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Originally Posted by jbiddenback
(Post 14554573)
I wonder at the sizes of riders that have been treated poorly. Being well into super clydesdale size range, I will kill a car as surely as any white-tailed or non-trophy mule deer if it hits me at significant speed; unlike a deer I might get up with a grudge and a weapon. That idea may have some influence on motor vehicle drivers' interactions, but I don't know.
What about you folks? Anyone heard of any studies or coincidental findings of correlation (or lack thereof) between rider size and motorist behavior toward the rider? |
Originally Posted by ckaspar
(Post 14554547)
I would envision the problem being that now you might have to try to merge back into traffic from a dead stop. If there is a break in the traffic from a previous light then great. If the traffic flows pretty consistent then there is not a lot you can do with regards to not being in someone's way. There are two spots on my route that I will sometimes wait in the back for the traffic to go through then I have a full street all to myself. Most of the time though I just ride with the traffic. There is plenty of room on the road for people to pass me on the left.
In traffic I don't bother, for the reasons you eloquently describe. |
Originally Posted by jbiddenback
(Post 14554573)
... I will kill a car as surely as any white-tailed or non-trophy mule deer if it hits me at significant speed; unlike a deer I might get up with a grudge and a weapon. ...
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Originally Posted by Commodus
(Post 14554618)
I was thinking of lightly traveled, single lane rural roads. No real traffic, just a car every few minutes, and sometimes you end up with three or four of them behind you, with no safe spot to pass. It's nice to let these little packs by.
In traffic I don't bother, for the reasons you eloquently describe. |
Originally Posted by jbiddenback
(Post 14554573)
I wonder at the sizes of riders that have been treated poorly. Being well into super clydesdale size range, I will kill a car as surely as any white-tailed or non-trophy mule deer if it hits me at significant speed; unlike a deer I might get up with a grudge and a weapon. That idea may have some influence on motor vehicle drivers' interactions, but I don't know.
What about you folks? Anyone heard of any studies or coincidental findings of correlation (or lack thereof) between rider size and motorist behavior toward the rider? If you're referring to a motorists fear of retaliation from a big bad-assed looking dude, I'd still say it hardly matters. Drivers intent on intimidating someone on a bike rely on the protection and speed of their cage to keep them safe. I'm 5' 7" and almost 130... never been messed with. (although with 20+ years of martial arts training I'm pretty sure I could surprise someone who forced me to defend myself) Assuming that a person can't fight (or doesn't have a weapon) based on what you see is never a good idea. |
Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
(Post 14554807)
If you're referring to a motorists fear of retaliation from a big bad-assed looking dude, I'd still say it hardly matters.
I think the size thing, if it's relevant at all, is relevant because of inertia, not because of a potential beatdown. More mass has more inertia, even if it's a mass of something fairly soft like muscle and fat. It will tend to remain at the same velocity as much as possible, even if that requires bending some metal and cracking a bit of fiberglass which is attempting to change its velocity. Which is why hitting a deer or some stray livestock tends to total your car, and possibly your self if you don't have an airbag or aren't wearing a seat belt. A big guy I know wrote a pretty funny story about being hit by a car while on foot. He minimized the impact as much as humanly possible and he still smashed it up a bit. |
Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
(Post 14553911)
Isn't it funny how as cyclists we often feel compelled to justify our mere presence on the road to those driving a motor vehicle? It has rightfully been described as America's Taboo against Bicycle Driving
We are allowed on main roads, and even the use of full lanes when they are not wide enough to safely share. There also is no prohibition on causing other traffic to slow down provided you are following the law. (The actual laws, not the ones motorists make up) If they yell at you it only shows their ignorance of the rules of the road. It also proves that they can see you, and are most unlikely to actually hit you. |
I read that whole story. That was friggin awesome!!!
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Originally Posted by genec
(Post 14554916)
I have had the state rules for cyclists posted out side my cube at work from time to time... and was amazed at the number of coworkers that came by and told me they had no idea of these laws...
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I fully understand what you're talking about.
Every once in awhile on one of the roads that I ride I get at least one motorist who not only insists on passing too closely, but also insist that the shoulder is a bike lane. Sadly a few of them have used their car to threaten me. Knock on wood, this hadn't occurred for quite some time. But, sadly this happened just yesterday. Words, and gestures were exchanged, he stops, blocking ALL traffic, and challenging me to fight, and threatening to run me over. After he pulls into a parking lot expecting me to follow so we can fight, I just kept riding. Not too far from where this occurred is a fire station. So I did the smart thing and pulled over, and stopped in front of the fire station and waited. When he didn't show up, I continued on my way, taking steps to "disappear" as it were by altering my route for a mile or so.
Originally Posted by ckaspar
(Post 14550567)
I was toodling along on my normal route and some guy in a truck was passing me and he yelled something about getting to the right. In his defense I was in the middle lane but...there is a reason. The far right lane dumps to a freeway on ramp and I am about to crest a hill. I move to the middle lane for 2 reasons. There is a sign that says "Through Traffic Merge Left" which I had done and I always move to the middle lane BEFORE cresting the hill so folks a mile back can see that a cyclist is in that lane so they don't try to power through it and kill me. If I were to wait until the hill crested then I would be where they don't expect and I don't like that.
I got to work and told the story to a coworker. She said, "Well why were you on the street? Aren't you supposed to be in a bike lane? And you can't be on the sidewalk because that is illegal." I was flabbergasted. I have been riding consistently since March and she just now realizes that I don't use a bike lane on every street? I asked her, "How do you think I get down the street? There is no bike lane even close to us and per your own admission sidewalks are illegal here." She just thought for a second as I giggled. We then got into a discussion about how it drives her nuts to see a cyclist in the left lane. I was even more appalled but tried to explain the situation to her. The driving public has no clue for the most part what rights a cyclist has on the road. The truck that was yelling at me was a work truck and I got it on camera. I am thinking of calling the employer just to ask him to educate his drivers with regards to bikes in the street. I'll do my best to explain it to my coworkers here I guess. lol |
Originally Posted by Commodus
(Post 14554303)
I don't think this is true. Many states have laws that require vehicles to travel at a reasonable speed, but that is considered reasonable for the vehicle in question, not everyone else's vehicle.
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Originally Posted by workablekitchen
(Post 14550714)
I've only been told to ride on the sidewalk by little old ladies who say things like "It's not safe on those roads, dear!" I'm guessing the kind of person who yells at a cyclist like that doesn't know what the rules are, doesn't care what the rules are, and is probably just as aggressive when faced with pedestrians and other drivers. I did get yelled at once, but it was my first time trying a new route I really hadn't scoped out properly in advance, and I absolutely deserved the ire I got, as I'd wandered onto a street without enough room and had to just stick it out in the right lane, slowing traffic, until I could turn and regroup.
People just amaze me at times. |
Sadly, I don't think most motorists know or understand the law(s) as they apply to bicycle operators.
Originally Posted by genec
(Post 14554916)
Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
(Post 14553911)
Isn't it funny how as cyclists we often feel compelled to justify our mere presence on the road to those driving a motor vehicle? It has rightfully been described as America's Taboo against Bicycle Driving
We are allowed on main roads, and even the use of full lanes when they are not wide enough to safely share. There also is no prohibition on causing other traffic to slow down provided you are following the law. (The actual laws, not the ones motorists make up) If they yell at you it only shows their ignorance of the rules of the road. It also proves that they can see you, and are most unlikely to actually hit you. |
Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy
(Post 14555207)
But, sadly this happened just yesterday. Words, and gestures were exchanged, he stops, blocking ALL traffic, and challenging me to fight, and threatening to run me over. After he pulls into a parking lot expecting me to follow so we can fight, I just kept riding. Not too far from where this occurred is a fire station.
. That sucks, but you did the right thing. I see too many cyclists who would take up the driver on the challenge. I've always been pretty good at defending myself, I'm not afraid of a fight if it's unavoidable, but in most cases it's just dangerous. You never know how far someone will take it. It's smart to swallow your pride and move on if you can. |
Originally Posted by SteamingAlong
(Post 14555259)
Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy
(Post 14555207)
But, sadly this happened just yesterday. Words, and gestures were exchanged, he stops, blocking ALL traffic, and challenging me to fight, and threatening to run me over. After he pulls into a parking lot expecting me to follow so we can fight, I just kept riding. Not too far from where this occurred is a fire station.
. That sucks, but you did the right thing. I see too many cyclists who would take up the driver on the challenge. I've always been pretty good at defending myself, I'm not afraid of a fight if it's unavoidable, but in most cases it's just dangerous. You never know how far someone will take it. It's smart to swallow your pride and move on if you can. I'm short, b And I agree with you that too many people (not just cyclists) would have followed the fool into the parking lot. The "good thing" is that the car behind me could tell (should have been able to) that I wasn't the one holding up traffic. |
I have yet to be confronted in such a manner and hopefully I never am. I imagine I would do similar and just make my way down the road and find a "safe" spot to take shelter for a bit. If you ask my kids I can beat anyone up. I am not so sure on the other hand so I see no sense in proving my kids wrong.
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Originally Posted by ckaspar
(Post 14555367)
I have yet to be confronted in such a manner and hopefully I never am. I imagine I would do similar and just make my way down the road and find a "safe" spot to take shelter for a bit. If you ask my kids I can beat anyone up. I am not so sure on the other hand so I see no sense in proving my kids wrong.
I'm glad that he didn't follow, and that I knew the area well enough to reroute myself so as to remove myself from the "danger zone." Also, fortunately for nerving I needed it there is also a community center just a little further up the road. The good thing with the community center is both security AND witnesses. Thankfully, I didn't need to use the community center as a secondary safe harbor. It is good to know ones route, and where the "safe harbors" can be found. Also, I agree with your logic. It is way smarter to avoid a fight vs. trying to find out who is "tougher." I will also admit that it wasn't the smartest thing to do getting involved in a shouting match in the middle of the road. I am VERY happy/greatfull that it ended the way that it did. |
Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy
(Post 14557008)
It is way smarter to avoid a fight vs. trying to find out who is "tougher."
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Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
(Post 14557587)
Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy
(Post 14557008)
It is way smarter to avoid a fight vs. trying to find out who is "tougher."
To be honest, other than the close pass, I don't fully recall everything that precipitated the incident. Like you I do my best to ignore the verbal garbage that comes out of peoples mouths, but being human it isn't always possible to do so. |
Originally Posted by SteamingAlong
(Post 14554288)
If it was a work truck, I'd DEFINITELY complain to the company that owns it.
Confused by phrasing... Most states have laws regarding bicyclists inhibiting the flow of traffic, some allow it, some don't. Most bicyclists don't know the bike laws for **** either. It's against the law in most states to ride on a sidewalk if the road has a marked bike lane, yet I see it almost everyday, on a road with one of the better bike lanes I've ever ridden. in all other states it was up to the local town or city whether it was legal or not I myself have only been told once to get on the sidewalk my response was for them to take the bus if they couldnt drive safely with one bike on the road |
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
(Post 14553036)
If they want to turn right and there's a bike lane to the right, they should merge (safely) into the bike lane before turning. I believe that's the law in California, possibly elsewhere, and makes sense everywhere. It's about the best way I can think of to avoid right hooks.
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Originally Posted by SteamingAlong
(Post 14555224)
My bad, I was thinking of the laws about riding side by side, some states allow it, others don't. According to the League of American Bicyclists the law varies by state whether you can impede traffic or not.
You must: ride in the same direction as the traffic. Stay as far right as possible except when making a left turn. Obey all traffic laws. Use lights and reflectors in dim light or at night. A cyclist can go through a red if: The red stays on far too long to be normal, the cyclist comes to a complete stop, and there are no other vehicles at the intersection. Note all conditions must be met. Riding on the sidewalk in a business district is illegal, you must yield to foot traffic and most audibly alert pedestrians you pass. Sadly, most cyclists I see break several of these with in two blocks. |
Originally Posted by Bent Bill
(Post 14560235)
Bicycling magazine had a map a few months ago that showed only Wisconsin to have a STATE law outlawing riding on the sidewalk
in all other states it was up to the local town or city whether it was legal or not I myself have only been told once to get on the sidewalk my response was for them to take the bus if they couldnt drive safely with one bike on the road |
Originally Posted by mcrow
(Post 14560300)
Well, in MN it is illegal in the entire state unless a local government makes a law that allows it. So if you don't see it posted as legal you should assume it's illegal.
same as a state cannot allow someone te break a federal law |
Originally Posted by mcrow
(Post 14560300)
Well, in MN it is illegal in the entire state unless a local government makes a law that allows it. So if you don't see it posted as legal you should assume it's illegal.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/getpu...ycle+operation |
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