re: I almost killed a cyclist

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I don't recall a single instance of a motorist's rage being directed at me while biking

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I've never had anyone's rage directed at me either. But I have had that person who honks his horn even when you aren't holding them up AT ALL just to be jackass. And I've had people who are inconsiderate and pass closer than is needed for no reason at all (no cars coming the other way, plenty of room left in their own lane to get over more). To the point that it's very noticeable compared to the other cars that have passed you. All of that behavior isn't really because they are pissed that I did anything, they are just doing it to screw with the cyclist in my opinion. You're increasing the risk by doing that as a driver and that gets under my skin.

Only time I think I might have a chance to be a nuisance is maybe at an intersection. But as I said earlier, while everyone is stopped, you pull up to the front on the right shoulder and you should be able to get through the intersection with near the same acceleration of the cars. You clear out from people making turns and everyone can pass you easily once you are through.

And like you've said, bike riders can be some uppity mofo's about their rides. They wear the badge of "I've got as much right to be here as a car" while ignoring laws they don't feel they need to follow. I get some of the hate. I just don't think it's worth some of the dangerous habits vehicles create. Like people complaining about coming around blind curves doing 55 MPH. What if an old lady was just crossing the street to check the mail? I'm thinking that if a driver is driving carefully, they can avoid the potential accidents posed in these situations.

You have to leave three feet. There is not always room to pass....so when cyclists break out of their place in traffic at intersections, a whole line of cars has to wait to pass the same bike again. It's a real bitch on roads like Highland were the lanes are narrow and there is a lot of traffic.

It doesn't help that so many cyclists are smug assholes that justify breaking the law in their minds.

You have to add motorcyclists in the mix too. As an avid cyclist AND motorcyclist, I've had my share of the MotoGP types damn near take me out from behind as they scream up the canyons where I ride.

Not sure how I would rank your categories, just depends on the day, time, route, etc. A lot of times I may choose 4 as my No. 1. A little bit of a-hole cyclist goes a long way of pissing off the rest of the world.

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How about riding a motorcycle?

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Bad idea.

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Bikes travel to the front of the intersection during a red light to avoid getting sideswiped when the light turns green. They are safe if they can get into the intersection before the first car tries to turn.

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False and not necessary to stay safe. In most cases you are just as safe or more safe by waiting in the middle of the lane you are in with all the rest of traffic. You won't get "side-swiped" if you make your turn with traffic, instead of trying to create your own imaginary lane on the right and passing up everyone.

Good point - the road I'm talking about probably shouldn't be a major cycle road - lots of big truck traffic.

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Cyclists are the vegans of the transportation world.

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Motorists are the fat gross people of the everything world.

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If Rex was just turning into a parking space and there is no room for a car to pass on his right, I feel that the biker needs to proceed with more caution. When I'm on a bike, I never zip through tight spaces, especially if I'm passing a bunch of cars. All it takes is someone to decide that he/she wants to pull over or somebody to open their door in front of me and I'm toast.

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Yeah, I don't care if it's lawful or not, I wouldn't do that at speed.

There's an older guy who has been riding his bike along North Street downtown in the mornings. Last week I nearly hit his dumb arse as he crossed against a light to come onto North then proceeded to go up the street against traffic. And he looked at me like I was the a-hole for honking my horn at him.