My commute in Los Angeles is a fairly lonely affair, and I feel like I've done a good job training the motorists I have to share the roads with 5 days a week. I rarely, almost never, get the bird or even honked at, more often it's a smile and a wave. Then this morning I get two newbies weaving through traffic, hugging the curb just generally peaving people off. These folks are obviosly new commuters doing their best to react to the rising fuel prices, but dang talk about erasing years of built up goodwill. I won't say anything to these folks as I know it would be pointless, it just sets an inconsistent example for motorists.

since you're likely to see them again at the same time on another day, why not give them a flier with how to "safely" ride a bicycle?
some friendly tips printed on paper?

I am new, and I might be making the same mistakes. I would certainly welcome someone telling me I was messing up.

shank them ... or buy them an icecream and give them some pointers

I am still relatively new, and if someone saw me doing something wrong, I'd love for them to give me some pointers. And I'd love for anyone to buy me an icecream, for any reason.

You mean, like this? https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...ostcount=24779

Girljen and poop, at least you're here and willing to learn...

Greyhound ... bike ... icecream.

I can do it.

I'm new as well, and I imagine bike commuters are just as diverse as car commuters in handling skills & general mastery. As a commuter of about 3 weeks, it appears I'm the veteran in my area, lol. Still have yet to run into a single other bike commuter (save the illegal huffy sidewalk riders).

Worse

modern road bike on the bus rack

Come on! ... Santa Fe is not THAT big of a city.

I see from his profile that Treespeed has a LOT more experience on the streets than I'll ever have, but I wonder at his endearing innocence in thinking any drivers can be trained. Training the noob cyclists looks a lot more promising to me.

Well ... look proficient and respectable ... that is pretty much a broad tip.

Don't dress like a bum ... it is a psychological thing.

This link was printed in local paper, included within article discussing two NW Indiana cyclist deaths as result of mishaps with automobiles.

Make yourself seen by drivers, bright clothing, WHITE HELMET, bike lights, with flashing light even better.

I respectfully disagree, though I will refrain from using the dreaded VC lingo, I've been predictable and polite more often than not and because of this I seem to get a lot of this in return. I've been riding this VERY busy route for over 3 years and I've seen my negative interactions decrease as time goes on. I don't want to go on some elitist kick here, but I feel like I can definitely tell the difference between a cyclist who is willing to take advice and someone who is going to tell me myob.

The 50 year old woman who lives across the street from me, for a Mothers day present to herself got a bike, saying that seeing my wife and I commute with our 2 year old inspired her. She came over for advice and to share her new triumph. This is the kind of person I love to give advice to. The guys I saw this morning remind me of the ******bags in my club who constantly weave in and out of traffic, run stop signs, flip people off, and then have the nerve to complain about traffic. The noobs I saw out this morning definitely fall into the latter category.

I will print up something nice, but I'm not very hopeful.

You could tell them that if they ride aggressively that drivers will get mad and will be aggressive towards them.

They'll probably flip you off but after they've had a few close calls, they might start to understand.

Wow, even in the world of bicycle commuting you can find elitist jerks. Thanks for pointing yourself out.

everybody's gotta start sometime, somewhere. I give 'em credit for getting out there. If you catch 'em at a light, give a few poiinters. otherwise myob.

I also have to defend these guys a little. I am new, and try my best to do what I am supposed to, but it is difficult at times to do that, and sometimes, I don't know exactly how to handle a situation. Heck, on my first day, I was in a left turn lane to turn left, waiting through the light and a guy in car yells at me "You are not a car, sir!" How is someone on their first day going to respond?

I say print out the link above and carry them with you. I know I am, and not only will I give tem to riders, but people in cars as well.

smoke 'em. that will teach those n00bs.

Pump to the spokes. That oughta learn 'em some manners.

I see a few new people commuting every day. They do stupid stuff in traffic, run reds, Etc. Similar to how new 16 year old drivers make their own rules and put other lives in danger while being completely oblivious of their own abilities. When I see stupid people doing stupid things on bikes in traffic I tell them. Riding in the wrong direction , running reds, it all tells cars that all us commuters suck at life and we should get no respect. I try to make eye contact with drivers who push my buttons to remind them that there is a person on that bike not just another junior high kid or bum or dishwasher who could give a crap about the rules.

I saw a guy run a red right in front of me this morning on a Wal-mart Schwinn. I caught up to him and told him how when he does that cars get pissed off and then do mean things to all cyclists. He didnt get it. So I told him to keep doing it more often. We'll see what happens.

even experience cyclists act stupid and piss off drivers - how do you know they're new at it?

maybe they just don't care.

About the jerk part, I think you're projecting, but thanks for playing.

How I know they are noobs, super shiny bikes, ill fitting, new gear, really poor bike handling skills. I have no problem with new cyclists. I have a problem with new cyclists who are confrontational ******bags and ruin it for the rest of us who weren't raised by wolves.

if you were actually looking to do something constructive with your time, perhaps you could head over to some car-oriented and inform the drivers there that they are setting a bad example of themselves to cyclists when they run us over and kill us, speed, drive drunk, blare their horns &c. tell them that if they want cyclists to be nice to them, they should stop doing these things. maybe you could whip up a pamphlet to hand out.

see what their reaction is.

I'm giggling just thinking of the smart-ass remarks I'd shoot back at him...

"That's why it hurt so much when I tried to gas up this morning!!"

"****, I better get a new mechanic!"

"Honk"

....hmmm?