue. Perhaps a few tickets will change someones mind, or it wont. Maybe they will get hit and no longer be a nuisance.
#75
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No, I do care but the more I think about it the more I think that maybe they should just get hit to learn a lesson the hard way. Hell, some of the posters in this thread could, well, nevermind. I mentioned it on the local board and one or two people seemed to get the bigger issue and agreed. The rest gave snide comments that didn't work to help anything. So no, I really don't want people to get hit.