Is It O.K. to Kill Cyclists?

New York Times ^ | November 9, 2013 | Daniel Duane

[nickcarraway]

EVERYBODY who knows me knows that I love cycling and that I’m also completely freaked out by it. I got into the sport for middle-aged reasons: fat; creaky knees; the delusional vanity of tight shorts. Registering for a triathlon, I took my first ride in decades. Wind in my hair, smile on my face, I decided instantly that I would bike everywhere like all those beautiful hipster kids on fixies. Within minutes, however, I watched an S.U.V. hit another cyclist, and then I got my own front wheel stuck in a streetcar track, sending me to the pavement.

I made it home alive and bought a stationary bike trainer and workout DVDs with the ex-pro Robbie Ventura guiding virtual rides on Wisconsin farm roads, so that I could sweat safely in my California basement. Then I called my buddy Russ, one of 13,500 daily bike commuters in Washington, D.C. Russ swore cycling was harmless but confessed to awakening recently in a Level 4 trauma center, having been hit by a car he could not remember. Still, Russ insisted I could avoid harm by assuming that every driver was “a mouth-breathing drug addict with a murderous hatred for cyclists.”

The anecdotes mounted: my wife’s childhood friend was cycling with Mom and Dad when a city truck killed her; two of my father’s law partners, maimed. I began noticing “cyclist killed” news articles, like one about Amelie Le Moullac, 24, pedaling inside a bike lane in San Francisco’s SOMA district when a truck turned right and killed her. In these articles, I found a recurring phrase: to quote from The San Francisco Chronicle story about Ms. Le Moullac, “The truck driver stayed at the scene and was not cited.”

[real saxophonist]

I fall under ‘dedicated biker’, but I wouldn’t mind having a $5000 Madone.

[bmwcyle]

They kill themselves. You don’t have to lift a finger.

[old-ager]

At least you learned. Drivers can’t see you very well, expect you to be extremely careful and watch out for them, and reflexively are not going to avoid you as they would something that endangers them. You ride in all kinds of places that walking would be considered insane, yet you are no better protected than a walker.

Oh, I am now starting to see runners acting like bicyclists. Very clever, not.

I am sure the agenda of the homosexual bicycle lobby is to criminalize the unavoidable accident of hitting one of them.

[Darksheare]

Just the ones that ride four deep shoulder to shoulder at a leisurely five mph in a fifty zone in the drive lane while blocking traffic AND smugly smirking over their shoulders at the line of vehicles stuck behind them.
Those guys deserve the rage heaped on them.
Not the guys who make a conscious effort to be courteous.

[null and void]

On the last Friday of every month in San Francisco?

Helllll Yeah....

How to handle 'Critical Mass' bicyclers, My experience at Bio 2004:

To: liberallyconservative

Oh, OK...

After moving less than half a block in 20 minutes (one block away from from Moscone), a bunch of bicyclists started riding between the cars, leader with a bull horn, shouting something about taking over the streets.

He had the horn pointed back wards so I didn't hear him coming. Durn! he got away!

However, I popped my door open in front of the third or so cyclist in the string. (I did look first to make sure he had room to stop).

He screams "You effin' clymer!!!" (OK, I cleaned it up a little, so sue me...)

I looked up smiled sweetly and said "That makes two of us..."

Totally messed them up. They had to stop and regroup. His buds split leaving him with two young "ladies" to protect him from the mean man in the car. Boo fricking hoo

I closed the door and he started to pass by and continued to berate me. When he was adjacent to the door I popped it open at him, not to hit him, but to persuade him to move along.

He darn near fell off his bike trying to dodge me.

"We're going to call 911!!!"

"Don't bother, I'll call for you" which I did. (The line was busy)

He and the two chicks decided that it was past their collective bedtimes or something and split.

Felt GOOD...

3,573 posted on 06/08/2004 5:57:17 PM PDT by null and void (In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is clearly delusional - He's SEEING things...)

[Steely Tom]

I believe there was a case of a cyclist in San Francisco - within the past year - who hit an elderly gentleman who was crossing the street; as a consequence, the pedestrian was killed.

The cyclist was completely unapologetic, and was outraged when he was arrested. I don’t know how that one came out. I think the incident occurred in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.

[Bryanw92]

>>Please think twice every time you head out, FRIend. Stay safe.

Thanks. I think more than twice! I keep my head on a swivel, constantly watching the cars and road, and always planning for the inattentive or homicidal driver.

The funny thing is that I once got knocked off the road by a pack of douchebags in spandex who bumped me about four times as they blew past me.

[JouleZ]

I think a lot of cyclists have a real attitude problem.

******

They sure do. They are suicidal yet think they are health nuts. I have hundreds ride on my road for a race every year and they are obnoxious!

[Nachoman]

A lot of cyclists here make you have to choose between hitting them or veering into oncoming traffic. The choice is a no-brainer for me.

[Prole]

If they are riding in a pack, blocking traffic, and going 10 MOH up a ling hill...

The loud horn is what they deserve.

Bunch of entitled, elitist @ssholes.

What would they do if an ambulance was hindered by their antics?

Scumbags.

[real saxophonist]

My commute was pretty short, 15 minutes. Just wash up in the bathroom. There was a guy who skateboarded to work, changed in to a shirt and tie when he got there.

It can be done, kinda depends on one's workplace accommodations.

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

I've been a long time advocate of stronger protections for cyclists and tougher penalties for motor vehicle caused accidents when they are at fault. I also campaigned in lawyer rich California to pass a law requiring tow truck operators to clean up all accident debris and broken glass after a vehicle accident and charge the driver's insurance company. That went nowhere, even with a liberal legislature that could have taxed the invoice.

That said:
Upper level recreational riders, licensed USCF riders and triathletes are usually a cut above most road riders when it comes to personal safety and courtesy concerning vehicles. There are a lot of simple common sense practices that go with keeping ourselves alive.

I am hard pressed to understand riding in a major metropolitan area on high traffic city streets, especially without a group which makes drivers more aware. I'll admit to not being familiar with places like New York. (thank GOD)

But, unless someone is determined to buck traffic for a job commute, I don't understand not racking your bike and driving out of town to train. The scenery is better and how long could that take, anyway?

The author says he lives in San Francisco. I used to ride there quite a bit and never had any trouble getting out past the Marina and across the GG Bridge into Marin County for a Mt. Tam ride or down the Great Highway and out to Pacifica / Highway 1 to hammer in the wind. I think he's blowing smoke about having to ride a trainer in the basement. Maybe articles like this make money when sold to magazines that know no better. Hmmm, I might try a new profession.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Some Bicyclists are maniacs. They will ram a wheel into your baby stroller on the bicycle lane while you are getting into a car just to have an argument about it.

Ironically, the ones riding off the bicycle lanes are the normal ones who go slow, use a bell and share the space by at least moving out of collision coarse.

[libstripper]

Just ask Genetal Patton.

[Conservative Vet]

I’m one of the few avid urban cyclists who isn’t a rabid lefty. I just love riding and it makes me feel like a kid. Has nothing to do with carbon footprint or any of that nonsense. I disagreed with the recent law in California about giving cyclists three feet. If I’m on my bike, it’s up to me to be wary of the cars. That law isn’t going to save me and it’s another useless law. After many years of riding, had my first accident with a car. He blew through a stop sign and I hit my brakes just in time though I still hit him. Then he drove off. About two seconds away from him crushing my leg and my bare head striking the pavement. Another incredible save by my guardian angel and I’ve started wearing my helmet again after that.

[Mamzelle]

I'd always kind of resented cyclists when I drove a small car.

But when I started pulling a little trailer, I learned to HATE cyclists ...they terrified me with their antics.

[Truthoverpower]

We’re radical bikers here. And we run over cars. Bikes rule cars spew crap

That’s exactly what I teach my kids

Also skateboards suck and so do scooters

There is one and only one form of transportation If you don’t need to go really far or haul a bunch of kids and crap

It’s a mountain bike. Road bikes have skinny wimpy tires and are for spandex wearing weenies mostly

Get a real bike with big knobby tires and shocks. Disk brakes are preferable but I still have the old pads. But I’m considered a dinosaur by most

Bikes. Don’t have to obey any laws or rules. No matter what the stupid man says.

On a bike you are literally free. In more ways than almost anything else

And all the weenies who sneer at bikes from their stupid cars can get wet

Biking doesn’t hurt your knees and ankles but gives you a great workout

The mountain bike is literally the best invention created by man to date

Bar none.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I know of two separate cases where cyclists were run over by semis.

Cyclists seem to have a basic lack of knowledge of the laws of physics especially when it comes to semis. Drivers of cars have pretty much the same problem so this is not a knock at just cyclists.

The drivers of trucks have both an expanded and restricted field of vision. When they say, "If you can't see my mirrors I can't see you" they are not kidding. Ride in their blind spot and you are committing suicide by truck.

Even when they are moving slowly they are pushing a great deal of air. That air hitting you can push you where you would rather not be.

They can not stop on a dime. Or change directions. They can not swerve around you.

When it comes to semis give them the right of way and stay away and stay visible.

Most truck drivers are professionals. They have no wish to run over you. But if you throw yourself under their tires it will happen.

[Baynative]

HOMIE! I spent a lot of time and logged a lot of miles in those hills! Monterey to Half Moon Bay is cycling heaven.

[rabidralph]

Interesting and sad.