Pedal vs. Metal A surge in bike ridership spurs a new kind of road rage

Newsweek ^ | July 28, 2008 | Winston Ross

[fightinJAG]

When gas prices surged above $4 per gallon earlier this year, it didn't take Nostradamus to predict that there would be a resultant rush to carbon-free commuting options—especially in a place like Portland, which is known for its ample network of bike lanes. Cyclists in "Stumptown" are spinning their spokes here in unprecedented numbers, trading in their fuel-guzzling SUVs for stylish 27-speeds.

But the cycling surge has created conflict, as the new breed of commuters bumps up against the old, oil-powered kind.

First came a drunk cyclist repeatedly smacking the driver of a car with his bike July 6, before a passerby stopped the melee by knocking the pedaler to the ground with one punch (the driver happened to be a longtime cycling advocate, who'd kicked off the altercation by chiding the biker for blowing through a red light.)

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

“You people amaze me.”

Don’t forget that you are painting us lurkers with this broad-brush.

[angkor]

>>>>>>I took a test ride on a Soft Ride a while back it seemed capable and certainly more comfortable than my aluminum Cannondale 2.2.

Check out these Pashleys from the UK. Nice looking classic Brit bikes (like the old Raleighs) at a not unreasonable price but unfortunately not sold in the USA.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/lists/all.html

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Any more?

Oh, yeah.

Cyclists want to be treated as equals on the road, yet riders don't think they need to obey the same traffic laws as the drivers of *real* vehicles on the road.

Cyclists ride full-speed on sidewalks.

Cyclists ride against traffic.

Cyclists ride in crosswalks.

Cyclists run red lights.

Cyclists run stop signs.

Cyclists ride across painted dividers.

Cyclists are incapable of slowing down to allow cars to proceed ahead of them.

[RobRoy]

I plan on moving to southwestern Kentucky in the next few years. I have noticed that the area is a motorcycle paradise, but I may have to sell my bicycles.
:)

[angkor]

>>>>>>>I have a couple rules when riding: I ride like I’m invisible and I assume every car out there is trying to hit me.<<<<<<

My rules as well. And that’s why we’re still alive.

[chrisser]

The great thing about bicycle commuting is, even in rush hour, you may go slower than some cars but you are always going as fast as you can.

I'm happy for you, but if you're doing this by driving around traffic instead of with it, then you're asking for trouble, whether its legal or not.

Side-view mirrors are barely adequate for seeing other vehicles. A cyclist will be lucky to be seen if a driver is looking for them or has just passed them. In rush-hour traffic, even the most aware and courteous motorist is going to miss a cyclist passing on the right.

Of course, a lot depends on where the traffic occurs. In a lot of cities, there's plenty of extra space on the side of the road. In the industrial areas and older neighborhoods I drive through on my commute, there's precious little extra space on the road to pass a cyclist or be passed by one, and the steep curves mean the cyclist is trapped should something bad happen. The potholes alone would be enough to deter me from cycling to work.

The city center is probably a different story, but then there's the real possibility of having a door mistakenly opened into your path.

Of course, in a few months it will all be moot in my part of the country. Very few commuter cyclists are committed enough to take on snow.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

This is still FREE Republic, isn’t it?

Freedom isn't free.

Driving is not a right.

[RobRoy]

>>I use cleats and I personally don’t care how much I’m “inconvenienced” by uncleating. I prefer my body to be intact, thank you very much. I’ve even walked my bike through busy intersections, because I’m just not willing to challenge 50mph traffic.<<

I’m with you. Intersectiions are like people: No two are the same. I will walk my bike through some intersections, be like a car in others. Stop at some stop signs, roll through others, and blast through still others. It depends on the conditions.

[gura]

"No, you just jam up trafic and piss off people in steel cars with your self-righteous attitudes. "

I love the crybabies who throw a fit because they got to their destination 30 seconds later. Didn't your parents ever teach you to leave a little early rather than rushing around and making an ass of yourself?

[ravingnutter]

Wouldn’t it be great if both insurance and tabs were based on actual miles driven?

No. People like me who live in the country and work in the city would suffer the brunt of it. And yes, your truck cost you no money to drive it, but it was ILLEGAL and therefore you weren't following your own suggestion of pay to play. Sounds more like your concept is rules for thee but not for me.

[RobRoy]

That would be me. Now in the Scion xB.

38 years of doing this and not a scratch so far...

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

However, I do agree that bicyclists who disregard the law — including the hard-core guys who seem to think that a paceline negates any legal requirements — should get tickets, and they should count as points on their licenses.

Cyclists who disregard the law? You make it sound like it's only happens occasionally.

I yet to see a cyclist who obeys the law. All the laws, such as not running red lights when turning right, riding on the sidewalk, in crosswalks, running stop signs, riding against traffic, etc.

Do you obey *all* the same traffic laws while riding your bike as you would if you were driving your car?

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

"I would think fat tires contribute to a somewhat smoother ride, too."

They certainly contribute to a smoother END of ride! Cheers!

[Clemenza]

Anyone who rides their bicycle on the sidewalk should get a $200 ticket. That includes the Mexican/Central American deliverymen, who tell me me to go F-— myself when I tell them “en la CALLE, por favor!”

[BlazingArizona]

Almost every cyclist I know owns at least one car. The wear and tear cycles put on roads are similar to the wear pedestrians put on roads.

Cyclists may not impose significant wear on the roads, but they do have to be looked out for and have bike lanes provided in many areas. My solution would be to impose a modest road tax on cyclists, with an exemption for those who also own cars. The tax would then fall specifically on the ideological Critical Massholes.

[RobRoy]

>>Do you obey these traffic laws, or are you like all of the riders I see who think red lights and stop signs are only for *real* vehicles?<<

Again, I am a “spirit of the law” sort of guy. The spirit of the law is to ensure the traffic moves freely and safely. I apply this rule both when driving and riding. I don’t arbitrarily stop for stop signs. I am also one of those guys that, when in the left turn lane and facing a left turn red arrow, while the non-turning traffic has green, will go ahead and turn if there is no oncoming traffic and no pedestrians. It is still very safe and it keeps the traffic flowing.

The two things that make me obey traffic signals and signs are: 1. Safety based on the immediate circumstances (spirit of the law). 2. Cops being around (letter of the law).

How about the guy that gets in the passing lane of the freeway and drives the limit, exactly. He is obeying the letter of the law, yet violating the spirit of the law on both counts (safety and traffic flow).

[reagan_fanatic]

I only ride occasionally, but I've seen dangerous actions on both the part of bikers and drivers. A good friend of mine had this happen to him:

The driver of a semitrailer that killed an experienced bicyclist from Eldridge, Iowa, in a rural Scott County road construction zone in July has been cited with a simple misdemeanor for the crash. William Hartmann Jr., 49, of East Dubuque, Ill., was cited by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department under a traffic law for “overtaking on the right,” the department said Monday. The charge carries a fine of $50 under an Iowa law aimed at allowing sufficient clearance while passing. David Holmes, 43, died under the rear wheels of the trailer July 14 while biking from Eldridge to Long Grove on a section of St. Ann’s Road east of U.S. 61 where a construction zone narrowed the road to one lane. Sheriff’s Capt. Dan Dirksen said the citation was made after investigators consulted with the County Attorney’s office after an investigation. “It’s a sad, sad serious accident,” County Attorney Bill Davis said. The Iowa Supreme Court has spoken, he said, by ruling a traffic violation does not become a higher crime because of a bad or horrible result. But Holmes’ family is upset with what they see as a slap on the hand. “It doesn’t make any sense,” his wife, Tammy Holmes, said. “There’s a lot of people out there who ride bicycles. What does this say to them? You’re disposable.” David Holmes’ father, Don Holmes, said the drivers of a pilot car leading cars through the construction zone and the semi that hit his son knew better than to pass the bicyclist in the one lane zone. “I don’t ever want to call that an accident,” he said. “(The driver) should have prison time at least. These guys killed them.”

Dave was a very experienced rider who was always careful. Everyone, driver and rider alike, needs to realize this is a deadly serious game, and no one deserves to die for it.

[BlazingArizona]

Mystery: Why do many Harley riders seem to take pleasure in almost brushing the shoulder of a cyclist?

Because at their age, most of them have glaucoma and macular degeneration.

[RobRoy]

Yeah, that is the problem. I don’t want government doing it. But if an insurance company gave me a substantially reduced rate based on mileage actually driven, and put a box on my car to record ONLY MILEAGE, I’d jump on it.

A lot of stuff (like non-smoking bars) are fine when private business do it but just plain evil when government does it.

[blackie]

I have an 18 speed mountain bike that I haven’t ridden in about 10 years. I like bikes with engines, like my Suzuki SV650. ;)