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Seconded ... I've had one person tell me to be careful in car parks because they've had "I didn't hear it" issues with other hybrids and another declared that he hated hybrids because he'd nearly been run over by one that came from a different direction to where he was looking.but wouldn't they be entirely avoided if pedestrians looked before stepping into a roadway?
By that reasoning, bicycles need to be outlawed. You don't notice them at all if you're not looking out!
And they also seem to pride themselves in not giving any warning at all and then getting incensed that you didn't move out of the way.By that reasoning, bicycles need to be outlawed. You don't notice them at all if you're not looking out!
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Midcow3. Numbers can be manipulated to substantiate any outcome the researcher decides they want to win or lose. Statistics don’t really lie, but they can be bent way out of proportion and in many different ways."On Your Left" is bicycle courtesy. Most true bicycle riders are courteous, please don't stereotype and judge all bicycle riders based on a few discourteous riders.
Concerning the article, I always find it humor when magazine writers or reporters try to use percentages. They should read the book "How to Lie with Statistics" because they are almost always wrong and off-base. Come-on what is the basis of their report, I personally think it is a complete SWAG.
I live on a road that is frequented by bikers. I walk on or near a bicycle path twice a day and have for the past 37 years. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of bike riders who have said "On the left" or "on the right" in those years. I think it has been about two years since someone dinged a little bell at me. Usually it is just a woosh as they go by and a dirty look because I didn't sense them. I don't think it is a stereotype. I think it is a disease. On the other hand, serious bikers, who eschew the bike path for the road surfaces suffer from a totally different illness. It is wanting to be a vehicle when it is convenient but reverting to a non vehicle when some inconvenience (like a traffic light or waiting traffic) looms ahead. Make up your mind! If you want to be treated like a vehicle, then follow the rules, like staying in a lane, stopping for lights, yielding the right of way, etc etc and don't ride in groups of 50 or more unless you have made prior arrangements."On Your Left" is bicycle courtesy. Most true bicycle riders are courteous, please don't stereotype and judge all bicycle riders based on a few discourteous riders.
Concerning the article, I always find it humor when magazine writers or reporters try to use percentages. They should read the book "How to Lie with Statistics" because they are almost always wrong and off-base. Come-on what is the basis of their report, I personally think it is a complete SWAG.
Joe166,I live on a road that is frequented by bikers. I walk on or near a bicycle path twice a day and have for the past 37 years. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of bike riders who have said "On the left" or "on the right" in those years. I think it has been about two years since someone dinged a little bell at me. Usually it is just a woosh as they go by and a dirty look because I didn't sense them. I don't think it is a stereotype. I think it is a disease. On the other hand, serious bikers, who eschew the bike path for the road surfaces suffer from a totally different illness. It is wanting to be a vehicle when it is convenient but reverting to a non vehicle when some inconvenience (like a traffic light or waiting traffic) looms ahead. Make up your mind! If you want to be treated like a vehicle, then follow the rules, like staying in a lane, stopping for lights, yielding the right of way, etc etc and don't ride in groups of 50 or more unless you have made prior arrangements.
Having said that, I understand the need for bicyclists to be very defensive and careful in traffic, since many people just refuse to notice them, even when eye contact is made. Motorcyclists suffer the same fate. Cutting corners sure doesn't help.