Aggressive city cyclists?

Question

I'm looking for some input from some city bicyclists on why they behave the way they do. I'm not a perfect driver by any means, though I've been continually trying to improving my driving such that I don't annoy or endanger anyone unnecessarily.

It seems that the majority (certainly not all though) of cyclists I see riding around in the city here don't wear helmets and drive full speed through intersections with red lights (often without looking), expecting cars to stop for them. The other day a large group of cyclists decided to blockade the entire roadway for 5 minutes to let them pass through a red light.

I imagine all the good ones are just not riding on the (dangerous) streets I drive on. But what are these people thinking? I can deal with them, but it seems like they are wrecklessly endangering their lives. Is it just the same issue that drivers have -- they don't care? Personally I'd be more cautious on a motorcycle or bike just because it's so much easier to be killed.

Answer 1

You know, as both a cyclist and a driver, I have really yet to see a cyclist straight up blast through a red like without looking.  Maybe I don't live in a large enough city, but here we definitely have a pretty active cyclist population.  It sounds like you were stopped for an additional 2 minutes at a light and are livid about it to go online and start a rant about it.  Consider that you spent more time at yahoo answers posting this rant than you waited at that intersection and you will realize how totally insignificant of an effect that had on your life.  

As a cyclist, I personally do not blindly speed through stop signs or red lights, as I assume that most drivers are ignorant and inattentive (a car accident 6 months ago involving a women making a blind left turn has proved that to me).

The attitude with which you speak seems to imply that you are simply aghast that there are people who are willing to ride on what you consider "dangerous" streets.  Bikes belong on the road, it is 10x more dangerous for cyclists to ride the sidewalk, both for pedestrians and cyclists.

As for the bike helmet thing, do you wear your seatbelt every time you get in the car?  Do you get disgusted and upset when you see someone else in their car without a seatbelt?  Do you go posting on messageboards in outrage about it?  If not, then the helmet argument is irrelevent.  I think people should wear helmets, it's far safer, just like I think people should wear seatbelts.  But in the end, it doesn't make anything less safe for YOU, so let people make their own choices.

So to answer your question, why do cyclists resent drivers?  1.  Because drivers are inattentive and reckless.  2.  Drivers are ignorant in believing that bikes do not belong on the roadway.  3.  Cars are the cause of all danger on the roadway!  Cars run over cyclists, not the other way around.

Further reading your post you mention that you road a bike when you were younger, but no longer do so.  If you really want to understand what makes a cyclist think the way he does, get on a bike and go ride!  You will be far less stressed about having to wait an extra 2 minutes in traffic, believe me.  And as for the cell phone thing, I agree with you.  No one should talk on a cell phone while riding OR driving.  Either behavior is dangerous, but just like seatbelts and helmets, right now it is a personal choice.

Answer 2

Happens everywhere..

http://www.clevelandtouringclub.org/Gate...

Answer 3

Trollin, trollin, trolling, looking for some cyclists to blast.

There are good cyclists and bad cyclists, just like there are good drivers and bad drivers. Why do some people still drive without seat belts? Why do people drive while talking on the cell phone? Why do some people drive 10 miles over the speed limit?

Why do so many divers disrespect us cyclists? Even ones like me who wear a helmet, stop for stop lights and stop signs and are careful not to speed? I stay to the right and try to obey the laws, so why are drivers so anti cyclists?

Why do drivers expect my bike to not exist? They expect me to go over storm drains, pot holes, and stay in the gutter. Even though I am over to the far right of the lane riding single file, why do they honk or yell obscenities out the window at me and other cyclists?

Why do motorists think the bike lane is a good place to stop and park? Why do motorists think it's ok cut me off when making a right turn across a bike lane? Why don't motorists look before opening their car doors? Why are motorists so aggressive and anti cycling?