I was out on a leisurely ride today, and ended up crossing paths with a few cyclists. There was one instance where I said "how's it going" and all he said was "get out of the way". I wasn't in his way at all. Completely unfriendly and rude!

I realize that there are times where you'll come across cyclists like this, but maybe they're the reason why drivers have such a bad stereotype about cyclists.

I don't know, just a thought.

That aint just cyclists, it's the human race in general.

Cyclists are people too. Some are antisocial nincompoops. Some will buy you dinner if you say hello. It averages out.

A while back, I bought dinner for a cyclist I met in a bar. It helped that she was tall, blonde, and good-looking, but she also rode a bike, so she was totally cool. We've been married 18 years- and our last ride together was yesterday. I still think she's totally cool.

Why are some cyclists jerks?

Simple! It's because they're people, too, though, that could be widely debated!

Why are some drivers jerks? Or, why are some [INSERT ANYTHING HERE] jerks?

some people are jerks. some of the jerks drive cars: ride bikes; mow lawns or install paper clips in our teeth as dentists. riding a bike doesn't exclude you from being a jerk

It's not as much that some cyclists are jerks, rather some jerks are cyclists.

I think it has to do with the aggressive nature of *some* cyclists--which probably translates into other areas of their lives. The jerks are the ones that run red lights at busy intersections going 30mph and expect everyone to get out of their way. I remember crossing the street at night(with the walklight in my favor I might add--the cyclist had a red). It was dark and the guy had no lights and nearly hit me going at a high rate of speed as he ran the light. As he went buy he yelled at *me* for getting in his way. This is the type of cyclist that gives the rest of us a bad reputation. A self centered pr*ck is the same on a bicycle, walking or driving and there seems to be quite a few of them.

sometimes I act like a jerk without knowing it like passing someone on a MUP without signaling. its a judgment call based on speed and proximity and there's a gray area where sometimes I think I'm fine without signaling but then the person I passed gets freaked and yells: "signal!"

This is like....What is the meaning of life questions.
There will always be jerks in life. Accept and move on while carefully avoiding becoming one....fulltime....we're all part time jerks....even the women.
Just sayen...

Perhaps Jimmy Buffet could add a new verse to his famous I-95 song

Well I was ridin' down the MUP the other day.
Some Lance wanna-be nearly cut me right off the path.
I decided it wasn't gonna do any good to get mad.
So I wrote a song about him instead.
It goes like this...

Were you born an a--hole?
Or did you work at it your whole life?
Either way it worked out fine
'cause you're an a--hole tonight.

Yep, some people are jerks, some cyclists are jerks, most thankfully not; and some cyclists are in the way even though they don't think so, and some cyclists, think others are in their way, even when they are not. Not saying you were or not, but there is usually two sides to every story, sometimes more, just saying.

I wish I had a dollar for everytime something happened to me on the road over the years. The only ones I remember are the ones that ran over me and left permanent reminders, the others are always soon forgotten.

Try not to be so sensitive about it, enjoy the ride for what it is and ignore the negative.

zac

He probably though you were being a jerk or he wouldn't have been so short with you.

So YOU were that jerk hindering my forward motion!!

just kidding....

Build your max speed, so you can catch these pr*cks, and stuff a frame pump in their spokes! Hey, it worked for Cinzano!

I don't get that much; maybe it's my size -- not a mutant, but I block some sun.

Why are some people jerks? What does cycling have to do with anything?

Besides, maybe you were just in the way?

Awww.

Maybe the guy was just having a bad day or is in the middle of a divorce you never know. Many people are jerks because their life sucks and they want to take it out on others. Dont take it personal just keep on riding.

Remember: when waving, use all your fingers.

That guy in particular, seems like he's really proud of himself in a narcissistic, cooler than you, self aggrandizing kind of way. Be kind, remember, he's likely got no friends.

Theoretically this is true. But I've been cycling for more than 40 years, and I think the Arrogant Pr**k ratio is higher in cycling than in any sport except perhaps downhill skiing.
FWIW, it used to be a lot lower before Lemond and then Lance. Not their fault, of course, but they lured a lot of people with pr**k potential into the sport.

This is exactly what I'm thinking. I've been coming across a lot of jerk cyclists. More so than friendly ones. It gets to the point where it absolutely makes my day when I come across a friendly cyclist.

yup. Just stop and ask anyone, driver, ped, cop, etc. if they have any Grey Poupon and thou shalt see the truth of this wisdom.

This.

these jerks are who BSNYC refers to as the "******rati"