Watch out for bicycles too.

[paulfun9]

I have had so many close calls involving bicycles that I've become anti bike.
They share the road network but (mostly) disregard any of the rules/laws.
They blow stops, make unlawful turns, dodge in/out of traffic in/out of sidewalks.
I once had one bounce off of my van to expedite his turn.
In my area a law was enacted to prevent dooring and another to provide a minimum passing clearance, both subject to fines and demerit points.
When it comes to speeding I've often been passed on my right by a bike that is greatly exceeding the posted limits. (That on a main street in a busy city hill)
One area has a dedicate bike trail that crosses a main artery and has posted stop signs for the bikes but the very rarely obey them, and if I exercise my basic right of way rights they give me the finger. Worst yet, the LEO's ignore those basic violations.
To add insult to injury the pay nothing towards the maintenance of the networks they demand to share.

I only wish to add the bike riders who refuse to tighten up to the inside of the lane when traffic is waiting to pass. Now I have ridden plenty of bikes long before it was fashionable to do so and logged many miles with other traffic. So I know a rider does not need to be 4 ft from the roads edge and still need a 5 ft margin between them and the passing car.
If You want that margin then move over so We are not close as we pass you! Your bike only needs a couple inches from the line on the inside of the lane, it’s not 5 ft wide!

 

[Captain Dirty]

Once an ardent cyclist wanted the city to install water fountains every few kilometers as cyclists became rapidly dehydrated.
He actually made that demand at a council meeting.

War story: I was cycling though the rice fields of South East Texas just W of Beaumont and behind on my water when I saw a man watering his lawn with a hose. I stopped and asked if I could fill my water bottles. He hollered to his wife to bring out some ice water. She came out with a 24 oz. tumbler filled with water and ice. I poured about half of it down my throat before I became acutely aware why the town was named Sour Lake.

I choked back a gag so as not to offend their generosity.

 

[tradosaurus]

War story: I was cycling though the rice fields of East Texas just W of Beaumont and behind on my water when I saw a man watering his lawn with a hose. I stopped and asked if I could fill my water bottles. He hollered to his wife to bring out some ice water. She came out with a 24 oz. tumbler filled with water and ice. I poured about half of it down my throat before I became acutely aware why the town was called Sour Lake.

I choked back a gag so as not to offend their generosity.

Beaumont would be considered south Texas.

 

[civilian]

We started overnight bicycle trips with the kids when the youngest was 6 years old. 100 miles in northern MI over 5 days. Youngest was supposed to ride the tandem behind me, but prefered his own single bike. Yes we have been self taught and have seen many on bikes that don't follow the rules of the roads. Some are kids, others are adults. I can't say that I have never rolled through a stop sign, because where we live, there may not be anyone else at that stop sign for an hour. Some of the roads are full of potholes that riding to the right is impossible. Think that pothole is hard on your car tire, think about it on a bicycle. Also heard some time ago, that the roads were paved for the bicycles because the cars were able to power through the crappy dirt paths. Never verified it, though. Jon

 

[Jstpssng]

I can't say that I have never rolled through a stop sign, because where we live, there may not be anyone else at that stop sign for an hour.

I doubt that many motorists can say they've never rolled through a stop sign, either.

 

[ArlyA]

We started overnight bicycle trips with the kids when the youngest was 6 years old. 100 miles in northern MI over 5 days. Youngest was supposed to ride the tandem behind me, but prefered his own single bike. Yes we have been self taught and have seen many on bikes that don't follow the rules of the roads. Some are kids, others are adults. I can't say that I have never rolled through a stop sign, because where we live, there may not be anyone else at that stop sign for an hour. Some of the roads are full of potholes that riding to the right is impossible. Think that pothole is hard on your car tire, think about it on a bicycle. Also heard some time ago, that the roads were paved for the bicycles because the cars were able to power through the crappy dirt paths. Never verified it, though. Jon

The 1st roads paved in the Unites states was in Michigan when LAW (League of American Cyclist) MI division pushed it through the our MI House. Go figure!

 

[CADplans]

YEP,, we ALL take care of bikes,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Code54]

 

[dodge man]

I need to add that to my list, keep your finger off the trigger, don’t run with scissors, leave your sword at home when biking.

 

[timswi]

It seems there are plenty of responsible bicycle folks on this thread and my experience isn't directed at them.

I live in a somewhat rural area but work in a city. I've seen bicycles run red-lights, stop signs, run between stopped cars etc but blaming everyone but themselves when something goes wrong.

A guy came blasting out of an alley and slammed into my pickup..All I saw was a green tee shirt rolling over the hood. Thankfully I was only going 10 mph as I left a traffic light.

Within minutes the whole road was filled with first responders. The rider only separated his shoulder. Cops told me this was obviously his fault and reported as such. Cop told me that they have to clean up a couple of these a day and that many of these people are a public menace.

End result: Since the bike guy had no insurance I got to pay $500 for ins deductable, $400 for a rental and lost $2500 on trade in due to a Carfax accident tag.

If bicycles are allowed on public roads, they should also carry insurance.