IF YOU ARE HAVING A BAD DAY IT COULD BE WORSE!!!!
09-03-2010, 10:28 AM
#31
Burning Brakes
09-03-2010, 10:33 AM
#32
Burning Brakes
09-03-2010, 10:41 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
you simply gotta get over that my friend. I've been sideswiped by boats/trailers much wider than the tow vehicles-cut off-pulled in front of...and sent tumbling over the hood of a Hyundi SUV a few years back...
Years ago it was like that Nick Cage movie "WEATHERMAN". Punks would throw crap out windows at me, reach out and try to slap me as they drove by. The last time that happened, I caught them at the next redlight and bitch slapped the kid back-man was he surprised.
Every State/City etc treats their cyclists differently. In Central New York, there simply isn't that many of us out on the road at any given time-especially in the winter months.
You ride aware-defensive riding, like defensive driving. If I didn't ride my bikes-road/mtn/cyclocross, I would take a hostage damn near everyday.
get out and ride, just be aware.
Years ago it was like that Nick Cage movie "WEATHERMAN". Punks would throw crap out windows at me, reach out and try to slap me as they drove by. The last time that happened, I caught them at the next redlight and bitch slapped the kid back-man was he surprised.
Every State/City etc treats their cyclists differently. In Central New York, there simply isn't that many of us out on the road at any given time-especially in the winter months.
You ride aware-defensive riding, like defensive driving. If I didn't ride my bikes-road/mtn/cyclocross, I would take a hostage damn near everyday.
get out and ride, just be aware.
Actually, I'm going for a two hour MTB ride right now . . .
09-03-2010, 12:58 PM
#36
Nordschleife Master
I understand that in Seattle, no matter what the circumstances, the person getting out of the car is considered a 'pedestrian' and the driver of the truck would be at fault. I know, pretty crazy, but that's Seattle ....
09-03-2010, 04:13 PM
#38
Three Wheelin'
There was a recent incident in near here where a bike rider swerved out to avoid a guy in a parked car opening his car door. Sadly a bus hit the bicyclist and killed him. The driver of the parked car is facing manslaughter charges. In CA the law is pretty clear.
09-03-2010, 04:26 PM
#39
Rennlist Member
09-03-2010, 04:39 PM
#40
Rennlist Member
The next one that does that to me better find a rock to hide under.
What you won't find in my car is a coffee, cigarette and a cell phone. What you will find is a driver; imagine that, a driver in a vehicle. What an effing concept!
09-03-2010, 04:54 PM
#42
I'm tellin' ya, use the sidewalk to bicycle! No one else seems to use it, at least here in L.A....
I also have always thought that riding with the flow of traffic with your back to cars coming up on you defied common sense. If I must ride on the street, I always use side streets, or ride against the flow of traffic, so drivers can see me before they open doors, and I can see if a texter is veering towards me.
I also have always thought that riding with the flow of traffic with your back to cars coming up on you defied common sense. If I must ride on the street, I always use side streets, or ride against the flow of traffic, so drivers can see me before they open doors, and I can see if a texter is veering towards me.
09-04-2010, 09:30 PM
#43
The reason no one else does it is because it's a terrible suggestion. For one thing, it's illegal in most of the US (I'm not familiar with LA law, so not sure if it is there). Bikes are supposed to be on the road. It's very rude to pedestrians (this is probably not a big deal in LA because there are no pedestrians!). And in many ways it's actually more dangerous because you are almost completely invisible to drivers who are turning into driveways. One of the most dangerous scenarios is when cyclists on sidewalks cross through intersections. See Dave Moulton's blog for some stories of recent deaths due to this.
When you do need to take a bike on a sidewalk, you should get off your bike and walk it. When you're riding near parked cars, the right thing to do is just ride farther out in the road. Take the lane if it's necessary for your safety (eg when you see a blondie on a cell phone sitting in a parked car).
And yeah, I've been "doored". Fortunately I was riding defensive and was on my brakes quickly. I like the cell-phone-talking mom took more damage than I did.
09-04-2010, 09:51 PM
#44
sorry this is getting a bit OT to the thread, but I can't resist.
The reason no one else does it is because it's a terrible suggestion. For one thing, it's illegal in most of the US (I'm not familiar with LA law, so not sure if it is there). Bikes are supposed to be on the road. It's very rude to pedestrians (this is probably not a big deal in LA because there are no pedestrians!). And in many ways it's actually more dangerous because you are almost completely invisible to drivers who are turning into driveways. One of the most dangerous scenarios is when cyclists on sidewalks cross through intersections. See Dave Moulton's blog for some stories of recent deaths due to this.
When you do need to take a bike on a sidewalk, you should get off your bike and walk it. When you're riding near parked cars, the right thing to do is just ride farther out in the road. Take the lane if it's necessary for your safety (eg when you see a blondie on a cell phone sitting in a parked car).
And yeah, I've been "doored". Fortunately I was riding defensive and was on my brakes quickly. I like the cell-phone-talking mom took more damage than I did.
The reason no one else does it is because it's a terrible suggestion. For one thing, it's illegal in most of the US (I'm not familiar with LA law, so not sure if it is there). Bikes are supposed to be on the road. It's very rude to pedestrians (this is probably not a big deal in LA because there are no pedestrians!). And in many ways it's actually more dangerous because you are almost completely invisible to drivers who are turning into driveways. One of the most dangerous scenarios is when cyclists on sidewalks cross through intersections. See Dave Moulton's blog for some stories of recent deaths due to this.
When you do need to take a bike on a sidewalk, you should get off your bike and walk it. When you're riding near parked cars, the right thing to do is just ride farther out in the road. Take the lane if it's necessary for your safety (eg when you see a blondie on a cell phone sitting in a parked car).
And yeah, I've been "doored". Fortunately I was riding defensive and was on my brakes quickly. I like the cell-phone-talking mom took more damage than I did.
LA isn't a bicycle oriented town, unlike many parts of the PNW. Not many people use the sidewalks here in my part of town, really. And I'll go in the street if I see a crowd ahead and there's little traffic on the road at that moment. Also, here in the City of Los Angeles, it is not illegal to ride on sidewalks, but some smaller municipalities, like Santa Monica (I think) outlawed bikes on sidewalks.
And I've never been "doored"
