Bicycle Travel > General Discussion

Bike and Cars - share the road

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cmtbiz:
Last night I listened to this local radio station 101.5 NJ.  Their topic is about sharing the road between Bike and Cars.  Although the announcer D&D doesn't condone hurting cyclist, he is full of hate on the cyclist.  He is blaming that cycling are the problem to the road. He explained that some group or pack cyclist dont abide to traffic rules and so why do car drivers need to share the road with them. According to D&D, some cyclist are arrogant and they treath the car drivers when they are riding in groups. 

I guess this happens only to those Road Cyclist not the Touring individuals.  The Road cyclist tend to feel that they are elite and think they own the road. Probably they feel like they are Lance Armstrong.

In New Jersey, bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.
- ride on the right
- obey all signals
- travel no more than two abreast when traffic is not impeded
- ride with traffic

My own experience, I also do seen a few that don't follow the traffic rules and they hit the red lights or crossing over moving vehicles and sometime will give you the finger salute if you honk your horn for their action. This is a big shame to those who give bad rep for us cyclist.

adbirds:
Respect, eye contact, signaling intent, and high visibility go a long way.  There are a lot of crappy drivers on the road too, and while that is too bad we don't want to be part of a problem by flipping people off.  If you have to take the lane, then take it and be sure you are seen.   The radio guy just needs to be told; - don't be a hater. 

johnsondasw:
Frankly, cmtbiz, I'm nopt sure from your post that I can determine the point of the post.  Are you supporting the radio announcer or not?  Are you, too, fed up with cyclists?  Are you a road biker yourself, and what do you really think of all this.

True, there are cyclists, especiall in the urban scene (I see this every time I ride in Seattle) who do not help our image.   We need to follow the rules and show respect for motorists.  However, there are lots of drivers who could learn to do the same.  They cut us off, too, and don't leave adequate space for bikes.

As a cyclist, I know I have to be extra cautious and defensive and take care of myself.  I don't stand a chance if I don't do everything I can to protect myself.  For me, that means being hyper alert and always keeping an eye in my mirror.  Also, we can't anticipate what a car is about to do.  Half the time (not an exaggeration) they don't signal for turns, and sometimes when they do, they don't turn or they turn the other direction.

So follow the rules of the road, wait your turn at intersections, and be safe!

pdlamb:
I had a conversation with a nice lady at work last month.  She started off with, "Pat was that you I saw riding a bike on XXX yesterday?  OMG, that bicyclist was riding down the middle of the road, and then he turned left!"  I let her vent, and then responded with, "Susie, was that you I saw driving a car on YYY last night?  That person turned left from the right hand lane right in front of me!"

She laughed and walked off.

cmtbiz:
No no no.. please dont get wrong.. I am not the supporter of the radio.  What I am trying to say is that the announcer is full of bull.  He just probably experienced this a few times but he made it a big issue.  What I am saying also that I hope that every cyclist in my town should follow the rules so that the true cyclist will not be painted with bad image. 

I just dont want to say or describe the type of people here.. but I guess you can guess who they are.. those people who ride their flimsy mountain bike, carrying 1 brown lunch bag in one hand and goes to work in the early morning.  They cut people off without thinking.   

True.. as there are many mindless car drivers too. 

Also what I heard is that there will be coming out a new product that can blast as loud as a car horn to catch the car drivers attention.

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