Fu*king Cyclists

[FormerKnuckleDragger]

My brother-in-law got hit today on his ride into work. Don't know what happened or how he is yet though, my sister got a call from the emergency room this morning and rushed over.

Vibes. I've seen more car-bike collisions in the past two weeks than I've seen in the last six months. Low light commute times are no fun.

[johnnyg82]

So it seems like he's ok other than bumps, bruises, a scrape and a minor concussion. This year where we are has been bad for cyclist/car incidents, including at least 2 fatalities.

[wyeaster]

wow, glad it wasn't worse

[johnnyg82]

I'm a bit freaked out right now because I go through the same intersection he was hit at twice a day everyday on my ride to work.

[highangle]

...Budda bump bump bump,
Another one rides the bus!...

[old goat]

that's in the middle of the block btw

[ex-powderbroker]

Did the cyclist just make a left turn? Maybe the pedestrians were crossing against the light and he moved to give them space? Cyclists aren't obligate to be in a bike lane just because it exists though. I'm not sure what this photo "proves"... that someone might have inconvenienced a superior human in a car for a moment, maybe?

[old goat]

Did the cyclist just make a left turn? Maybe the pedestrians were crossing against the light and he moved to give them space? Cyclists aren't obligate to be in a bike lane just because it exists though. I'm not sure what this photo "proves"... that someone might have inconvenienced a superior human in a car for a moment, maybe?

It doesn't prove anything. Just shows some pedestrians and a cyclist being idiots (they're HS students so big surprise there). Also it's kind of a Rorschach test to identify entitled bike douches. Works every time. And yes, you do have to ride in the bike lane when one is available and as far to the right as practical and safe when there isn't. And riding down the yellow line of a road is illegal (and stupid) whether you do it on a bike, in a car, kayak, hot air balloon, whatever. And no he didn't just make a left turn. It's the middle of the block, like I said. But I guess you're going to see what you want to see. And project your own sense of entitlement on to car drivers.

[Tippster]

Windy as fuck here today. Reminds me of one time several years ago where i was stuck behind a Peloton of weekend warriors out where Iceman lives. Gust of wind hits one dude, he slams into the guy on his left, and most of the group ends up on the ground. Can't say I didn't laugh ruefully.

[ex-powderbroker]

Old goat, you sound like one of those guys that thinks anyone using the road in any fashion other than yourself is an asshole.

The bike lane law does not exist where I ride. I'm still managing four legs of Cory riding a day, but I'll throw an extra couple of lights on tomorrow so I'm extra visible to people like you.

Cheers

[old goat]

Old goat, you sound like one of those guys that thinks anyone using the road in any fashion other than yourself is an asshole.

The bike lane law does not exist where I ride. I'm still managing four legs of Cory riding a day, but I'll throw an extra couple of lights on tomorrow so I'm extra visible to people like you.

Cheers

How come every time one of you self righteous bike zealots post you prove the point the rest of us are trying to make? Look, I ride, and when people ride bikes in a way that flaunts the rights of others--whether those others are cars, other bikes, or walkers, they make the road a little more dangerous for me. Now I have no idea how you ride--maybe you ride in a legal, courteous way and have all this anger because of your encounters with cars driving badly. If that's the case maybe the riding is doing you more harm than good. Or maybe you should open your eyes and your mind and notice that the vast majority of drivers go out of their way to give you room, yield to you at stop signs regardless of who has the ROW, and to not hurt you. And where do you live that doesn't require bikes to use the bike lane when one is provided?

[::: :::]

you sound like one of those guys

people like you

you self righteous zealots

the rest of us

you two might be reasonable and caring, but no one hears the rest of it

[joetron]

It just looks to me like the pedestrians jaywalked mid block, hipster fixie kid had to swerve out towards the yellow because he's fixed-bro. Traffic is backed up because they slowed for the peds. You can even see the fixie kid giving the stink eye to the peds.
I'd bet dollars that the fixie rider went back to the bike lane right after this.

[old goat]

It just looks to me like the pedestrians jaywalked mid block, hipster fixie kid had to swerve out towards the yellow because he's fixed-bro. Traffic is backed up because they slowed for the peds. You can even see the fixie kid giving the stink eye to the peds.
I'd bet dollars that the fixie rider went back to the bike lane right after this.

I'm not sure what it shows other than the general level of idiocy one encounters on a daily basis on American roads, with everyone managing to survive the great majority of the time. Shoulda posted it in the Darwin Awards thread so no one would take offense.

[BmillsSkier]

you two might be reasonable and caring, but no one hears the rest of it

Yes. 35 pages distilled down to 4 quotes.

I see this thread going 65+ easy.

[muted]

I'm not sure what it shows other than the general level of idiocy one encounters on a daily basis on American roads, with everyone managing to survive the great majority of the time. Shoulda posted it in the Darwin Awards thread so no one would take offense.

That is maybe a 1 out of 10 on the level of idiocy I've seen in third world countries. Not even remotely close to Darwin Awards, people survive basic shit like this, but 10x every .5 seconds around the world.

[joetron]

I'm not sure what it shows other than the general level of idiocy one encounters on a daily basis on American roads, with everyone managing to survive the great majority of the time. Shoulda posted it in the Darwin Awards thread so no one would take offense.

Sure, dumb shit happens on all roads, all day, every day. But automatically taking the cars/drivers-are-victims angle, constantly inconvenienced by the hegemony of entitled pedestrians and cyclists is laughable.
I mean, just the effort to whip out your phone and take this picture, apparently without digesting exactly what was happening strikes me as funny. "Just wait till the boys back at TGR see this..."

We have far greater things to worry about these days, don't we?

Gonna get a little Poly-Ass here, spritz some gas on the fire and say it's like the alt-right of transportation.

[Buster Highmen]

Sure, dumb shit happens on all roads, all day, every day. But automatically taking the cyclists-are-victims angle, constantly inconvenienced by the hegemony of entitled cars and trucks is laughable. .

FIFY.
And remember: just don't be an asshole.

[FormerKnuckleDragger]

And where do you live that doesn't require bikes to use the bike lane when one is provided?

That doesn't mean you have to stay in it 100% of the time. If the bikes are avoiding pedestrians or passing slower-moving cyclists, it's completely legal. Something that drivers don't understand, and try to "correct" with their vehicles all the damn time.



California Vehicle Code Section 21208.

(a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a
roadway pursuant to Section 21207, any person operating a bicycle
upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic
moving in the same direction at that time shall ride within the
bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under
any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or
pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if the
overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a
private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid
debris or other hazardous conditions.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until
the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after
giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in Chapter 6
(commencing with Section 22100) in the event that any vehicle may be
affected by the movement.

[ex-powderbroker]

If he watched the video he also would have caught a Transportation Alternatives lawyer answering his exact question on Brian Lehrer's show on WNYC.

[joetron]

FIFY.
And remember: just don't be an asshole.

My taking-a-picture comment was like a Buster conjuring spell.

[Buster Highmen]

My taking-a-picture comment was like a Buster conjuring spell.

No, the tired, rehashed, rererereiterated one sided stiltificationalizing of the issue did.

[Dantheman]

Did the cyclist just make a left turn? Maybe the pedestrians were crossing against the light and he moved to give them space? Cyclists aren't obligate to be in a bike lane just because it exists though. I'm not sure what this photo "proves"... that someone might have inconvenienced a superior human in a car for a moment, maybe?

That's some dedication.

[muted]

Something that drivers don't understand, and try to "correct" with their vehicles all the damn time.

I presume that's your pic? Have fun correcting the drivers with your bike in their lane. And that's in California, that seems even sketchier. As a defensive (sometimes aggressive) bike commuter I make miscalculations often, shit happens, but it makes sense to avoid the situation from that pic at all costs. I hope you are not saying you did it because you have the right to do it??? Then again it's your life and your choice.

[FormerKnuckleDragger]

I presume that's your pic? Have fun correcting the drivers with your bike in their lane. And that's in California, that seems even sketchier. As a defensive (sometimes aggressive) bike commuter I make miscalculations often, shit happens, but it makes sense to avoid the situation from that pic at all costs. I hope you are not saying you did it because you have the right to do it??? Then again it's your life and your choice.

Where did I say I corrected the driver? I made a safe and signaled entrance into the vehicle lane to pass a slower cyclist. Three seconds later this dude decides he's going to pass six inches off my handlebars, when he had the entire other lane to make the pass in. The guy had nowhere to go with a car in front of him, and I was riding at the speed limit.

If by "miscalculations" you mean not anticipating that this jackass would break laws to show his brotherhood with Old Goat, then sure.