Do cyclists seem inconsiderate to you?

Question

As a parent with small kids I am ever wary of cyclists who commonly it seems to me ride wherever the like. The road, the footpath, over the pedestrian crossing, through the red light, it doesn't matter, they seem to ride like they have mates high up who think that cyclists are more important than pedestrians. Cyclists to my observation rarely give signals and are often abusive if the pram gets in their way when they're taking a short cut along the footpath. Am I the only one who has noticed this?

Answer 1

no you're not the only one who notices that! bicyclists in my town drive me nuts!....they just speed through stop signs like they own the world...haaate that...a good number of them do use their hand signals here, but a few still don't....yeah i do have friends who ride their bicycle so i feel bad getting so mad at cyclists in general but overall they're very inconsiderate.

Answer 2

Unfortunately not everyone knows the traffic laws associated with bicycles. No one needs a license to ride a bicycle; people riding bicycles rarely take any sort of formal training to ride one; and everyone has their own riding style. That being said, there is a right way to ride a bicycle and a wrong way. The rules are laid out most often in state law, and here in Virginia we have a bicycling manual to educate bicyclists about the law. There is also the League of American Bicyclists' Web site (link below) which includes a list of "Rules of the Road" that everyone should follow.

Generally, bicycles are allowed to ride wherever they want, provided that they keep as far right as possible to allow traffic to pass. Bicycles are supposed to yield to pedestrians and avoid using sidewalks, which can be a safety hazard (an exception is made for children, who cannot reasonably be expected to ride alongside cars). Bikes are supposed to obey all traffic signals and stop signs. I will admit, however, that I don't always stop at a stop sign when I am moving at a slow enough speed to judge oncoming traffic because I prefer to maintain momentum.

As for bicycles that run red lights, the only time this can be acceptable is when they are alone at an intersection and the sensor doesn't change the light. In most states, red lights can be treated as stop signs if they don't change after 3-5 minutes. And bicycles may use crosswalks to execute a left turn if changing lanes into the left turn lane is unsafe given traffic conditions.

Answer 3

There are many cyclists that are inconsiderate, and there are cyclists that obey proper laws of the road.

A bicycle, in most states/countries, is considered a vehicle. It is to be ridden in the street, and treated as if it were a motor vehicle.

A major problem comes from how we teach kids to be bicyclists to begin with. We as a society teach them to use sidewalks and footpaths when they are young, to keep them out of danger. But these habits translate into their adult life. The other issue is the danger of other vehicles, especially those who dislike bicyclists for whatever reason, be it from past experience, or the slowness of the vehicle itself.

Bicycling is a great form of urban commuting. It allows the commuter to do something that is healthy for them, the bicycle emits no pollution, and in general, is a smaller form of transit. If everyone in major cities who commuted 5 miles or less to work used bicycles, imagine how many fewer cars there would be on the road, and how much more pleasant it would be.

Drivers tend to do very similar habits. They don't signal when merging, if they feel they can get away with it, they will run the red light.

I'm a driver (2 hour commute to work) and I am a bicyclist in my small town. I always obey traffic laws, maintain speed limit, and avoid roads with high speed limits. It is just common sense and common courtesy. I simply don't want to waste 5 dollars worth of gas going to the gym and back, when I can take my bicycle instead.

So don't just disregard bicyclists as all rude. Find out if your local area has bicycle support groups, talk to your local transportation boards, find out what they are doing to educate bicyclists. Discuss your concerns with them.

I'd also suggest trying bicycling. It's a great form of exercise. And once you've been a bicyclist on the road, you will realize how rude drivers are to what is considered the healthiest, cleanest form of shorter distance travel.

Cars are for major highways, and long trips. Bicycles should be encouraged for shorter trips.

Answer 4

As a frequent pedestrian, I am often annoyed at the inconsiderate behavior of cyclists on footpaths. It is particularly inconsiderate when it is older people walking along or parents pushing prams.

Answer 5

YES they are very ignorant about traffic laws.A few more need to get run over so they will stop riding IN THE STREET.They ride 2 & 3 deep in traffic on MAIN highways where people do 70 MPH and the TROOPERS & BSO just drive by them.THEY cause ACCIDENTS when people have to swerve to miss the little pieces of ---- !(oh sorry) just my opinion - [i know - EVERYBODY has one ]

Answer 6

people on bicycles may not have their licenses to drive, so they may not even know what the road signs mean. As far as good manners, that's society in general, now, 'its my turn get out of MY way' is the attitude...drive defensively, the life you save may be your own...

Answer 7

Dunno about you, but here in India they seem to love riding in the fast lane with all the world's traffic behind them.