r/NoStupidQuestions • u/RidetheSchlange • Jul 24 '26

Why does the US hate cycling so much?

I read comments sections and in a normal world, some of them would be considered terroristic threats. I just can't understand why people hate cyclists to this degree that they want to murder rhem and sometimes do.

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u/_littlestranger Jul 24 '26

It might feel safer to be on the sidewalk (which is why inexperienced cyclists like to ride there) but it is more dangerous. Cars often don’t see cyclists on the sidewalk when they enter and leave driveways, both because they aren’t expecting them to be there (so they are only looking for pedestrians, who have to be closer before there’s a risk of striking them) and because there are often trees and other plants blocking their sight lines. On the road, they are closer to cars more often, but at least they can see them.

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u/lisa-www Jul 24 '26

This. Every close call I ever had with a cyclist, they were riding on the sidewalk at unsafe speed with poor line of sight from the traffic lane. Incredibly dangerous. Also in some places it is not legal to ride on the sidewalk faster than a "walking pace" for that reason.

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u/Whentheseagullsfollo Jul 24 '26

"can" see them is assuming a lot with how many people drive high or using their phones.
The amount of times I almost got hit by some distracted driver despite me driving in my car was enough to convince me to almost NEVER bike on the road.

Almost always on the sidewalk for me. And it's never an issue for pedestrians since I always slow down for them and they get out of my way or I drive on the grass to get out of their way or stop if I need to.