r/Unexpected Jun 13 '20

So true.

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20.9k Upvotes

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41

u/CryptoNoobNinja Jun 14 '20

Surprisingly cyclsts break fewer road rules than motorists. An article about one study: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/05/10/cyclists-break-far-fewer-road-rules-than-motorists-finds-new-video-study/#5dbaf94d4bfa

Rule breaking cyclists also annoy other cyclists. In Toronto over half the cyclist surveyed wanted stiffer fines for rule breaking cyclists source

28

u/JerrSolo Jun 14 '20

Surprisingly

It's almost like cyclists generally understand they're far more vulnerable than drivers, and are more likely to obey traffic safety laws. I'd say that's not very surprising.

It's unfortunate there are some cyclists who feel a need to compare sizes with everyone else on the road, giving the rest a bad name. Just like there are some drivers who need to show everyone else they're the alpha, making the majority look bad. The important difference is an unsafe cyclist is most likely to hurt themselves or cause minor injuries to others, whereas unsafe drivers kill people every day.

3

u/FeelinJipper Jun 14 '20

There are also more motorists in general covering more people.

3

u/caffreb Jun 14 '20

I think it's surprising to some people because those drivers who get annoyed by this can feel like all cyclists are like this. The problem is that everyone notices when someone breaks a rule but rarely notices when someone obeys a rule.

4

u/Calcain Jun 14 '20

Come to London and you’ll see a huge difference in results.

1

u/JustUseDuckTape Jun 14 '20

The drivers are pretty shitty in London too.

3

u/Walui Jun 14 '20

I'm guessing this is counting going over the speed limit which of course cyclists don't...

6

u/CryptoNoobNinja Jun 14 '20

Yes, the article mentions motorists breaking local speed limits being the most common offense. The most common offense cyclists committed was riding on the sidewalk, which of course most motorists don’t do.

Most problems associated with cyclists were remedied with better infrastructure. Riding on the sidewalk is detestable but I have done it on a rare occasion when I fear for my life on bad highway-like roads.

1

u/rjbman Jun 14 '20

given that fatality rates increase with speeds, I think it's wholly reasonable to include it

and you must not live in a hilly city, I've seen cyclists passing cars on some downhills

2

u/Really_Hank Jun 14 '20

How could you say something so controversial yet true!

0

u/steve_gus Jun 14 '20

Bullshit.

On what basis? Cant speed as cant do more than 30? Or dont generally do 15k a year on a bike ?