HOT TOPIC ALERT!
Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of the constant war being waged between road cyclists and drivers. Some states are worse than others, but like it or not, Colorado has been a relative epicenter for a lot of the 2-wheel/4-wheel controversy. You see, there are a ton of road cyclists here and a lot of pros actually train in Boulder. As a result, there have been battles over the years over this big question: who has the right of way on the roads?
Because there are so many cyclists in Colorado, I had convinced myself that drivers were becoming more accepting of their 2-wheel counterparts. However, a story that came to light this week proved otherwise. Again, this video made national news, so if you have already seen it, please bear with me. In short, two cyclists were out for leisurely ride when an SUV came up behind them and essentially harassed the hell out of them with his horn. One of the cyclists had his smart phone with him, so he recorded the incident. Check it out:
Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of the constant war being waged between road cyclists and drivers. Some states are worse than others, but like it or not, Colorado has been a relative epicenter for a lot of the 2-wheel/4-wheel controversy. You see, there are a ton of road cyclists here and a lot of pros actually train in Boulder. As a result, there have been battles over the years over this big question: who has the right of way on the roads?
Because there are so many cyclists in Colorado, I had convinced myself that drivers were becoming more accepting of their 2-wheel counterparts. However, a story that came to light this week proved otherwise. Again, this video made national news, so if you have already seen it, please bear with me. In short, two cyclists were out for leisurely ride when an SUV came up behind them and essentially harassed the hell out of them with his horn. One of the cyclists had his smart phone with him, so he recorded the incident. Check it out:
A lot of non-cyclists have reacted with humor: they thought the incident was kind of funny. However, having spent months living on my bike, I’m not laughing. Personally, I’ve been run off the road and honked at, but never anything close to this level. I definitely understand that some cyclists can be jerks and ride 85 abreast; that’s not cool. However, the bottom line is that drivers really need to start sharing the roads.
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I’ve spoken with a ton of my non-cycling friends about this topic, and I continually hear that cyclists on the road are “annoying” and “stressful.” Why is that?
If you’re a cyclist, what’s the worst encounter you’ve experience with a car?
29 Comments
gosh, this is horrible. I hate hearing about people who purposely create incredibly dangerous situations. I wrote a post on this topic over three years ago…can’t believe we still haven’t resolved this! Around here, it’s tough because cyclists definitely don’t always make it easy on drivers – running lights and stop signs, cycling erratically, weaving in and out of traffic. hope we’re able to come to some sort of understanding soon.
http://www.adventure-inspired.com/2009/06/can-we-all-just-share.html
I’m usually more annoyed with cyclists when I’m running. I’ve found that they usually don’t share the road (or trail) with runners well – because they ride 4-5 across. When I’m driving I’m usually very cautious, I slow down and make sure to give them plenty of space. That video is horrible. I hope they reported that driver. what a dick.
Turns out he was ticketed this morning on two counts of a misdemeanor harassment, impeding the flow of traffic, and improper use of a horn or warning. At least it’s something, right?
And I have noticed similar battles between trail runners and mountain bikers, and I’ve been on both sides of that battle as well.
Wow, it’s pretty shocking to see that behavior in Colorado – but frankly, that ain’t nothing compared to how it is here in Florida. I don’t even ride my bike in Miami, people have NO respect for cyclists, and folks get killed way too often. As for Tallahassee, it’s basically a right of passage to get hit on your bike. Niko has been hit multiple times, all my old roommates have been hit multiple times, and drivers run kids off the road on a daily basis. Someone I know down in Tampa was struck by a vehicle a few months ago (the guy thought it was funny to push him off the road), caught up to the driver at a red light, and bashed his window in with his bike lock. I hate that it has to come to those kinds of battles! Cyclists are doing us all a favor and cuttin’ down on emissions and fuel consumption!
I am a biker, personally, if I was them, I would have pulled off into a drive way or side street, if it was avaiable, no telling what that driver might do.
I have been runned off the road, countless cuss words thrown at me, a full cup of pop into my wheel that sent me flying, spit at, honked at, cars that came way too close for comfort. I do 90% of my riding on old country roads, I NEVER RIDE ALONE, EVER!! I will on trails, never alone on the road, safety in numbers is my rule of thumb.
I just stumbled across your blog, and that video is nuts! I agree with BDD, I would have pulled off the road and made them pass me. That is scary, wondering what was going through that drivers mind!
I live less than 2 miles from where this happened. I do not know either party involved in this incident but to address your comment…the stretch of road that they were riding really doesn’t have a driveway or side street to use as a pull-off. You can ride pretty far before you see a house or turn-off. Also, I’ve read people think they shouldn’t have used this road because it is narrow with very little shoulder. While this is true, the other options are less than ideal as well ~ a very VERY busy two-lane highway? No thanks. Sometimes this is the only option to get where you are going.
Ugh, I can’t believe some people.
Yeah, sometimes I get nervous when I’m driving near a cyclist, mostly because I want to be sure other drivers are paying attention as well.
Some people just… I don’t know how to put it. Like this guy back in Oregon (actually my MIL’s boyfriend) was talking shit about the Hood To Coast race. I was talking about running it one year (he knows I am a runner) and he goes “Hey, I might actually have to cheer on the runners instead of trying to hit them with my car!” and sure, he was joking (I hope), but I mean, really? And this came just a month or so after I nearly did get hit by a car on my daily run while we were in Korea. Ugh. And then my cousin in law starts defending him talking about how disrespectful *some* of the H2C runners are. And yeah, I get that. I’m sure *some* cyclists are disrespectful too. But that doesn’t mean you get to hate the collective because a couple of people are dicks. Just like this driver: Sure, he is an ass. But I’m not going to assume every person behind the wheel is just as douchey.
Ugh. I just hate that it can be blatantly dangerous to be active and healthy.
WOW! I can’t believe that! Did that person really have nothing better to do with their time than to follow two cyclists and blast a horn?? That is so sad.
I see people biking home from work all the time in our city and I’ve never really noticed any cars being obnoxious or dangerous towards the cyclists. In fact, they give them a lot of room to ride and yield when necessary. The only time I see cyclists as “annoying or stressful” when I’m driving is when they’re constantly swerving otuside of the bike lane and it makes it impossible to pass them safely.
I really appreciate when cyclists are courteous and follow the law, and make sure to thank the ones who do. I always try to be extra cautious and respectful when driving around cyclists and just want the same in return for me as a driver, walking pedestrian and runner. I’ve personally found mountain bikers to be much more friendly thsn road cyclists. Where I live there are tons of cyclists, and many if them don’t follow traffic laws so recently there was a huge crackdown with lots of citations being given. I actually think it’s better for pedestrians and cyclists not to have the legal right of way, i think it keeps you more alert and aware if you don’t expect for cars to stop for you. Sadly, when it comes down to it, the big ass car will always win, no matter what the law is.
That’s awful!!!! Everyone needs to show respect to everyone on the road regardless if they’re driving, running, biking etc. How terrible! Thanks for drawing this to attention! Spa love!
Wow that was horrible to watch…I knew that I was not the only one to experience harassment on my bike! I once was screamed at by a car while basically doing the exact same thing, following the rules. I don’t understand were people get their aggression from!
Wow…that’s freakin ridiculous and scary. I’m not a cyclist myself, but I always stay back behind unless I have plenty of room to safely pass or switch lanes. The only cyclists who bother me are the ones (like others mentioned) who don’t obey any traffic laws. I’ve almost been hit several times in crosswalks because cyclists just zoom through and expect me to jump out of the way for them. I’ve gotten plenty of middle fingers for not moving fast enough through my crosswalk…not cool. My friend in Boulder got into a minor collision with a cyclist earlier this year because the cyclist wasn’t following traffic laws, so it leads me to think that the only possible solution is for more emphasis on road sharing etiquette for both cyclists and motorists.
Watching this video made me infuriated. Interesting as my coworkers and I just had a convo about bikes/drivers recently. The biggest complaint was bikers don’t follow the rules. True, some don’t…but most I know do.
I’ve been honked at many of times whether running or biking. Yes, sometimes it’s a “warning” like “hey, I’m coming just a head’s up” but quite honestly I don’t even need that. I’ve aware of you more than you are aware of me. Of course I’ve been harassed too but nothing like this. Grateful that law enforcement has taken a stand.
I am not a cyclist, but this video upset me. I think cyclists, let me rephrase, good cyclists that follow rules of the road don’t bother me. However in Boston, cyclists weave in and out of cars, ride through red lights and walk signs and can be dangerous, I will admit that I was in a parking lane and opened my door and a cyclist that was riding in the parking lane, not the bicycle lane drove smack into my door and I was generally concerned but she got mad at me and it was her fault. In Boston, they have started ticketing cyclists, it happened to my friend and he was upset, but if a car went through a red light they would’ve gotten a ticket too.
Having known several people that have been injured by motorists and a one killed by a drunk driver, I ALWAYS give cyclists a wide berth. Sure some drive me nuts by riding 4 abroad, but they are not hurting me and I surely don’t want to hurt them. I have seen jerk cyclists (disobey traffic laws) and good cyclists, same with the motorists. It’s the luck of the draw when out on your bike and that’s really sad. 🙁
That is horrible and ridiculous. There is a big car vs. bike debate in NYC too and the Commissioner of the Dept of Transportation has been given a lot of crap for trying to make the city more bike friendly. I think that it’s a vicious cycle, at least in NYC. I think that many cyclists in NYC are labeled “aggressive” but I think it’s because they don’t feel safe on the road because of the cars and therefore end up riding aggressively to protect themselves. There’s a lot of work that needs to go on both ways – cars need to share the road and respect bikers and bikers need to respect traffic laws too (which often doesn’t happen in NYC). And if the roads are made safer – more bike lanes and innovative lanes – everyone is safer on the road. Sorry, end rant 🙂
Thanks for posting the aftermath! I was so mad after seeing this I had to know this guy got in trouble!It can be frustrating when driving through city gridlock being stuck behind a bicyclist and unable to swerve around them, but on an open country road like that I can’t understand anyone being put out.
RUDE!!! Holy cow, I could barely watch that whole video it was so obnoxious. I can’t even imagine why someone would behave that way. I was riding my bike to run errands this last spring, and a lady totally honked at me, rolled down her windows and yelled at me to get out of the way. Um….hello? You treat me just like if I was on four wheels…I have a right to be here.
I hate riding my bike on the road, which rarely happens since its a mountain bike, but sometimes a little road time is required to get to trails near home. I don’t trust drivers, for obvious reasons.
And as driver cyclists make me nervous. Its a two way street, literally. Drivers need to respect cyclists on the road and cyclists need to respect traffic laws just like a car. And a cross walk in for WALKING, not speeding through on your bike when you don’t want to stop at the red light! Watching a cross walk for slow moving pedestrians is one thing, having a cyclist ignore a light and veer into the cross walk without paying any attention to turning vehicles is just terrifying! I’ve also had extremely annoying encounters with cyclists riding 4+ abreast on a two lane road. Really?! This is how you plan on getting respect from drivers?!
Basically…a few bad apples with egos and attitudes on either side easily ruin it for everyone!
I ride to work everyday, and follow every street law as I would be in a car. What bothers me the most too, is exactly what you said. When cyclists decide, “you know what, now I’m a pedestrian…no now I’m a car,” because they can’t wait 10 seconds. Problem is people who are shitty drivers are also shitty cyclists. Follow the laws as a car and we won’t hate each other.
My worst run-in with a car seems mild compared to this.I have to come clean…i don’t always follow every traffic law either. In my local area north of Boston, they are making a huge effort to get drivers to share the roads. Hopefully our future rides are safe and fast!
I’m not a cyclist, but this video still got me all worked up!
I can’t imagine how annoying and scary it must be for the bikers.
There are alot of cyslists where I live (French Alps).
I often see them on the swirly mountain roads when I’m driving up for hiking.
However, I slow down behind them, give them space, and only pass them when the road ahead is straight and no car coming in the opposite direction!
Sometimes I want to honk to encourage them because I truly think that what they’re accomplishing is AMAZING! But I’m afraid that it might scare them. haha
I saw the video the other day and I’ve had a few more days of commuting by bike to work to mull over it. There’s no excuse for the behavior of the driver and the authorities will take care of that. I pass over I25 in Denver every day and see the mess of cars and am so thankful to have the option of biking to work. I think Denver is an awesome city for biking, but we still have a long way to go to drive and bike together in peace. Until that happens (if ever) we all need to chill and put ourselves in each others shoes. As a biker I need to obey all the traffic laws and try to push for improvements in the frustrating areas (this morning I was on a shared road – where it’s only wide enough for a car but it’s designated by the city for both so that’s obviously going to create conflicts). Rather than feeling like it’s my right to bike there just be patient and respectful and make friendly gestures. Same when driving, don’t feel like it’s my right to own the road, just enjoy the journey. It’s OK if I get to work a few seconds later by yielding the right away (as a biker or driver). I’d say the worst encounter was when we were biking through a park together and someone threw beer cans at us from their car.
This video made me angry and I really don’t think that the driver should have gotten off so easily!
My worst experience has just been people getting way too close to me and honking (not as bad as that video) at me while running or riding.
The worst case around me though was when a boyfriend and girlfriend were driving recklessly and the boyfriend hit a cyclist while on his motorcycle. The cyclist was then run over by the girlfriend who was driving her car, the cyclist was killed. Horrible!
Wow, this is very annoying! That guy in the car made me so mad. I don’t bike as much as I used to but when I did I had a few experiences when people got really close just for the heck of it. When I lived in Germany, I loved it there because they love cyclists and even have designated bike routes that take you from town to town. I miss it!
Unbelievable! When I’m on my bike, I generally hate most cars, because they act like jerks. I stay to the side and follow all traffic laws, including signaling and stopping at red lights. I’ve never had anything this excessive happen, but people get really impatient, come up behind me and beep like crazy, or refuse to get over when there are as many as FIVE open lanes. To me it all comes down to impatience and a sense of entitlement: “I’m superior because I’m a car and the roads are here for me and not you”. The absolute worst thing that is going to happen to them is they will lose, what, ten to fifteen seconds of their lives having to slow down for a cyclist? Apparently that’s unacceptable. In my mind I picture them all as major fatties who are pissed because I am delaying their next Big Mac. Great post!
In this instance, I definitely feel for the bike riders. However, their behavior isn’t what causes all of the hatred towards bikers. In Wisconsin, the main controversy is about the bikers who ride several across, blow through stop signs (both in the city and on country roads), weave through cars in traffic during the morning rush hour to get to the front of the line faster…As a casual biker and an avid outdoors women, I generally support sharing the road, with both serious bikers as well as more casual bikers like myself. However, I have even lost patience with bikers in my area. I nearly hit a set of bikers (or rather, they almost ran right into me)as they blew through the stop sign while passing through an unincorporated rural area. Unfortunately, due to the dangers presented by “bad bikers,” their behavior contaminates the reputation of all bikers, even the majority (like those in the video above) who do everything right.
In this instance, I definitely feel for the bike riders. However, their behavior isn’t what causes all of the hatred towards bikers. In Wisconsin, the main controversy is about the bikers who ride several across, blow through stop signs (both in the city and on country roads), weave through cars in traffic during the morning rush hour to get to the front of the line faster…As a casual biker and an avid outdoors women, I generally support sharing the road, with both serious bikers as well as more casual bikers like myself. However, I have even lost patience with bikers in my area. I nearly hit a set of bikers (or rather, they almost ran right into me)as they blew through the stop sign while passing through an unincorporated rural area. Unfortunately, due to the dangers presented by “bad bikers,” their behavior contaminates the reputation of all bikers, even the majority (like those in the video above) who do everything right.