# 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:** 8
**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, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/141 "2012-04-23T17:23:51Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > 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.🙂 OK, we get it. You’re a douchebag. you don’t need to keep poking us to remind us of that fact. We got it. ---
**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, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/142 "2012-04-23T17:24:45Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > What a ridiculous load of restrictions! Why not just require lights, reflective tape and let the shoes with reflectors be enough? Forget it, Jake, it’s Germany. ---
**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, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/143 "2012-04-23T17:26:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Forget it, Jake, it’s Germany. Ahhhh.. ---
**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, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/144 "2012-04-23T17:28:14Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > […] I actually said I hate them all. […] 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. And of course, the appropriate response to such a situation is to hate EVERYBODY in that category, even the ones who aren’t fucking it up. How nice. > [@abweichende](#): > > I have never met an actual cyclist […] Wow, that **is** a sheltered life. > [@abweichende](#): > > […] but I have also never met anyone who had anything good to say about them either. :dubious: The people you claim to have met sound almost as nice as you. I seldom make this determination even in the Pit, but I’m forced to the conclusion that yup, this here is a troll. Nobody sincerely expressing a genuine opinion would be simultaneously this illogical, this provocative, and this implausible (never met a cyclist? yeah, right. If you’ve spent your entire life as a shut-in in a remote rural area, perhaps). ---
**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, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/145 "2012-04-23T17:28:34Z")
Well, as long as I got _something_ across to you. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/146 "2012-04-23T17:28:41Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > What a ridiculous load of restrictions! Why not just require lights, reflective tape and let the shoes with reflectors be enough? My town requires at least four playing cards affixed to each wheel, with a suggested decibel level for the Vroooom sound. ---
**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, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/147 "2012-04-23T17:37:55Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > 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. No, it’s federal traffic law. We don’t do things like changing traffic laws on the city level. Most people who ride a bike in the city don’t want to train for the Tour de France, they want to ride to/from work, or take a tour on the weekend through the park or along the river. Changing into special bike shoes, or even buying expensive bike shoes for that, is not necessary for that and would in fact be cumbersome once you get off the bike and have to change into normal shoes. Most people just drive in their normal clothes. Some have the shorts, shirts since Aldi has them offer several years now. Some have the gloves for padding, and some have helmets (there’s no helmet law for bicycles, only for motorized bikes, though I would support one). > [@](#): > > What a ridiculous load of restrictions! Why not just require lights, reflective tape and let the shoes with reflectors be enough? How’s it a load of distriction to make one exception to the usual requirements for racing bike, and try to define a racing bike by weight? Or is so ridiculous that the police and the law expects riders to use common sense? ---
**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, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/148 "2012-04-23T17:39:01Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Forget it, Jake, it’s Germany. Oh, you get to use exceptions again. All Dopers are equal, but some are more equal than others. Bye. ---
**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, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/149 "2012-04-23T17:49:44Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > No, it’s federal traffic law. We don’t do things like changing traffic laws on the city level. > > Most people who ride a bike in the city don’t want to train for the Tour de France, they want to ride to/from work, or take a tour on the weekend through the park or along the river. Changing into special bike shoes, or even buying expensive bike shoes for that, is not necessary for that and would in fact be cumbersome once you get off the bike and have to change into normal shoes. Most people just drive in their normal clothes. Some have the shorts, shirts since Aldi has them offer several years now. Some have the gloves for padding, and some have helmets (there’s no helmet law for bicycles, only for motorized bikes, though I would support one). So what if you don’t train but simply use a road bike with clipless pedals to get around? What if you prefer to commute using a more efficient bike? This sems like you need to conform to the norm. > [@](#): > > How’s it a load of distriction to make one exception to the usual requirements for racing bike, and try to define a racing bike by weight? Or is so ridiculous that the police and the law expects riders to use common sense? Its a distraction because it is an unneeded classification, IMO. But hey, not my country so I have right to really judge (If it were in the USA, however) If you want to bike at night you have a decent level of lighting. I know plenty of people who ride with clipless at night with lighting and there is nothing wrong with it. I have to night ride for my commute in the Winter and still use clipless. The police should be concerned with riders who have no lights or ride the wrong way on streets before they start worrying about the weight of my bike vs the types of pedals I use. ---
**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, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/150 "2012-04-23T17:57:36Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > And of course, the appropriate response to such a situation is to hate EVERYBODY in that category, even the ones who aren’t fucking it up. How nice. > > Wow, that **is** a sheltered life. > > :dubious: The people you claim to have met sound almost as nice as you. > > I seldom make this determination even in the Pit, but I’m forced to the conclusion that yup, this here is a troll. > > Nobody sincerely expressing a genuine opinion would be simultaneously this illogical, this provocative, and this implausible (never met a cyclist? yeah, right. If you’ve spent your entire life as a shut-in in a remote rural area, perhaps). To clarify, when I say “cyclist” I am speaking of the ones who do the special clothes, bikes, etc…not the average Joe in regular clothes on a bike. I have certainly met people who have ridden bikes, but none who actually engaged in it as a sport. As for being a troll, I am new to the SDMB. I really saw no difference in what I posted, compared to what other people posted in this thread & others. Compare my posts to others in this thread. I honestly voiced an opinion, harsh it may have been to some, but I did so without name calling or bashing others who disagreed with me. So no, I am not a troll. ---
**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, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/151 "2012-04-23T19:41:52Z")
What I’m trying to figure out is how the fuck does **abweichende** tell if a biker has shaved legs when she drives by going 20mph faster than the guy on his bike? What if he just has light colored body hair? So if abweichende gives into her fantasy and runs a biker over, what will she do if she finds out he didn’t shave his legs, he just had light colored hair? Say oopsie and drive off? Apologize? Use the, I thought he had shaved legs defense at her trial? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/152 "2012-04-23T20:33:46Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > Apologize? > Use the, I thought he had shaved legs defense at her trial? If I was the lawyer I’d use the latin phrase for Ocam’s Razor as a defense…even though legally I would not have a leg to stand on. My client would be in a hairy situation for sure…though I am sure my cutting edge legal theories would make all the magazines. ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/153 "2012-04-23T20:47:10Z")
If no one saw me run him over, I would stop to toss the bike in the back so I could sell it later on craigslist, and drive off. If someone did see me, I would abandon the car and take off on foot for parts unknown. I always wanted to live off the land. ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/154 "2012-04-23T20:47:16Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Oh, you get to use exceptions again. All Dopers are equal, but some are more equal than others. Bye. Just a bit of a joke on the idea of Germany being very regimented and orderly. Checking the laws for my state, I found [this](http://massbike.org/resourcesnew/bike-law/): > [@](#): > > You must ride astride a regular, permanent seat that is attached to your bicycle. > > You must have your headlight and taillight on if you are riding anytime from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise. > > You must wear reflectors on both ankles if there are no reflectors on your pedals. and > [@](#): > > Your bike must have a permanent, regular seat attached to it. > > Your brakes must be good enough to bring you to a stop, from a speed of 15 miles an hour, within 30 feet of braking. This distance assumes a dry, clean, hard, level surface. > > At night, your headlight must emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. A generator-powered lamp that shines only when the bike is moving is okay. > > At night, your taillight must be red and must be visible from a distance of at least 600 feet. > > At night, your reflectors must be visible in the low beams of a car’s headlights from a distance of at least 600 feet. Reflectors and reflective material on your bike must be visible from the back and sides. Which seems to cover all the needed ground without getting too mired in details. I spent a little time in Germany; saw bike lanes and a few people using them, but nothing quite like I do here. A couple years ago, I was riding 20 miles a day for exercise. I’ve done a few weekend tours, and there’s a city-wide event in Boston in September that’s about 50 miles. It’s worth it to me to get the clipless pedals and shoes, but I’m not training for the Tour de France. (I get tired just watching them ride up those mountains.) I don’t recall seeing anything like that in Germany; people bicycling, or even jogging, for exercise. Maybe the laws, as written, work for the way people use bicycles in Germany. ---
**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, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/155 "2012-04-23T20:48:20Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > If no one saw me run him over, I would stop to toss the bike in the back so I could sell it later on craigslist, and drive off. Nope, no trolling here. ---
**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, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/156 "2012-04-23T20:53:17Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > To clarify, when I say “cyclist” I am speaking of the ones who do the special clothes, bikes, etc…not the average Joe in regular clothes on a bike. I have certainly met people who have ridden bikes, but none who actually engaged in it as a sport. > > As for being a troll, I am new to the SDMB. I really saw no difference in what I posted, compared to what other people posted in this thread & others. Compare my posts to others in this thread. I honestly voiced an opinion, harsh it may have been to some, but I did so without name calling or bashing others who disagreed with me. So no, I am not a troll. Heh, nice try. Backpedaling somewhat from earlier extreme statements when accused of trolling, and temporarily attempting to seem more “reasonable” in order to re-engage the other disputants, is a typical troll defensive maneuver. I think we’ve all got your number now, and I apologize to the other posters in this thread for having mistakenly encouraged you. ---
**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, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/157 "2012-04-23T21:02:32Z")
Where was I backpedaling? I still support my original statement, I was just trying to clarify the “I never met a biker” statement. I see that others can make humourous statements but I cannot, in reference to the troll statement. ---
**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, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/158 "2012-04-23T21:03:58Z")
You all are just butt-hurt because someone belittled something that is important to you. ---
**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, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/159 "2012-04-23T21:07:36Z")
> [@abweichende](#): > > You all are just butt-hurt because someone belittled something that is important to you. Yes, curse this Judeo-Christian world that has instilled its morals in me; I do find human life to be of value. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371/160 "2012-04-23T22:26:15Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > Taxpayers pay for the roads, and cyclists pay more than their fair share, spare wear on the road surface, and reduce the number of cars, thereby reducing congestion for you. You should be thanking them. Thank you for that. Car drivers seem to think they’re the only ones that pay for the roads. We ALL pay for the roads. We currently only have one car, so if my husband is at work, I get around by bike or on foot. In my suburb of Atlanta, we don’t have too many bike lanes or paths, so I ride on the roads. Every now and then if I’m tired and don’t have the energy to be hyper-watchful for vehicle traffic, I’ll ride on the sidewalk. For good or ill, there aren’t actually many pedestrians here either. When I do encounter the occasional walker, I slow WAY down. Many the pedestrians are also wearing headphones and don’t know I’m coming behind them, even if I ring a bell or call out to them. I try to be really aware if I’m slowing traffic. On two-lane roads, I have no problem easing to the right when it’s safe and waving cars around me. I’d do the same if I was in a slow-moving motor vehicle. On four-lane roads when traffic isn’t heavy, I generally take a position in the lane and hold it. People coming up behind can usually see me and get over. I get the occasional idiot who hangs behind and tries to intimidate me into moving over, when they have a WHOLE EMPTY LANE to their left. :smack: Morons. Some of us really try to be responsible on bikes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-you-self-entitled-arrogant-asshole-bicycle-riders/619371.md?page=9)