Say, What's Almost as Dangerous as LabraDoodles? Bicyclists.

dbs, the fact that cars sometimes hit people on bikes does not mean bicyclists have a right to ignore traffic laws. I was hit by a car as a pedestrian, and my response has been to follow pedestrian traffic laws even more closely than before. Turns out those traffic laws do make things safer.

I am surprised by the prevalence of the argument that cyclists should be excused for breaking traffic laws because motorists and pedestrians also break traffic laws. It's certainly not legally valid, it's illogical, and it distracts from productive discussions that might result in positive changes.

I had more than a few thoughts on this rather poorly written globe article you can find them here.

Frankly, I'm amazed more bicyclists aren't run down. Far too many of them have zero respect for the rules of the road and are a bunch of self-righteous douchbags who seem to think drivers have eyes on the back of their heads and that cars can ignore the laws of physics and stop on a dime. And you're saying it's ok for bikers to run red lights? Seriously? It's "I'm a speshul snowflake and the rules don't apply to me" shit like this that makes drivers hate bicyclists. Guess what, asshole- when push comes to shove, my 3000 pound car beats your bike every single time and if you put yourself in a position where I'm unable to avoid you, you're going to lose- badly- and you have no one to blame but yourself.

Jesus, grow up! Do the cyclists running red lights (responsibly or not) blind you to how many masshole drivers and masshole pedestrians *also* break the laws? CONSTANTLY. Quit picking on the cyclists just because you think you're a "speshul snowflake" who always follows the laws. Or did you not realize road rage is against the law? Yeah, physics dictates you're going to win, douchebag - that's the point - hitting people with your 3000 pound Weapon is a pretty shitty thing to do to make that point.

I'm well aware how many drivers and pedestrians also break the laws, but we're not talking about them. Believe me, I have plenty of gripes about them as well.

But now we're talking about fuckhead bike riders who run red lights in front of my car or come at me the wrong way up Boylston Street or come out of my blind spot and cut me off. The last thing I want to do is hit somebody or have to risk getting hit in order to avoid someone who's being a clueless self-centered fucktard who thinks they're above the law and puts me in the really bad position of having to make a quick move to keep from hitting and even killing them.

Only when bikers feel safe on the road will they follow its rules.

As an avid bicyclist, I follow the rules, except when they must be broken to avoid a patently dangerous situation. However, bicyclists who flagrantly disregard the rules on a regular basis are just as bad as the "run them all over LMAO" category of drivers. I have witnessed all sorts of really horrendously dangerous behavior on the part of bicyclists that in most situations has been entirely unwarranted.

Examples include riding outside the bike lane for no apparent reason, two bicyclists who ride side by side on a two-lane road, occupying the entire travel lane, and of course the bicyclists who think they're totally above red lights, stop signs, yield signs, and all manner of traffic control devices that everyone else — including pedestrians — regularly and safely obeys.

When I'm on my bike, I'm astonished at this behavior. When I'm in my car and directly affected by it, I'm frequently angry/frightened. Just as drivers should treat bicyclists with respect, so too should bicyclists treat drivers with respect. Air-headed bicyclists are just as bad as air-headed SUV drivers, albeit with a little bit less protection.

Yes, bicyclists have every right to every travel lane, but bicyclists do not have the right to create a hazard — just as a slow-moving vehicle should pull off to the side to let others pass, so too should bicyclists keep to the right to let others pass. Unless you can keep up with traffic on your bike, you shouldn't block the lane. I never do. Bicyclists are not above respectful traffic behavior, and advocating for bicyclists' rights by saying "deal with it, cars" is not the right approach.

I daily witness all sorts of horrendously dangerous behavior by people hoofing it, driving, and cycling - constantly. Statistically, cyclists aren't doing that badly - it's just that there is so much hatred out there for cyclists and I just. don't. understand it. You make very fine points - and those idiot cyclist truly do make it more difficult for the rest of us, but we are kidding ourselves thinking that any one group of people is to blame. Cyclists need to respect the road, true, but "An atmosphere of safety involves everyone on the road being treated with respect." That does not mean "cyclists need to respect the road," and it doesn't mean "vehicles need to respect the road." It means everyone needs to grow up and start paying attention to their behavior.