apple strudel

Firefighter charged with shooting at bicyclist | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times

Cyclist survives, having been shot in the helmet (!). Shooter is a firefighter (!) who decided to give the cyclist a lecture about riding with his 3 year old. So this is not entirely political but there are a lot of angry people on this forum so its my chance to ask you angry people to try and be nice to cyclists. Cyclists should do likewise and be nice to drivers.

Also, a cyclist was recently killed in MA after being run down by a truck who was not paying attention.

If you are a driver, please remember (in MA, at least)

1) Cyclists have a right to be in the lane.
2) Cyclists have a right to ride 2 abreast.
3) Honking at cyclists is not cool, it's loud and unexpected.
4) Slowing down for 10 seconds is not worth getting angry over.
5) Cars can easily kill a cyclist and not the other way around.
6) Cyclists tend to veer into the lane to avoid being doored by people getting out of cars (The Door Prize: Bicyclists killed from motorists opening their doors). They are not trying to piss you off.
7) Cyclists tend to veer into the lane on bad roads with either no shoulder or a lot of debris. Debris is almost as dangerous to a cyclist as a car, but most drivers don't realize this.
8) Depending on traffic, cyclists ride in the lane because it's safer for them, not to piss you off.
9) Turning right in front of a cyclist is very dangerous.
10) Yes, cyclists frequently run red lights. That does not mean it is OK not to drive safely around them.
11) Cyclists are often tired or suffering, with heart rates pushing 200. This is not the best time to get into an argument with somebody.

Share the road!

Synovia

Which is why cyclists are supposed to follow the rules of the road and not try to pass a turning vehicle on the right. Cyclists have many rights, but they need to follow traffic laws, something that so many of them seem to be completely ignorant of.

reflexblue

I got a hybrid bike last year and i've really gotten into riding. Where i live its exculsivly winding hilly rds, out in the country. I now have more understanding when it comes to cyclists many who come out to ride because of the terrain, but one thing that still bothers me is having 3-4 people riding abreast taking up one lane. It happens frequently, they don't pay attention, and seem to feel that they have a right to take up the whole lane. So now i have a new found appreciation for riders but it works both ways, if a group is riding they need to pay attention, or stop playing dumb like they don't know a car is behind them. I son't want to honk my horn but sometimes thats what it takes.

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apple strudel

The right hook is when the car passes the cyclist and turns right in front of them. It happens amazingly often.

Of course.

That does not make it OK to drive dangerously, disrespectfully, or illegally. For either party. Remember, cars will kill the cyclist. The driver's physical safety is never really threatened by the cyclist.

Please share the road!

PatsWSB47

So many people just can't stand it to have their strides broken no matter what their mode if transportation is....including biking and walking. I notice it every day going to work. They take chances pass in unsafe areas only to have me catch them at the next light anyway. They text and talk on cell phones, weave in and out of traffic all the time thinking they're making significant progress. They don't and they unecessarily put everyone in danger. Cripes even walking isn't exempt. Watch people in parking lots and stores get bent out of shape is someone if standing in their way. Freaking relax everyone.

Harry Boy

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In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

reflexblue

Bike hating BIGOT. So hows everything going on fantasy island, De Plane De plane.

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S.H.E.S.
I Likes Spikes.

Synovia

Oh, completely, thats not what I'm talking about though. I'm talking about when you're sitting there waiting, maybe in traffic, with your blinker on, and the guy tries to go around you.




Of course, but cyclists need to take their own safety in consideration. They can be difficult to see, and you can't hear them, and they have to realize that.


I think, as a cyclist, you're MUCH safer riding down the middle of a lane than trying to ride off the right lane.

apple strudel

Thanks so much, HB.

apple strudel

If there's no imminent turn I think this is safe. I can almost always tell if a turn is imminent based on the conditions. If it's obvious that the car is likely to turn soon, I stop and wait.

I agree.