What specific type of car or truck do people who hate cyclists the most drive?
#26
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Neither if it's really true.
It hasn't been the case for me, I've been yelled at, honked at, and lectured to about non-existent rules by people of both genders and many races. I do find that it's pickup trucks in rural areas that do things like swerve towards me when I am riding in the breakdown lane, and the drivers of those vehicles in those areas are almost always white men, but I think that just reflects the demographics of those areas. I find drivers in urban areas tend to be a bit better behaved, but that just might be because they have a bigger fear of getting caught if they actually get close to hitting me.
It hasn't been the case for me, I've been yelled at, honked at, and lectured to about non-existent rules by people of both genders and many races. I do find that it's pickup trucks in rural areas that do things like swerve towards me when I am riding in the breakdown lane, and the drivers of those vehicles in those areas are almost always white men, but I think that just reflects the demographics of those areas. I find drivers in urban areas tend to be a bit better behaved, but that just might be because they have a bigger fear of getting caught if they actually get close to hitting me.
2. It’s kind of a false equivalency because it’s not about the vehicle, it’s about the people. It just so happens that certain types of people are often owners of certain types of vehicles. And in different places, different local cultures, the same types may drive different things.
In the US though, I’m willing to bet a paycheck, that if you polled cyclists across the country, white male, pickup truck drivers would be at the top of the list of offenders. And as a white male in my mid 30’s, who has previously owned a pickup, it doesn’t feel good, but it is what it is.
just like we can argue about foreign terrorists, but we all know that in the US, most people who commit terroristic crimes are white males.
Every time I hear the sound of deep treaded mud tires on pavement behind me, I pull to the right. I take no chances with pickup truck drivers.
Last edited by seamuis; 10-25-18 at 05:20 AM.
#27
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In the city, any car driven by an Uber or Lyft driver. I used to hate cab drivers, now I long for the good old days.
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What an idiotic thread. I've had pissed off people in everything from an Insight to trucks to minivans. I've seen bumper stickers promoting safe driving around cyclists and bike racks on the exact same variety of vehicles.
The last person to scream out the window at me was a black lady riding shotgun in a Caprice Classic, oddly enough on a park road that is slow speed and incredibly packed with cycles that anyone who lives in the area knows is regularly shut down by the park system for human-powered events. I guess I should make some sort of racial inference from that, or is that not the direction you want this thread to go?
The last person to scream out the window at me was a black lady riding shotgun in a Caprice Classic, oddly enough on a park road that is slow speed and incredibly packed with cycles that anyone who lives in the area knows is regularly shut down by the park system for human-powered events. I guess I should make some sort of racial inference from that, or is that not the direction you want this thread to go?
#29
Non omnino gravis
Can we then agree that nearly everyone out driving on the road is equally terrible? Well, except for people whose livelihood is based on driving. Bus Drivers are consistently nice, even giving the tiny horn tootle as they approach from behind if they don't have room to move well around. Big rig drivers will wait at an intersection for what feels like an absurd amount of time for a bike, in my experience-- and with inland SoCal seemingly striving to become the giant warehouse capital of the world, we see a lot of semis here.
Now let's go off on a tangent-- who where has been coal-rolled? <raises hand>
Now let's go off on a tangent-- who where has been coal-rolled? <raises hand>
#30
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So, in general, I don't have a lot of trouble riding in traffic. It's not too often that someone will make a dangerous pass. Happens maybe once or twice a week? I have been buzzed by many makes and models of cars. Today it was a Camry that merged to the right into my lane and would have hit me had I not hit the brakes and swerved, BUT I would say that the intentionally aggressive, a$$hat drivers are more likely to be driving a BMW, a pickup truck (particularly Dodge or any make of diesel pickup) or any of Dodge's modern "muscle cars."
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Where I live, like everywhere, most drivers are courteous. However, when a driver tries to intentionally menace or intimidate cyclists, they are most likely in large modified (jacked up) pick up trucks- more so if they are diesels. And they are almost always young, and probably white.
Coal rolling seems to be a popular pastime too.
Coal rolling seems to be a popular pastime too.
#32
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1.stereotypes always have a certain amount of truth to them.
2. It’s kind of a false equivalency because it’s not about the vehicle, it’s about the people. It just so happens that certain types of people are often owners of certain types of vehicles. And in different places, different local cultures, the same types may drive different things.
In the US though, I’m willing to bet a paycheck, that if you polled cyclists across the country, white male, pickup truck drivers would be at the top of the list of offenders. And as a white male in my mid 30’s, who has previously owned a pickup, it doesn’t feel good, but it is what it is.
just like we can argue about foreign terrorists, but we all know that in the US, most people who commit terroristic crimes are white males.
Every time I hear the sound of deep treaded mud tires on pavement behind me, I pull to the right. I take no chances with pickup truck drivers.
OP wasn't stereotyping, though, merely stating the facts of his/her own experience. When Coffesnob quoted OP, he/she left out that sentence. Otherwise, I think this post of yours is pretty much in line with my observations.
I do sometimes wonder if some of this is people who really don't have the driving skills to drive a truck poorly executing passes, but when they also yell obscenities out the window or just scream nonsense, it tends to clear up the issue.
Last edited by livedarklions; 10-25-18 at 08:23 AM.
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#34
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Can we then agree that nearly everyone out driving on the road is equally terrible? Well, except for people whose livelihood is based on driving. Bus Drivers are consistently nice, even giving the tiny horn tootle as they approach from behind if they don't have room to move well around. Big rig drivers will wait at an intersection for what feels like an absurd amount of time for a bike, in my experience-- and with inland SoCal seemingly striving to become the giant warehouse capital of the world, we see a lot of semis here.
Now let's go off on a tangent-- who where has been coal-rolled? <raises hand>
Now let's go off on a tangent-- who where has been coal-rolled? <raises hand>
I've encountered jerk bus drivers and big rig drivers as well. Buses with the try to speed up to pass me right before a stop thing, which is just ridiculous because it can't possibly get them to the stop more than a second faster (and yes, I know to stay out of the blind spot--it's intentional), and a big rig driver who air horn blasted me because I had taken the lane when there was no shoulder on a very slow road and he was 75 feet behind me and in no danger of having to slam the brake. The difference in our speed was so small, btw, that after I moved over to let him pass on the flat, I passed him again struggling to get his load up the hill and never saw him again.
Some of the nicest encounters I've had with drivers, btw, have been conversations I've had with pickup drivers waiting for a light at intersections.
I'd say about 95% of drivers I encounter are perfectly decent, and many of them are downright courteous. I just know that for every 100 miles or so I ride, I'm going to encounter the other 5% at least once.
#35
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OP wasn't stereotyping, though, merely stating the facts of his/her own experience. When Coffesnob quoted OP, he/she left out that sentence. Otherwise, I think this post of yours is pretty much in line with my observations.
I do sometimes wonder if some of this is people who really don't have the driving skills to drive a truck poorly executing passes, but when they also yell obscenities out the window or just scream nonsense, it tends to clear up the issue.
I do sometimes wonder if some of this is people who really don't have the driving skills to drive a truck poorly executing passes, but when they also yell obscenities out the window or just scream nonsense, it tends to clear up the issue.
i would lump bad drivers into two categories:
1. People like these truck drivers
2. People who lack skills or who are distracted and/or frustrated behind the wheel.
the first type purposely endanger people seemingly for a laugh, the other just have bad encounters and vent anger or frustration. (As cyclists we know this feeling as well). The first type are probably the most well known and most hated, but in the big picture it’s the second type that’s broadly, far more dangerous. Getting back to my earlier rant about the need to get back to the understanding that driving is a privilege not a right. The first type are most likely to end up in prison and without a license at some point anyway.
#37
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I don't have many unpleasant encounters on the bike. Old folks present issues just because they often don't get it. Middle aged, out of shape, white males are the angriest group of drivers. Their weapon of choice is more often than not a full sized GM product.
#38
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The other side of this coin. Mt trip to Colorado this summer convinced me that Subaru drivers are the most respectful of bicyclists. I made 3 trips down the same 25 mile long stretch of 55 MPH state highway this summer and have made many more in the past. The road has nice shoulders. I use the center of the shoulder. Almost every Subaru driver would move well into the oncoming lane to go around me. Almost everyone will at a minimum favor the left side of their lane. This simmer I had 3 vehicles ride on or cross over the fog line. One Toyota P/U and two full size GMs. Rural CO has the most courteous drivers I have ever encountered.
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7211...!7i3328!8i1664
https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7211...!7i3328!8i1664
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No statistical data to back this up, but when I see a driver making an egregiously bad move in traffic whether I'm driving a car or a bike, there is a highly disproportionate share of Dodge products - Rams, Chargers, Challengers, even some of the smaller cars. Doesn't extend to Chrysler-branded vehicles for some reason. BMW drivers often drive like the world owes them something as well, on the highway, but I rarely encounter them on the bike. Dually pickups are pretty bad too, especially the mini semi rig styled ones - the people driving those seem to have real psychological problems. Otherwise it's a mix.
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Usually any vehicle with at least 4 wheels......
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The real reason BMW drivers drive that way is because it's the only way to drive to a BMW if you don't know how to handle it. I find that most BMW drivers around here appear to have switched to Audis.
#43
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Only twice has someone blocked me, gotten out, and accosted me. Both times it was an overweight white male smelling of booze and driving an old, very large, sedan of unknown brand.
The ones that bother me the most are the ones who give me LOTS of room at the expense of the oncoming cars. I wish they'd think to wait a few seconds; while it's nice that they give me the clearance, I don't want to be hit by the shrapnel, either! I think all types of car are represented in that group.
The ones that bother me the most are the ones who give me LOTS of room at the expense of the oncoming cars. I wish they'd think to wait a few seconds; while it's nice that they give me the clearance, I don't want to be hit by the shrapnel, either! I think all types of car are represented in that group.
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interesting observation....
the cyclist that seem to have trouble. Have an abundance of trouble.
while other cyclist the bad interactions with 4 wheels with steering wheels is Rare and totally random.
while geography might play a part, I have to wonder if it isn't more of a Bad attitude attracts a bad attitude problem.
the cyclist that seem to have trouble. Have an abundance of trouble.
while other cyclist the bad interactions with 4 wheels with steering wheels is Rare and totally random.
while geography might play a part, I have to wonder if it isn't more of a Bad attitude attracts a bad attitude problem.
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This thread would be much more entertaining if it were in A&S.
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What's the point of this thread?
.If you knew the answer for sure, what are you going to do about it?
.If you knew the answer for sure, what are you going to do about it?
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
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Worst experience I had with a driver, gal was in a Prius plastered with bumper stickers. She clipped my elbow (no injury, fortunately) and pulled over in front of me and let me have it for taking up space on her road.