the ideal cyclist (Dunn Loring: 2013, statistics, safety)

[brooklynborndad]

Tales From The Sharrows: The Ideal Cyclist (UPDATE)

[Bigfoot424]

I saw one of the worst "less" Ideal Cyclist yesterday in Dunn Loring. Was driving down Cedar Ln approaching the W&OD trail in the middle of the afternoon when I saw a rider coming down the path and cross Cedar without slowing down. (He was flying) I didn't even see him look but it's possible he did. I don't know how he could have possibly had the time to make certain no car would hit him.

[Charles22]

Someone who actually rides their bike. Regardless of their biking behavior, more people should be riding their bikes. It's good for you and good for the planet.

I will never understand the animosity that car drivers have towards cyclists just because a couple of them didn't stop at a stop sign.

[kutra11]

Originally Posted by Charles22

Someone who actually rides their bike. Regardless of their biking behavior, more people should be riding their bikes. It's good for you and good for the planet.

I will never understand the animosity that car drivers have towards cyclists just because a couple of them didn't stop at a stop sign.

Unfortunately, it is never just a couple who don't stop. It's a significant chunk who will not stop at a stop sign and make their way in-between a line of stop-and-go cars in traffic.

[JD984]

I have tried to become more sensitive to the rights of cyclists while driving in NoVa. However, as a frequent pedestrian in DC, I wish cyclists were more attuned to their obligations towards pedestrians. Many obey their own rules of the road/street/sidewalks, and a cutesy little piece in a local blog won't change that.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Ideal cyclist?

[SPHokie]

Originally Posted by Charles22

I will never understand the animosity that car drivers have towards cyclists just because a couple of them didn't stop at a stop sign.

Its significantly more than just a couple. On my daily commute I cross the WO&D trail four times. And I'd estimate that around 20% of the cyclists actually stop for the stop signs. The rest either hesitate a bit or just blow right through them.

The "ideal cyclist" is the one that stays home. They're a menace to public safety.

[ItalianExec]

Originally Posted by SPHokie

Its significantly more than just a couple. On my daily commute I cross the WO&D trail four times. And I'd estimate that around 20% of the cyclists actually stop for the stop signs. The rest either hesitate a bit or just blow right through them.

The "ideal cyclist" is the one that stays home. They're a menace to public safety.

Blah, Blah, Blah. Your saying that only 20% stop at signg when crossing the street from the major bike trails. If that was the case there were be alot more fatalities for bike riders in DC.

I am going to go ride my 1K bike today with a big smile on my face.

[kutra11]

Originally Posted by ItalianExec

Blah, Blah, Blah. Your saying that only 20% stop at signg when crossing the street from the major bike trails. If that was the case there were be alot more fatalities for bike riders in DC.

I am going to go ride my 1K bike today with a big smile on my face.

That alone cannot be a reason to dispute the numbers though I understand there are no official statistics on this. Car drivers can and do brake to let the cyclists proceed along their merry, carefree way thus resulting in less fatalities.

Enjoy your ride today. Cyclists with a big smile on their faces aren't the problem; it's the ones with little respect for traffic laws that are a menace.

[phrekyos]

Originally Posted by Charles22

I will never understand the animosity that car drivers have towards cyclists just because a couple of them didn't stop at a stop sign.

It's a lot more than that. I'm tired, so here's one thing: we are in our cars because he have places to go and things to do. It's not pleasant being stuck behind a bespandexed Lance Armstrong wannabe plodding along, not even able to keep up to the 25, 35, 45 mph speed of traffic.