Radio host infuriates cyclists

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

[Lazamataz]

But when it's all said and done, it's the old people that are the worst. They need to get off the roads.

No lie.

[Hatteras]

Now, old people on BICYCLES?! ohh, don't get me started...

[olorin]

. . . while being dragged behind an SUV

Wow, I never pegged you for the kind of coward that would run down a bicyclist who had done nothing to you.

[ironman]

I ride my bike 5,000+ miles and year and ride responsibly, stay to the right as safety permits, commute to work 3-4 times per week 8 months of the year. 99.99% percent of the cars pass me no problem. It' one or two times per year jerk offs like you give me a hard time and won't give me an inch. You pass me on the left I'll pass you on the right. That's one of the joys of riding a bike - passing fat ass drivers while getting some exercise while they are stuck in traffic. If I ever get hit I know some damn good DC lawyers.

[Lazamataz]

Now, old people on BICYCLES?! ohh, don't get me started...

LOL! Or worse, those 80 year old skateborders!

[ThinkPlease]

If olorin is merely a regular bike commuter who is careful not to tie up traffic, thats alright. But if he's -- as you put it -- an a**bag who is in yer face about slowing you down, he deserves the injury.

I used to commute via bike here in one of the most bike friendly towns in Michigan. I started by biking on the sidewalks, but stopped after the fourth car nearly hit me at an intersection turning into traffic (they had the stop sign). After that, I biked on the street, no matter if a hill reduced me to 5-10mph. The Soccer Moms in their minivans can go around, there were just too many close calls on the sidewalk.

[olorin]

. . . And I've got lots of hand-to-hand experience

LOL, what good is hand-to-hand experience if you're sitting in your car?

[Sam's Army]

If I had to guess, I would assume the average Georgian could take the average Minnesotan. (Not that anyone on FR is "average")

[1Old Pro]

The answer is bike lanes with TOLLS. To make it easier on the bikers they can get an e-z pass to electronically pay for the road.

[Lazamataz]

I ride my bike 5,000+ miles and year and ride responsibly, stay to the right as safety permits, commute to work 3-4 times per week 8 months of the year. 99.99% percent of the cars pass me no problem.

Yeah, but ironman, you're a good guy. You're on the road merely for the exercise. It's people with a chip on their shoulder and an attitude like olorin who give some of your people a bad name.

I'd never expect you to be a bastard. You are the epitome of good manners and a good attitude.

[Lazamataz]

LOL, what good is hand-to-hand experience if you're sitting in your car?

That's why G-d invented car doors.

[olorin]

I follow the rules of the road - many of the drivers I encounter do not - either by ignorance or wilfullness.

[stylin_geek]

I'm a bicyclist, and I used to ride regularly around the lakes in Minneapolis. One of the little known laws is the speed limit on bike paths. 10 mph max. Since my average riding speed is well in excess of this, I either stayed off the bike path, or accepted I might have to slow down. Another thing, I never cared how much right I had to the roadway....the mass/velocity equation was never in my favor when it comes to a car, so I stayed away from heavily traveled roads that had no room for cyclists.

[ArrogantBustard]

Read the vile post to which I responded ...
Then grow up.

In fact, most of the cyclists, skaters, and runners on the paths I use are polite, and get along fairly well. It's called situational awareness, and yielding to faster traffic. Just like the interstate. The worst problem is soccermoms walking their yorkies ... Two of them will stop and chatter to each other ... combined with their "dogs" they do block the entire path ... and they pay not attention to anything.

[Allan]

in fact it is where I have to be since it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk.

In my experience cyclists don't worry about such laws.

They expect cars to get out of their way on the roads
and people to get out of their way on the sidewalks.

[Hatteras]

"I ride my bike 5,000+ miles and year and ride responsibly, stay to the right as safety permits,..."

Of course you do... See? I knew it!

[FreePaul]

Bicycle riders generally are some of the most selfish people I see. Many deliberately ride in traffic lanes, ride several abreast and weave all over the street just to irritate motorists. The city put in bicycle lanes all over our part of town. I have never seen a rider in those lanes. They ride in the middle of the street and on sidewalks. Cyclists ignore traffic signals other safety measures then complain about motorists being a danger to them.

[olorin]

If olorin is merely a regular bike commuter who is careful not to tie up traffic, thats alright. But if he's -- as you put it -- an a**bag who is in yer face about slowing you down, he deserves the injury.

By your logic any driver who is being an a**bag and slowing me down (or another driver) would deserve injury. Is this your position?