Do we confront anymore?

[The Gorn]

And are the lanes wide enough to allow passing of the bicycles by cars? Is there a smooth shoulder they can ride in? You are not indicating what the case is here.

It's not selfish (no more so than driving a car) if they are defensively riding in the lane because there is no room to be passed safely by cars. I agree that owing the lane is foolhardy if there is a reasonable alternative. A smooth shoulder is a reasonable alternative. Riding in a gutter than has storm sewer openings is not.

My consistent experience is that most drivers will attempt to pass cyclists unsafely, exposing the cyclist to being sideswiped.

I personally say "more power to these riders that are engaging in this behavior". Because perhaps one day the streets will be safe enough to commute by cycling. Not now, though, at least not in the US.

You know, the more you describe the cyclist's behavior there, the more that I suspect that the "people's republic of Minnesota"  has strong pro-cycling laws on the books that permit what they are doing.

[John Masterson]

Quote:And are the lanes wide enough to allow passing of the bicycles by cars? Is there a smooth shoulder they can ride in? You are not indicating what the case is here.

Yes. The side of the road is clear,

And when I ride my bike on these roads, I am always amazed at how wide a berth the cars give me when they pass.

Back to my original comment: these guys I am talking about are macho, and jerks. You can come up with any alternative explanation that you like. But I am the one who sees them, and that's my judgment.

[The Gorn]

Ok. I see your point. In this instance you're right. (So am I, more generally... most motorists really *do* think that bicycles should be classified like roller blades, as non vehicular toys.)

I'd say that there is only one ethical thing to do, then.

Mount a DV camera on your car and film them. Try to get recognizable images of their faces. Then post the videos to Youtube so we can all ridicule them.

[unix]

Re: Bikes

I would think that since a person on a bike exposes himself to a far greater risk than a car driver, the car driver has a greater responsibility  to avoid an accident.

I am always very careful with bikers, and of course the wise ones don't move over. I don't blame them.  I pass them in the opposite lane if possible.

Re: Original topic

I've  seen some pure sociopathic rage lately. Not just on the roads.  Maybe  it's the economic pressure that's tearing the society apart. There is much suppressed anger and rage behind all this fake civility.

[codger]

Quote:rage behind all this fake civility.

"Fake civility"? Where do you see this? I'd happily settle for fake civility. or civility of any kind. I seldom see anything that would pass for civility anymore. Most people today are only a few steps above pirates and vikings, and are in a downward spiral.

If you doubt my assessment, just fly commercially and draw your own conclusions.

[ResortDBA]

I was just commenting today how damn lucky I am. Daughter asked for an additional overnight tonight as she LOVES the neighborhood.  All the little girls get on their bikes and pedal up and down the sidewalk together and play out back on the trampoline and just scamper from house to house.  Its pretty much zone defense, there is usually one of us walking out front to check on them. I caught them going too far today and explained the risk.  I also installed a t.v. camera so I can watch them do sidewalk chalk while I build the deck out back or lift weights in basement.

I almost bought on another street, really glad I landed her.

Lucky.