# Cyclists.. evil bastards? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 9, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732 "2014-04-09T17:03:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/121 "2014-04-13T08:09:07Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > I’m not wishing death on anyone Ahem: > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > I would have paid American Dollars to see him get creamed, and additional dollars to see him get run over, yet again. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/122 "2014-04-13T08:31:03Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > Ahem: You’re right. At the time I thought this person was either daft (the laws of physics didn’t apply) or had a death wish. Sanity didn’t figure in. Had to be there. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/123 "2014-04-13T11:48:41Z")
> [@Anise](#): > > All I’m saying that they should do is to FOLLOW THE LAW. THE LAW can require some pretty dumb things, like taking a half-mile detour to avoid jaywalking in light traffic, or standing at an empty intersection waiting for the walk signal, or making drivers wait for you because you crossed when it was legal instead of when you had the chance earlier. THE LAW doesn’t necessarily proscribe what is safest and most convenient for other drivers. I am primarily concerned with safety and traffic flow. And it is not always safest or convenient for bicycles to fully stop at stop signs, or, at times, to take a hand off the bike to signal. That is why both situations are sometimes permitted where lawmakers have thought about it. That doesn’t excuse unsafe behavior, but THE LAW doesn’t tell us what is unsafe. We have brains for that. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/124 "2014-04-13T12:01:03Z")
> [@Anise](#): > > I would love to see cyclists around here obeying traffic laws as they are required to do. They are supposed to be following EXACTLY the same laws as auto drivers. But literally 90% of the time, they sail through stop signs, ignore traffic lights, cut across lanes without signalling, go over the 20-25 mph speed limit on residential streets, and so on and on and on. I am doing everything I can to pay attention to every scrap of traffic on the road, including bicycles, pedestrians, kids running out into the street, people standing around in the MIDDLE of the street, and just about everything else you can think of. I can’t speak for anywhere else-- but cyclists just do not pay attention to these things in the Pacific NW. And they routinely hit pedestrians on streets and sidewalks (my sister was almost knocked over in front of a New Seasons last month.) > > All I’m saying that they should do is to FOLLOW THE LAW. There should not be anything controversial about this. It isn’t an outrageous request. I have never, literally NEVER, seen a cyclist get a ticket for ignoring traffic law-- which should be happening BY LAW-- that category is printed on every traffic ticket. I don’t see how anyone can argue against this. I would estimate that some 95% of drivers routinely speed - not just on the freeway but on city streets. I would estimate a ridiculously huge percentage of drivers are talking into the cell phones, texting, or doing something else distracting with their technological toys. I rarely see tickets handed for these violations. Cars kill tens of thousands each year - many deaths directly attributable to these violations and other distracted driving. Cyclists kill very few people. I’d say you are a classic case of complaining about the wrong issue. I’d also so you are painting with the broad brush as well. I’d also like to know how cyclists can routinely go over a 25mph speed limit. Unless they are going downhill I doubt this is happening ‘routinely’. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/125 "2014-04-13T12:02:45Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > You’re right. At the time I thought this person was either daft (the laws of physics didn’t apply) or had a death wish. Sanity didn’t figure in. Had to be there. Or maybe he was just fine and safe riding in heavy traffic but that upset you so much you wished he was dead. Didn’t have to be there, just have to see what you write. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/126 "2014-04-13T12:03:49Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Yes, and they do, or rather did, very abruptly I may add. There was a child involved. Guess you had to be there. Sounds like you are blaming the woman for a massive error in judgement on the part of the cars. Who exactly had the right of way? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/127 "2014-04-13T12:09:10Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Sounds like you are blaming the woman for a massive error in judgement on the part of the cars. Who exactly had the right of way? Well no one ever \*has \*it, obviously, but the cars are supposed to yield it. Crosswalk means do not proceed unless clear. But you know that, I know that, most people know that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/128 "2014-04-13T14:00:39Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Regarding, “speed limit of 35 mph.”. > > - Close observation (ya know, facts) has revealed that this is a theoretical limit. I drive every day from El Camino to the 101. I also do the reverse in the morning. Have you seen the new curbs? > > "There are only two lanes so a cyclist can’t be in the center lane. " > > - You’re right! There are two lanes … each of which has a center. > > “There is also a bike lane for most of it’s length, just not the section you were bitching about.” > > - Now you’re getting it. And bitching has nothing to do with it. > > Pax You mentioned upthread that the average speed is 40. That’s not congested as you claim. That’s also speeding. You’re breaking the law where the cyclist wasn’t. The stretch from El Camino to where the road widens after passing under Alma St. is just over a half mile. At 35 mph, you will cover the distance in 51 sec. A cyclist, going 20 mph (given your description of his clothes, he’s most likely capable of this for at least that short stretch) will use 90 sec. You’re willing to maim or kill over a 39 sec. delay. You’re going to be delayed a shit-ton more than that just waiting to get on 101. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/129 "2014-04-13T14:38:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You mentioned upthread that the average speed is 40. That’s not congested as you claim. That’s also speeding. You’re breaking the law where the cyclist wasn’t. > > The stretch from El Camino to where the road widens after passing under Alma St. is just over a half mile. At 35 mph, you will cover the distance in 51 sec. A cyclist, going 20 mph (given your description of his clothes, he’s most likely capable of this for at least that short stretch) will use 90 sec. You’re willing to maim or kill over a 39 sec. delay. You’re going to be delayed a shit-ton more than that just waiting to get on 101. Wow, thanks for that. I was sort of sympathizing with the OP, maybe just a teeny, tiny little bit, even though I’m one of these cyclists he’d like to see run over. But 39 seconds? Wow. You need to relax a bit man. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/130 "2014-04-13T15:04:25Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You mentioned upthread that the average speed is 40. That’s not congested as you claim. That’s also speeding. You’re breaking the law where the cyclist wasn’t. > > The stretch from El Camino to where the road widens after passing under Alma St. is just over a half mile. At 35 mph, you will cover the distance in 51 sec. A cyclist, going 20 mph (given your description of his clothes, he’s most likely capable of this for at least that short stretch) will use 90 sec. You’re willing to maim or kill over a 39 sec. delay. You’re going to be delayed a shit-ton more than that just waiting to get on 101. But the seconds/minutes he loses trying to get onto a bike-free highway don’t count because reasons. See? ---
**Author:** ![LinusK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/131 "2014-04-13T15:38:24Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > I’m driving home from work today and there is some widget-head, some dingle-ball, some half-baked cretin, bicyling in the [_center_ of the right hand lane.](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.425851,-122.14004,3a,75y,352.46h,72.14t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sp1bl2uqEylWuHTUe5E3Ntg!2e0?hl=en) Traffic was backed up behind him, swerving to the left lane to avoid him, and this bufoon, this self-centered little twit in his fashionable spandex tights and matching colored helmut, keeps peddling down the road as if nothing was happening. I would have paid American Dollars to see him get creamed, and additional dollars to see him get run over, yet again. Motorists kill about 40,000 people every year, including many cyclists. So, while you may not have got your wish with this particular cyclist, I’m sure several will die this week, from getting run over by cars. So you can take vicarious pleasure from that. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/132 "2014-04-13T20:44:57Z")
You were in a car – that makes you much more important than the guy on the bike. Self-centered little twit indeed. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/133 "2014-04-13T23:59:23Z")
> [@tellyworth](#): > > > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > > > I’m not wishing death on anyone > > Ahem: > > > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > > > I’m driving home from work today and there is some widget-head, some dingle-ball, some half-baked cretin, bicyling in the [_center_ of the right hand lane.](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.425851,-122.14004,3a,75y,352.46h,72.14t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sp1bl2uqEylWuHTUe5E3Ntg!2e0?hl=en) Traffic was backed up behind him, swerving to the left lane to avoid him, and this bufoon, this self-centered little twit in his fashionable spandex tights and matching colored helmut, keeps peddling down the road as if nothing was happening. I would have paid American Dollars to see him get creamed, and additional dollars to see him get run over, yet again. Well, to be fair, he DIDN’T actually wish death on the cyclist, just serious maiming. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/134 "2014-04-14T00:29:06Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Well, to be fair, he DIDN’T actually wish death on the cyclist, just serious maiming. Serious maiming comes real close to killing. Even moderate maiming can be near fatal. As I’ve had personal experience with. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/135 "2014-04-14T01:20:43Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Well, to be fair, he DIDN’T actually wish death on the cyclist, just serious maiming. He said he’d pay for them to be creamed, and I doubt he means coffee. He also said he would like to them see the cyclist get run over. I’m not putting good odds on the cyclists’s survival after that. ---
**Author:** ![cmosdes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cmosdes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmosdes)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/136 "2014-04-14T02:42:36Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Avid cyclist, both as a commuter and as a roadie. OP is a jerk. > > I understand not coming to a stop if there is zero traffic. I would do a rolling stop in my vehicle in most of those types of situations. Can you clarify this for me? Am I a jerk because I don’t come to a full stop when there is a car some distance away? Because otherwise I read this as you and I doing the same thing. I think I must be misunderstanding something. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/137 "2014-04-14T02:52:41Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Well, to be fair, he DIDN’T actually wish death on the cyclist, just serious maiming. With all of the cars swerving and braking in front of me trying avoid this clown, he could have caused a lot of injuries to others. But wait, he was on a bike, no, a rainbow covered unicorn, so he is forgiven… WTF. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/138 "2014-04-14T02:59:57Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > With all of the cars swerving and braking in front of me trying avoid this clown, **he could have caused a lot of injuries to others**. But wait, he was on a bike, no, a rainbow covered unicorn, so he is forgiven… WTF. No, it’s the inattentive morons who are unable to take a clue from the antics of the traffic in front who are to blame. If you see cars ahead of you swerving into the other lane, you might suspect there’s an obstacle there. I drove for a living for 20 years and never saw mass braking and swerving due to a bicycle ( or anything else) like you describe. This was in the SF Bay Area so I know what heavy traffic is like. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/139 "2014-04-14T03:04:51Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Sounds like you are blaming the woman for a massive error in judgement on the part of the cars. Who exactly had the right of way? She did no doubt. But she didn’t even look. I picked up on her right away but there are a lot of distracted drivers who probably would not have. One right next to me barely did. I guessed she missed that day in school when kids were taught to look both ways _before_ crossing the street. Maybe that’s expecting too much from pedestrians nowadays. Whenever a ped gets close to a crosswalk, I just stop and wait for them to enter and cross through. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732/140 "2014-04-14T03:06:44Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > No, it’s the inattentive morons who are unable to take a clue from the antics of the traffic in front who are to blame. If you see cars ahead of you swerving into the other lane, you might suspect there’s an obstacle there. > > I drove for a living for 20 years and never saw mass braking and swerving due to a bicycle ( or anything else) like you describe. This was in the SF Bay Area so I know what heavy traffic is like. You were lucky. This thing doesn’t happen every day but I have experienced it numerous times, n the Bay Area, in Chicago, in Toronto… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyclists-evil-bastards/685732.md?page=8)