I just don't fucking get it.

[mangosteen]

To the bicyclist that I almost ran over on the way home a few minutes ago:

Wearing dark clothing
on a dark bicycle
at night
making a wide turn
onto a dimly-lit street
WITH NO REFLECTORS
AND NO LIGHTS
IS NOT OKAY!!!!

NOT FUCKING OKAY AT ALL!!!!!

GOT IT?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?

Comments

[tb]

I understand the shaking. Even if the bicyclist is behaving recklessly and totally in the wrong, if you hit him/her, you can't help feeling that you're the villain.

I think that more bicyclists obey traffic laws (or at least disobey them in a safe manner) than don't, else we'd see a lot more accidents. But the ones who act like jerks stick out, just like the bad drivers, crazy motorcyclists, or oblivious pedestrians out there.

[sauergeek.livejournal.com]

In my previous comment, I noted that I applaud when I see a cyclist stop and wait for a light, or signal a turn. I have driven near many cyclists, and seen many more blow through a light without even slowing down than I have seen stop for the light. Similarly, the number I see turning without signaling is significantly higher than those I see who do signal. Seeing a cyclist who actually follows the traffic laws is, in my experience, extremely rare.

I don't think it's merely jerks that stick out. I think the problem is endemic, and I doubt it can be corrected by the few good cyclists still out there. The only way to correct the problem is with solid enforcement of the laws.