My guess is that the dots were set apart at a proper distance that if you were following at the proper distance one dot would disappear under your hood as the next dot would appear from under the car infront of you.
That's exactly what the dots were supposed to do. Unfortunately, the Washington State DOT put them just north of Olympia which has a fair amount of traffic. Everyone slowed down and caused the major backups Fintail described. I was stuck in that mess until they got rid of them.
there are plenty of us bicyclists who are considerate and follow the rules of the road.
In fairness, do not keep data and statistics on inconsiderate bikers I encounter on area roads in nice weather. But, seems by seat of pants observation that more are inconsiderate and law breakers than not.
Also note that running and jogging will damage your feet and knees, biking doesn't.
Agree that running/jogging could damage kness. Walking is superior to biking for exercise and overall fitness per authoritative sources, doctors. Biking also could be dangerous to men by damaging their private inner part.
Even the considerate bicyclists are a pain. When the road narrows, they are forced to ride in front of the cars which can slow down a whole line of traffic.
And since I had a rider take a tumble in front of me a couple of years ago, I always worry about that happening again.
Dont' want to sound like an old grouch but am I ever getting sick of them.
I concur my good man. The bicyclist with the blinking tail lights, yellow and red stripped biking jacket, and the red blinking lighted helmet have my respect for trying to do it the right way. Most of the others seem to think the rules of the road don't apply to them.
But, I don't think any cyclist belong on any road that has a posted speed limit higher than 25mph. It is just too dangerous for the rider and the motorist. This isn't like 20, 30, 40, or more years ago when people had more sense... and the outdated bicycle laws were written. I'm going down a 4 lane city highway with a 40 mph speed limit, a tight curb to the street, and some guy on a bicycle going about 18 mph and backing traffic up. If a motorist went that slow he would be pulled over and ticketed for impeding traffic flow. Anyone who would ride their bike in the above circumstances should be climbing Mount Everst without a rope... just as dangerous. :sick:
Thats more like me. I try to stay visible and obey the rules of the road.
But, I don't think any cyclist belong on any road that has a posted speed limit higher than 25mph. It is just too dangerous for the rider and the motorist.
Personally I try to stay off of roads with speed limits greater than 35 MPH. But even on 35 MPH roads you get moron motorists who fly by you at 50 MPH.
Just remember to share the road.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
We live in an area with rolling hills. When traveling through the countryside I always have to be extra vigilent for cyclists "enjoying the scenery" at 10-15mph. Nothing like coming over a hill at the posted limit of 55mph only to find 4-5 cyclists riding side by side blocking the entire roadway.
But even on 35 MPH roads you get moron motorists who fly by you at 50 MPH.
A few years back here in Louisville, Papa Johns Pizza founder, and billionaire John Schnatter, was riding his bike along a suburban stretch of road with a couple buddies. A motorist, apparently preferring Pizza Hut, threw a high school biology book (heavy) out his window hitting one of the bikers in the head, causing him to fall, break his collar bone, and sustain other serious injuries. So, get your exercise wrestling an alligator... it's probably safer.
Are the bicycles REALLY a problem or is it more driver attitude? You accept heavy truck traffic on Interstate 90 through Chicago, you put up with farm vehicles and tractors transitioning to another parcel of farmland on the state route, Heaven forbid you shouldn't see at least one Amish buggy or cart when on vacation in Lancaster Pennsylvania - how quaint... They slow you up but you don't mind, but.....
The second you see a bicyclist even slightly impeding your progress, if at all, in your perfect little luxury car world you go into a psychotic episode that would make a suicide terrorist blush.....
During the fuel slam of Spring 2008, L.A. County had a phenomenon develop called "bicycle rage" with authorities urging motorists to "cool it", bicycles had a right to the road also. One clever bicyclist with a news organization had the idea to keep a camcorder going for a good portion of the time.
Put in "bicycles and cars" in youtube. As you can plainly see, the cars are not impeded at all, going around quite easily but for some odd reason you get that one driver that is belligerent and can't cope.
"one driver that is belligerent and can't cope" and in turn you get one bicyclist that tries to enforce his/her rights, i.e. right of way, and makes it dificult for a car to get by safely.
I used to ride my five speed, then in 1965 (one of those damn bicycles on MY right of way,) from Oakland to Hayward to our karate school and work out. I really had to watch out for the cars then and I feel it probably is the same today.
I do understand the hazzards on riding on city streets and checking my mirror every 15 seconds. Now today I think BOTH the cyclists and car drivers have much more understanding for each other's rights on the roadway.
Oh, that quote above i.e. one driver...can't cope... probably is most ANGRY and I always tried to spot them as they came up on me.
What I really get frustrated about is in bumper to bumper commutes, the motorcycles that split traffic and high speeds. I also have rode motorcycles and I tried to be courteous as I could without getting run over too.
Too old now, sold bicycle and motorcycle long ago, but I still remember and try to give the riders as much leeway as I can. But boy do I enjoy each day, driving my vehcile with all that steel/plastic around me.
Are the bicycles REALLY a problem or is it more driver attitude?
Yeah, bicycles are REALLY REALLY a problem, as well as some motorist's attitude. Put the two together and you get a disaster waiting to happen. That's why laws should be put in place to prevent bicycle usage on roads with speed limits over 25mph.
Truck drivers, farm vehicles and Amish buggies are necessary for commerce. Joy riding in your "perfect little luxury" 20 speed Schwinn bicycle is not.
Since the topic is "Inconsiderater drivers", I see a much larger percentage of inconsiderate bicyclist than I do motorist.
Are the bicycles REALLY a problem or is it more driver attitude?
Its both. you have good and bad people on both sides. I do believe that the police should be able to ticket cyclists that break the law such as going through stop signs.
As you can plainly see, the cars are not impeded at all, going around quite easily
Yeah try that during rush hour on some two lane roads with little or no shoulder with a continual flow of oncoming traffic.
Or when there is multiple lanes and you are in the right lane and there is so much traffic in the left lane passing you that it is difficult to "go around".
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Give them all the room and road they demand for at the time it is but a fraction in a life time. If they develop your patience, it needed to be developed and now you're a better person for extending charity.
Ever since they put helmets on, bicyclists these days think they can do riskier things. Unlike Snake, bicyclists have gotten worse here in So Cal. Riding abreast of each other is just plain ludicrous. And you should definitely stay off roads with no shoulder or on roads that are heavy commuter arteries. I give them their space because I was dependent on my bike when I was a teenager but until I see a licence plate with a "tax" sticker mounted on a bike, I will then respect their "rights".
Wah! (a little yogi joke - you can look her up....).
Most all the bikers I know also have a car (or two, or three) in their garage. So the majority are paying road taxes. Not to mention that some general fund taxes go to paying for the roads too.
The second you see a bicyclist even slightly impeding your progress, if at all, in your perfect little luxury car world you go into a psychotic episode that would make a suicide terrorist blush.....
I am least concerned about miniscule amount of time lost when having to slow down considerably from mostly 55 posted limits on roads in our area to pass them. I think that all drivers want bicyclists to be safe from injury. I slow down and give them very wide berth. I want them safe in "my" presence.
Many bicyclists are just plain stupid, arrogant and inconsiderate of vehicle drivers. Part of being inconsiderate is putting vehicle drivers in unhappy situation of running over them in event they fall down in front of vehicle. Think of the anguish, the police reports, paperwork, court dates no doubt brought about by bicyclist family, etc. that vehicle driver would encounter.
Exactly...I am not irked by slowing down, I am irked by being on edge not knowing if some oblivious cyclist is going to veer in front of me and get squashed by 2 tons of German steel. I was on a somewhat curvy, rough, very narrow shoulder 40mph road this weekend, and there were some packs of cyclists in places as cars tried to get by and dodge both the bikes and the holes and ruts in the road. There were cyclists going with and against the flow of traffic, too - sometimes 2 abreast, which is undefendable on such a road. It was pretty asinine.
This may sound a little/very crazy, however, what about requiring a bicyclist to obtain a driver's license if he/she does not have a vehcle dr. license?
As I posted before, a bicyclist was cited into traffic court for running 4 stop signs in Oakland. The judge zapped him. And this was early 1970s.
I'm with fintail, I would hate to hit a cyclist, and I guess if they come into my zone of danger for me, I got to slow down or change to a lane not adjacent to the rider. I think those cyclists going against traffic should be cited. (And yeh I know there probably was no cops around. And in a normal shift, one officer might have 5 to 7 miles of patroling in metro areas and when I worked rural, I was responsible for on a midnight shift maybe 25 miles of express/freeway roadway and adjacent county roads)
It does seem like an inflammatory issue for cyclists to know the rules of the road - or if they know them, they don't like to observe them as they know they probably won't have to answer to it. Maybe those who wish to venture onto 30mph+ roads should have some kind of certification. Right now the "share the road" ideal seems to go a lot more in one direction than the other.
When cyclists run stop signs they will also run stop lights. I don't know if I could call it an enlightened idea, not for urban areas anyway.
What about if a cyclist is nabbed by a photo-aided revenue collection device? Is the tax thrown out due to not being motorized transport?
The police have somebody pulled over on the side of the interstate and the "RUBBERNECKERS" have now unofficially added twenty minutes and two quarts more of gas to your commute.
The garbage truck is really messing things up. Darn it.
The eleven-year-old has made an clandestine foray out on to the boulevard ON A BICYCLE, which is expressly forbidden by his or her neurotic helicopter soccer mom Darn it.
The Grand-daddy of them all..... The much feared and loathed BIG YELLOW VEHICLE with FLASHING LIGHTS that has made you lose all hope that you'll be at the Quigley Cogs meeting at Three O'clock....
To add insult to injury there seems to be some sort of funeral procession that is now pulling out that is nothing less than huge.
The bicyclist gave you a mere inconvenience for a moment and made you actually have to DRIVE THE CAR (Good Heavens!!!!) adjusting speed and vector for a quark of the known universe and now, you have issues.
You're joking right?
By-The-Way, Can't remember the last time I saw somebody bicycling on the interstate, they know their limits and responsibilities, do you as a driver?
If you have a problem with bicycles on the road, please, if travelling and in another country, (especially China) hire a driver - it's not going to go well for you.
You'll either be arrested or, a piss-poor example of driving skills in whatever country you show up in (pretty much everywhere).
Look on the bright side though, you won't have to be drug tested like Lance Armstrong until after you hit that old guy on a bicycle in the south of France.
they know their limits and responsibilities, do you as a driver?
Well, if they know them, many sure as heck are not demonstrating same. They act like spoiled kids and DO NOT display being responsible when they blow through stop signs. Many also travel 2, 3, 4 abreast on 55 country roads and reluctantly move to a single file to allow passage of my car around them.
Bicycle riders should be relegated to city, suburban, town streets that are lightly travelled and posted for no more than 25 MPH. The difference in their speed and a motor vehicle is small and vehicles can easily adjust, move over, slow down, etc., in order to have safe passage around the bicyclist.
There are more than enough roads, streets in the US posted at 25 or less to allow bicyclists their space to exercise and enjoy their machine.
Bicyclists age 16 and over should be required to have a state bicycle driver's license. A written and road test would have to be passed and fee paid to get license. In addition, any bicycle used on a public street/road, must have a State issued license plate for a fee ($50/year). The bicycle would have to have certain kinds of equipment, such as minimum size/type/placement of reflectors, etc., fenders, proper handlebars, rear-view mirrors of adequate size, etc. The bicyclists should pay the $50 fee for the PRIVILEDGE of using streets/roads that have to be maintained by government authorities.
If you think the AAA lobby is strong, you haven't run into the bicycle lobby. For every person giving AAA money to lay down more asphalt, there's three others who have bikes, and if someone proposes taxes them to cruise down the street, they'll get wheeled out of office faster than you can shift through 21 gears.
Now, does any one have some stories of inconsiderate drivers? Even inconsiderate bikers or rollerbladers? Something a bit more specific perhaps?
Bicycle riders should be relegated to city, suburban, town streets that are lightly travelled and posted for no more than 25 MPH. The difference in their speed and a motor vehicle is small and vehicles can easily adjust, move over, slow down, etc., in order to have safe passage around the bicyclist.
A few comments on this, First is try to bike any distance staying on 25 MPH streets. Secondly I would think that the congestion in cities and towns makes biking more dangerous than traveling on a much lesser traveled country roads where a car can more easily avoid bicyclists with minimal interference with their driving.
In addition, any bicycle used on a public street/road, must have a State issued license plate for a fee ($50/year).
Why? their use of the roads don't cost taxpayers anything.
The bicycle would have to have certain kinds of equipment
Bicycles do have to have a minimal set of equipment. Reflectors and lights are required here in IL as well as brakes and some other things.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Now, does any one have some stories of inconsiderate drivers?
Ok here is one. Here is the set up: an intersection of a major east-west road and a minor road going north and an entrance to a mall going south controlled by a traffic light and the median is raised. On the northeast corner of the intersection is a Walgreens, west bound traffic can turn right from the road to enter their parking lot, east bound needs to make a left turn onto the minor road and turn into another entrance.
Ok so I am east bound on this road going through this intersection and I notice another east bound car in the left turn lanes for the west bound traffic trying to make a left turn into the Walgreens.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That reminds me of a new Starbucks build on a busy corner about 3 years ago. The intersection has a turn lane to go right, and the Starbucks drive-through dumps around the corner with a right turn only. Plus it's a one-way, exit only to the right drive-through.
For the first few weeks after it opened, a few dozen people insisted on entering the drive-through the wrong way, interfering with the commuter traffic and the people trying to juggle their latte while getting back into traffic.
To do battle with cyclists, just use a broomstick :shades:
The other day I got behind a very short woman in a CRV who pulled right out in front of me from a side street near an on-ramp (the CRV had a hard plastic spare tire cover, those seem to be an indicator of cluelessness)...I didn't have time to get around her as I too was going to use the ramp. She then merged onto the highway at 42mph as she was eating some kind of sandwich. I need to install some kind of James Bond style hidden machine guns under my foglights.
It was about 15 mins into a light rain here today. I was at a stop light in the #2 lane when a very late model MB 4 door sedan pulls alongside in the #1 lane for the same stoplight. The light turns green and this guy is spinning and smoking the R/R tire and is almost starting to move sideways heading of course towards me!!???? Suddenly I think he got some traction and FINALLY motored more forward. He didn't strike me as the 45 year old reliving his hot road days.... It would have been a bit less harrowing if he had ended up in the dirt island to his left. (my left also)
Even inconsiderate bikers or rollerbladers? Something a bit more specific perhaps?
The other side of the coin - There is that whacko group of misguided anarchists that cleverly disguise themselves as bicyclists and occasionally clog up traffic. In their little brains - they are heightening awareness of conservation and care of the Earth. In reality..... They're just clogging up traffic and trying to pick a fight, the "Look At Me!!! Look At Me!!!" factor in high gear. These are not true bicyclists and if I may add, look a little wobbly, like they haven't been on a bike in years.
Once again, youtube, forever a source of entertainment, plug in the key words "critical mass". The one video of the "apparent bicyclist" getting his foot run over.... I think there was a little more melodrama than actual physical or mental trauma - kind of like a little two-year-old falling down and bursting into a screaming fit that.... Doesn't fit.
There is that whacko group of misguided anarchists that cleverly disguise themselves as bicyclists and occasionally clog up traffic. In their little brains - they are heightening awareness of conservation and care of the Earth.
Are there any good websites for bicyclists whereby they can vent about other "inconsiderate" bicyclists and talk about their 10-speed Schwinns? We motorists could go there and not have to post here.
In all of my car travels yesterday, did not encounter any inconsiderate motorists, nor see any bicyclists on rural roads. Today, Saturday, and great weather, will be a whole different story.
Had the usual older person in a large SUV who sits in the left turn lane in heavy 4:30 traffic. When the left arrow comes on for the ramp the interstate, they leave a lllllooooooonnnnnnngggggg space between them and the preceding car taking up time for the 10 cars waiting to turn left onto the ramp. I'm sure some of the cars didn't make the light that cycle because of the "careful" SUV driver.
Ok all you anti bicyclists out there I did 39 miles today on my bike (and who now a days has a 10 speed?).
The question I have is, is it in poor taste to be in a funeral procession in a convertible with the top down? I saw that today and thought that that was a bit tacky.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I like your broom stick idea. However, I was thinking, maybe instead of brooms you might attach to your vehcile "Ben Hur hub caps. That are activated when you push a button on your dash.
When you activate them, the prongs, (sharpened to razor qualty) spring out from the tire hub base and slash the tires on the errant bicycle rider, or discourteous vehcile that is harrassing you in some way.
I always dream about those Ben Hur races in the play house in ancient Rome, and always wanted to get some of those hub caps. Just could not find anyone who sold them. Anyone have any advice on where to find a dealer that sells Ben Hur brand, please let me know.
hope all is having a peaceful week end and good luck to all and stay safe.
MGM sold all the Ben Hur stuff in 1970 when Kirk Kerkorian (yeah, that Kirk) liquidated the assets. A Sacramento restaurateur paid $4,000 for a chariot used in the film.
Three years later, during the energy crisis, he was arrested for driving the chariot on the highway. (IMDB)
Reading the bio it wa amazing how many actors turned down the Ben Hur part. And it was interesting to read that only Heston would ride in a chariot, while the other got stand ins. JIM, it was a great movie.
My friend and fellow officer, arrested a man riding a horse for "drunk driving" in Sacramento. Although it was thrown out, it made the papers. Pretty funny.
On Friday the Corolla my mother bought back in February met with an inconsiderate driver...a California-plated Suburban. Her car had stopped in traffic, the Suburban didn't - and rear ended her car. I haven't seen pics, but from the description I got, he was probably going 30-35. The trunk is caved in and has to be tied shut, the rear bumper is a mess, the rear passenger was moved so sharply the seatbelt actually broke, the car was pushed into a semi trailer where the front bumper had a hole punched in it, was moved out of alignment along with the grille, and now the hood won't shut properly. The airbag light also stays on all the time (no deployment), and according to my brother it doesn't drive straight now. The rear passenger has also been told not to go to work for at least a week due to whiplash...and all passengers actually were taken to the hospital. My brother was driving...and the strangest part is the cops actually let him drive it home, as via some miracle the headlights and taillights survived. I was going to detail her car as a mothers day gift...looks like that won't be happening. Bad luck for my brother too, before this he hadn't driven the car more than a couple miles.
I wonder what it takes for the insurance company to total such a car. My mother was pretty upset - she actually liked the car a lot. The guy that hit her car has Geico...she's already been in contact with them, and said the rep on the phone was actually apologetic.
This is the second mention of a Corolla seat belt breaking. I just read something in a Corolla discussion, where the poster was roundly chastized that it was a supplier problem and he should sue the supplier instead of blame Toyota.
I wonder what it takes for the insurance company to total such a car.
Due to there being multiple Bodily Injury claims, Geico will be very cooperative about totaling the car - one of the ways they try to "control" the extent of injury costs.
It is possible the total amount of BI claims exceeds the Geico's policy limits and your Mom may be having an Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury Liability claim on her policy. It would be good to know what Geico's limits of Liability are.
Wow that was a really potentially serious accident. Being squeezed between two vehicles and coming out without too much people-damage is a blessing. Fintail, as you described the events I could picture the events and damage in my mind.
As to what is required to total it, I have no clue. It sounds like it is pretty close to total. However, and I am guessing here, driving it home may make it less than total. Don't know but the main thing at least from what you posted is that your mother and other members are ok. Thks for the picture.
I had an early Mustang and was hit in the rear by a 35 mph Ford. Trunk crushed in a bout 4 inches and windshield was changed in angle so the A pillar didn't match the doors anymore by more than 1/2 inch at the top. Totalled.
I drove it home and it was great to drive. But it wasn't straight and was worth more as a doghouse and parts than as a damaged driver.
Comments
That's exactly what the dots were supposed to do. Unfortunately, the Washington State DOT put them just north of Olympia which has a fair amount of traffic. Everyone slowed down and caused the major backups Fintail described. I was stuck in that mess until they got rid of them.
In fairness, do not keep data and statistics on inconsiderate bikers I encounter on area roads in nice weather. But, seems by seat of pants observation that more are inconsiderate and law breakers than not.
Also note that running and jogging will damage your feet and knees, biking doesn't.
Agree that running/jogging could damage kness. Walking is superior to biking for exercise and overall fitness per authoritative sources, doctors. Biking also could be dangerous to men by damaging their private inner part.
And since I had a rider take a tumble in front of me a couple of years ago, I always worry about that happening again.
Using a proper saddle (seat) will prevent such issues.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I concur my good man. The bicyclist with the blinking tail lights, yellow and red stripped biking jacket, and the red blinking lighted helmet have my respect for trying to do it the right way. Most of the others seem to think the rules of the road don't apply to them.
But, I don't think any cyclist belong on any road that has a posted speed limit higher than 25mph. It is just too dangerous for the rider and the motorist. This isn't like 20, 30, 40, or more years ago when people had more sense... and the outdated bicycle laws were written. I'm going down a 4 lane city highway with a 40 mph speed limit, a tight curb to the street, and some guy on a bicycle going about 18 mph and backing traffic up. If a motorist went that slow he would be pulled over and ticketed for impeding traffic flow. Anyone who would ride their bike in the above circumstances should be climbing Mount Everst without a rope... just as dangerous. :sick:
Thats more like me. I try to stay visible and obey the rules of the road.
But, I don't think any cyclist belong on any road that has a posted speed limit higher than 25mph. It is just too dangerous for the rider and the motorist.
Personally I try to stay off of roads with speed limits greater than 35 MPH. But even on 35 MPH roads you get moron motorists who fly by you at 50 MPH.
Just remember to share the road.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Excellent suggestion. This would keep bicyclists on city and suburban streets, and hopefully less travelled residential streets.
A few years back here in Louisville, Papa Johns Pizza founder, and billionaire John Schnatter, was riding his bike along a suburban stretch of road with a couple buddies. A motorist, apparently preferring Pizza Hut, threw a high school biology book (heavy) out his window hitting one of the bikers in the head, causing him to fall, break his collar bone, and sustain other serious injuries. So, get your exercise wrestling an alligator... it's probably safer.
Are the bicycles REALLY a problem or is it more driver attitude? You accept heavy truck traffic on Interstate 90 through Chicago, you put up with farm vehicles and tractors transitioning to another parcel of farmland on the state route, Heaven forbid you shouldn't see at least one Amish buggy or cart when on vacation in Lancaster Pennsylvania - how quaint... They slow you up but you don't mind, but.....
The second you see a bicyclist even slightly impeding your progress, if at all, in your perfect little luxury car world you go into a psychotic episode that would make a suicide terrorist blush.....
During the fuel slam of Spring 2008, L.A. County had a phenomenon develop called "bicycle rage" with authorities urging motorists to "cool it", bicycles had a right to the road also. One clever bicyclist with a news organization had the idea to keep a camcorder going for a good portion of the time.
Put in "bicycles and cars" in youtube. As you can plainly see, the cars are not impeded at all, going around quite easily but for some odd reason you get that one driver that is belligerent and can't cope.
I used to ride my five speed, then in 1965 (one of those damn bicycles on MY right of way,) from Oakland to Hayward to our karate school and work out. I really had to watch out for the cars then and I feel it probably is the same today.
I do understand the hazzards on riding on city streets and checking my mirror every 15 seconds. Now today I think BOTH the cyclists and car drivers have much more understanding for each other's rights on the roadway.
Oh, that quote above i.e. one driver...can't cope... probably is most ANGRY and I always tried to spot them as they came up on me.
What I really get frustrated about is in bumper to bumper commutes, the motorcycles that split traffic and high speeds. I also have rode motorcycles and I tried to be courteous as I could without getting run over too.
Too old now, sold bicycle and motorcycle long ago, but I still remember and try to give the riders as much leeway as I can. But boy do I enjoy each day, driving my vehcile with all that steel/plastic around me.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Yeah, bicycles are REALLY REALLY a problem, as well as some motorist's attitude. Put the two together and you get a disaster waiting to happen. That's why laws should be put in place to prevent bicycle usage on roads with speed limits over 25mph.
Truck drivers, farm vehicles and Amish buggies are necessary for commerce. Joy riding in your "perfect little luxury" 20 speed Schwinn bicycle is not.
Since the topic is "Inconsiderater drivers", I see a much larger percentage of inconsiderate bicyclist than I do motorist.
Its both. you have good and bad people on both sides. I do believe that the police should be able to ticket cyclists that break the law such as going through stop signs.
As you can plainly see, the cars are not impeded at all, going around quite easily
Yeah try that during rush hour on some two lane roads with little or no shoulder with a continual flow of oncoming traffic.
Or when there is multiple lanes and you are in the right lane and there is so much traffic in the left lane passing you that it is difficult to "go around".
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I give them their space because I was dependent on my bike when I was a teenager but until I see a licence plate with a "tax" sticker mounted on a bike, I will then respect their "rights".
Wah! (a little yogi joke - you can look her up....).
Most all the bikers I know also have a car (or two, or three) in their garage. So the majority are paying road taxes. Not to mention that some general fund taxes go to paying for the roads too.
I am least concerned about miniscule amount of time lost when having to slow down considerably from mostly 55 posted limits on roads in our area to pass them. I think that all drivers want bicyclists to be safe from injury. I slow down and give them very wide berth. I want them safe in "my" presence.
Many bicyclists are just plain stupid, arrogant and inconsiderate of vehicle drivers. Part of being inconsiderate is putting vehicle drivers in unhappy situation of running over them in event they fall down in front of vehicle. Think of the anguish, the police reports, paperwork, court dates no doubt brought about by bicyclist family, etc. that vehicle driver would encounter.
As I posted before, a bicyclist was cited into traffic court for running 4 stop signs in Oakland. The judge zapped him. And this was early 1970s.
I'm with fintail, I would hate to hit a cyclist, and I guess if they come into my zone of danger for me, I got to slow down or change to a lane not adjacent to the rider. I think those cyclists going against traffic should be cited. (And yeh I know there probably was no cops around. And in a normal shift, one officer might have 5 to 7 miles of patroling in metro areas and when I worked rural, I was responsible for on a midnight shift maybe 25 miles of express/freeway roadway and adjacent county roads)
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
And as I've mentioned before, a few enlightened states like Idaho don't require bikes to stop at stop signs.
When cyclists run stop signs they will also run stop lights. I don't know if I could call it an enlightened idea, not for urban areas anyway.
What about if a cyclist is nabbed by a photo-aided revenue collection device? Is the tax thrown out due to not being motorized transport?
The garbage truck is really messing things up. Darn it.
The eleven-year-old has made an clandestine foray out on to the boulevard ON A BICYCLE, which is expressly forbidden by his or her neurotic helicopter soccer mom Darn it.
The Grand-daddy of them all..... The much feared and loathed BIG YELLOW VEHICLE with FLASHING LIGHTS that has made you lose all hope that you'll be at the Quigley Cogs meeting at Three O'clock....
To add insult to injury there seems to be some sort of funeral procession that is now pulling out that is nothing less than huge.
The bicyclist gave you a mere inconvenience for a moment and made you actually have to DRIVE THE CAR (Good Heavens!!!!) adjusting speed and vector for a quark of the known universe and now, you have issues.
You're joking right?
By-The-Way, Can't remember the last time I saw somebody bicycling on the interstate, they know their limits and responsibilities, do you as a driver?
You'll either be arrested or, a piss-poor example of driving skills in whatever country you show up in (pretty much everywhere).
Look on the bright side though, you won't have to be drug tested like Lance Armstrong until after you hit that old guy on a bicycle in the south of France.
Well, if they know them, many sure as heck are not demonstrating same. They act like spoiled kids and DO NOT display being responsible when they blow through stop signs. Many also travel 2, 3, 4 abreast on 55 country roads and reluctantly move to a single file to allow passage of my car around them.
Bicycle riders should be relegated to city, suburban, town streets that are lightly travelled and posted for no more than 25 MPH. The difference in their speed and a motor vehicle is small and vehicles can easily adjust, move over, slow down, etc., in order to have safe passage around the bicyclist.
There are more than enough roads, streets in the US posted at 25 or less to allow bicyclists their space to exercise and enjoy their machine.
Bicyclists age 16 and over should be required to have a state bicycle driver's license. A written and road test would have to be passed and fee paid to get license. In addition, any bicycle used on a public street/road, must have a State issued license plate for a fee ($50/year). The bicycle would have to have certain kinds of equipment, such as minimum size/type/placement of reflectors, etc., fenders, proper handlebars, rear-view mirrors of adequate size, etc. The bicyclists should pay the $50 fee for the PRIVILEDGE of using streets/roads that have to be maintained by government authorities.
Now, does any one have some stories of inconsiderate drivers? Even inconsiderate bikers or rollerbladers? Something a bit more specific perhaps?
A few comments on this, First is try to bike any distance staying on 25 MPH streets. Secondly I would think that the congestion in cities and towns makes biking more dangerous than traveling on a much lesser traveled country roads where a car can more easily avoid bicyclists with minimal interference with their driving.
In addition, any bicycle used on a public street/road, must have a State issued license plate for a fee ($50/year).
Why? their use of the roads don't cost taxpayers anything.
The bicycle would have to have certain kinds of equipment
Bicycles do have to have a minimal set of equipment. Reflectors and lights are required here in IL as well as brakes and some other things.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Ok here is one. Here is the set up: an intersection of a major east-west road and a minor road going north and an entrance to a mall going south controlled by a traffic light and the median is raised. On the northeast corner of the intersection is a Walgreens, west bound traffic can turn right from the road to enter their parking lot, east bound needs to make a left turn onto the minor road and turn into another entrance.
Ok so I am east bound on this road going through this intersection and I notice another east bound car in the left turn lanes for the west bound traffic trying to make a left turn into the Walgreens.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That reminds me of a new Starbucks build on a busy corner about 3 years ago. The intersection has a turn lane to go right, and the Starbucks drive-through dumps around the corner with a right turn only. Plus it's a one-way, exit only to the right drive-through.
For the first few weeks after it opened, a few dozen people insisted on entering the drive-through the wrong way, interfering with the commuter traffic and the people trying to juggle their latte while getting back into traffic.
The other day I got behind a very short woman in a CRV who pulled right out in front of me from a side street near an on-ramp (the CRV had a hard plastic spare tire cover, those seem to be an indicator of cluelessness)...I didn't have time to get around her as I too was going to use the ramp. She then merged onto the highway at 42mph as she was eating some kind of sandwich. I need to install some kind of James Bond style hidden machine guns under my foglights.
The other side of the coin - There is that whacko group of misguided anarchists that cleverly disguise themselves as bicyclists and occasionally clog up traffic. In their little brains - they are heightening awareness of conservation and care of the Earth. In reality..... They're just clogging up traffic and trying to pick a fight, the "Look At Me!!! Look At Me!!!" factor in high gear. These are not true bicyclists and if I may add, look a little wobbly, like they haven't been on a bike in years.
Once again, youtube, forever a source of entertainment, plug in the key words "critical mass". The one video of the "apparent bicyclist" getting his foot run over.... I think there was a little more melodrama than actual physical or mental trauma - kind of like a little two-year-old falling down and bursting into a screaming fit that.... Doesn't fit.
Are there any good websites for bicyclists whereby they can vent about other "inconsiderate" bicyclists and talk about their 10-speed Schwinns? We motorists could go there and not have to post here.
In all of my car travels yesterday, did not encounter any inconsiderate motorists, nor see any bicyclists on rural roads. Today, Saturday, and great weather, will be a whole different story.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The question I have is, is it in poor taste to be in a funeral procession in a convertible with the top down? I saw that today and thought that that was a bit tacky.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
When you activate them, the prongs, (sharpened to razor qualty) spring out from the tire hub base and slash the tires on the errant bicycle rider, or discourteous vehcile that is harrassing you in some way.
I always dream about those Ben Hur races in the play house in ancient Rome, and always wanted to get some of those hub caps. Just could not find anyone who sold them. Anyone have any advice on where to find a dealer that sells Ben Hur brand, please let me know.
hope all is having a peaceful week end and good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
Three years later, during the energy crisis, he was arrested for driving the chariot on the highway. (IMDB)
Very inconsiderate of him.
My friend and fellow officer, arrested a man riding a horse for "drunk driving" in Sacramento. Although it was thrown out, it made the papers. Pretty funny.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
I wonder what it takes for the insurance company to total such a car. My mother was pretty upset - she actually liked the car a lot. The guy that hit her car has Geico...she's already been in contact with them, and said the rep on the phone was actually apologetic.
Questions About Auto Insurance & Accidents may be helpful.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Death is seen differently than being Black, sad, & morbid.
Due to there being multiple Bodily Injury claims, Geico will be very cooperative about totaling the car - one of the ways they try to "control" the extent of injury costs.
It is possible the total amount of BI claims exceeds the Geico's policy limits and your Mom may be having an Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury Liability claim on her policy. It would be good to know what Geico's limits of Liability are.
I hope all come out of this in good health.
As to what is required to total it, I have no clue. It sounds like it is pretty close to total. However, and I am guessing here, driving it home may make it less than total. Don't know but the main thing at least from what you posted is that your mother and other members are ok. Thks for the picture.
Good luck to all and stay safe.
jensad
I had an early Mustang and was hit in the rear by a 35 mph Ford. Trunk crushed in a bout 4 inches and windshield was changed in angle so the A pillar didn't match the doors anymore by more than 1/2 inch at the top. Totalled.
I drove it home and it was great to drive. But it wasn't straight and was worth more as a doghouse and parts than as a damaged driver.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,