Funny thing is, while I was driving a Semi, which I did for 35 years, pretty much the SAME RULE applied. AT LEAST 80% of the time there was a dumb driver wandering around from lane to lane, or drifting off onto the shoulder or the median, or missing turns, or off ramps, or WHATEVER, when I got to look down into the car, they were ON THE DAMN PHONE, or TEXTING, or whatever, NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR DRIVING!!!
While hiking, just in the last 2 months, I was nearly mowed down twice by mountain bikers coming down hill, fast, around a corner. Both acted like it was my fault and were arrogant about it. Not all, but enough of them, treat hikers like they say car drivers treat them.
I notice that the broad generalization is alive and well in this thread.
Speaking as someone who does a lot of driving and also a lot of cycling (on a recumbent trike), most cyclists do not look at a cell phone while riding, although the significant minority give the rest of us a bad name. Similarly, the rodes are not “filled” with cyclists breaking all of the traffic laws. Again, there is a significant minority of cyclists who break various laws in ways that are inconsiderate or dangerous to others, and give the rest of us a bad name. (I added the qualifier because many cyclists like myself obey the spirit but not the letter of some laws. For example, I treat most stop signs like yield signs. I slow, look for traffic with the right of way, and stop if there is any. Otherwise I proceed cautiously without coming to a complete stop. In my view, this is not inconsiderate or dangerous but it is a technical violation.)
One of the favorite tricks I see is the bicyclist coming to a red light will quickly move over to the sidewalk and cross the road in the pedestrian crossing. Then move back to the road and cycle on his way.
Hey, I’m glad to see that troll-like comments are down substantially when the topic of vehicular cycling comes up since I’ve started coming around here. Could it be that the peaceful sharing of this space between some cyclists and others has had a positive impact? I bet we can share the road too, in the same spirit of good will.
It occurs to me now that this is running the week after the autumnal equinox, so forget any ragging on bad drivers (or cyclists) for the moment while we pause for a public service announcement:
Whatever vehicle you’re driving, the sun is going to be at just the right level and straight-on, directly, blindingly, blue-dot-all-day in your eyes if you’re going east in the morning or west in the afternoon. And just as blindingly in your mirrors if you’re going the other direction. You won’t be able to see worth squat, and you’ll be a terrible driver as a result, and everyone else on the road will have the same problem. It’s nothing personal; you’ll suck. Please recognize this and proceed with your vehicle accordingly.
The newspaper industry is doing better than expected, sure, but I still don’t want to lose any readers.
Peeples is peeples, (to quote the old tv show) no matter what they ride/drive. I bet Jeff can think of a few cyclist who are an embaressment to the rest of them.
matjestaet over 5 years ago
Oh, trust me…. the streets of this planet are full of phone-fiddling cyclists, too…
PoodleGroomer over 5 years ago
Phone fiddling Zeros.
Gary Fabian over 5 years ago
What’s he do when a Good driver passes him?
Masterskrain Premium Member over 5 years ago
Funny thing is, while I was driving a Semi, which I did for 35 years, pretty much the SAME RULE applied. AT LEAST 80% of the time there was a dumb driver wandering around from lane to lane, or drifting off onto the shoulder or the median, or missing turns, or off ramps, or WHATEVER, when I got to look down into the car, they were ON THE DAMN PHONE, or TEXTING, or whatever, NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR DRIVING!!!
cabalonrye over 5 years ago
That’s why I have a mirror on my bike, to check on the cars coming from behind and get ready to swerve or not.
Ignatz Premium Member over 5 years ago
Frazz looks kind of like Zero, except for the buck teeth.
For some reason, we’ve decided that buck teeth are a sign of stupidity.
majorpain1251 over 5 years ago
It would have been funny if he’d shown a panel with Stephan Pastis driving by.
kunddog over 5 years ago
The company I worked for had their phones tied to the gps, if the gps showed You moving it shut the phone down.
Critic616 over 5 years ago
While hiking, just in the last 2 months, I was nearly mowed down twice by mountain bikers coming down hill, fast, around a corner. Both acted like it was my fault and were arrogant about it. Not all, but enough of them, treat hikers like they say car drivers treat them.
Bill The Nuke over 5 years ago
And when I have to pass a bad cyclist (usually 2 riding abreast in a 55 mph zone) I want to do more than just look back.
snoComic over 5 years ago
I notice that the broad generalization is alive and well in this thread.
Speaking as someone who does a lot of driving and also a lot of cycling (on a recumbent trike), most cyclists do not look at a cell phone while riding, although the significant minority give the rest of us a bad name. Similarly, the rodes are not “filled” with cyclists breaking all of the traffic laws. Again, there is a significant minority of cyclists who break various laws in ways that are inconsiderate or dangerous to others, and give the rest of us a bad name. (I added the qualifier because many cyclists like myself obey the spirit but not the letter of some laws. For example, I treat most stop signs like yield signs. I slow, look for traffic with the right of way, and stop if there is any. Otherwise I proceed cautiously without coming to a complete stop. In my view, this is not inconsiderate or dangerous but it is a technical violation.)
Bob. over 5 years ago
One of the favorite tricks I see is the bicyclist coming to a red light will quickly move over to the sidewalk and cross the road in the pedestrian crossing. Then move back to the road and cycle on his way.
Plods with ...™ over 5 years ago
Guy started pulling into my lane. Problem I was right beside him. He dropped his phone when I laid on the horn
cervelo over 5 years ago
Hey, I’m glad to see that troll-like comments are down substantially when the topic of vehicular cycling comes up since I’ve started coming around here. Could it be that the peaceful sharing of this space between some cyclists and others has had a positive impact? I bet we can share the road too, in the same spirit of good will.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 5 years ago
Frazz16 hrs ·
It occurs to me now that this is running the week after the autumnal equinox, so forget any ragging on bad drivers (or cyclists) for the moment while we pause for a public service announcement:
Whatever vehicle you’re driving, the sun is going to be at just the right level and straight-on, directly, blindingly, blue-dot-all-day in your eyes if you’re going east in the morning or west in the afternoon. And just as blindingly in your mirrors if you’re going the other direction. You won’t be able to see worth squat, and you’ll be a terrible driver as a result, and everyone else on the road will have the same problem. It’s nothing personal; you’ll suck. Please recognize this and proceed with your vehicle accordingly.
The newspaper industry is doing better than expected, sure, but I still don’t want to lose any readers.
mauser7 over 5 years ago
Peeples is peeples, (to quote the old tv show) no matter what they ride/drive. I bet Jeff can think of a few cyclist who are an embaressment to the rest of them.