cyclist leans against my car at a red light...

[grantf]

So here in Seattle there are quite a few self righteous cyclists that think they do not have to follow the rules of the road and take responsibility for there own safety. It's a common complaint I have.

Today on my way home from work I see a bike commuter approaching my car from behind and he stops next to me and places a hand on the roof of my car for balance. I'm thinking to myself "oh no not again". I roll down my window and he looks in and says "the right brake light is burnt out on you're very nice car" then he proceeded on his way after the light changed.

Well I guess they are not all bad.

[chaztg]

that guy has humility, respect, class and good taste..., but he have better been wearing full-finger gloves so he didn't smudge the paint on "a very nice car."

[olzed]

that guy has humility, respect, class and good taste.."

Humility, respect, I don't think so. I think people that do this show no respect. I would have given the bastard an earfull.

They are a danger on the roads.

[d240zx2]

A 9mm would discourage such activity.

[grantf]

Humility, respect, I don't think so. I think people that do this show no respect. I would have given the bastard an earfull.

They are a danger on the roads.

I posted the above because I thought it was respectful and rare (though others may not have responded as I did). I am more than willing to share the road with a cyclist as long as they use the same rules as any other vehicle (including signaling, obeying traffic lights and not drifting traffic). But I think they should take the motorcycle safety course, in that you learn that you have a low visual profile and it is you're responsibility to not get hit buy a car or truck. As a motorcyle rider it is up to me to stay safe, I wish cyclists had the same mindset.

[jimbob_racing]

They only do that when their feet are clipped into the pedals. The rest of us crazy bike riders wear normal shoes and we can put our feet down when we come to a stop.

[cozye]

I'm an avid cyclist. I obey all traffic laws and ride just as I would on a motorcycle, usually in low traffic rural areas. I'm not quite sure why there is so much hate towards cyclist, sure there are idiots on bicycles just like there are Idiots in cars. I've had people intentionally run me off the road, throw stuff, yell, etc for no reasons, out in the middle of no where. I don't go running into every car driver on the road or stereotype that the world should be abolished of all mini van drivers. That is the same thing as hating all cyclist just because a few don't have respect.

Comments like a 9mm taking care of it, or they are all a danger to the roads are uncalled for and straight up wizz me off. I'll defend the right to cycling to the end, and if any bone head wants to get in debate about it i'm more than willing to entertain all the usual one sided and idiotic arguments that cycle haters use.

Why not show a little respect and courtesy, if someone is disobeying the law, then take your frustrations out on them. There is no reason to perpetuate the hate for all cyclist when many of us go to great length to be safe, be seen, and ride far away from the city.

And fwiw, some of us pack riding too, so pull out that 9mm.

[cozye]

They only do that when their feet are clipped into the pedals. The rest of us crazy bike riders wear normal shoes and we can put our feet down when we come to a stop.

I wear cleats and clip out to stop. I wouldn't dream of resting on someone's car.

[grantf]

Cozye, would you say that the degree of responsibility for you're own safety be the same on a bicycle in downtown streets as a motorcycle? I ask this because this is where more often conflicts occur. It is simply harder to see a cyclist or motorcycle at times. A motorcyclist learns to be visible and to be cautious, where as (at least here in seattle) there is the additude that cyclists have no resosibility for protecting themselves from harm, that it is up to other vehicles to avoid them, or as here in seattle paint the roadways with bike icons everywere (I don't understand that at all).

[LeonV]

Humility, respect, I don't think so. I think people that do this show no respect. I would have given the bastard an earfull.

They are a danger on the roads.

Seriously? He's a danger on the roads for letting someone know that they have a taillight out? I don't follow.

A 9mm would discourage such activity.

That's one of the most idiotic things I've heard. Nice attitude. Wave a gun at everyone, that makes it all better.

What's with all the pent up rage?

[Oiluj]

First, let me say I enjoy cycling, and do it responsibly.

However, my experience in multiple locations around the urban Bay Area is that most cyclists only follow the rules of the road when it suits them and ignore the rules rest of the time. They consistently run stops signs & red lights, cut in front of cars, switch lanes and make left turns in traffic with no signal or warning. Then when one of them is contacted by a car or truck, (usually the cyclists fault), they "literally" start screaming about thier rights. (and no, I've never hit a cyclist).

Also, if youv'e ever seen "critical mass" cyclists in San Francisco snarl traffic downtown at rush hour, week after week to make a point about sharing the road, (or in thier case, NOT sharing the road), you might be more inclined to consider many cyclists a hazard.

I don't hate cyclists, enjoy cycling and respect "responsible" cyclists. But think "aggresive" urban cyclists hurt their cause far more than they help it. Not only that, even when they are "in the right", when accidents occur, the cyclist always loses to the motor vehicle.

One more thing, if you are packing while you ride and don't have a CC permit, that's a Federal offense. Not responsible at all...

Edited January 7, 2012 by Oiluj

[Oiluj]

One last comment. I'd thank the guy who told me my tailight was out...

Edited January 7, 2012 by Oiluj