# Some Street Cyclists **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2009, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797 "2009-02-07T11:14:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/101 "2009-02-11T16:24:14Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > And as a general point no one has ever been killed by being run over by a dog as far as I know but I wouldn’t be stunned with amazement if plenty of road traffic accidents have been caused as an indirect result of dogs being in the road,and no I’m not even going to bother to give a cite . Hell, [even dead dogs can cause accidents](http://www.topix.com/city/rosemead-ca/2008/12/crash-caused-by-motorist-trying-to-avoid-dog). ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/102 "2009-02-11T16:36:08Z")
So let me get this straight, **Lute**. Your argument is that sometimes, cyclists behave illegally and cause someone else’s death. We have asked for cites and they appear to be trickling in. I’m going to concede your point (n.b. I am not speaking for any other cyclists) and acknowledge that yes, sometimes cyclists do behave illegally and cause someone else’s death. What’s your point, then? Does that fact mean that all cyclists should be banned from the roads, or otherwise have their rights restricted? I also assert that sometimes pedestrians and motorists (and, it seems, dead dogs) behave illegally and result in someone else’s death. (I can provide cites if you want to challenge this.) Does this mean that pedestrians and motorists should be banned from the roads, or otherwise have their rights restricted? If not, why not? In other words, according to your current line of argument, why should cyclists be singled out? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/103 "2009-02-11T16:51:03Z")
> [@cowgirl](#): > > What’s your point, then? That cyclists, like everyone else on the road, need to pay attention to their surroundings and act accordingly. Irresponsible cyclists, like those in the OP and myself as a teen, need to learn how to do so before it’s too late. In my case, Mom & Dad strongly discouraged me from riding the Peugeot after I missed a turn at speed and clipped a post. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/104 "2009-02-11T16:57:48Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > And once again I make the point that its not the gear that I am opposed to(And yes I can afford to buy it if I wished to, we’re not exactly talking mega bucks here) but the sub section of cyclists that I have described who tend to wear it somewhat like a uniform for everyday commuting just as a certain type of Motor Cyclist wear a specific kind of outfit and follow a certain type of behaviour,or youth cults or whatever. If you’re opposed to cyclists breaking the law or riding dangerously, just say so. I don’t think you’ll get many disagreements. The problem with you is that you’re condemning a class of cyclists based on their lifestyle, even going as far as grouping them and callling them a “cult.” Yes, I’m sure that some of the people who bike to work in Lycra are idiots, but certainly not all. But I sense that you choose not to understand that. You’ve deicded to be hostile towards all lycra-clad bike commuters. That’s just not right, no more than being hostile to an ethnic group becuase you think they’re all criminals/terrorists. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/105 "2009-02-11T17:00:12Z")
Note: I’m not against all cyclists, just those who follow the rules of the road only when it’s convenient. You know, the ones who blow stop signs/lights because they can’t bear to lose their precious momentum. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/106 "2009-02-11T17:04:25Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > That cyclists, like everyone else on the road, need to pay attention to their surroundings and act accordingly. I don’t think anyone here has ever disagreed with that. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/107 "2009-02-11T17:08:47Z")
> [@cowgirl](#): > > I don’t think anyone here has ever disagreed with that. Then why is the OP getting so much flack for pitting lycra-clad guys on racing bikes who “have absaloutley no awareness of what the fuck is happening around them”? ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/108 "2009-02-11T17:12:51Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > If you’re opposed to cyclists breaking the law or riding dangerously, just say so. I don’t think you’ll get many disagreements. > > The problem with you is that you’re condemning a class of cyclists based on their lifestyle, even going as far as grouping them and callling them a “cult.” Yes, I’m sure that some of the people who bike to work in Lycra are idiots, but certainly not all. But I sense that you choose not to understand that. You’ve deicded to be hostile towards all lycra-clad bike commuters. That’s just not right, no more than being hostile to an ethnic group becuase you think they’re all criminals/terrorists. I’m not condeming ALL Lycra clad cyclists. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/109 "2009-02-11T17:14:22Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > You’ve deicded to be hostile towards all lycra-clad bike commuters. You sure it’s not just the clueless ones? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/110 "2009-02-11T17:18:19Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > I’m not condeming ALL Lycra clad cyclists. No, you are condemning “a particular breed of street cyclist” who “are easily identified because they virtually always ride racing bikes and have all of the acoutrements of Tour de France athletes,the crash hat,the lycra etc.etc.” Those are quotes from your OP. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/111 "2009-02-11T17:24:37Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Note: I’m not against all cyclists, just those who follow the rules of the road only when it’s convenient. You know, the ones who blow stop signs/lights because they can’t bear to lose their precious momentum. So what about the drivers who barely slow down at stop signs, and jump red lights? Don’t you think that they might be a bit more of a concern to safety? Why don’t we see more threads about them? I find your comment disingenuous, **Lute** because you’ve spent a couple of pages trying to prove …something that is bad about cyclists without too much concern about the facts of the cases you’ve presented. Now you turn around and say the above? Somehow I really doubt this is your true feelings on the matter. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/112 "2009-02-11T17:26:42Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Then why is the OP getting so much flack for pitting lycra-clad guys on racing bikes who “have absaloutley no awareness of what the fuck is happening around them”? How does he know they have no awareness? Seriously, we have a word for cyclists who “have absaloutley no awareness of what the fuck is happening around them” -DEAD. The OP is assuming a shitload based on his prejudices and biased observations. ETA: as a caveat to this, I would point out that being observant is not the same as being omniscent. There are always going to be things that cannot be anticipated (such as a truck turning right in front of you), same as it is with almost any other mode of transportation. Why cyclists are being separated out for rants I have no idea. I would wager any day of the week that the percentage of cyclists not paying attention is a fraction of a fraction of drivers not paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/113 "2009-02-11T17:33:51Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > So what about the drivers who barely slow down at stop signs, and jump red lights? Don’t you think that they might be a bit more of a concern to safety? Why don’t we see more threads about them? Why should I tidy my room when the world is SUCH A MESS?! ---
**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:** [February 11, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/114 "2009-02-11T17:34:53Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > So what about the drivers who barely slow down at stop signs, and jump red lights? Don’t you think that they might be a bit more of a concern to safety? Why don’t we see more threads about them? I reply to myself since I missed the edit window: I had forgotten about[this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=489246)where drivers were pitting for just that! But some drivers considered that to be acceptable behavior! ---
**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:** [February 11, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/115 "2009-02-11T17:37:11Z")
> [@amrussell](#): > > Why should I tidy my room when the world is SUCH A MESS?! My room is fine. You are bitching at me because someone’s room across the city has a some papers on the floor. Meanwhile, your buddies have mold growing around the stacked pizza boxes in your bedrooms. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/116 "2009-02-11T17:42:50Z")
No, I’m suggesting that the stock response of “but some drivers are assholes too” - which you just used - makes the pro-cycling crowd sound like whiny adolescents. Some cyclists ride like muppets. It’s OK to say so. It’s not a betrayal of the cyclists’ code. It doesn’t imply that all cyclists must be rounded up and put in re-education camps. And I’m really curious as to who you think my buddies are in this scenario. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/117 "2009-02-11T17:53:59Z")
> [@amrussell](#): > > No, I’m suggesting that the stock response of “but some drivers are assholes too” - which you just used - makes the pro-cycling crowd sound like whiny adolescents. No, the stock response is “asshole drivers have a much greater impact on traffic (not to mention human life/safety and physical infrastructure), so why are you singling out cyclists?” I have never heard a satisfactory answer to this question, and I’ve never heard of a cyclist (including any in this thread) who disagrees that some cyclists are assholes. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/118 "2009-02-11T18:04:17Z")
> [@amrussell](#): > > No, I’m suggesting that the stock response of “but some drivers are assholes too” - which you just used - makes the pro-cycling crowd sound like whiny adolescents. Maybe its because there’s pit threads about cyclists almost every other month, wheras bad drivers very rarely get called out here. Bad drivers _kill_ people, whereas bad cyclists most often remove only themselves from the gene pool. > [@](#): > > Some cyclists ride like muppets. It’s OK to say so. It’s not a betrayal of the cyclists’ code. It doesn’t imply that all cyclists must be rounded up and put in re-education camps. Yes, there are bad cyclists. I have never, ever, ever denied that. But while you were busy raping that strawman you might have noticed that the complaints about cyclists are way out of proportion to the consequences of their bad behavior and just about every other one of these cycling pit threads has someone insisting bike have no right to the road, or some other asshole trying to prove something is inherently ‘wrong’ about cyclists. > [@](#): > > And I’m really curious as to who you think my buddies are in this scenario. Oh, would you like a _list?_ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/119 "2009-02-11T18:08:51Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > So what about the drivers who barely slow down at stop signs, and jump red lights? Don’t you think that they might be a bit more of a concern to safety? They’re not the topic of this thread. > [@](#): > > _Why don’t we see more threads about them?_ They get lumped together with all the other traffic rants. The last thread I can find specifially about cyclists running lights is from August 07. > [@](#): > > _you’ve spent a couple of pages trying to prove …something_ I’ve been trying to provide cites to demonstrate how cyclists can indeed cause accidents and possibly result in the death of others because I thought that’s what was requested. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797/120 "2009-02-11T18:10:50Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > How does he know they have no awareness? “They are bent over the handlebars staring straight ahead and going much faster then their reaction ability can handle resulting in everyone else in their vicinity having to get out of their way or risk a collision.” Certainly sounds like they’re not aware; if they are, they don’t give a shit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-street-cyclists/484797.md?page=7)