Why the hate for Cyclists?

[ZurokSlayer7X9]

Um.....no.

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One of my dad's friends suggested I should bike to work when I was getting something done on my truck two years ago. I politely said no and explained my commute is 40 miles one way, and I need to transport tools for construction. Not only that, but NWI lake effect weather in the winter is a hard no.

 

[JTKelly]

My problem is infrastructure related, with not enough room for bikes, then the fact that bikes can't go as fast as cars, so treating them similarly on roads already too congested for traffic is problematic at best. Add to that the cyclists who don't give a about drivers, but expect to be treated the way they want to be treated. Recipe for problems and bad feelings on all sides IMO.

Putting in these rumble strips on every inch of state highway for drivers who like to nap on the way doesn't do the cyclist much of a favor. For the few who LIKE to stay to the side, out of the way, it just cut the two foot breakdown lane down to a foot or LESS. And it is always full of broken glass, bolts, screws, tree bark and tire treads.

 

[chipbennett]

I've known several avid cyclists who were great guys. I've also encountered many courteous, safe cyclists on the road. So I hadn't really understood the hate either.

However, it's stuff like this that makes me start to understand the frustration. For some cyclists (and those tend to be the ones who make themselves noticed the most) it really feels like there's just no winning with them; they'll always find a way to slow down traffic, make things more dangerous for themselves, and then complain about how dangerous it is for them.

Perfect example right here. You would think that coming to a full stop, which is much safer than just blowing through and assuming cars will stop for you, would be a plus. But no, that's not good enough for them, because it requires a "major energy expenditure." So, expending energy is now a minus, while engaged in an activity that is supposedly for exercise?

Roads are primarily, first, and foremost intended for vehicular traffic. Making vehicular traffic yield to cyclists is horribly inefficient.

 

[chipbennett]

Again, a comment limited by one’s experiences. Maybe folks should commute to work on their bike for a year and get back to me. It goes with the “ride in the park”, (ironically the people in the park hate on cyclists too because they go too fast) “ride on the trails” (mommies and daddies pushing their strollers hate them). There are many reasons beyond exercise for riding a bike.

I take no issue with commuter cyclists. They just need to obey the rules of the road, like all the rest of the non-pedestrian traffic.

 

[JTKelly]

Indiana Bicycle Laws | Bike Law

We are a network of independent bicycle accident lawyers across the United States and Canada.

www.bikelaw.com

Where to Ride​

• Bicyclists are required to ride in the right hand lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway, when traveling slower than the speed of traffic.
• Bicyclists may (but are not required to) utilize any usable bicycle lane.
• Bicycles are not prohibited from being ridden on the sidewalks but bicyclists should check their local ordinances for variations.

OW TO RIDE​

• Bicyclists shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of the roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
• Bicyclists are required to slow down and come to a complete stop at stop signs and traffic devices signaling red. However, after a bicyclist comes to a complete stop at a steady red traffic signal, and waits for two (2) minutes or 120 seconds, the bicyclist, exercising due care, may treat the red traffic signal as a stop sign and may proceed once safe. (Dead Red)
• Bicyclists must signal when turning or coming to a stop.

The rules are needed and the result of a society with absolutely ZERO common sense, civility, or even brains between their ears.

 

[HoughMade]

One of my dad's friends suggested I should bike to work when I was getting something done on my truck two years ago. I politely said no and explained my commute is 40 miles one way, and I need to transport tools for construction. Not only that, but NWI lake effect weather in the winter is a hard no.

The next thing I'll hear is that I should live closer to work....

I'm not complaining about the length of my commute- I live where I live because I want to live there...and I work where I work because that's where the money is.

 

[miguel]

I have cycled (~20 mile country road rides, sometimes to work in a more urban setting, but no centuries or the like...) and I have driven.

It's not fun being in traffic using either conveyence when they meet.

I would say the thing that makes me question anyone's judgement is driving up/down a road like Hazel Dell Pkwy between 4:30 - 6 pm, which has 4-6' wide bike paths on both sides of the road, and having some guy in a "king of the mountain" jersey riding 3' off the curb giving me the stink eye when I hit the gas to pass him.

I realize it is not as cool to ride on bike paths compared to screaming down the Champs-Élysées in Paris, but fer Pete's sake, what is the gain other than "I'm allowed to do it".

Are cyclists the "open carriers" of transportation?!?!?

Big love to all my driving and cycling brothers out there!

 

[wtburnette]

Putting in these rumble strips on every inch of state highway for drivers who like to nap on the way doesn't do the cyclist much of a favor. For the few of use LIKE to stay to the side, out of the way, it just cut the two foot breakdown lane down to a foot or LESS. And it is always full of broken glass, bolts, screws, tree bark and tire treads.

MN had 2 - 3 foot shoulders / breakdown lanes on all roadways (unless out in the country, in which case it didn't matter as much) and that seemed to work very well. Tons more cyclists on the roadways with very little impact to traffic. Also, there were a lot more walking/riding trails as well, which gave more options.

 

[two70]

Isn’t that the sentiment of most of the vehicle drivers in this thread?

A couple of key differences, the roads were built for motor vehicles with taxes generated in large part by those vehicles, so the motorists have some skin in the game. Many cyclists seem to think those roads are their own personal playground and that everyone else should accommodate their every whim.

The funny thing is, if a driver were operating a vehicle the way cyclists often do, you'd probably have little tolerance for it.

 

[JTKelly]

Riding 2 abreast is legal in Indiana and many other states.

If three or more cars are behind the cyclists are to give way as soon a practicable. This means as soon the cyclists find a safe point to let you by. They have no obligation to get out of your way.

Are you insinuating you are passing when it is not safe to do so and will hit cyclists if you need to? That would be criminal.

This is why I don't join clubs, live in cities, go to bike paths or do group rides I'm a cyclist who ALSO hates "bicyclists". I ride about 70-80, miles a week.

 

[chipbennett]

Not sure what DOT rules are for Bicycles - but Riding Single File should be one of them
I have come upon (45mph) groups of cyclists riding 2 or 3 abreast Chatting at 15 mph on 2 lane roads barely wide enough for 2 Cars
Choosing between a head-on with a semi and Running over a few Bicycles - is a No Win for the Bicycles ...

Why would this scenario not fall under Indiana's Slow Moving Vehicle traffic regulations? And note that riding 3 abreast is a violation of IN driving regulations.

 

[foszoe]

Bike riding should be limited to within HOA borders so they can be strictly regulated.

 

[JTKelly]

MN had 2 - 3 foot shoulders / breakdown lanes on all roadways (unless out in the country, in which case it didn't matter as much) and that seemed to work very well. Tons more cyclists on the roadways with very little impact to traffic. Also, there were a lot more walking/riding trails as well, which gave more options.

I bet their taxes are sky high to pay for all that to. They had all that in WI to and it was ridiculous what the socialist took up there.

 

[JTKelly]

All these liquor cycles, atvs, and golf carts are way more problem than bicycles if you get out of Marion county.

 

[yeahbaby]

Yes. My wife and I were just talking about how rude drivers have become lately. In 10 mins the other night we nearly hit 3 people who were driving like they were cops with their lights on; I'm going where Im gonna go, its your job to stay out of my way.

In 2 of the 3 cases, we were in a parking lot where the person turned across in front of us as if we were not even there. If we had been out on the road and hit them, they would have been at fault.

Driving anymore is a real PITA. You really have to be on your A game watching out for other drivers inconsideration/ignorance.

 

[KellyinAvon]

Bike riding should be limited to within HOA borders so they can be strictly regulated.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Driving anymore is a real PITA. You really have to be on your A game watching out for other drivers inconsideration/ignorance.

I used to ride a motorcycle. I want to again. But I refuse. Too many people trying to kill you by not paying any attention to the road.

 

[bobzilla]

I don't mind cyclists at all. I hate entitled ********. Whether they are on foot, bike or in a car makes no difference to me.

 

[bobzilla]

I used to ride a motorcycle. I want to again. But I refuse. Too many people trying to kill you by not paying any attention to the road.

That was a large part of why after 20 years on the road I sold my Yamahammer. I had a good run, I'm not young nor fast enough to keep up with the bike and other cars so time to let it be part of my past.

 

[printcraft]

A couple of key differences, the roads were built for motor vehicles with taxes generated in large part by those vehicles, so the motorists have some skin in the game. Many cyclists seem to think those roads are their own personal playground and that everyone else should accommodate their every whim.

The funny thing is, if a driver were operating a vehicle the way cyclists often do, you'd probably have little tolerance for it.

I'm going to start driving on the bike paths if they are not going to use them...

If God wanted people to ride bicycles He wouldn't have created motorcycles.