davasi

I have officially been commuting for one week now. I still love it, but when I'm driving my large van for utility work I have noticed the poor cycling habits of some individuals. The only good thing about it is that I'm definitely more comfortable riding at night on a road, since I've beefed up my lighting and visibility to other motorists. The only bad thing about it is I almost hit this guy going 45-50. This individual was wearing a black t-shirt with black shorts, no helmet, no lights at all, and not even a rear reflector. He was riding in the far left lane (no turn lane close to where he was at). When I noticed him cut across the front of my company vehicle I slammed on the brakes, looked to my right, and closed my eyes. I regained composure, and noticed that he had cut across in front of me to get into a left turn lane, that was for the on-coming traffic, and just stopped and sat there until the on-coming traffic passed. Now, if I barely noticed this guy until I was right up on his behind while moving, what are the chances someone that needs to turn left in that lane is going to notice him until they run him over?

a1penguin

I've seen cyclists that are riding like they have a death wish: no lights, dark clothing, riding on the wrong side of the road. There's not much you can do. I've become more vigilant looking for these idiots while driving. I'm especially looking for bikes going the wrong way. Also I'm careful around intersections. While these people are asking for trouble, I don't think I could deal with myself if I ever hit someone, even if they rode in front of me while I was moving.

ben4345

I once witnessed a man on a bicycle with a baby seat with a baby in it. In my disbelief, he wasn't wearing a helmet and weaving in and out of traffic in downtown portland. Zipped through red lights and a few cars having to slam on their brakes.

AdamDZ

I'd say they have no habits whatsoever since they don't really know what to do when on a bike

wphamilton

A lot of new riders this time of year. It's kind of jarring after a few months where you'd only see a few die-hards or serious cyclists on the commute and now suddenly a swarm of these guys.

BarracksSi

Yup. And with gas prices going up again, we'll only see (or "barely see at all") more of them. Happened in '08-09, too.

davasi

Well I live south of you in FL. We don't really have what I would consider a "winter" since I'm originally from WI. There are crazy jerks on bikes (and cars) everywhere all year-round. Maybe less when we get our torrential downpours in the summer.

zonatandem

Commuted for 16 years, now retired!
Keep your eyes wide open when pedalin' or driving!

coldfeet

Yup. It's this kind of idiot that makes cycling look dangerous. take out all the accident reports of people riding no lights, no reflectors, drunk, wrong way, the figures would go way down.

woodway

Get used to it. If you keep commuting, you'll see a lot more...

009jim

I find other cyclists can be a hazard........
1. there's the guy that wants to pass you with only 3" between your handlebars and his.
2. there's the dude who wants to squeeze past you when there are kids walking in the other direction.
3. there's the guy that passes when you're keeping out of the door zone and comes real close so you swerve into the door zone.
4. there's the group of riders coming toward you riding double file on the MUP and push you into the wall
5. there's the dudes without a bell on their bikes.
6. there's the dudes who ride beside a bus or truck - that doesn't affect my safety - but sure scares me.
7. there's the girl with the extremely bright headlight who blinds me

erg79

Really? Not having a bell is hazardous?

SlimRider

You'll find that the human genome has provided us all with more than an adequate supply of ***hole genes to go around. This generous supply of genes transcends all modes of travel, all age groups, all races, all ethnicities, all religions, and all the genders.

So strap on your head gear tightly, clip in, and take a deep breath. You're in the vortex of commuter life!

Ndw76

I also just want to add that when using vehicles as a sheild through an intersection I make damd sure that I know they are headed in the same direction as me and not turning.

009jim

For me not having a bell seems hazardous. I always ring once or twice before I pass pedestrians and I feel a little more confident they are aware that it would be a bad idea to move left or right suddenly. It's not going to work for dogs though, or small children. Also not having a light on my bike would seem hazardous. Cars would have a greater chance of not seeing me and could move into my path suddenly. Also if you do not have a light or a bell and you are unfortunate enough to be in an accident, the LEO will probably conclude it was your fault because of that, even if it was unrelated.

ben4345

I dunno about Australia, but here we yell out "coming up/to your left!" Or ".... "coming up/to your right!" or some variance of that. That way it gives a definitive warning that you are there.

TurbineBlade

In most areas, unless the guy was < 14 years old, wearing a bike helmet is not illegal. Please read some helmet threads in the A/S subforum for a full review of this issue, but in summary: bike helmet efficacy sucks and is more about marketing than actual mitigation from injury (i.e. bike helmets are little, nearly useless bits of plastic and foam that do very little to protect you). Note that I wear one 100% of the time, mostly because it is covered in reflective tape, which I feel is about as much as it can help me.

Bells can be useful on multi-use paths, but are useless in traffic for the most part. Reflectors are also "helpful" vs. actually something to rely on for your safety. Lighting, though, is extremely important and required by law to ride after dark in most areas I know of.

OP: There are lots of idiots out there. Drive around here and you'll see motorists speeding on the beltway, changing lanes without signaling, driving while distracted/texting, illegal parking, illegal u-turns, speeding in residential areas, running red lights (hence the red light camera city program).

Idiots ride bikes, drive cars, walk, take the subway, bus, and every other means of getting around. Deal with it.