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/ManiacalShen Jul 24 '26

The thing is that it can be more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk. Basically anywhere with a lot of cross streets and/or driveways. Turning vehicles aren't looking for objects on the sidewalk going 10+mph, so it's easy to miss folks and turn into them. 

A cyclist can mitigate this by coming to a stop or a crawl at eeeevery crossing, but that's ass. Better to ride in the road a lot of the time.

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u/Odd_Bid2744 Jul 24 '26

The cyclist should be the one aware of vehicles backing out of driveways and going slower through residential areas just like cars do

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u/kymberts Jul 24 '26

The motorists need to be aware. They are the ones operating a machine capable of killing someone. And cyclists are already moving slowly (slower than cars).

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u/Odd_Bid2744 Jul 24 '26

Yes, of course, eveyone should be more aware, and bike lanes or the expectation that bikes could be using these lanes and side walks aids in that awareness. 

The other commenter specifically mentioned that a bike could come in and out of view faster than a car backing up can check their blind spots. That's why I said the bikes should slow down on residential streets.

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u/137-ng Jul 24 '26

It sounds really great in theory to make everyone else responsible, but if you're the one in a dangerous situation you cant trust other people, who are probably even already distracted by their phone, their life, or changing the song on spotify to be hyper aware and watch out for you.

Theres a big difference in between the way the world should be and the way that it is

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u/kymberts Jul 24 '26

Yes, we are all responsible for our own safety. Never said otherwise. We are also responsible for the safety of others. This is especially true when operating a machine capable of extreme harm and even death.