tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post5382525254902640838..comments2024-02-16T04:11:30.642-05:00Comments on Tales From The Sharrows: Ride In 1/30Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post-62144598834746395362012-01-30T18:04:15.554-05:002012-01-30T18:04:15.554-05:00In some ways I'm frustrated by the low expecta...In some ways I'm frustrated by the low expectations drivers have of cyclists, and some of the blame for that falls on cyclists...like at four way stops, drivers just assume I'm going to blow through and thus give up the right of way. Really I'd just prefer that they treat me like any other vehicle and expect that I'll wait my turn. But since a lot of bikes don't wait, drivers assume the worst.<br /><br />I think the reason the double standard about following the rules stems mostly from the relative scarcity of cyclists on the road. Drivers generally obey the rules of the road (as opposed to the law), but there are many who don't. But since drivers interact with so many other drivers and those interactions are neutral, the bad drivers fade into the "noise" of driving. But if a driver interacts with two cyclists in a day, and one of those interactions is with a cyclist doing something careless, that stands out in the driver's mind. I notice the same thing on my motorcycle...everyone thinks that we're all stunting idiots who do 150mph on the freeway, mainly because they saw it happen once and dont interact with a lot of other bikes. So the most realistic solution is not to improve behavior (since it's not the actual problem) but to be fruitful and multiply as the Jeebus book says.Marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926034591531413589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post-24505325757436035392012-01-30T13:33:34.593-05:002012-01-30T13:33:34.593-05:00I agree that jerk cyclists should be opposed simpl...I agree that jerk cyclists should be opposed simply for being jerks. But I don't think that's any effective way of getting them to stop. Many (most?) argue that they're the ones taking the risk, so why is it my business? My answer is that you make cars treat me worse when you are a jerk. I don't know if it works, though, as I've never really tried it on a jerk in person.<br /><br />And by "you" I mean "jerks", not "anyone reading this". Unless the reader is a jerk, and then, yes, I'm talking to you.Jonhttps://www.manfredmacx.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post-51599585244202471922012-01-30T13:23:36.535-05:002012-01-30T13:23:36.535-05:00I'm so torn about the idea of others "scr...I'm so torn about the idea of others "screwing it up" or "making it harder" for the rest of us, not necessarily because it isn't true, but because we (bicyclists) seem to be the only group of road users who thinks about lawbreaking in this way. People who speed or make illegal turns aren't considered "making it harder" on the remainder of drivers. They're just jerks. And no pedestrian gets angsty about jaywalkers ruining it for everyone else. While I oppose jerks, I oppose jerks not because they make things worse for me, but just because jerkiness should be opposed ipso facto, if that makes any sense.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336664610270023779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post-32728356654191918822012-01-30T13:06:33.105-05:002012-01-30T13:06:33.105-05:00But.. but... I *love* paste.
Cyclists blazing thr...But.. but... I *love* paste.<br /><br />Cyclists blazing through red lights that result in impeding traffic flow and honking horns = major pet peeve. Seriously, folks, don't screw it up for the rest of us.Kylehttp://twitter.com/rkyletoddnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5655972254756722998.post-90156907709622730652012-01-30T13:02:16.851-05:002012-01-30T13:02:16.851-05:00Lack of precipitation today seems to have brought ...Lack of precipitation today seems to have brought out a lot of crosswalk-running cyclists. There was a guy on CaBi at 14th and I NW who ran the red light, then swerved dangerously through pedestrians crossing legally. Then there was the guy who passed me silently on the right just as the light was about to turn green then swerved in front of a car in order to avoid stopping for a pedestrian, again crossing legally in a crosswalk.<br /><br />This particularly annoys me because it means that when I DO stop for pedestrians legally in crosswalks, the pedestrians look at me like I have two heads. Clearly they have no expectation that I will stop for them.<br /><br />If I had time this afternoon I would compose a "cyclists riding like a**holes make it harder on more or less law-abiding cyclists" blog post for you this evening. Maybe another day.Jonhttps://www.manfredmacx.comnoreply@blogger.com