angry and insane pedestrian follows me to work and complains to my boss
07-12-11, 02:13 PM
#326
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as if this crazy train hadn't already gone off the rails, now I need eye bleach.
07-12-11, 02:16 PM
#327
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14 pages??!? This is the thread that keeps on giving...
07-12-11, 02:21 PM
#328
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I would have given her the finger even though that was probably suggested a few pages up.
07-12-11, 03:55 PM
#329
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ILTB, my old friend...from what I understand from what he wrote, the kid only has one eye...I think we can cut him some slack there...but still pick on him for being a wacky tuff guy! 
Hey, it looks like your pennsyltucky puddy cats managed to get a win over the Buckeyes after all...since they vacated the entire season!
Hey, it looks like your pennsyltucky puddy cats managed to get a win over the Buckeyes after all...since they vacated the entire season!
07-12-11, 04:28 PM
#330
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Honestly, 14 pages devoted to what should've been a 14 response thread at best? It would seem we all need to spend way more time on our respective bikes and a lot less time on our pcs.
07-12-11, 04:34 PM
#331
Car-free in the South
I don't really care about what he really did, nor do I feel he should be fired. Life has its own way of dealing with bad attitudes. My only problem is his vehement anti-vehicular cycling bent, with really only emotional reasons for the position.
07-12-11, 04:48 PM
#332
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If the OP's posts were vehemently anti-VC, it is most likely because VC is a pretty vehement stance itself, and its proponents equally so. The OP has demonstrated repeatedly that he knows the dangers of sidewalk cycling (driveways and cross streets) and treats them accordingly (approach slowly, look both ways, cross when safe), yet VCers still insist that taking the lane in a +50 mph roadway is safer than cycling cautiously and safely upon the sidewalk.
07-12-11, 05:43 PM
#333
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07-12-11, 05:46 PM
#335
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This really isn`t a black and white situation and I`m saying that as another individual that regularly drives on sidewalks and has a few territorial pedestrians state that bikes shouldn`t be there. Sometimes thats true and sometimes it isn`t.
I live in Montreal and some of the marked bicycle paths literally ARE the sidewalks for some distances. However - municipal regulations generally state that bicycles are not to be ridden on sidewalks "unless specifically marked or there is no choice" - which leaves a lot open to interpretation.
So lets be practical - I can`t see any reason for a cyclist to NOT ride in the street in any 30kph zone because most cyclists could blend OK with traffic.
I can agree with cyclists using the road in 50kph zones as long as traffic is light and there are multiple lanes - I do that myself.
I personally can`t imagine trying to drive on a multiple lane highway with a speed limit of 100kph (55mph) during rush hour traffic. Sounds like suicide to me. There`s no chance you could keep up to traffic and almost no chance that drivers would give you the legally required 3 ft space required by law. More likely they`d give you the horn and its also possible to be charged with obstructing traffic. Now there`s a switch!
So those are circumstances under which I`d opt for the `no other choice` as a means of preserving my life. However - that wouldn`t mean that I wouldn`t also have the responsibility to behave in a manner that assured the safety of everyone else also using the sidewalk.
I live in Montreal and some of the marked bicycle paths literally ARE the sidewalks for some distances. However - municipal regulations generally state that bicycles are not to be ridden on sidewalks "unless specifically marked or there is no choice" - which leaves a lot open to interpretation.
So lets be practical - I can`t see any reason for a cyclist to NOT ride in the street in any 30kph zone because most cyclists could blend OK with traffic.
I can agree with cyclists using the road in 50kph zones as long as traffic is light and there are multiple lanes - I do that myself.
I personally can`t imagine trying to drive on a multiple lane highway with a speed limit of 100kph (55mph) during rush hour traffic. Sounds like suicide to me. There`s no chance you could keep up to traffic and almost no chance that drivers would give you the legally required 3 ft space required by law. More likely they`d give you the horn and its also possible to be charged with obstructing traffic. Now there`s a switch!
So those are circumstances under which I`d opt for the `no other choice` as a means of preserving my life. However - that wouldn`t mean that I wouldn`t also have the responsibility to behave in a manner that assured the safety of everyone else also using the sidewalk.
07-12-11, 07:14 PM
#336
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07-12-11, 08:00 PM
#337
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^^^
Other than the condemnation of the pope (which most non-catholics [and many catholics] don't give a funk about) and the threat of you knocking sidewalk cyclists down, do you have anything of substance to say regarding sidewalk cycling?
Other than the condemnation of the pope (which most non-catholics [and many catholics] don't give a funk about) and the threat of you knocking sidewalk cyclists down, do you have anything of substance to say regarding sidewalk cycling?
07-12-11, 08:36 PM
#338
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07-12-11, 08:47 PM
#339
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
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07-12-11, 08:58 PM
#340
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07-12-11, 09:02 PM
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Best. Thread. Ever.
07-12-11, 09:11 PM
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And no I cant.I tell it like I see it and I end up making other posters cry or they get offended."Im not allowed to call people names",didnt realize I was in the 3rd grade.But I digress,and will abide by the laws of bikeforums.net. As far as sidewalk riding...Its dangerous,its rude,and its stupid.Edit--
Last edited by the cyclops; 07-12-11 at 09:40 PM.
07-12-11, 10:05 PM
#345
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Hey everyone, I have browsed this forum before but this morning something crazy happened and I wanted to post about it.
I work at McDonald's and I commute there by riding my bicycle. I ride on the sidewalks because I travel along a 4 lane highway that becomes 6 lanes. The speed limit is 45mph on this road but people go 55-60. What's more, my Uncle was killed riding his bicycle two years ago when he was riding alongside the road (though he was killed in a rural two lane street by a drunk driver).
So today I am riding along on the sidewalk, in my McDonald's uniform, on my way to work, and there's this old lady wearing nothing but shorts and a sports bra jogging with a little dog. I didn't even get within 5 feet of this lady because I always ride onto the grass whenever I have to pass pedestrians. I was approaching this lady, still 15 feet away, when she starts talking loudly saying "You're supposed to ride in the street! You're supposed to ride in the street, you know that?"
As I pass her she changes directions and starts jogging behind me continuing her tirade "What you're doing is illegal! I know this, I ride my bike all the time! You have to ride in the street!"
I screamed at her "F-- you b----!" and continued on my way.
So I get to McDonald's, and I have just been working for 30 minutes or so when the same old lady shows up, I chain my bike up right outside and it's obvious that's the one I work at. The crazy lady doesn't even come inside but just opens the door and gestures for the manager. Luckily my manager is a Mexican immigrant who is the most laid back manager every.
The lady complained about me to the manager outside, from what my manager said the lady complained that I cussed her out, which was true. But when my manager told her she didn't care because it didn't happen on McDonald's property, the lady then made allegations that I threatened to steal her purse, which was a total lie, obviously because she didn't even have a purse because she was out jogging.
After that the lady went away and everything continued as normal but I just wanted to share this story.
I work at McDonald's and I commute there by riding my bicycle. I ride on the sidewalks because I travel along a 4 lane highway that becomes 6 lanes. The speed limit is 45mph on this road but people go 55-60. What's more, my Uncle was killed riding his bicycle two years ago when he was riding alongside the road (though he was killed in a rural two lane street by a drunk driver).
So today I am riding along on the sidewalk, in my McDonald's uniform, on my way to work, and there's this old lady wearing nothing but shorts and a sports bra jogging with a little dog. I didn't even get within 5 feet of this lady because I always ride onto the grass whenever I have to pass pedestrians. I was approaching this lady, still 15 feet away, when she starts talking loudly saying "You're supposed to ride in the street! You're supposed to ride in the street, you know that?"
As I pass her she changes directions and starts jogging behind me continuing her tirade "What you're doing is illegal! I know this, I ride my bike all the time! You have to ride in the street!"
I screamed at her "F-- you b----!" and continued on my way.
So I get to McDonald's, and I have just been working for 30 minutes or so when the same old lady shows up, I chain my bike up right outside and it's obvious that's the one I work at. The crazy lady doesn't even come inside but just opens the door and gestures for the manager. Luckily my manager is a Mexican immigrant who is the most laid back manager every.
The lady complained about me to the manager outside, from what my manager said the lady complained that I cussed her out, which was true. But when my manager told her she didn't care because it didn't happen on McDonald's property, the lady then made allegations that I threatened to steal her purse, which was a total lie, obviously because she didn't even have a purse because she was out jogging.
After that the lady went away and everything continued as normal but I just wanted to share this story.
07-12-11, 10:18 PM
#346
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lmao this one of the best threads i seen so far lol - be courteous to people when necessary to ride on the sidewalk, if they cant handle that and call it good they might b slightly self righteous, and that doesnt fall under category of my problem, unless of course an officer thinks it does lol.
07-12-11, 10:37 PM
#347
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What it shows is a complete lack of respect on the part of the child in question...
There was a time when it was expected that one would show respect to elders. That included if/when they were wrong. All this child had to do was say "Yes mam" and continue on his way... So the bottom line is he caused his own problem and his arrogant. childish, and rude manners are going to cause him a problem down the line...
There is never a reason or excuse to behave uncivilly even when others do...
There was a time when it was expected that one would show respect to elders. That included if/when they were wrong. All this child had to do was say "Yes mam" and continue on his way... So the bottom line is he caused his own problem and his arrogant. childish, and rude manners are going to cause him a problem down the line...
There is never a reason or excuse to behave uncivilly even when others do...
. That smiley is in place of the sadly-missing–but-more-appropriate one of someone who's just smelt a load of bull-shlt, and is fighting back vomit.I don't support the scenario as laid out by the original poster, but this notion that some persons are entitled to a greater level of respect than are others, by mere virtue of bearing some trait over which they have no control, is appalling and sickening.
I remember a few years back some when some dipstick buzzed me on the way to work, honking and screaming in the process, only to have to stop at a light a hundred feet later. As I pulled up next to him he was still screaming, lowering the f-bomb liberally. I smiled and told him he had a little spittle on his chin as I made my right and continued to work.
I was interviewing for a new help desk manager at the time. Guess who turned out to be the first candidate I interviewed that morning? Yup, you got it...and the look on his face was priceless. I pretended not to recognize him until he was walking out the door afterward, when I told him that he still had that spittle on his chin.
Karma is a biatch - and I love her.
I was interviewing for a new help desk manager at the time. Guess who turned out to be the first candidate I interviewed that morning? Yup, you got it...and the look on his face was priceless. I pretended not to recognize him until he was walking out the door afterward, when I told him that he still had that spittle on his chin.
Karma is a biatch - and I love her.
I'm quite a bit older than 15.
And trust me, the lady was old. She was at least 50 and had gray hair, and you immediately knew from looking at her she was trying to be younger than she was. It was actually kind of a gross sight to see someone like that in a sports bra. I also think she was a weekend warrior type at best because this was the first time I've seen her and I bike everyday.
Today I actually examined the "bike lane" for the first time. I was wrong earlier when I said it was a 1 foot strip. It is more like a 3 inch strip and then the base of the curb. It's also completely littered with glass and debris. I'll bring my camera tomorrow and take a picture so you all can see how bad it is. I don't think it would be possible to ride on it to be honest.
And trust me, the lady was old. She was at least 50 and had gray hair, and you immediately knew from looking at her she was trying to be younger than she was. It was actually kind of a gross sight to see someone like that in a sports bra. I also think she was a weekend warrior type at best because this was the first time I've seen her and I bike everyday.
Today I actually examined the "bike lane" for the first time. I was wrong earlier when I said it was a 1 foot strip. It is more like a 3 inch strip and then the base of the curb. It's also completely littered with glass and debris. I'll bring my camera tomorrow and take a picture so you all can see how bad it is. I don't think it would be possible to ride on it to be honest.
Last edited by Commando303; 07-13-11 at 11:29 AM. Reason: spelling
07-13-11, 03:10 AM
#348
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What I would like to see come out of this fustercluck of a thread is an admission by what I assume is the VC crowd, the ones who insist that sidewalk cycling is more dangerous than road cycling regardless of conditions or extenuating circumstances, that it is possible to mitigate the dangers inherent in sidewalk cycling by being aware of said dangers and watching for them. And I know that I won't see it because sidewalk cycling is one of those issues, like helmets or steel vs. aluminum or tire width and speed or Led Zeppelin vs. The Who (the correct answer to the latter is Zep, in case you're curious). Heck, there is already a +30 page thread in A&S about the subject. Which is where I figured this thread was headed, before the double derail of off-the-clock employee rights and chipcom vs. the internet tough guy (I was on your side, chip, until you pulled out the self portraits; shame on you for going full nuclear 
).
Regarding sidewalks: ride at moderate pace (which sucks, but is really no worse than having to drive 25 mph in neighborhoods), pass pedestrians respectfully (give a good distance, drop speed if necessary, dismount if necessary), and treat driveways and side streets like yields (look all ways for crossing traffic, go when clear). An experienced sidewalk cyclist knows that he's invisible to motorists and rides accordingly. It's not a great way to cycle, but it is effective, and it is a useful tool in the urban cyclist's kit for getting around dangerous situations (like +50 mph roadways with no shoulder).
).Regarding sidewalks: ride at moderate pace (which sucks, but is really no worse than having to drive 25 mph in neighborhoods), pass pedestrians respectfully (give a good distance, drop speed if necessary, dismount if necessary), and treat driveways and side streets like yields (look all ways for crossing traffic, go when clear). An experienced sidewalk cyclist knows that he's invisible to motorists and rides accordingly. It's not a great way to cycle, but it is effective, and it is a useful tool in the urban cyclist's kit for getting around dangerous situations (like +50 mph roadways with no shoulder).
07-13-11, 04:09 AM
#350
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Naw, you really have to read the whole thing to appreciate it. This thread is like a scale model of the internet as a whole: good advice, bad advice, contradictory advice, trolls, idiots, jokers, internet tough guys, internet tough guys threatening internet tough guys for being internet tough guys, Godwin's Law, moderator intervention, image macros, sexy pictures, horrible pictures, the works.