Rude Bicyclists

[karlos]

The NCCC general email contact received a letter from a motorist. Although I'm sure the motorist could use some education on bicyclists' legal rights, he is probably reacting to a NCCC group ride he observed this weekend. My personal response to that would be to continue to ride hard, but obey the traffic laws and communicate with motorists via signals and smiles. If we all think, as both bicyclists and motorists, that the #1 rule of the road is "Treat all other road users with courtesy and respect while driving legally," we'll all be better off.

This is a general rant for which I'm offering no reply but sharing with y'all as it is an evidently unfortunate common perception.

FROM: rllanderson@yahoo.com
SUBJECT: Rude Bicyclists

You people need to read your own propaganda.  “Share the Road”  Bicyclists are always among the most egocentric and rude people on the road.   Consistently,  bicyclists  come out of bicycle lanes in front of cars without looking, make no attempt to share the road,  run stop signs, cut between cars, and disobey traffic laws (evidently thinking you are above the laws).  Bicyclists ride with complete disregard for their own safety, and will probably complain that it is the automobile drivers fault when there is an accident.

GROW UP.    Until you people become responsible and considerate adults, you may find yourself in the hospital on in Forest Lawn.   Surprise, when an accident does occur, it will very most likely be the fault of the bicyclist regardless of how loudly and immaturely you complain.

Very truly,
One (of many) thoroughly fed-up motorist

[Serge]

As a motorist I'm hardly affected and never bothered by cyclists on the road, no matter what they do.    If they do something stupid they're risking their own safety.  I wish they wouldn't do that but I'm not affected by it. No matter what they do, I'm not going to hit one.  I change lanes to pass, when safe, just like with any other slow moving traffic, with ample extra margin space.  It's not that hard.  Driving 101.  And the most they ever delay me is a few seconds, far less than a typical red light delay.  So what is all the consternation about?   Seriously.

Motorist lawbreaking in the US kills about 30,000 people per year and they have the gall to complain about cyclist behavior?  That bothers me.

Serge

[karlos]

Serge - I definitely also understand your point. We always tell our TS 101 students that "By taking this course you will also become a better MOTORIST." Those of us who understand what's going on, whether by TS 101, Cycling Savvy, or just plain knowledge of the law and common sense, can deal with this. The problem is how we make everyone else aware [i.e. educate]  as to how laws apply to cycling and how to also ride [drive] within those laws and manage to be courteous and respectful at the same time. This is just something that seems to happen an inch at a time right now and I like to think our "inches" are moving in the right direction.
-Karl

[Serge]

I agree we're moving in the right direction, but I don't need motorists to get better.  It would be nice, of course, but I'm fine riding in traffic with the level of current competence, and I don't believe significant improvements can be made any way. 

What I do want is for more of them to accept road bicyclists and stop all the hand-wringing.  Frankly, it's really stupid.