Almost hit a cyclist tonight
09-09-08 | 08:32 PM
#27
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
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From: Toronto, ON
You don't know if any drivers vented to their families that night about those unlit cyclists appearing out of nowhere and scaring the crap out of them.
09-09-08 | 09:52 PM
#28
Senior Member
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+1
dont really want to get into a helmet debate but, helmet wearing doesnt belong on the list with contraflow riding, and ninja riding.
I never ride at night without lights, reflective sash, or light colored clothes. I never ride against traffic, and I always do my best to obey the rules of the road. I also never wear a helmet.
dont really want to get into a helmet debate but, helmet wearing doesnt belong on the list with contraflow riding, and ninja riding.
I never ride at night without lights, reflective sash, or light colored clothes. I never ride against traffic, and I always do my best to obey the rules of the road. I also never wear a helmet.
09-10-08 | 10:37 AM
#29
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From: Richmond, VA
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A comment on this discussion (which comes up a lot) but not the OP directly...
This is a great example of the "fundamental attribution error". I see someone contraflow riding in the dark, and assume that he is the "kind of person" who does that all the time (i.e., a nimrod). But when I do it myself, well, it's not because I'm that "kind of person," but because the situation called for such behavior (e.g., batteries died, no berm on right side of road). We do this stuff all the time to justify our actions and to more succinctly explain the behaviors of others.
This is a great example of the "fundamental attribution error". I see someone contraflow riding in the dark, and assume that he is the "kind of person" who does that all the time (i.e., a nimrod). But when I do it myself, well, it's not because I'm that "kind of person," but because the situation called for such behavior (e.g., batteries died, no berm on right side of road). We do this stuff all the time to justify our actions and to more succinctly explain the behaviors of others.
Last edited by hanshananigan; 09-10-08 at 10:41 AM.
09-10-08 | 10:49 AM
#30
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
09-10-08 | 10:53 AM
#31
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Not hardly...A&S maybe...unless this is the CAR commuting forum.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
09-10-08 | 11:18 AM
#32
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From: Richmond, VA
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Hanshananigan sed --> OP's experience seems on topic for the Commuter forums, I reckon.
Chipcom sed --> Not hardly...A&S maybe...unless this is the CAR commuting forum.
Hanshananigan sez --> OP came from the perspective of a driver, but his topic was entirely about bike riding on streets. Although this is the "Commuter" forum, there are tons of posts about grocery runs, bike locks, wet-weather gear, touring, winter riding, etc. that could fit in other forums as well. Not to mention that the description of this forum includes safety (bold italics added):
Let's come together as "bikers" or "cyclists", doode, and not work so hard to pigeonhole everything that has to do with 2 wheels! It's more fun that way.
Chipcom sed --> Not hardly...A&S maybe...unless this is the CAR commuting forum.
Hanshananigan sez --> OP came from the perspective of a driver, but his topic was entirely about bike riding on streets. Although this is the "Commuter" forum, there are tons of posts about grocery runs, bike locks, wet-weather gear, touring, winter riding, etc. that could fit in other forums as well. Not to mention that the description of this forum includes safety (bold italics added):
Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.
Last edited by hanshananigan; 09-10-08 at 11:22 AM.
09-10-08 | 11:41 AM
#33
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Yeah, let's all take warm showers together and sing kumbya.
The OP's 'topic' was just one of many griping about people who don't things in the proscribed 'serious' cyclist manner. Such BS is more appropriate in A&S, IMO.
The OP's 'topic' was just one of many griping about people who don't things in the proscribed 'serious' cyclist manner. Such BS is more appropriate in A&S, IMO.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
09-10-08 | 11:53 AM
#34
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From: Richmond, VA
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Gotcha- if everyone posted every gripe, it would clutter the board with non-information. Agreed. Kumbya, my friend.
09-10-08 | 01:49 PM
#35
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From: Reston, VA
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Yeah, and instead he might have plowed some poor pedestrian who didn't see him coming. How about if he had been properly illuminated and riding somewhere legal and safe, he'd have been better off. One of those places is in a traffic lane on the correct side of the street.
09-10-08 | 01:59 PM
#36
You gonna eat that?
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Driving down Second Ave. near the East 70s in New York City one evening while trying to find a parking place, I nearly creamed two cyclists who were:
-riding the wrong way up the left hand side of the street (a major thoroughfare)
-with no lights or reflectors
-with no helmets
-wearing all black
They were almost impossible to see against the visual blur of store signs, street lights, car lamps, etc. Had I been going any faster I could not have reacted fast enough and would have hit them.
Why do people do stupid things like this?
-riding the wrong way up the left hand side of the street (a major thoroughfare)
-with no lights or reflectors
-with no helmets
-wearing all black
They were almost impossible to see against the visual blur of store signs, street lights, car lamps, etc. Had I been going any faster I could not have reacted fast enough and would have hit them.
Why do people do stupid things like this?
09-10-08 | 03:40 PM
#37
Thread Starter
it's easy if you let it.
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From: indoors and out.
Yeah, and instead he might have plowed some poor pedestrian who didn't see him coming. How about if he had been properly illuminated and riding somewhere legal and safe, he'd have been better off. One of those places is in a traffic lane on the correct side of the street.
09-10-08 | 05:00 PM
#38
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From: Reston, VA
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Er, OP suggested he should have been on the sidewalk. Which is fine, if you're actually riding at 5mph. I've never seen anyone ride that slow.
09-10-08 | 08:22 PM
#39
What, me hurry?
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From: Boston, MA
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I'm old enough to have had bicycle safety taught to me in elementary school (lots of kids biked to my school). I sometimes think I'm the only cyclist in Boston who gives hand signals (the standard kind that I was taught -- lots of people do give the rude kind!) Even as an 8-year-old, I knew to ride on the right side of the road (we didn't have sidewalks in my neighborhood).
Why don't schools teach kids anymore to ride bikes safely? Then we wouldn't have so many wrong-side lightless adult cyclists.
Why don't schools teach kids anymore to ride bikes safely? Then we wouldn't have so many wrong-side lightless adult cyclists.
09-11-08 | 07:50 AM
#40
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From: Boston (sort of)
Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle
09-11-08 | 08:12 AM
#41
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From: Dallas Suburbpopolis
+3 to the OP...
i live in a college town and school has begun, bringing with it the bevy of freshmen tooling about helmetless, lightless, clueless.
I have had several near-misses in my car, and more on my bike. i holler "get lights!" when the opportunity presents.
ride safe all
i live in a college town and school has begun, bringing with it the bevy of freshmen tooling about helmetless, lightless, clueless.
I have had several near-misses in my car, and more on my bike. i holler "get lights!" when the opportunity presents.
ride safe all
