"HONK" !!!!!!!!

Good One!

I yelled "Banana" at the self checkout machine at the grocery store last night. It didnt like the UPC and weight combo. I found some huge bananas.

The girl working there was laughing pretty hard.

I'd like to think I could say Neither are you but I'd probably either ignore them or say thanks.

I could pretend that my consistent riding has changed drivers habits but it probably hasn't. I probably have adjusted some and not the other way around. When I drive I really have no idea what to expect from any cyclist regardless of what they wear or ride. Since it is summer riding season I'm sure cars are used to the increase in biker traffic. We'll see what happens when recreation bike season is over who stays out on the road.

Who are you calling comfrontational #@$#@%@^!!!

Cant we all just ride along ?

Ohhh, we hear from the cyclists can do no wrong contingent.

If they're stopped, look down at your bike, do a massive Kramer-shake and say "Oh my GOD!" Then turn to him and say "Nothing gets past you, sir!

The tricky part is making sure you don't hold up traffic if the light changes in the mean time.

If they're moving, ignore them.

Since I am a relatively newbie and I bike in LA, care to point out where?

The only place I ride on the sidewalk is on Sunset Blvd west of the 405. It's scary- no shoulder, only 1 side has a sidewalk, the right sides of the road is unbelievably unrideable.... the cars going 50 miles/hour.... I take the wrong side sidewalk because its dangerous.

I have seen this same thing here in Las Vegas. People riding n the sidewalk or hugging the curb, sharing their lane with traffic, inconsiderate riding practices, etc.

I saw a guy the other day come out of the store and walk over to his bike. He had a really nice Trek, although I'm not sure of the model. He had all the commuter gear: rack, panniers, head/tail lights, computer, helmet, mirrors, etc. And then I watched him get on his bike and ride off.........on the sidewalk.

!

winner.

i am new in riding bike on the main road but not new at riding my bike; been on the same thing for 11 years. i ride close to the white line because that's how it is around here. cagers appreciate it as they don't have to wait until traffic clears up on the other side to pass me. no-one wants to get stuck behind a dude riding 10-15 miles an hour when posted speed is 45.

once i get on secondary road with much less traffic, i move closer to the middle. new commuters will tend to hug the white line because that's what they grew up learning from tv and stuffs. so i suggest veterans riders help them out. also, you may not realize it that cagers hate you just as much if not more than new commuters huging the white line; at least with newbies it is easier to pass.

also, biking to work to save money on gas may be a thing of lower class, the same group that buy china-mart bikes. anyone that spend some serious cash on a bike probably ride to work because they get the enjoyment out of being independent from the element.

There are plenty of bad drivers. We should expect that there will be bad bicyclists as well. Now, if you're really so all-powerful that you've been able to train the drivers on your route, you should have no problem knocking some sense into these kids. But beware: they might not actually be trainable.

One of the guys at my old LBS told me that when he was car free in his younger days, there was a woman on his commute who would wave at him every day and offer him rides in foul weather. Other drivers became accustomed to him as well. Whether or not this counts as "training" is up to you, but people can get used to you out there...

One of my co-workers began bike commuting this week. After the initial thrill wore off (for me), I asked her if she had any problems or questions. I am familiar with her route and there are a couple of tricky spots on it. She actually did have some questions about safely getting under the highway, so I told her the best way to do it and I added as an afterthought, "Be sure to ride with traffic." I don't even know why I said it, but she was like, "I'm so glad you said that! I couldn't remember if I should or not."

The point is, sometimes if you haven't been on a bike for awhile--or riding on streets ever--it can be nerve-wracking and you might not remember all the rules or think clearly at first. So if you get a chance, yeah, I'd say something to help them, and you, out.

I'm a Brit living in Chicago and have been bike commuting for about a month now. I can report that pretty much everyone runs reds. I often get left behind at the lights by sweet old ladies on folding shoppers as they jump lights. Mostly this is safe stuff - no traffic on the junction, etc. None the less, I was shocked by the extent of it. Incidently, why doesn't the US use roundabouts instead of millions of lights and all-way stop junctions? These are so disruptive to traffic flow, poor for pollution, etc. While European roundabouts are not perfect, they are a lot better than all-way stops and poorly configured lights.

Thou shalt burn in hell for mentioning what must not be mentioned in this hallowed place!

I know where you are coming from. One of the unintended consequences of getting more people out of their cars and on to bikes is that we end up with more drivers operating their bikes with the same rudeness, impatience and even incompetence that they operated their cars with. What did I label them...COBs? (Cagers On Bikes).

It's nice to see so many coming to places like BF to get good advice though.

Maybe I misspoke, it is a bit much to say that I trained my driving commuters, better to say that I've acclimatized them to a predictable and courteous bicycle commuter.

Completely innappropriate comment given the perspective and commentary of the OP. There isn't a single word in the post that could be attributed as elitist or 'jerky'. Re-read the post. The process of becoming a good cyclist takes, at least months of experience and this guy has YEARS. There's been a glut of newbie cycle-commuters hitting the nations roadways over the last few months and while each has to find his/her own comfort level in terms of assertion there are no hard and fast rules. It's a process and those that are open to correction from substantially experienced cyclists would be far better served to take their lumps here in cycber-space than out on the road where the lumps are real and, sometimes don't heal at all.

You're, obviously a deeply insecure or inexperienced cyclist who may be better off taking public transportation...thanks for pointing yourself out.

Chip, you phrased it much better than me, COB, I think that's appropriate. Also, I think some folks are a little drunk on the freedom of getting out of their cage and I have to remember to cut them some slack. It's pretty amazing to zoom past the traffic you used to be stuck and fuming in. Plus with summer coming on and gas prices going up for the foreseeable future I should get used to sharing the road with some new faces.

Maybe that's what I should do instead of a "Cyclist pamphlet" is just hand them a card with a link to the Bikeforums and let them glean what they will.

Nashcomm,

I'm glad you understood where I was coming from. I certainly can be an elitist jerk on some topics I just didn't think it was this case this time.

I'm a noob - but while sitting at a redlight the other day I saw a kid heading to class talking on a cell while weaving in between on coming cars at the crosswalk. I couldn't stop staring.

Yesterday I was spinning along in the shoulder of a two lane stretch of road near campus when I saw a guy riding my way against traffic (which included me, of course). I'm sure he could see me shake my head a couple of times and taking a good look in my rear view. He also got to see me find an opening in the passing cars, signal a slow-down, and take the lane so I could safely get around his dumb ass.

While passing him, I called out, "You're supposed to be riding with traffic!"

His answer, in all seriousness and with no sarcasm was, "Yes, sir!"

Maybe I was too heavy-handed, but I was irritated at it (some older guy was doing the same thing at the exact same spot the day before). I dunno, maybe the guy thought I was a jerk. So be it. Either way, I think he got the point.

Tonight on the way to work I pulled up to the front of the line, past about seven cars, and parked in between the straight lane and the right turn lane. Guy in the pickup to my right didn't see me and blew his cig smoke in my face. He didn't see me, and immediately apologized. No problem, I told him. He then asked where I got my ink (tattooed arms). I explained that Johnny Bravo here in town does great work and he should check it out. He then asked where Home Depot was, I directed him, the light turned green and we parted ways.

As long as we're courteous and really understand that in the pecking order of traffic, we're lower than a two ton vehicle, we can all get along. I'm pretty sure the tattoos helped too, if for nothing more than to start a conversation

As a new commuter (and not trying to sound like a newbie know-it-all), I concur with Treespeed and understand the frustration. As a motorist I didn't just jump in a car and start driving, I learned how to drive. As a bike commuter I hoped on this forum, asked questions from other commuters and got me some learn'n before I merged with traffic. I think respect of other road users is a prerequisite of a safe commute, whether or not that respect is returned is not the point, I can only control my own actions. I like the "guys you're doing it wrong", and the flier thing, I think that is not only helpful to new commuters but also constructive to your cause, if they flip you the bird and throw the flier back at you .....well....you at least did your part.

I was obnoxious on my first few commutes. I've mellowed. Give them time.

They're probably locked in a mentality of trying to literally beat the traffic.

Steve