What the hell is with SUVs?
07-21-05 | 04:13 PM
#201
Stercus accidit
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth
Bikes: Trek Pilot 2.1
Originally Posted by mirona
Did you even read our latest correspondences, or are you just jumping in to get the last word? 
Who reads the entire thread before they respond? So you apologized. Given your last response you obviously didn't mean it.
07-21-05 | 05:07 PM
#202
Royal Grand Exalted Pooba
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Eight Miles High
Bikes: Time VXR ProTeam, Look 695, Pinarello Paris Carbon, Ridley Dean, Time ZXRS
"I would lump drivers of big pick-ups into the same category or perhaps even worse ... not only are they agressive, they are sometimes downright hostile to bike riders. All of the "near misses" that I can recall were from these pick-ups driving way to close to me."
i can't second this loudly enough. i honestly don't remember having a problem with any vehicle except a pickup. the stuff they pull sometimes amazes me. no, it's not every one. but it's always a pickup. c'mon up to ohio; the suv's seem to be pretty tame here, judging by everyone else's comments in this thread. in two months, though, you'll be fed up with pickups
i can't second this loudly enough. i honestly don't remember having a problem with any vehicle except a pickup. the stuff they pull sometimes amazes me. no, it's not every one. but it's always a pickup. c'mon up to ohio; the suv's seem to be pretty tame here, judging by everyone else's comments in this thread. in two months, though, you'll be fed up with pickups
07-21-05 | 05:17 PM
#203
Arizona Dessert
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From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by smoke
"I would lump drivers of big pick-ups into the same category or perhaps even worse ... not only are they agressive, they are sometimes downright hostile to bike riders. All of the "near misses" that I can recall were from these pick-ups driving way to close to me."
i can't second this loudly enough. i honestly don't remember having a problem with any vehicle except a pickup. the stuff they pull sometimes amazes me. no, it's not every one. but it's always a pickup. c'mon up to ohio; the suv's seem to be pretty tame here, judging by everyone else's comments in this thread. in two months, though, you'll be fed up with pickups
i can't second this loudly enough. i honestly don't remember having a problem with any vehicle except a pickup. the stuff they pull sometimes amazes me. no, it's not every one. but it's always a pickup. c'mon up to ohio; the suv's seem to be pretty tame here, judging by everyone else's comments in this thread. in two months, though, you'll be fed up with pickups
Typical (not all of course) SUV and other large vehicle drivers may be distracted, clumsy, unaware, but this above combination of pickup driver/passenger can be downright hostile and dangerous.
Al
07-21-05 | 05:39 PM
#204
Thread Starter
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From: chicago
Bikes: lemond zurch, felt f55 '05
Originally Posted by noisebeam
This is my experience. Absolute worst are pickups with two males in the front. Its like the driver has to prove how bad-assed he is to the passenger. Sometimes sports car drivers/passenger are similar, but instad of proving how tough they are they seem to want to show their are nimble and fast.
Typical (not all of course) SUV and other large vehicle drivers may be distracted, clumsy, unaware, but this above combination of pickup driver/passenger can be downright hostile and dangerous.
Al
Typical (not all of course) SUV and other large vehicle drivers may be distracted, clumsy, unaware, but this above combination of pickup driver/passenger can be downright hostile and dangerous.
Al
07-21-05 | 06:52 PM
#205
blithering idiot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: beautiful coastal South Carolina
Bikes: 1991 Trek 930, 2005 Bianchi Eros, 2006 Nashbar "X," IRO Rob Roy
Originally Posted by dfw
Your response just reminded me of another Land Rover owner who boasted the same thing about being able to go anywhere. I was also making the point that nobody has a "need" for a vehicle. So anyone's choice on a vehicle is really just a matter of preference. So who are any of us vehicle owners to criticize someone else's choice?
unless that's the job it's designed for. see: Ferrari 360 Spyder.
if you buy a truck/suv to use it to carry stuff, tow things, drive unimproved roads, carry your crew to the job site, whatever - good for you. if you buy a truck/suv because it makes you feel powerful and looks cool parked outside the coffee bar - you are a wasteful idiot.
maybe it's just my sedan bias showing.
07-21-05 | 07:07 PM
#206
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From: Southern California
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Originally Posted by shimanopower
People in SUVs always seem to be more cyclist hostile (at least in chicago.) Now perhaps it's different in other places, specifically where SUVS are used for their off road capabilities, but it's horrible in chicago. I get cut off more often, yelled at, engine reved at, and they often pull far to the right so I can't pass them.
Perhaps it's because SUV people have security issues. They say that more woman buy SUVs then men because they like to feel more powerful on the road with a higher seating perspective. Perhaps that need for more power translates into cycling hostility.
Or perhaps people who drive SUVs are just in general more ass***ish.... ::shrugs::
Perhaps it's because SUV people have security issues. They say that more woman buy SUVs then men because they like to feel more powerful on the road with a higher seating perspective. Perhaps that need for more power translates into cycling hostility.
Or perhaps people who drive SUVs are just in general more ass***ish.... ::shrugs::
07-21-05 | 07:54 PM
#207
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Tyler,TX
Bikes: Spec Allez Sport '04
Originally Posted by JavaMan
Just watch the commercials - it's all there. They portray the SUV driver as tough, independent and adventurous. That appeals to people who are soft, incompetent and insecure behind the wheel.
07-21-05 | 07:59 PM
#208
Member
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From: Coplay, PA
Bikes: Schwinn World Sport
I almost got ran over by one today on my way home from work. He was turning right and had to pass me first of course. He started turning right into my path and I had to slow down fast and swerve. He saw me then I guess, because he stopped too. I wound up right next to his passenger side window which was open. I said "go ahead" in a tone which I hope conveyed my contempt for him. Jerk.
07-21-05 | 08:45 PM
#209
Banned.
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Towson, MD
Bikes: 2001 Look KG 241, 1989 Specialized Stump Jumper Comp, 1986 Gatane Performanc
Originally Posted by burtonbiker
people buy _ _ it to use it, not because they have some quality or lack a virtue.
07-22-05 | 02:05 PM
#210
Senior Curmudgeon
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From: Directly above the center of the earth
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Originally Posted by shimanopower
People in SUVs always seem to be more cyclist hostile..
When mommy and daddy send their "little precious" off to college, the often give the little maniac a brand new Honda Civic (or variant). Junior, despite having few miles of actual driving experience, thinks that his/her talent as a driver is stellar, that their new Honda is the hottest sports item on the road, and that all other drivers (and particularly bicyclists and pedestrians) should immediately part like the Red Sea to let Junior through.
Junior and his ilk often cut off drivers, change lanes without signaling, and drive much, much too fast for the traffic, weather, and road conditions. Highway statistics show that small, 4-door sedans have the highest mortality rates on American roads. It isn't that the cars are small, light, poorly engineered, or unsafe - it's because Junior is at the wheel!
What's the difference between a porcupine and a Honda? The porcupine has the prick on the OUTSIDE!
Last edited by FarHorizon; 07-22-05 at 02:09 PM. Reason: grammar
07-22-05 | 03:59 PM
#211
genec
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Originally Posted by noisebeam
None of us were there so we can't know what really happened and will of course give you the benefit of the doubt, but a few thoughts...
I don't know of any public (vs. private drives and parking lots) residential areas that have speed limits of 10mph. It seems cyclist fell into a lapse of innattention (not an excuse) or there was some other unexplained circumstance that lead to the incident.
Riding hard (which is irresponsible in places like this) can make one less attentive, crashing and pain can make one say stupid things (like blaming your daughter) All cyclists I know want to avoid at all costs crashing, especially when riding 25mph on pavement. This means swerving to avoid potholes, let alone a young child. No cyclist, except a deranged one with issues, wants to intentionally crash into a child.
Rage can make one react stupidly in response to a person who was not riding responsibly, but also not intentionally endangering you and your daughter. After getting kicked, they probably left the scene feeling less bad about it and learning less of a lesson vs. had you (done the near impossible) and offered to help them up while calmly lecturing them about speed and attentivess. But that is easy to say after the fact.
Drivers kill people daily due to lapses of inattention and other irresponsible behaviors.
Al
I don't know of any public (vs. private drives and parking lots) residential areas that have speed limits of 10mph. It seems cyclist fell into a lapse of innattention (not an excuse) or there was some other unexplained circumstance that lead to the incident.
Riding hard (which is irresponsible in places like this) can make one less attentive, crashing and pain can make one say stupid things (like blaming your daughter) All cyclists I know want to avoid at all costs crashing, especially when riding 25mph on pavement. This means swerving to avoid potholes, let alone a young child. No cyclist, except a deranged one with issues, wants to intentionally crash into a child.
Rage can make one react stupidly in response to a person who was not riding responsibly, but also not intentionally endangering you and your daughter. After getting kicked, they probably left the scene feeling less bad about it and learning less of a lesson vs. had you (done the near impossible) and offered to help them up while calmly lecturing them about speed and attentivess. But that is easy to say after the fact.
Drivers kill people daily due to lapses of inattention and other irresponsible behaviors.
Al
It may have been a private area... such as a housing area. One great MUP I ride often, goes into and parallel to streets in a housing development. The streets ARE considered private and are so posted as you enter the MUP from a public street above, but the path is public and is also so posted.
The housing area has posted speeds of 15MPH.
There are child play areas adjacent to the MUP.
Some cyclists fly down the street... leaving the MUP; some cyclists fly down the MUP even thougth there may be peds walking the family dog. I suppose that technically while in the street they should not go above 15MPH and that the peds should not be in the MUP. I think we should all cooperate and when I use the area, I greet walkers/runners and take care to watch for peds.
Some cyclists may not... in which case they could be setting a bad precedent for all cyclists. BTW in other areas the MUP also parallels a horse path covered with DG. Sometimes the horses/riders use the MUP and leave their "mark."
07-22-05 | 04:09 PM
#212
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Originally Posted by genec
It may have been a private area...
A mall parking lot in my area has a speed limit of 17mph. Why not 15? I think it is because it gets ones attention as it is unusual.
The YMCA parking lot has a posted speed limit of 5mph. Its hard to drive this slow, let alone cycle this slow thru it when I go for a swim workout.
I find it harder to keep to low speed limits (20, 15 and below) on my bike that when driving. But I am very careful to keep about ~16mph thru active 15mph school zones while riding in center of lane. I love how it pisses off drivers behind me, sometimes they still honk or agreesively swerve around me. I was almost run over going 7mph in the YMCA parking lot, which is not a short distance having to go all around to back of building.
Al
07-22-05 | 04:32 PM
#213
blithering idiot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: beautiful coastal South Carolina
Bikes: 1991 Trek 930, 2005 Bianchi Eros, 2006 Nashbar "X," IRO Rob Roy
i know where there is a public road (non-residential) with a 2.5 mph speed limit...
i flipped a '78 MG roadster three times on it.
i flipped a '78 MG roadster three times on it.
07-22-05 | 05:27 PM
#214
Burnt Orange Blood
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Dripping Springs, Texas
Bikes: Trek 7200, Lashout Electric Bike, Raleigh Talon
Originally Posted by jlin453
Literally laughing out loud.
Don't forget, mini vans and trucks put out the same amount of polution, but it's "easier" to blame those damn SUV drivers!
Don't forget, mini vans and trucks put out the same amount of polution, but it's "easier" to blame those damn SUV drivers!
07-22-05 | 05:36 PM
#215
I can't find my pants
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: UMASS, Amherst/ Swick, MA
Bikes: 07 Specialized Langster Comp,06 Kona King Zing, 06 Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc; 03 LOOK KG461;(destroyed by suv); 85 Panasonic Team America; 73 Peugeot U0-8; 94 Balance Super B BMX; 04 Diamondback Outlook MTB, Diamondback DBR DH
Originally Posted by jlin453
07-22-05 | 05:55 PM
#216
genec
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From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
Originally Posted by noisebeam
I left that option open.
Al
Al
And yes, certainly this is a unique situation.
And in reference to the OP situtation... jeeze, still no reason to kick a man already down.
07-25-05 | 08:13 PM
#217
Senior Member
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Originally Posted by TexasGuy
I again caught this buttwipe at the next light, reached in, grabbed this dickhead by the throat and told him to get out and he and I were going to ha
------
You should be in jail if you actually did that. No wonder why so many people have a negative attitude towards cyclists.
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You should be in jail if you actually did that. No wonder why so many people have a negative attitude towards cyclists.
07-25-05 | 08:16 PM
#218
Senior Member
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by shimanopower
People in SUVs always seem to be more cyclist hostile (at least in chicago.) Now perhaps it's different in other places, specifically where SUVS are used for their off road capabilities, but it's horrible in chicago. I get cut off more often, yelled at, engine reved at, and they often pull far to the right so I can't pass them.
Perhaps it's because SUV people have security issues. They say that more woman buy SUVs then men because they like to feel more powerful on the road with a higher seating perspective. Perhaps that need for more power translates into cycling hostility.
Or perhaps people who drive SUVs are just in general more ass***ish.... ::shrugs::
Perhaps it's because SUV people have security issues. They say that more woman buy SUVs then men because they like to feel more powerful on the road with a higher seating perspective. Perhaps that need for more power translates into cycling hostility.
Or perhaps people who drive SUVs are just in general more ass***ish.... ::shrugs::
maybe your taking up more space than needed.
I see some dumb cyclists taking up one lane at rush hour!
that would piss anyone off.
I tend to stick right to the side when im on my bike.
but becoming hostile towards the cyclists is just stupid.
maybe saying something like, "get f out of the way at rush time you ass monkey" wouldn't be that bad.
Last edited by henesse; 07-25-05 at 08:24 PM.
07-26-05 | 09:57 AM
#219
Arizona Dessert
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From: AZ
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Originally Posted by henesse
maybe your taking up more space than needed.
I see some dumb cyclists taking up one lane at rush hour!
that would piss anyone off.
I tend to stick right to the side when im on my bike.
but becoming hostile towards the cyclists is just stupid.
maybe saying something like, "get f out of the way at rush time you ass monkey" wouldn't be that bad.
I see some dumb cyclists taking up one lane at rush hour!
that would piss anyone off.
I tend to stick right to the side when im on my bike.
but becoming hostile towards the cyclists is just stupid.
maybe saying something like, "get f out of the way at rush time you ass monkey" wouldn't be that bad.
Al
07-26-05 | 03:12 PM
#221
Senior Member
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From: Asheville, NC
Bikes: 2001 Litespeed Vortex - Shimano Ultegra, Jamis Dakar XC- Shimano XT, Diamond Back Axis TT- rigid with drop bars and bar end shifters
I think that alot of motorists act aggressively toward cyclists (runners, motorcyclists, etc.) because they are doing something different. Most cagers feel that the road belongs to them and nothing else, if something else (cyclists) are in the road, then they are intruding and their aggressive actions are justified. Then when someone reacts to the aggressive nature, the cagers recoil in horror and start calling the media to complain that this cyclist "attacked" them, when in reality they were just reacting to aggressive/dangerous behavior. How often do other cagers call the media when another cager gets mad at them and reacts back???? Especially when you compare the number of events, cager vs. cager happens all the time, cager vs. cyclist not so much, but you always hear about the isolated cyclist/motorcyclist etc. incident.
