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Many (not all) cyclists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're not in a car. Running through stop signs, red lights, not yie

Many (not all) cyclists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're not in a car. Running through stop signs, red lights, not yielding the right of way, weaving back and forth across the shoulder into the lane, and most importantly a general lack of awareness that they're sharing the road with 1-ton hunks of metal flying by them at speed. I've lost count of the number of close calls where I've had to slam the brakes and lay on the horn because some idiot on a bike wanted to play a game of gotcha with Isaac Newton. I don't have any data to back it up but I'd be willing to bet that the people on bikes who do these kind of things are just as unaware and careless when they're operating a motor vehicle.

zimpenfish 5y ago
> Many (not all) cyclists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're not in a car. But, at the same time, many (not all) motorists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're in a car. I could walk to the nearest junction (~5 minutes from here) and find 20 cars jumping red lights, blocking a junction without a clear exit, randomly changing lanes, blocking a pedestrian crossing when it's green, etc. in 5 minutes of watching. And that's one junction on a semi-major road which is probably 10 miles of solid traffic in peak time.
- lp0_on_fire 5y ago
  The difference between the cyclist and motorist is these scenarios is that while both are dangerous and stupid, the motorist at least has the innate protection of the vehicle in case of an accident. The cyclist has a helmet and if they're really lucky some Kevlar sewn into their gear. In a collision 1 ton vehicle vs a couple hundred pounds of flesh and whatever the bike is made of, the 1 ton vehicle almost always wins. Given the risk profile of cyclist versus vehicle you'd think that cyclists would be a bit more aware of their surroundings.
  - fknorangesite 5y ago
    > Given the risk profile of cyclist versus vehicle you'd think that cyclists would be a bit more aware of their surroundings. Given how dangerous a car is and how much disproportionate damage they can do to the people and property around them, you'd think that drivers would be a bit more aware of their surroundings.
    - lp0_on_fire 5y ago
      Yes? I don't understand why you think you've got me in a gotcha here. Did I say something that's making you think I don't believe drivers in vehicles shouldn't be more aware of their surroundings?
fknorangesite 5y ago
> I've lost count of the number of close calls where I've had to slam the brakes and lay on the horn because some idiot on a bike wanted to play a game of gotcha with Isaac Newton. I've lost count of the number of close calls where I've had to slam the brakes because some idiot in a car wasn't paying attention and didn't see the cyclist who as just as much right to be on the road.

zimpenfish 5y ago

> Many (not all) cyclists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're not in a car. But, at the same time, many (not all) motorists seem to think that they are exempt from traffic laws just because they're in a car. I could walk to the nearest junction (~5 minutes from here) and find 20 cars jumping red lights, blocking a junction without a clear exit, randomly changing lanes, blocking a pedestrian crossing when it's green, etc. in 5 minutes of watching. And that's one junction on a semi-major road which is probably 10 miles of solid traffic in peak time.

lp0_on_fire 5y ago
The difference between the cyclist and motorist is these scenarios is that while both are dangerous and stupid, the motorist at least has the innate protection of the vehicle in case of an accident. The cyclist has a helmet and if they're really lucky some Kevlar sewn into their gear. In a collision 1 ton vehicle vs a couple hundred pounds of flesh and whatever the bike is made of, the 1 ton vehicle almost always wins. Given the risk profile of cyclist versus vehicle you'd think that cyclists would be a bit more aware of their surroundings.
- fknorangesite 5y ago
  > Given the risk profile of cyclist versus vehicle you'd think that cyclists would be a bit more aware of their surroundings. Given how dangerous a car is and how much disproportionate damage they can do to the people and property around them, you'd think that drivers would be a bit more aware of their surroundings.
  - lp0_on_fire 5y ago
    Yes? I don't understand why you think you've got me in a gotcha here. Did I say something that's making you think I don't believe drivers in vehicles shouldn't be more aware of their surroundings?

fknorangesite 5y ago

> I've lost count of the number of close calls where I've had to slam the brakes and lay on the horn because some idiot on a bike wanted to play a game of gotcha with Isaac Newton. I've lost count of the number of close calls where I've had to slam the brakes because some idiot in a car wasn't paying attention and didn't see the cyclist who as just as much right to be on the road.