Read the whole thing before calling me names
I would suggest that the people complaining about cyclist ride a bike for a few days and then consider an apology
Q: Why do cyclist ride a bit out into the lane?
A: because if they hug the curb you will hit them trying to squeeze past. They are using the oncoming traffic to keep you from accidentally killing them. If you want them to move over don’t squeeze past them
Alternately to above some cities have storm drains gratings with holes or slots that are about 3 inches wide. These don’t bother car tires but will literally kill a bicyclist. Riders have to ride far enough out to avoid obstacles like that.
Q: Do you complain every time you see a motorist slightly breaking the law or call for the abolition of autos when you see a rude driver? I didn’t think so. So why when you see one out of 50 or 60 cyclist doing something rude do you complain?
Believe me. Being polite on a bike does not help. I still have idiots throw things at me. Yell at me and try and run me off the road
Cyclist have much more valid grips about the problems rude ignorant Fat-a**ed drivers cause them than drivers ever will about cyclist. I am hard press to think of how a cyclist can ever put a person in an automobiles life in danger yet I have PERSONALLY spent 15 days in the hospital because a driver came onto the SHOULDER of a road to hit me with his pickup truck when I would not have come closer to 6 feet from him if he’d stayed in his lane.
I realize that posters here will deny that this kind of thing ever happens because all car drivers are simply misunderstood good people that never complain unreasonably or threaten anyone who as in my case CANNOT legally drive a car due to medical issues
That said, I agree with some of the comments.
1. Bicycle riders should have to have their rigs inspected for safety once a year.
2. Bicycle riders should have to display a license tag or sticker like a license plate if they are used on the road that says they have paid a road use tax.
3. A lot of bikes used by bicycle messengers in large cities should be illegal as the fixed gear bikes have no brakes. In fact I think most of the bicycle messengers in large cities should be abolished. The way they are paid encourages them to break the law and do dangerous things.
Conversely:
4.Drivers should get their car towed for parking in a bike lane.
5. The biggest problem with bike lanes is that they do not allow cyclist to cross intersections. This is simply a design issue that should be fixed
For what it is worth to the person that complained about “riders on bikes that cost a $1000.00” I wish! The bike I have and their approximate cost are listed below. There is not a speck the hated carbon fiber on any of them and only the Vitus is aluminum!
Cinelli Super Course w/Campagnolo Super Record $2800.00 in 1978
Battaglin Triathlon frame with Sun Tour Superbe Pro about $3800 in 1991
Sam Hillborne touring bike with NOS Suntour XC Pro About $3200 in 1999
Vitus Stag built from dead parts about $600 in 2001(I can lock this one outside)
Soma San Marco Campagnolo Centaur 10 speed about $4000.00 July 2013
A thousand dollar bike is entry level.
Possibly, but I've put over 10k on mine, and I paid <$250 in 2000. Just recently changed the cassette and chain from the original. Course they were in pretty poor shape. :)