What do you expect riding a bike?

Regardless of what may happen at a CM ride or messengers riding downtown for work or my ranting on this site, do people really think that is RIGHT or WRONG. Really ... can you justify or a least explain this to me so I understand what makes this ok ?

Monday 10am
.... On my way home from coffee this morning I was coming down Foster Eastbound with my 10 speed pacing with a group of random riders between Clark and Broadway. So coming the other way (westbound) is some guy loaded with a giant pack and chain. Out of nowhere, literally, he just swerves into the lane of traffic on his left. No signal, no head turn, just boom, he is direct in front of this car who needs to chirp her brakes to avoid contact and then he swerves back not even trying to cross. Ok fine, bad move maybe, but when he started cussing ( i mean big time) out this chick who did a fine job of NOT hitting him depsite the fact he basically was on top of her already, I told him 'what do you expect swerving into traffic like that'. Ok, he is pissed at me, I am used to it. Cussed me out too. I kept riding, no point in trying to argue about it. I kind wished he'd started a fight too but not my luck. There are unembellished facts of this particular situation. 


So ....


Why did his cuss that chick out, for not hitting him. Why cuss me out ? For telling him the obvious ? Had the driver hit the cyclist, who's fault is it really in an instance like this or an instance where someone just flying through a stopsign or traffic light when there is a considerable amount of traffic and they are either unaware of you or already in motion with no consideration. Why don't people fear cars trucks like I do ? Is riding a bike all about having some sort of ego against cars ???? Hey the world may be better off without them, but that is not reality at the moment. I'd hate to have to go to the hospital on the back of a bike trailer .... Anyone comment or let this die with the rest of my threads  ????

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Permalink Reply by steve rulz on May 31, 2010 at 5:00am

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 31, 2010 at 5:54am
I think it has to do with an (increasing) lack of civility on the part of all traffic participants. Nowadays everybody believes they are more important that anybody else. That includes bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians.
Like Adriana said, riding defensively might be your best bet.
Permalink Reply by cutifly on May 31, 2010 at 6:07am
I am kind of wanting people who DO NOT agree with me on this to find some way and justify this type of behavior so I can gain new insight and perspective. That is what I really need from someone besides being called names, how will I ever learn how to become a better person and a better biker ?
Permalink Reply by cutifly on May 31, 2010 at 6:38am
Nice ....

H3N3 said:
Playing devil's advocate-- some people might think the woman in the car was being socially and morally irresponsible by using an obscene amount of resources and contributing in the greatest possible way to environmental destruction just to get from A to B, and had no right to be in that car in the first place. Some people might think a 2 ton hunk of metal with the power of a huge team of horses has no place in a dense urban environment, and should be prepared to stop for anything.

cutifly said:
I am kind of wanting people who DO NOT agree with me on this to find some way and justify this type of behavior so I can gain new insight and perspective. That is what I really need from someone besides being called names, how will I ever learn how to become a better person and a better biker ?
Permalink Reply by cutifly on May 31, 2010 at 7:04am
but .... I forgot to add (because of the Ning Timeout). How does this persons reaction (the biker) benefit the best interests and image of the bike community. Cussing some chick out who just did you a favor by being aware and not running you over, when so easily it could have been the other (much worse) scenario. I do agree with your idealism but I also don't spend much time lying to myself about the reality of the here and now and the fact that we still do share the road with cars/trucks, etc .... If someone can truly justify this I will kiss major butt here ... This (to me is about how people react) not about actually the mistake/inconsideration of a specific biker or the reaction of a driver. If you think the biker was justified for real, I really want to know who it is in a public forum. The people who despise my thinking the most, please let this one hurt bad ...



cutifly said:
Nice ....
H3N3 said:
Playing devil's advocate-- some people might think the woman in the car was being socially and morally irresponsible by using an obscene amount of resources and contributing in the greatest possible way to environmental destruction just to get from A to B, and had no right to be in that car in the first place. Some people might think a 2 ton hunk of metal with the power of a huge team of horses has no place in a dense urban environment, and should be prepared to stop for anything.

cutifly said:
I am kind of wanting people who DO NOT agree with me on this to find some way and justify this type of behavior so I can gain new insight and perspective. That is what I really need from someone besides being called names, how will I ever learn how to become a better person and a better biker ?
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on May 31, 2010 at 7:30am
Sounds like the guy is a few marbles short of a good game. His head was not put on correctly, and his momma did not love him. BTW was he wearing a helmet?
Permalink Reply by cutifly on May 31, 2010 at 7:36am
No helmet, but I don't wear one usually.... and I do understand I got no one to blame but myself if I do incur head injury (which some people already assume I have incurred). I still need justification .... I know someone can convince me, I can be easily influenced .... Please ....

Juan Dominguez said:
Sounds like the guy is a few marbles short of a good game. His head was not put on correctly, and his momma did not love him. BTW was he wearing a helmet?
Permalink Reply by steve rulz on May 31, 2010 at 8:47am
I think Adriana hit the nail on the head. I always assume people are going to do the stupidest thing possible and I am surprised if they don't but ready for it when they do. As well when people are douche bags they need to be told they are being douche bags. How will people learn if they get a free pass to act like a jack ass.
As for the helmet comment. Wear a fucking helmet. I learned the hard way by getting hit by a car skating and got over 100 stitches in my forehead. I later worked at a rehab center for people with closed head injuries. The people I worked with had similar accidents as myself but where not as lucky. If you know anyone who has had an accident and see how it's affected them you won't consider riding a bike with out one.
I think we met at mass. I was riding a penny farthing. You where on the green tall bike correct? I know it's not considered cool to ride a bike like that with a helmet. I like riding a bike and if I have an accident I would like to be able to continue to riding. I also don't want to have to rely on other people to help me take a crap but if that's your jam suit yourself.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on May 31, 2010 at 5:23pm
I expect other users of the road, cyclists and motorists alike, to exhibit the same habits that are evident from the condition of most public restrooms. Hence, some of the same tactics may be employed to make the individual experience safer and more tolerable - avoid touching anything, hover if necessary and get out as quickly as possible.

cutifly said:
What do you expect riding a bike?
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 1, 2010 at 4:16am
Don't post things like this; they will one day cause me to have a stroke.

Regardless of how you feel about a persons choice to drive instead of ride it is not only legal but socially acceptable and if they are following the rules of the road, paying attention and not otherwise acting the jerk really there is no justified reason to bitch them out. People who cut cars off and then bitch at them are the people who are making it harder for us all.

I drive frequently, my work leaves me with no choice, and I work very hard to pay attention to and be nice to cyclists but even as an avid cyclist I am, far to frequently, driven to new heights of rage by cyclists doing something exactly as described above. Don't run a stop sign and then curse at me for almost missing you as a slammed on the brakes throwing every part and tool in the back of my van out of the shelves and on the floor; you're supposed to stop too asshat.

H3N3 said:
Playing devil's advocate-- some people might think the woman in the car was being socially and morally irresponsible by using an obscene amount of resources and contributing in the greatest possible way to environmental destruction just to get from A to B, and had no right to be in that car in the first place. Some people might think a 2 ton hunk of metal with the power of a huge team of horses has no place in a dense urban environment, and should be prepared to stop for anything.

cutifly said:
I am kind of wanting people who DO NOT agree with me on this to find some way and justify this type of behavior so I can gain new insight and perspective. That is what I really need from someone besides being called names, how will I ever learn how to become a better person and a better biker ?
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 1, 2010 at 4:29am
notoriousDUG said:
Don't post things like this; they will one day cause me to have a stroke.
Regardless of how you feel about a persons choice to drive instead of ride it is not only legal but socially acceptable and if they are following the rules of the road, paying attention and not otherwise acting the jerk really there is no justified reason to bitch them out. People who cut cars off and then bitch at them are the people who are making it harder for us all.
...

I agree that we all need to try to get along out there. Peace and love and forgiveness will do us more good in the long run than war and hate and holding a grudge. Cussing out a driver when we do something stupid is counterproductive and as far as I'm concerned, unacceptable.

But "legal" and "socially acceptable" are not valid excuses for wrecking the planet and doing the other harms and damage that motor vehicles cause. At at least one point and place in human history all of these things where both legal and socially acceptable:
  • genocide
  • slavery
  • cannibalism
  • torture
We look back at those times and places in horror. Someday if humanity survives long enough, people will look back at our collective behavior with nearly the same horror and disgust.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 1, 2010 at 4:37am
Thank you Doug.

I was going to post a response when I first saw Howard's reply, but I knew I wouldn't have been as civil.

notoriousDUG said:
Don't post things like this; they will one day cause me to have a stroke.
Regardless of how you feel about a persons choice to drive instead of ride it is not only legal but socially acceptable and if they are following the rules of the road, paying attention and not otherwise acting the jerk really there is no justified reason to bitch them out. People who cut cars off and then bitch at them are the people who are making it harder for us all.
I drive frequently, my work leaves me with no choice, and I work very hard to pay attention to and be nice to cyclists but even as an avid cyclist I am, far to frequently, driven to new heights of rage by cyclists doing something exactly as described above. Don't run a stop sign and then curse at me for almost missing you as a slammed on the brakes throwing every part and tool in the back of my van out of the shelves and on the floor; you're supposed to stop too asshat.

H3N3 said:
Playing devil's advocate-- some people might think the woman in the car was being socially and morally irresponsible by using an obscene amount of resources and contributing in the greatest possible way to environmental destruction just to get from A to B, and had no right to be in that car in the first place. Some people might think a 2 ton hunk of metal with the power of a huge team of horses has no place in a dense urban environment, and should be prepared to stop for anything.

cutifly said:
I am kind of wanting people who DO NOT agree with me on this to find some way and justify this type of behavior so I can gain new insight and perspective. That is what I really need from someone besides being called names, how will I ever learn how to become a better person and a better biker ?

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