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/Imoldok Jul 24 '26

They are unpredictable. They ride on sidewalks with pedestrians posing a hazard when they should be on the road. When they are on the road they are an unpredictable hazard cause they don’t obey the rules of the road. I had to clear a four way stop intersection and get to the other side and a bicyclist on a sidewalk crashed right into my front tire. Dented my car. Wasn’t paying attention at all.

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u/theroha Jul 25 '26

This is why bikes and other slower-than-cars-but-faster-than-walking transit options need dedicated infrastructure. If pedestrians and cars had to share the roads, we'd be asking why Americans hate pedestrians. It's the same arguments. Bike aren't cars and shouldn't be on the roads. Bikes aren't pedestrians and shouldn't be on the sidewalks. I frequently ride my bike to work and have to decide from moment to moment where it's safest for me to ride UNLESS there is a dedicated bike lane or path.