# Screw You, You Self-Entitled Arrogant Asshole Bicycle Riders **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 20, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371 "2012-04-20T04:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![abweichende](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5fc32e/32.png) [@abweichende](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abweichende)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/121 "2012-04-22T20:33:35Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > You have mixed-up fantasies of the fictional variety with the more disturbing fantasies of actually hurting real people for simply not wearing of approved clothing. If you cannot discern this difference you have a serious problem. Ooh…Ooh! Aren’t all fantasies fictional? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Meyer6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@Meyer6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meyer6)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/122 "2012-04-22T23:08:30Z")
> [@Norse](#): > > creating some kind of dangerous and probably dangerous (for the cyclist) situation A dangerous \*and \*dangerous situation? Wow, that sounds really, really dangerous! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/123 "2012-04-23T00:21:50Z")
> [@abweichende in post #103](#): > > I hate them all. I focus my hate primarily on the the ones who have attire made specifically for biking…special shoes, men who shave their legs. It makes me want to puke & run them off the road. > [@abweichende in post #118](#): > > […] plus, it is not that much of a fantasy as I do not dream of crushing cyclists with my car or running them off the road. Ooookay **abweichende** , whatever you say. Even if it’s self-contradictory. It’s a novel experience for me to come across anybody who hates the practitioners of a particular sport based on **the gear worn for that sport**. Gosh, swimmers have that “specific attire” thing going on, too. Do you hate swimmers unless they go in the water fully clothed? (Warning: male swimmers often shave their legs! :eek: ) How about runners? Do they have to pound along the trails and streets in slacks and button-down shirts and dress shoes rather than in “attire made specifically” for their chosen sport in order to avoid your attire ire? (And mercy on us, some male runners shave **their** legs too. Wow **abweichende** , you have a lot of hating to catch up on!) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/124 "2012-04-23T00:49:12Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > I’m a bicycle rider. > > I’ve been tail-ended by an 80 year old fool, half blind, with no insurance. My bike was wrecked. > > I’ve been pelted with half-full beer cans by fratboys in pickups. And beer _bottles_. > > I’ve been **chased** by a car–on the grass! > > Fuck you all. Sorry to hear it—assuming, of course, that you yourself don’t violate traffic laws and basic safety procedures when you ride. If you do, then I’m still sorry to hear that you’ve been endangered and hassled by drivers. But not **as** sorry. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I could have explained a greater length I suppose. I don’t own a helmet, I don’t ride often, I don’t want to buy one, I don’t want to wear one. I don’t think they should be required for adults. Free country and all that. Don’t get me started on the freedom hating drug laws. And you know what else, sometimes I don’t wear a seatbelt while driving my car… Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me in the least. However, at least we can all be grateful that you don’t ride often. > [@Procrustus](#): > > My only question about the thoughts expressed in this thread was why does riding without a helmet engender the same type of animosity as the driving behavior that is actually dangerous to others? Contrary to a previous suggestion, it’s not primarily about the money issue (although, as I noted earlier, your libertarian ass **will** look pretty foolish if you end up having to suck on Nanny Gummint’s teat for the rest of your helpless quadriplegic life as a result of trying to show off your courageous rejection of Nanny Gummint’s prescriptions for your personal safety). Primarily, it’s about the nuisance value. You get into an accident and ding your helmet without being seriously hurt, it’s likely that you’ll be sitting on the sidewalk and out of the way pretty promptly. You get into an accident without a helmet and splash your (for lack of a better word) brains all over the road, though, you’ve fucked up traffic conditions for everybody for some time to come. Again, if you’re riding slowly on a stable commuter bike in a bike lane or path separated from car traffic, I can see the argument for going without a helmet. Riding at speed and/or in (American) car traffic without a helmet, though, does not really look bravely independent so much as dickishly stupid. ---
**Author:** ![mister\_nyx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@mister\_nyx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_nyx)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/125 "2012-04-23T00:55:15Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > Lol, I am actually a female whose friends are mostly gay males, but believe me, they don’t approve of the leg shaving either.😃 Somehow I bet the gay friends who share your fantasies about attacking people for violating gender norms are imaginary. In fact, somehow I bet all your friends are imaginary. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/126 "2012-04-23T01:03:32Z")
What was posted: > [@Norse](#): > > There’s actually a reason that most bicyclists wear cycling shoes, cycling tights, a helmet etcetera: It’s functional. I don’t wear cycling shoes to look cool, I wear them because it makes cycling more comfortable. I don’t wear bike pants to annoy you with a clear view of my ass, I wear them because they’re more comfortable to ride in. > > Hate away, it doesn’t bother me one millimeter. But if you cut me off or create a dangerous situation just to show me what you think about cyclists, be prepared for a dent in your car’s roof. The response: > [@abweichende](#): > > > [@Norse](#): > > > > … it doesn’t bother me one millimeter. > > I like it when someone is so obviously bothered but claims not to be. Tunnel vision like that, you shouldn’t be on the road, troll. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/127 "2012-04-23T01:46:23Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Primarily, it’s about the nuisance value. You get into an accident and ding your helmet without being seriously hurt, it’s likely that you’ll be sitting on the sidewalk and out of the way pretty promptly. > > You get into an accident without a helmet and splash your (for lack of a better word) brains all over the road, though, you’ve fucked up traffic conditions for everybody for some time to come. > > Again, if you’re riding slowly on a stable commuter bike in a bike lane or path separated from car traffic, I can see the argument for going without a helmet. Riding at speed and/or in (American) car traffic without a helmet, though, does not really look bravely independent so much as dickishly stupid. Just wanted to point out that it’s amazingly easy to have an accident in a bike lane/path. Random crap happens, instantaneously. So I’d say the “dickishly stupid” label applies to almost any biker without a helmet. As a bike mechanic asked me the first time I ever saw a helmet: “Is your brain worth $50?” ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/128 "2012-04-23T07:33:20Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > The reflectors? Many of those very silly and antiquated placement. I don’t quite understand what you mean with that. The purpose of reflectors is that the bike is visible even if not-moving (when the lights would be out before the new lights were developed) and from the side. The active lights help you see, the passive reflectors make sure you are seen. Today of course any lamp or backlight you buy has the reflector built on, and to update older lamps you buy them seperately. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/129 "2012-04-23T11:30:55Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Just wanted to point out that it’s amazingly easy to have an accident in a bike lane/path. Random crap happens, instantaneously. So I’d say the “dickishly stupid” label applies to almost any biker without a helmet. > > As a bike mechanic asked me the first time I ever saw a helmet: “Is your brain worth $50?” The technical term is organ donor far a helmet less rider. ---
**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 23, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/130 "2012-04-23T11:34:50Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > I don’t quite understand what you mean with that. The purpose of reflectors is that the bike is visible even if not-moving (when the lights would be out before the new lights were developed) and from the side. The active lights help you see, the passive reflectors make sure you are seen. Today of course any lamp or backlight you buy has the reflector built on, and to update older lamps you buy them seperately. The reflectors on the wheels tend to have a serious problem with staying on the spokes - and they can bend the spokes. As for reflectors on the pedals I’ll just say this: clipless. How is that supposed to work? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/131 "2012-04-23T12:04:51Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > As for reflectors on the pedals I’ll just say this: clipless. How is that supposed to work? I have a pair of stee-toed work boots with [irridescent coating,](https://sitemanager.rockyboots.com/productimages/lehigh-old/individual/R6699_reg_enl.jpg) since many industrial catastophies take out the electricity and I’ll want the rescue team to find me in the dark. Bike shoes could be made with the same coating ---
**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 23, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/132 "2012-04-23T12:25:02Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I have a pair of stee-toed work boots with [irridescent coating,](https://sitemanager.rockyboots.com/productimages/lehigh-old/individual/R6699_reg_enl.jpg) since many industrial catastophies take out the electricity and I’ll want the rescue team to find me in the dark. > > Bike shoes could be made with the same coating Bike shoes do have reflectors on them. The obsolete law as written states the reflectors must be on the pedals. That means that the police can (and WILL) write a ticket for a lack of reflectors on pedals. ---
**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 23, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/133 "2012-04-23T12:32:19Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > Bike shoes do have reflectors on them. The obsolete law as written states the reflectors must be on the pedals. That means that the police can (and WILL) write a ticket for a lack of reflectors on pedals. Not always. The police report from my accident noted that my pedals were of the clipless variety and lacking reflectors but my shoes had reflective patches on the heels which were an acceptable alternative. ---
**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 23, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/134 "2012-04-23T12:35:07Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Not always. The police report from my accident noted that my pedals were of the clipless variety and lacking reflectors but my shoes had reflective patches on the heels which were an acceptable alternative. Nice to know. Usually cops don’t have clue as to how what the bike laws are or how to enforce them. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/135 "2012-04-23T15:43:31Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I try to watch for silhouettes in the cars, brake lights, **or doors open an inch (who ARE you people who sit at the curb with** your backup lights on, or **your door ajar?** Bolding added by me. _raises hand_ That would be me. My reason for doing so is twofold. First, if you are coming from behind my hope is you will see me and realize I am there. Secondly, and more importantly, it makes me stop and look in the mirror and make sure no one is coming so I don’t open the door into a bicyclist or into a passing car. People who blindly fling their car doors all the way open are idiots for a variety of reasons. ---
**Author:** ![abweichende](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5fc32e/32.png) [@abweichende](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abweichende)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/136 "2012-04-23T17:03:05Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > I don’t care whether they are obeying the law or not. I hate them all. I focus my hate primarily on the the ones who have attire made specifically for biking…special shoes, **men who shave their legs**. It makes me want to puke & run them off the road. Hahahahahaha! I love how you guys are concentrating on the clothing remark when I actually said I hate them all. The clothing & leg shaving are just a bonus. The OP also suggested violence & even mentioned killing, yet you didn’t even bat an eye at that. People on bikes are a menace on many roads. Whether you are obeying laws or not, there is a huge chance you are going you get hurt. Just like everything else in this world, no matter how many people do it right, there is always someone who fucks it up for everyone else. Your fellow non-compliant riders are making people nervous, holding up traffic & causing wrecks. I have never met an actual cyclist, but I have also never met anyone who had anything good to say about them either.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/137 "2012-04-23T17:08:27Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > The reflectors on the wheels tend to have a serious problem with staying on the spokes - and they can bend the spokes. Um, what kind of reflectors do you have - or what kind of spokes? [These](http://www.adfc-nrw.de/kreisverbaende/kv-krefeld-kreis-viersen/technik/es-werde-licht.html) (Scroll down to the bottom) are the common ones, and once you slide them in far enough or clip them, they stay on… until after ages the plastic breaks and then they fall off. Newer versions are [thin silvery tubes](http://www.alias-wit.de/Mein_Fahrrad.htm)you wrap around each spoke. (see the difference between “normal picture” and “with flash = Blitz”) > [@](#): > > As for reflectors on the pedals I’ll just say this: clipless. How is that supposed to work? Normal bikes for normal people have normal pedals that look [like this](http://www.zweiradacht.com/shop_cfg/zweiradacht/06028526.JPG). [Clipless](http://www.google.de/search?tbm=isch&hl=de&source=hp&biw=1264&bih=731&q=speichenreflektoren&gbv=2&oq=speichenre&aq=0&aqi=g5g-S5&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=img.3.0.0l5j0i24l5.1854.3601.0.4933.10.10.0.2.2.0.184.957.3j5.8.0.Qvc269Akm9I#hl=de&gbv=2&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=clipless+pedals&oq=clipless&aq=0&aqi=g2g-S3&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=img.3.0.0l2j0i24l3.3820.9134.0.10319.19.19.5.1.1.0.179.1829.2j11.13.0.xN9hlPkSTNE&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=6f391439f6c6d55f&biw=1264&bih=731) pedals are found usually on extreme racing bikes - which either aren’t ridden on public roads in the city, but in the countryside, or need a special exception - and the expectation by the cops that you time your training so that you never ever are in the dark. If the bike weighs less than 11 kg, the requirements for lights are eased - again, with the expectation that the rider will use his head and only drive during the day. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/138 "2012-04-23T17:16:17Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > People who blindly fling their car doors all the way open are idiots for a variety of reasons. Here’s a [nice demonstration](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VTP5O3qG7U)of why. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/139 "2012-04-23T17:21:11Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Normal bikes for normal people have normal pedals that look [like this](http://www.zweiradacht.com/shop_cfg/zweiradacht/06028526.JPG). > > [Clipless](http://www.google.de/search?tbm=isch&hl=de&source=hp&biw=1264&bih=731&q=speichenreflektoren&gbv=2&oq=speichenre&aq=0&aqi=g5g-S5&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=img.3.0.0l5j0i24l5.1854.3601.0.4933.10.10.0.2.2.0.184.957.3j5.8.0.Qvc269Akm9I#hl=de&gbv=2&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=clipless+pedals&oq=clipless&aq=0&aqi=g2g-S3&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=img.3.0.0l2j0i24l3.3820.9134.0.10319.19.19.5.1.1.0.179.1829.2j11.13.0.xN9hlPkSTNE&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=6f391439f6c6d55f&biw=1264&bih=731) pedals are found usually on extreme racing bikes - which either aren’t ridden on public roads in the city, but in the countryside, or need a special exception - and the expectation by the cops that you time your training so that you never ever are in the dark. If the bike weighs less than 11 kg, the requirements for lights are eased - again, with the expectation that the rider will use his head and only drive during the day. I have clipless pedals, and I am far from an extreme racing cyclist. Took a little getting used to (fell three times), but now they’re great. Foot in the perfect position and no wasted energy, and I need all the help I can get. I have wide feet, and weirdly, my bicycle shoes may be the most comfortable pair I own. ---
**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 23, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/140 "2012-04-23T17:21:39Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Clipless pedals are found usually on extreme racing bikes - which either aren’t ridden on public roads in the city, but in the countryside, or need a special exception Ummm, really? Is that the jurisdiction in your town? Because I’ve been riding clipless in the cities for 14 years. There’s nothing ‘extreme’ about it. > [@](#): > > - and the expectation by the cops that you time your training so that you never ever are in the dark. If the bike weighs less than 11 kg, the requirements for lights are eased - again, with the expectation that the rider will use his head and only drive during the day. What a ridiculous load of restrictions! Why not just require lights, reflective tape and let the shoes with reflectors be enough? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371.md?page=8)