Dangerous Cyclists
 

Some cyclists are simply too dangerous. This morning I was riding my bike on the nearby trail. I was passing a runner on her left when this cyclist came like a demon and yelled "on your let". So, he basically wanted to pass me on my left, at the same instance that I am passing a runner on her left. Taking into account how narrow this section of the trail was, I would say this guy's brain power is limited. To make things worse, I just couldn't do anything in that second of passing the other person, so he decided to pass on my right (having indicated a left pass) between me and the jogger. He was easily going faster than 25 mph. That was a close call for all three of us. So, even cycling on a non-trafficked trail could be hazardous :(

Cyclists who turn MUPs into racetracks are dumb.

Guy's a real tool...:(

I stop at stop signs on my commute home from the train station when other traffic is present. Frequently I'll be stopped waiting for the car whose turn it is -when another biker flies up behind me and blows through the intersection sometimes forcing cars to slam on their brakes.

The sad part is it makes the rest of us look bad. Cars who have had to screech to a stop to avoid somebody else usually wave me on with a very obvious annoyance and animosity towards all bicyclists.

Another instance of a self centred moron, so wrapped up in his own self that he does not bother to observe developing situations and take actions to prevent calamity.
It's no different with drivers who are so intent on being first, and see every gap as an opportunity to advance that they never bother to assess why another driver may have changed lanes, even if it was to provide a safety margin for stopped vehicles roadside.
Those people burn my butt.

Danger lurks at every turn. I love the humans doing stupid things commercials that are airing now.... For insurance I think.

Agreed. That's why I won't ride MUPs - I'm impatient and like to ride fast, so I'd be tempted to be the person you described. Instead, I stay on the road where speed isn't an issue.

For the occasions I'm able to curb my impatience, though, there are sore really excellent MUPs in my area. But they're so heavily used - especially on weekends - that you can't do much more than 10 mph.

Feel ya.

Right now the new and gorgeous MUPs in my area are pretty empty. However, on the last nice day in November I was checking it out and had to dodge dogs on 50' leashes, turbocharched baby strollers, clueless toddlers, and male-pattern blinding from the bouncy babes in their sports bras. Scariest thing I've ever done.

Mups and as a cyclist you have to take care. In that way at leaast one of you is trying to avoid an accident.

But my local club has a lot of racers that are keen to get the KOM on Strava. One has the KOM on our local Mup and he admitted that he was out to set the time. In hind sight he said he was lucky in the he did not have an accident. I told him he was lucky in that he didn't hit a dog- pedestrian or kid- wreck his bike and have a big Law and compensation bill round his neck as well as a criminal record.

Some people are just self-centered, some are stupid and some are both. I lived for about 10 years in a small city with railroad tracks right through town. Every year, at least one person and sometimes more, would drive around the barrier into the path of an oncoming train. Obviously, a train is easy to spot so surprise is not a factor but the inability to imagine consequences is. Just be aware that there are many people like this all over. We can't modify their behavior but I do my best to take their behavior into account

this MUP is very heavily traveled during the weekend. I get irked by runners who insist on doing a 5 or 6 abreast, occupying the entire trail. But when they hear the ding-dong bell, they make way and thank me for that. I prefer to use this trail, in spite of its weekend crowding, since it is very close to my home, and it provides for a nice down hill one way then up hill the other. Besides, riding in traffic is a scarier proposition in my case :(

It's a dangerous world. Be prepared:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...f0087903c5.jpg

These self same idiot riders are also idiot drivers that pollute our roadways , and byways, with their stupidity.

Only death or a crippling injury will remove them from the flow of traffic.

I like the guy who comes screaming down the MUP straightaway at > 25mph approaching a group of slow walkers some pushing baby strollers --and proceeds to holler obscenities at everyone for being in his way as he buzzes within inches of them. (observed on the fox river trial west of chicago)

On the other hand, I've been on a deserted remote pea-gravel MUP trail making some good time myself when I see ahead of me two bikers laying down (including bikes) in the middle of the path sun bathing.

Brain not required.

On the other hand, pedestrians that spread themselves out across the pathway, effectively blocking it also need a rap upside the head.

There is a trail near me where horses are frequent users. I'm not happy about the horse-apples they leave around but when I encounter them I always get off the bike and walk. I grew up around horses and they can spook easily.

It isn't specific to any sport, or driving, or walking; it is just the way too many people in this country (world?) don't consider the effects of their actions on others. Any skiers here that like the snowboarders sitting across the middle of the trail, right below a bluff so you don't see them until you're on them? Or drivers who like the people that pull into an intersection behind stopped traffic as their light turns red, and thus block the cross traffic? and on and on.

My wife has told me that she is not sure she wants to stay married to someone who has hurt someone through egoistical and reckless cycling. I use that thought often when my need for speed comes over me.

All we can do is to set a proper example, and to walk, bike, and drive defensively. Asking for a little help from local law enforcement might also be in order, if they even care.

I ride like I want others to ride and to drive, safely and using common sense (which does not seem to be a common as it used to be) at all times. We don't have any MUP nearby our home so I don't have that experience but in our rural and agricultural area there are walkers and many on horseback. As said, horses spook easily, our daughter rode for many years and we were horse owners, and I don't want the rider being hurt or a horse being injured because I was careless or reckless. I make it a point to give the riders room, let them know where I am and where I am headed and be sure to be polite and pleasant. The many Mennonite ladies that ride around my routes now know me and wave back at me and we exchange hellos. I think the good will and the common courtesy are worth the few seconds it takes to do so.

The idiot screaming through an MUP and weaving against his called direction is just asking to hurt someone, their selves included. Shame is they are probably posting on a roadie forum how people walking or riding slower on the paths are just asking to be screamed at or hit by them. Sad but most likely true.

Bill

These MUPs are dangerous for everyone--the little kid who does not know the right from the left, the long leash dogs, the loose dogs, joggers plugged in their music, people who chats in the middle of it, large groups who are in the mob mentality and take the all width and my favorite are the cyclists running a leashed dog along. . . until a rabbit comes along!!! You also have the nasty one who are fed up with the world and the cyclists by walking their leashed dog on one side and he is walking on the other side!

The worst of it all is that I have to use them here or there and I live by one of them in order to start some of my rides!

The NUMBER ONE Rule to remember, PED's walkers, dog walkers, etc. have the RIGHT AWAY on a MUP!!! Infact I don't know what your area is like but here in Colorado Springs a "cyclist" is the lowest priority on ANY MUP or TRAIL, even the Horsey People are above us. So when some lame-brain racer wanabee, comes hauling bunns down the MUP/TRAIL, I just shake my head. Almost got into a head on in a blind curve on a MUP by to clowns on MTB's hauling full tilt boogie taking up the whole MUP. It's really too bad there isn't some real "enforcement" to curb some of this problem. :( If you've got to go FAST, then stay off the MUP/TRAIL, they weren't designed for speed!:rolleyes:

These mups sound so dangerous. I wonder how many people are killed annually on them. It must be thousands, or at least hundreds. Or is it scores? Dozens? Anyone?

I'm not defending "scorchers", especially when children are present, but there are far stupider and more narcissistic people operating far more dangerous machines on the public right of way and the death/injury numbers back that up.

It's only because angels watch over little children and fools, both of which are in abundance on the MUPs.

Unfortunately, this MUP is the most convenient route for me. It is two blocks from my house. From where I join it, I can get to the nice waterfront area in Georgetown within 7 miles. I try to take a ride on it 3-4 days a week, as it gives me the chance to go easy downhill, then have a more challenging return trip (I wish it was the opposite!).

If I ever consider commuting to work, this would also be the quickest (but safest?) route. I guess cycling, as life as a whole, has its inherent risks!

THANK YOU!! Not only from me, but from every equestrian (and horse/pony) who meets a polite cyclist such as you. Your consideration is greatly and warmly appreciated. :)

Thank you to you, too, Bill, as well.

These idiots are not only going to hurt somebody (I don't much care if they hurt themselves) -- but they are also giving cyclists a bad name...

The walker or runner who almost got run over by a cyclist is probably not going to give one a break the next time he's in his car and he comes up behind one...

Some of these bikers are very very good riders. I don't like many of the things they do but I am impressed that they are good enough to pull it off. I used to travel to many of the big cities and that's where I saw some incredible riding skills. Not many can pull it off, but those who can are scary but also a joy to watch. For Example

I really hate to bring this up, because everyone, myself included, hates the idea, but I think one way to address this problem is to require some form of visible rider identification. Not so much a registration of the bike, but of the rider. Perhaps its something like a bib number. With this, the days of anonymous cyclists riding with no reguard for safety or the law, could be identified and reported. It would also lead to more self discipline since riders know they are no longer anonymous. Some years ago, cyclists were a rarity, and were relatively responsible. With more and more cyclists on the road, it may be time to reconsider this. Again, I'm not talking about some dorky plate wired to the back of your saddle, but a cloth or vinyl number that attaches to the back of your jersey using velcro or some such. I could not imagine letting cars run around with no means of identificaion, how is a bicycle any different?

Nobody, no matter how good they are can avoid a 2 year old darting in front them when they are doing 25mph... And it happens on a pretty regular basis and every cyclist should expect it and be prepared for it. To the 2 year old, that MUP is a playground, not a highway.