Radio host infuriates cyclists

The Raleigh News & Observer ^ | 10/1/03 | BRUCE SICELOFF

[Skip Ripley]

I have no problems with people who are safe and aware. I have as much patience as I can spare with the clueless newbies who don't know any better. It's the people that know better and still endanger others that piss me off.
Maybe I'm biased, but where I skate, most of those people are cyclists.

[olorin]

Maybe you should be addressing that to me or ironman or RoughDoberman or bicycle thug - since Rebelbase has been saying pretty much the same thing you are. Maybe you should also try reading the thread - you having said anything new.

[Lazamataz]

I finally learned how to ass-tap over the weekend

If you had been hanging with me, you'd have learned that one years ago.

Heh heh heh heh.

[Nephi]

In Colorado, cyclists have every right to be on the road as an automobile. Cyclists are required to observe all traffic laws for that reason. They are only required to be as far to the right as comfortable. I suspect that if traffic was held up it was due to driver's lack of confidence, rather than a lack of space. I have experienced similar backups while driving only to realize that it was a timid older driver who felt the need to take up half of the oncoming lane in order to pass the cyclist, when in reality, there was plenty of room to pass. As a driver, I get pissed when traffic is backed up due to two cyclists riding a side-by-side, in the roadway.

As a kid, riding with the traffic on my 20" single speed, I felt a rush of wind pass my ear. I looked up to see some idiot holding a pipe out of the window of a truck.

For the rest of my youth, I rode against traffic. Since cyclists are required to follow the traffic laws this is illegal, which is unfortunate, because the cyclist is putting his life in the hands of the drivers. Riding against traffic is tricky, however, when a driver is making a left turn - they are looking for oncoming traffic and won't see the cyclist riding against traffic until the last second, usually.

Recently, here in Summit County, Colorado, the letters-to-the-editor in the Summit Daily got a little heated over the issue of cyclists using roads versus bikepaths. There is a two-lane road over Dillon dam, in particular, that sparked debate. Anti-cyclists even went as far as to write that given the choice of a head on collision, taking a breath and slowing down or hitting a cyclist, they would hit the cyclist. Drivers felt that cyclists had no right to the roadway because there is a bikepath right next to it. When the newspaper ran a picture of the newly posted sign prohibiting cyclists from the roadway, you could see the bikepath in the background. The photo revealed why cyclists would use the roadway when a perfectly good bikepath ran alongside it - on the "bikepath" two pedestrians were walking, side-by-side, with a dog, taking up the whole bikepath.

I have ridden the exact same path many times and when approaching pedestrians, I yell out "hello" 20 yards, or so, in advance. One particular day, a woman with a particularly large posterior was walking alongside with her companion. When I yelled out "hello" she turned, looked at me and continued without making the slightest effort to move to the side. Needless to say, I made a very audible suggestion that involved characterizing her bundinghah as I rode past her.

[RoughDobermann]

Yeah, I was doing that because I know it really bugs you guys when people do that....

Yeah, sure. That's what you all say! ;-)

[olorin]

having = haven't

[Lazamataz]

When I was a child I would ride for miles on streets with no helmet. Back then, what kids thought there were evil people behind the wheel that wanted to hit them ?

I had no license back then.

Or else you'd have needed your helmet.

AHHHHHMMMM a COMMIN FOR YA!!!!

[bicycle thug]

"Motorists pay huge insurance premiums and lots of taxes for the use of the roads. Cyclists pay nothing, and they wonder why some motorists don't appreciate their antics."

Many cyclists are motorists too and pay for their cars. The only difference between them and you is you help the export/import balance of payment turn into a river of capital going to Middle Eastern states, and then whine because you are not respected for this unconditionally.

I bike year round, and I served my time in the military, and I pay taxes. Seems your whine has the oder of vinegar.

[Skooz]

And the leather hood?

uuummmmmmmmmmm......?????

[Lazamataz]

Skintight clothing serves a very functional purpose.

Plus it gets all the ladies.

Your home-clown comment is a cheap shot.

[olorin]

"As a kid, riding with the traffic on my 20" single speed, I felt a rush of wind pass my ear. I looked up to see some idiot holding a pipe out of the window of a truck."

That was Servant of the 9 (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/992912/posts?page=129#118)

[stylin_geek]

I should clarify, in Minneapolis, there are a lot of paved paths just for cyclists and rollerbladers which circle lakes, and also run through the cities. This is where the speed limit applies. However, the bike lanes on the side of a road have have the same speed limit as the cars.

[ironman]

"Unfortunately, I would wonder whether any cyclist has ever been ticketed for this, or for running a stop light or stop sign"

Around here in Northern Virginia tickets have been issued to cyclists for running stops signs.

"Motorists pay huge insurance premiums and lots of taxes for the use of the roads"

I own a car too. I pay my taxes and my insurance. Some days I drive. Others I ride.

[Centurion2000]

For those drivers who feel like taking out a little aggression on a cyclist I have one thing to say - concealed carry.

You little wimpy concealed carry guns shoots a bullet with maybe 500-1000 ft-lbs of energy.

My Dodge RAM carries 5 million ft-lbs of energy at decent speed.

You sure you want to try a stupid stunt with a pistol on the road ? Cycle all you want, don't be a d*ck in the middle of the road. If it's rush hour, get the h*ll out of the way.

[RoughDobermann]

Forcing the cars behind the bike to go at it's speed is not at all safe, especially for the cars at the rear of the line

That's true. But, if the cyclist is as far over to thr right as possible, the cars should be able to pass without slowing down.

[ArrogantBustard]

Alexadre Dumas smoked crack for two days straight before inventing that thing.

[Rebelbase]

"Ummm, I don't belong to a biking club."

Thats good. It means you are probably more inclinded to allow traffic to pass you rather than you taking up the whole lane.

[artios]

I am also in Minneapolis. I love the great bike paths around here. The commuter paths, reginal trails, Hennepen park paths, paths around the lakes - Cedar, Calhoun, etc and other paths. I have been thinking of moving to North Carolina and I had told me my wife my number one selection criteria for the location WITHIN North Varolina would be the presense of biker friendly paths. This certainly makes NC seem like a bad place for a biker to go.

[olorin]

Have you even read any of this thread from the start?

[Joe Hadenuf]

Skintight clothing serves a very functional purpose.

Yes, it cuts through the wind. That's why you aren't a serious biker unless you shave your legs too. As leg hair can actually cause a drag against the wind and slow you down.

So shave your legs for maximum cutting edge speed......