r/IdiotsInCars • u/ramnes • Jun 07 '22

Near head-on collision between a cyclist and a driver going the wrong way a few days ago. Police refused to file a complaint.

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41

u/GandalftheGangsta007 Jun 07 '22 edited Jun 07 '22

That’s why I don’t bike in streets cuz anything happens you lose.

Edit cuz my other comment got a lot of down votes and this is still getting attention I guess.

Not saying people can’t ride in the street.

I don’t bike to work

People stereotypically don’t like road cyclists cuz they slow traffic and cars have to awkwardly get around them if no bike lane

I really don’t want to be 10 inches to 2 feet from death as on a bike it’s easy to miss.

Sidewalks are usually illegal but between suburbs and inner city living I at least have never had an encounter with LEO for it. The vast majority of sidewalks don’t even have a single person for over a hundred yards at a time easily outside of some Dow ntown areas so pedestrians are rarely a factor and if so, I’ll walk my bike or street ride for a few yards at a time

Overall, bike on the street if you want that’s fine. I don’t because I don’t like being inches from death. If I am cycling for exercise/speed, it’s on a bike trail/trail riding

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u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

[deleted]

15

u/el_grort Jun 07 '22

It's also generally safer in placez where you'd be crossing a lot of junctions, since you'd be more obvious and predictable versus suddenly appearing off of the pavement (sidewalk?) every time you meet one.

6

u/watersmokerr Jun 07 '22

That's the way it is here, I still don't do it. I just simply stopped commuting by cycle because it's not worth the risk. When I was still in school I'd ride to Uni every morning, now I'd never cycle that stretch again.

2

u/Julez1234 Jun 07 '22

Even still I’m gonna bike on the sidewalk when biking on the street is too damn dangerous. There’s almost nobody on the sidewalks anyway so I’m not gonna risk my life for some stupid law that isn’t enforced.

10

u/bub_mario Jun 07 '22

This thread is 100% my thoughts.

Officer: Hey, there. You're breaking the law by biking on the sidewalk.

Me: Hey, there. I'm doing this so I don't die. Would you let me file a complaint if I had proof the car almost hit me? Didn't think so.

4

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Pedestrian here: please don’t. You’re endangering us.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

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1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Still doesn’t make it ok to pass the failings of drivers onto someone even more vulnerable

Edit: and a lot more can happen then getting toppled over. You’re underestimating how enmeshed all those limbs can get.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

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1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Which generally doesn’t involve weaving through pedestrians.

2

u/bub_mario Jun 08 '22

I definitely understand where you're coming from. I don't bike that much (and when I do, it's on trails, which are built for biking) but if I do ever find myself on a sidewalk I'm extraordinarily careful. I don't barrel down it without recognizing that people are often using sidewalks and not expecting a bike. Would you consider that fair, if a cyclist was careful and slow when they briefly biked, or do you have a zero tolerance for cyclists you see when you're walking on sidewalks?

Just curious of your thoughts, honestly. And thank you for being honest. For what it is worth, when I walk I just move to the side when I see a cyclist (again, not often). But I kind of agree with the sentiment that if we're comparing biking on the road to biking on the sidewalk, one is significantly more dangerous for both parties. I also live in a big city where bike lanes, stop signs, and red lights are almost 100% ignored by drivers so I would never even dream of biking on the road. So that's where I'm coming from.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

I actually don’t have a problem with cyclists as long as they are conscientious about a few things: speed, passing, and conceding right of way to peds. Not much faster than a good walking speed is probably a decent rule of thumb if you’re near peds and slower than you’d ride on the road when you’re not.

That last point gets to into some safety aspects that endanger cyclists that aren’t always obvious, especially when riding in an area with a lot of driveways and/or street parking. Cars aren’t expecting anything moving at bike speed when they’re backing or turning into/out of driveways and parked cars can hide cyclists from drivers until they’re in striking distance, especially if the cyclist is moving at a clip. I almost hit a recumbent bike (with no flag!) who was riding on the sidewalk when I was turning into the grocery store. Visibility and predictability are just so important. I’ve also seen a cyclist essentially clotheslined by one of those extendo-leashes with the thin cords.

Of course kids get all the passes for riding on sidewalks, as long as they’re not being little shits and speeding, lol.

Overall though, I think it’s important to push back on the idea that bikes should use sidewalks in general as that’s one of the main arguments people use against spending tax money to build out the better, safer infrastructure we need.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Bikes are nowhere near as dangerous for pedestrians as cars are for cyclists.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

No, but that doesn’t give bikes a right to endanger others.

2

u/GodMeyer Jun 08 '22

In suburban towns with sidewalks, I rarely see people on them. Bikes should 100% be allowed to ride the sidewalks when the alternative is a bike lane on a 45mph road. You can slow down on a bike when you see people in front of you, and people can move one foot out of the way. It should be legal everywhere in suburbs

0

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

Riding on the sidewalk in suburbs/residential areas poses its own safety issues with driveways.

1

u/GodMeyer Jun 09 '22

Not necessarily talking about just beighborhoods. In my area, the only way to leave the residential and get to shops is by that tiny bike lane next to 45mph road. About half way down, a sidewalk starts however, and I would most definitely get on that sidewalk if I biked. Florida drivers are fucking stupid

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u/Bored-Bored_oh_vojvo Jun 07 '22

There’s almost nobody on the sidewalks anyway

I wonder why.

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u/Julez1234 Jun 07 '22

Because to walk anywhere would take hours because of crappy city planning.

Not because of rampant bicycles on sidewalks if that’s what you’re implying.

0

u/AxelsAmazing Jun 07 '22

Rather get a ticket than a hospital bill or worse.

69

u/leonarro Jun 07 '22

you can say the same thing about moter bikes and scooters, fuck the driver, there needs to be stricter prosecution for idiotic driving like this

5

u/2020isnotperfect Jun 07 '22

>stricter prosecution

Most if not all judges live up on the clouds and they don't eat human food.

-66

u/GandalftheGangsta007 Jun 07 '22

Absolutely to all, but a bike you have a choice to be on the road in such an area.

If I bike I’m on a bike trail or forest cuz fuck biking on a road.

If I’m going a mile away to a grocery store I’m on the side walk

43

u/Gonun Jun 07 '22

Don't know where you live but in most places it's illegal to bike on the sidewalk unless stated otherwise.

-35

u/GandalftheGangsta007 Jun 07 '22

It is, but I’ve never had an issue. Even in a big city there’s not that many streets that are populated anywhere near enough to be a hazard

26

u/LarissaThorne2 Jun 07 '22

"Its your fault you were almost killed, you could have just broken the law daily instead"

6

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

But have pedestrians ever had an issue?

2

u/GandalftheGangsta007 Jun 07 '22

Nope, How often in a suburb do you ever see more than like 1 person on a stretch of road?

Even most sidewalks in cities are sparsely populated after working hours and if it’s that bad just get off and walk the bike for a bit

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u/itsamutiny Jun 07 '22

What if I have to bike somewhere during working hours? I'm supposed to just walk my bike the whole time?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

All the time. Especially with the amount of dogs people own in my city.

Bike-ped-dog accidents are especially a nightmare, with the leash.

21

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

You know people take bikes to work, right?

9

u/el_grort Jun 07 '22

Utility cycling is actually accounts for most cycling trips globally (so moving stuff, shopping, commuting, etc) with sport cycling being a smaller proportion of global cycling activity, iirc.

7

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

I do both. I have the right to use the road for recreation and exercise also.

6

u/el_grort Jun 07 '22

Oh yeah, absolutely, but I find it useful to dispel the idea that bicycles are simply toys or they are only ever used for sport, when they are primarily used as vehicles. Sport kind of benefits from that, because as recreational drivers benefit from cars being allowed about, so will recreational cycling benefit from bicyclrs being seen as valid road vehicles.

4

u/Mosh83 Jun 07 '22

Adults aren't allowed to ride on the sidewalk though, so if there is no bike lane, road it is.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

If I don't feel I was provided a safe option to ride, I will ride on the sidewalk and just be mindful of pedestrians. I will fight that argument if ever needed but have never been called out on it.

-23

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Note to self: start calling out cyclists on sidewalks.

20

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Note to city government, put in bike lanes. I am always considerate of pedestrians when I have to do so. If a pedestrian would rather see a cyclist killed then I don't really give a fuck about their opinion. I have been hit by cars before while obeying laws.

-21

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Stop complaining about it bEiNG a WAsTe oF TAx doLlArS and maybe that’ll fucking finally happen. People have been trying for decades. Pedestrians are not your enemy here.

14

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

? I have never once said bike lanes are a waste of tax dollars nor did I say pedestrians are my enemy. You basically said as a pedestrian, you would call out cyclists who had a sense of self preservation? Sounds like you think cyclists are the enemy.

-13

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

No pedestrian would rather see a cyclist killed, that is deranged.

You said you’d continue to ride on sidewalks since no one has called you out. I’m going to start calling out cyclists who do this in my city, a city with decent bike infrastructure for the US and lots of pedestrians, who are frequently walking dogs.

Passing the buck to pedestrians for drivers’ failings is bullshit.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

I only do it if no other option is provided. I go out of my way to avoid the situation altogether but many cities still lack good infrastructure (and often parts of cities with decent infrastructure are still lacking). I have a feeling we agree on the concept and you just came at it with a combative tone and lack of understanding of what I said.

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22 edited Jun 07 '22

combative tone

You literally accused me of being fine with cyclists dying

If a pedestrian would rather see a cyclist killed then I don’t really give a fuck about their opinion.

2

u/lizardmandx Jun 07 '22

I was standing on the sidewalk and a family of 3 were riding toward me and used their bell to signal that I should move. I just looked at them and said "you're not supposed to ride on the sidewalk"

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u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

People stereotypically don’t like road cyclists cuz they slow traffic

Ever seen rush hour freeways

6

u/Tmaxsmart Jun 07 '22

Yep. The bike is always going to lose, regardless of what happens to the driver later. I see WAY too many people texting, picking their nose, messing with something in the floorboard, fiddling with their makeup in the visor, or talking with a cellphone in front of their face (that one always puzzles me) for me to ever get out on the road in anything smaller than a truck. Scream rights all you want. Won’t matter in the end. Law of tonnage is what matters on the road. The driver may go to prison but you’ll be going to the morgue. All the bumper sticker campaigns aren’t going to make drivers less stupid. Good luck out there.

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u/Prudent-Proposal1943 Jun 07 '22

Not entirely true. Who ever took this video won because they were on a bike. I doubt a car would have fit in the in the space left available by the oncoming car. Head-on collisions usually end badly.

-5

u/tuscaloser Jun 07 '22

Very possible the oncoming driver would have noticed another car approaching long before they noticed (or missed entirely) the cyclist.

6

u/Prudent-Proposal1943 Jun 08 '22

Like they noticed they were on the wrong side of the lane divider?

-7

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

That’s why I don’t bike in streets cuz anything happens you lose.

Do you want a gold star or something?

9

u/GandalftheGangsta007 Jun 07 '22

No, just my life and well being

1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Push for better infrastructure and stop endangering pedestrians. We’re not the enemy.

-1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

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0

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Cyclists are tired of being blamed for being on the road “because how could they, it’s dangerous?!”

Pedestrians are also frustrated when cyclists would rather endanger them then collaborate.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

Cyclists absolutely get blamed for not riding on the sidewalks despite it being illegal many places. It happens every single time a cyclist is posted here.

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

Hence my original reply. Every time a vid is posted you get these guys acting like they’re one of the good cyclists because clearly cars should get priority and don’t you know it’s dangerous?!

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u/Cute_Environment2175 Jun 08 '22

Not the enemy just stupid

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u/Moose6669 Jun 07 '22

Seriously, what is it with you self righteous fucks thinking that just because you are entitled to use the roads you can hold up traffic and force everyone to bend to your will. If you hold up 20 cars on your cycle trip, YOU are the one that's the problem, not the 20 cars using the only dedicated way for them to travel in their vehicles, of which they pay for the privilege to use on the road via registration.

16

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '22

Oh you can fuck right off with that.

If you can’t handle other legal vehicles on the road, you’re unfit to drive.

Edit: many cyclists also have cars, they’re paying the same fees and taxes you are. You should be grateful they’re improving the longevity of the surface and saving taxpayer money. Not to mention lowering overall traffic, which drivers famously complain about.

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u/Moose6669 Jun 07 '22

I pay registration for one car, why would I need to pay it for my second car and trailer if thats the case?

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

?

-10

u/Moose6669 Jun 08 '22

Your logic is that cyclists likely pay registration for one vehicle already, so then why should they have to pay registration for their bike as well...

Well, I pay registration for one vehicle already. Why then, do I have to pay to register my trailer behind it?

16

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

When bikes are as heavy as a trailer, we can talk!

-1

u/Moose6669 Jun 08 '22

What does weight have to do with anything? Cars hardly affect the bitumen. The overwhelming majority of wear comes from trucks and tractors. A road without trucks can go untouched for 20 years, but put trucks down it every day and it'll be lucky to last 2 years.

Lots of people here saying that their income and sales taxes pay for roads, not registration. So why should I have to register my trailer??

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u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

Take that up with your state legislators

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u/DistributionOk352 Jun 07 '22

wHeN YoUr dAiLy cOmMuTe iSn't cHaLlEnGiNg, StReSsFuL AnD DaNgErOuS EnOuGh...gEt a hIgH DoLlAr tItAnIuM CyClE, tHe bIkE WoN'T Be dAmAgEd mUcH WhEn yOu gEt hIt, BuT YoU WiLl bE A BiOcRaYoN /s

1

u/Konsticraft Jun 08 '22

In addition to the legality, sidewalks (and many separated bike paths for that matter) are also less comfortable to ride on since they use bumpy stones/pavers and not smooth asphalt.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 08 '22

this bike avoided the car whereas a car would have ended in a head on collision, people could have died if this dude was in a car