What's the stupidest thing a motorist has told you?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
What's the stupidest thing a motorist has told you?
Was riding down a 2 lane - well maintained country roadway with little traffic. Straight for over a mile. A truck pulled up beside me and the driver told me I couldn't ride on that road. Why? Because it had no shoulder for me to go onto so vehicles could pass.
99% of the rideable roads around me have no shoulder...
99% of the rideable roads around me have no shoulder...

Likes For masonv45:
Likes For Polaris OBark:
#3
Victimless Criminal
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,518
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1115 Post(s)
Liked 2,702 Times
in
1,201 Posts
When I was a bike commuter, I've had co-workers tell me, "I almost hit you this morning!" which was their way of saying, "I saw you on your bike."
Likes For Rolla:
Likes For mcours2006:
#5
High Performance Noodler
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 13,170
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6867 Post(s)
Liked 6,774 Times
in
3,809 Posts
I've had a few times waiting at traffic lights where someone has rolled down their window while looking at me and my first reaction was "uh, oh, here it comes," Then they just want to chat about bikes, weather or whatever, very pleasant surprise. I also had a guy a few weeks ago essentially ask me for permission to pass me on my right where he was in the right turn lane and I was way over. I told him that's why I was where I was, and he actually thanked me. Things like that can almost renew my faith in Driverkind.
Likes For livedarklions:
#6
MotuekaCascadeChinook
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 11,012
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4447 Post(s)
Liked 2,974 Times
in
2,072 Posts
One told me I needed to learn how to ride a bike. He was from Texas or at least the tag on his car was. Texas tagged cars are in my top three for annoying and unsafe passing of me when I'm on the Natchez Trace Parkway near where I live.
Possibly he is correct, but the way I'm doing it has worked well for over 58 years of having a bicycle.
My apologies to all the Texas members here that cycle. But that is my experience when riding a bicycle on the roads here in my state.
Possibly he is correct, but the way I'm doing it has worked well for over 58 years of having a bicycle.
My apologies to all the Texas members here that cycle. But that is my experience when riding a bicycle on the roads here in my state.
Likes For Iride01:
#7
High Performance Noodler
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 13,170
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6867 Post(s)
Liked 6,774 Times
in
3,809 Posts
Likes For livedarklions:
#8
Senior Member
Well, he didn't tell me but the stupidest thing a motorist asked me was "What are you doing on the road?"
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,383
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2125 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
1,454 Posts
What's the stupidest thing a motorist has told you?
"Read Bike Forums"
"Read Bike Forums"
Likes For tomato coupe:
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 34,830
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15909 Post(s)
Liked 10,152 Times
in
4,950 Posts
Heh. A few days ago, as I was descending to Island Pond, VT, on the correct (right) side of the road a passenger in a car called me a dipfeces for riding on the wrong side of the road.
#11
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 34,830
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15909 Post(s)
Liked 10,152 Times
in
4,950 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,243
Bikes: 2021 S-Works Turbo Creo SL, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 688 Post(s)
Liked 3,113 Times
in
1,090 Posts
One told me I needed to learn how to ride a bike. He was from Texas or at least the tag on his car was. Texas tagged cars are in my top three for annoying and unsafe passing of me when I'm on the Natchez Trace Parkway near where I live.
Possibly he is correct, but the way I'm doing it has worked well for over 58 years of having a bicycle.
My apologies to all the Texas members here that cycle. But that is my experience when riding a bicycle on the roads here in my state.
Possibly he is correct, but the way I'm doing it has worked well for over 58 years of having a bicycle.
My apologies to all the Texas members here that cycle. But that is my experience when riding a bicycle on the roads here in my state.

Likes For MattTheHat:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,383
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2125 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
1,454 Posts
#14
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 34,830
Mentioned: 202 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15909 Post(s)
Liked 10,152 Times
in
4,950 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 7,616
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1926 Post(s)
Liked 1,189 Times
in
754 Posts
That's probably the stupidest thing I've experienced, as well. When someone has slowed down to holler that at me, I've been known to look very obviously at the side of the road and then, slowly, look back at them with a quizzical expression.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,594
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 527 Post(s)
Liked 723 Times
in
393 Posts
I ‘ve never had a motorist tell me anything, of course maybe I just wasn’t listening.
Tim
Tim
#17
Doesn't brain good.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,087
Bikes: 5 good ones, and the occasional project.
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 758 Times
in
451 Posts
While standing first in line in the turn lane at a stoplight on a 5 lane arterial, I had a driver once tell me: "You're on the wrong road!"
I responded: "No. I'm pretty sure I know where I am."
He yells: "We'll then, you're in the wrong lane!"
Me: "No. I'm pretty sure I want to turn left."
Driver just shakes his head & rolls up his window.
I responded: "No. I'm pretty sure I know where I am."
He yells: "We'll then, you're in the wrong lane!"
Me: "No. I'm pretty sure I want to turn left."
Driver just shakes his head & rolls up his window.
__________________
My lights are obscenely bright because drivers are dim.
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
My lights are obscenely bright because drivers are dim.
I shouldn't have to "make myself more visible;" Drivers should just stop running people over.
Likes For base2:
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,383
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2125 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times
in
1,454 Posts
#19
Senior Member
"Why don't you ride on the sidewalk?"
Well, because where I live riding a bike on the sidewalk is prohibited. Maybe if the motorist actually read the laws they would know.
I haven't had that in years though. Quite frankly, 99.5% of the drivers in my city are very courteous.
I generally see cyclists doing bad things on the road (running stop signs, red lights, cutting between cars, etc) more than motorists doing bad things to cyclists.
Well, because where I live riding a bike on the sidewalk is prohibited. Maybe if the motorist actually read the laws they would know.
I haven't had that in years though. Quite frankly, 99.5% of the drivers in my city are very courteous.
I generally see cyclists doing bad things on the road (running stop signs, red lights, cutting between cars, etc) more than motorists doing bad things to cyclists.
Likes For drlogik:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 5,679
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 1,159 Times
in
659 Posts
Not stupid but funny, was out on a road ride and stopped at a light, a car pulled alongside my right side. I was wearing my bright yellow club jersey, the Long Island Bicycle Club, jersey only had multiple "LIBC" written on it. I also had 2 bananas sticking out of a rear pocket. Guy in car looks at the LIBC logos, then the bananas, and asks me "What, The Long Island Banana Club ?".
#21
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 23,289
Bikes: Giant Defy, Specialized Allez, Raleigh Pursuit tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 425 Post(s)
Liked 471 Times
in
289 Posts
Stupidest thing was a guy in a pick-up telling me I shouldn't ride during that time of day or in that direction (I was commuting from work) as he almost ran me over because he couldn't see me with the glare from the sun. He then pat me on the back and said, "I don't want to run you over", so I suggested he get some sunglasses or maybe not drive during that time of day or in that direction.
I had a coworker tell me she knew my favorite color was yellow. I said it's blue and asked why she thought it was yellow. She explained that all 3 times she saw me commuting to work I was wearing a yellow jersey. I said, "Oh, you mean please-don't-hit-me yellow?"
I respond "The side what?" and hope they respond with "WALK" so I can tell them no thanks, I'd rather ride.
I respond "The side what?" and hope they respond with "WALK" so I can tell them no thanks, I'd rather ride.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 1,857
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 622 Post(s)
Liked 717 Times
in
400 Posts
Bicycles are for children.
Likes For Ghazmh:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,080
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 527 Post(s)
Liked 802 Times
in
416 Posts
"Get a job"
On my way home from work
On my way home from work
Likes For DorkDisk: