Drivers are demon spawn

[VinciB]

I really want to know why it is that those in automobiles feel themselves superior to those on bikes. I mean, sure they can go faster, but it’s not like the speed of an automobile is in any way a reflection upon the driver. Anyone can stomp on the gas pedal and let their fossil fuel do the work, but put them on a bike next to me and see if they can pass me. I live near a fairly large university, and I often ride through campus, and I have never been heckled so badly since this fall semester started and the students have descended on our town. Drunken frat boys leaning out of SUV windows calling out, “Way to go Lance Armstrong!!!” and the like. When there is no bike lane, I ride in the street; same road, same rules, same rights, yet I am constantly yelled at, nearly sideswiped, honked at, and so on. So why is everyone in such a hurry? Why do they think they are so much better than me? Why does wearing a helmet make me a geek? And most importantly, why do I care what they think?

[plume_mtb]

I dunno. I would never commute back in my little podunk town in upstate ny. You'd get glass bottles thrown at you, thugs threatening you to "get off their road", rednecks driving you into the shoulder...

I moved south to a cycling friendly city and don't worry about much. You still get the stray redneck from time to time but if you stay in the city limits it's ok.

It's tough. Sometimes I want to ride w/ a gun.

[tryandgetme]

I actually don't have too bad of a time commuting anymore. Seems like people in my city are getting used to the idea of bikes (the price of gas is helping that). I was a pedestrian a few days ago for a few hours though, and I was shocked to learn that it's actually far more dangerous walking on the sidewalk! 3 seperate times I was crossing the street within a 10 minute period, on a green light, with the proper "walk" signal in my favor, and I have to jump back to keep getting mowed down by people doing right turns. I'm terrified of walking anywhere now! Bikes only from now on! 1 strange potential for a problem with a car vs bike every two weeks maybe, if that, to 3 times in 10 minutes on foot using the legal traffic control system!?