[ClearCase_guy]

I used to be a big bicyclist, but I gave it up. Today, I am not an aggressive driver, and I try to respect cyclists and give them as much room as I am able.

But, from my perspective, they do not reciprocate. They cut in front of my car, they take up entire lanes, they snarl intersections, and they give me the finger even when I put my left tires over the dividing line.

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

[usconservative]

But, from my perspective, they do not reciprocate. They cut in front of my car, they take up entire lanes, they snarl intersections, and they give me the finger even when I put my left tires over the dividing line.

I used to be a pretty avid cyclist ... a very long time ago ... and would log anywhere from 30-70 miles on a weekend on my Trek 700. Yes, I've seen alot of "jerk" cyclists, even more "jerk" motorcyclists (and yes, I have one of those.)

Here's the thing with me: I frankly don't give a damn' how big a jerk someone is on a bike or a motorcycle. If you pull in front of me while I'm driving my big gas guzzling SUV there's only one thing that's going to happen: Me taking my foot off the gas and covering the brake pedal.

The last thing I want is to be the "bigger jerk" and not leave them room enough to fall off their bicycle/motorcycle without my running them over and killing them.

I just don't want that on my conscience, no matter how big of a jerk someone else is on their bicycle or motorcycle.

[TigersEye]

I agree with your observations and your POV. I don’t want to hit anybody with my truck but a lot of bicyclists make it a real challenge to avoid hitting them. Especially trying on two lane mountain roads.

[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!

[JSDude1]

Yup my sentiments exactly.

I don’t dislike cyclists, just those who aren’t polite and abuse our traffic ways (that were made for motor vehicles)!

[Carry_Okie]

They cut in front of my car, they take up entire lanes,

In California, if the lane is too narrow for a car and a truck to ride side-by-side safely within the lane, the bicycle is entitled to take the whole lane, by law. When I was a cyclist, I used to quote Section 21202 VC to police officers fairly frequently:

21202. A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
4. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.