You Are Not As Cool As Your Mom Says You Are
 

This is more of a rant than anything else, so please feel free to chime in...

I don't understand certain commuters. They ride like they're the stars of their own reality action-messenger movie, racing to get the lead role in "Premium Rush." They dangerously zip between cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. They pay no heed to traffic signals, signs, etc. What is up?! I don't want to sound like a jerk but...

Ped not using a crosswalk apparently cancels out a cyclist going the wrong way on a one way.

Could be that it's fun to them, or they're paying the bills, or they're late for something, or maybe they just don't give a crap. Who knows, who cares.

Feeling good about someone else's pain or misfortune is very telling about you though.

LOL I love how the Ped seems to just agree with him... you weren't using a crosswalk.... yeah you're right have a good day lol.

Funny video. Idiot cyclists have a holier-than-thou attitude (at least here, in SF). Like they can endanger themselves and everyone around them, and when the stuffing does hit the fan because of their stupidity, they always blame someone else (ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY). And yes, I guess I am a jerk if I find it profoundly appropriate for a dumbass cyclist to do a face-plant immediately after endangering me, other cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.

I have no sympathy for these types of cyclists, nor do I expect any from anyone else when I do something stupid. Sure we're all in a hurry sometimes, but when I'm behind the wheel of my car, I don't fly the wrong way down one-way streets, or run red lights, or try to weave between cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, in rush hour traffic. I obey the laws of the road--and so should cyclists.

There needs to be a greater sense of personal accountability as well as accountability to those around us, on the roads and streets, equally when we are in the saddle of a bike, behind the wheel of a car, or simply walking.

I'm pretty sure my Mom never thought I was cool. Ever. I'm new to cycling (haven't commuted yet) so I've not seen this dynamic in action.

The sad thing is that cars think this about cyclists even when they aren't actually breaking the law :(

I understand we all make mistakes, as motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Sometimes we're just not paying attention and accidents happen. My point, and question, was, why are there, seemingly, so many cyclists doing intentionally jack-ass stuff, like riding discourteously, endangering those around them, with absolutely no sense of accountability?

To answer my own question: Maybe too many of these idiots watched one too many YouTube videos about alley cat races, and failed to read the disclaimer (if there is such a thing for an alley cat race). So now, every morning, these office nerds get on their bikes, strap on their helmets, and become SUPER MESSENGER! :)

...and don't even get me started on the skateboarders flying down hills and through intersections, without even pausing...sheesh.

It's their mom's fault for failing to teach them how not to suck as humans.

San Francisco is stressful to drive in. We come up once a month, and I never enjoy the driving. Fortunately for me, cyclists haven't contributed to that stress - I've observed more cyclists riding poorly around the Caltrain station (at which point I'm walking anyway). I can absolutely see how they'd up the stress level for drivers not used to cyclists though - I've even seen a cyclist brake check a car, and all because the car honked at him for suddenly leaving the bike lane (without any indication) to overtake another cyclist.

[MENTION=309224]treadtread[/MENTION]: Thank you! That's exactly what I'm talking about!

now I sound like my dad. :)

Maybe they didn't even have moms... :(

I blame British imperialism.

Not over here, people are quite chill:


Americans make a big deal out of everything

I'm speechless... really... wondering out loud why another human being does what they do... smh. Why do some cyclists stop at every stop sign and stoplight they come to? Why do some people hold doors for others? See? Unfathomaable. Might as well wonder why some people return large amounts of money they find. It's not the jerkwad cyclists I wonder about, its the people who get their knickers in a twist about it. And I'll bet money that the o.p. has never actually had the personal satisfaction of seeing some idiot who has run a stale red get smished. Nor would they want to. They only think they do. Post #3 in my opinion nails it. FWIW.

H

I'm just happy to get places alive anymore.

other day I tried to tell a pair of riders bout the no-sidewalk ordinance in the township & borough here. They responded in a general "how dare someone try to inform me about my riding!!!" There is no real space on sidewalks for bikes in town here. There are lots of signs, steps, opening doors, a few awnings, uneven slabs, TONS of trees and all of these can cause injury or incident. There are places here and there that can't fit two people side by side; yet people ride there too.

Its their life, their screwup, but it affects how I am perceived, and it affects how people act towards me while riding. It also affects things like what areas have bike racks - not many anymore.

- Andy

I doubt the majority of the hooligan cyclist being dangerous are doing it because it's "cool". More than likely it's because they can get away with it and they perceive what they are doing as advantageous. Cops rarely ticket cyclists for wreckless riding or breaking traffic laws. Young and healthy males do all sorts of dangerous things if they can get away with it, it's not just cycling.

:lol:

i have Niederlassungserlaubnis (German permanent residence) and UK citizenship is right around the corner...

there's no way I'm subjecting my family to the wasteland...

i also own a flat in CPH so bite me :D

have a great evening!

Going the unrelated post with brain warped nationalistic opinions + "OMG my kids and family" route. Nice.

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2...Cares_Sign.jpg

To be fair, I was provoked by a troll.

It's a problem with Leisesturm in particular as he's sad that I don't love America (I think if read the posts, you'll see this, and if you don't then I apologise for harassing/spamming you). I do contribute in other ways to BF.

Closing for clean-up