A small thing in a big city
With all the lovely things about Portland that I go on about all the time, there is one little thing that has been nipping at my heels like your neighbors' overly aggressive little dogs. And it's kind of a catch 22: with the great weather during the summer, great roads, and how convenient everything is, there are SOME bicycle riders that think they run the road. I'm getting a little tired of the rude cyclists, especially in the downtown area.
Some mornings I'll take my girl to work and I have ruuuuuuude experiences with bikers. Now, I know I'm driving a car, which is not exactly earth-friendly, but that doesn't mean that I'm not also trying to enjoy Portland's beautiful weather.
Some people on bikes think the roads are theirs and that they should be directing traffic rather than adhering to the laws of the American road system. In the next few years, I think there are going to be even more cyclists than cars on the roads so this should get worked out.
Basically, I just wanted to get this off my chest. I'm not trying to hit you. But you still have to stop at the stop signs. I just want you to use your little hand signals so I know where you're going. If not, I'm going to be forced to use harsh language like "shoot" and "frick."
So, if you see me driving around in my car, just be nice to me.
August 14th, 2008 - 18:06
You have to be kidding about the great roads …
August 14th, 2008 - 19:33
Hi Channing,
The bikers are just as lame about not telegraphing their plans
here in Eugene. Very annoying. I am sure that more close
calls are on the way since everybody is biking these days!
At least you’ve warned them here on your blog. Hope that
you feel better venting. Happy trails!
August 14th, 2008 - 21:25
More cyclists on the road means more opportunities to have encounters with the bad ones … I think there’s just a lot of emotions running high lately with all of the cyclist v. motorist and motorist v. cyclist road rage incidents that have been cropping up lately.
Then again I took care of my road rage problem by parking my car and riding the bus to Portland State with the cost of gas and parking so ridiculously high.
It sucks but I don’t see an immediate fix to this problem, hopefully tempers quiet down and I’d like to see more saturation patrols where cops ticket law breaking cyclists (I say this as someone who cycles quite a bit).
August 14th, 2008 - 22:37
Ha, Lamar Odom even sucks when he comments…
I hate it when they ride slow in the middle of the road on purpose, then look at you like you don’t belong. This has happened to me more than once in downtown Portland.
August 14th, 2008 - 22:50
I have to admit, I’ve HIT a bicyclist years ago, they were FINE, not major injuries… So I know 1st hand that BICYCLIST SUCK!!!! They DO think they own the road, and the insurance compay made me buy them a new “freakin’” bike, cuz they are considered “pedestrians” on the road (even if they were riding in MY LANE) (yes I am still better after 5 years) ANYWAYS, be carefull, don’t hit them…. they WILL WIN in court… and they know it!
Lastly, I think it is SWEET that you drive your girl to work sometimes!!!
August 14th, 2008 - 23:09
Totally agree. The worst thing is when you pass a cyclist before an interception and then you yield to traffic and try to turn right, but the cyclist you just passed is now on your side and goes straith and you almost hit him when turning right. they are reckless just cause the driver always has to yield for them, so they do crazy things like that and assume that if anithing happens it’s the driver’s fault. Shame on them!
August 15th, 2008 - 05:15
Hey Cuz!
Say it isn’t so! Not in Portland! This CAN’T BE TRUE, CAN IT?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/149224?GT1=43002
Cuz Pete
August 15th, 2008 - 08:47
Although I’m in Albuquerque, where there aren’t as many cyclists, I totally agree with your point. If you’ve ever been to Amsterdam you realize that tons of cyclists, pedestrians, and cars can get along. Their big change was to give bikes the first right of way, give pedestrians the second right of way, and then come cars. Obviously one advantage there is their narrow streets are better suited for bikes than cars. That being said, everyone (especially bikers because they don’t have the protection of a steel frame and seatbelts) needs to be courteous and also cautious. If a biker comes to a busy intersection and doesn’t stop, they should be liable for their own injuries if something bad happens. But cars need to be aware of cyclists, and through mutual awareness traffic can go smoothly. I also hope you feel a load lifted off your fricking chest.
August 15th, 2008 - 09:24
YOu know what? Cyclists are rude, not only to drivers, but pedestrians. I know it’s easier for someone walking to stop at an intersection, than it is a car or bike, but I shouldn’t have to duck out of the way, because some biker is full on gunnin’ through an intersection.
I think this emergence of smugness is beginning to choke off some of the goodness behind cycling.
Thanks Man for offering your experience.
August 15th, 2008 - 11:07
You’re not the only one. I think part of the problem is that August is bike to work month, and between that and high gas prices, a lot of inexperienced cyclists are taking to the roads. Just last night I was on the bus going home, and the bus driver honked at and almost hit an obviously inexperienced cyclist because she had come to a stop in the bike lane for a red light, and couldn’t get started again. She swerved to the left, almost taking out another cyclist who was passing her, who then swerved further into the vehicle lane and was almost hit by a passing car. Then she swerved to the right, where the bus had pulled over to let off riders and was trying to merge back into traffic.
I felt a little sorry for her, since she was obviously struggling. At the same time, I feel that until you’re competent enough on two wheels to avoid endangering yourself and others, you shouldn’t be riding in rush hour traffic.
Oh, and the most aggressive cyclists downtown are bike messengers, hands down. Love their sexy muscled legs, hate sharing the road with ‘em.
August 15th, 2008 - 13:04
Cyclists can be rude. Drivers can be rude. Pedestrians can be rude. Humans can be rude. Everyone will definitely just need to learn to work together and be more tolerant. One rude biker doesn’t mean all bikers suck. Same for drivers and pedestrians. One rude white person doesn’t mean all white people are rude, etc., etc., etc…
August 15th, 2008 - 13:11
Remember how I beasted you in practice the other day
August 15th, 2008 - 13:23
I will add skateboarders to the list of people riding things without any consideration for ANYONE’s safety. I only walk and I’ve gotten to the point where I give everyone the right of way before I cross a street. This includes: Cars, trucks, skateboards, dogs, old ladies, etc. Before I adopted this strategy, I would almost get hit about once a week. I work in the Pearl and it seems like every intersection here is some strange “Death Vortex” where nobody is safe. Another observation: I’ve noticed cars are either incredibly aggressive OR way too tentative resulting in a 4 way stalemate where NOBODY DOES ANYTHING. Advice: If you’re a pedestrian, look BOTH ways before crossing ONE WAY streets…seems illogical, but trust me.
August 15th, 2008 - 13:33
hey Channing,
Here are some links to Oregon State traffic laws. Everybody’s got to follow them – motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, etc. Last time I checked, neither cyclists nor motorists do a very good job following the law. And yes, the laws do give cyclists and pedestrians the right-of-way in many situations; if motorists ignore the law, it can make a cyclist or pedestrian a little testy (and, obviously, vice-versa). Do you know when the law gives a pedestrian or cyclist the right of way?
ORS 811, Rules of the Road for Drivers
ORS 814, Pedestrians, Vehicles with less than four wheels
Cheers, drive safe!
August 15th, 2008 - 13:53
yeah, i saw this one guy in a CAR doing 65mph in a 55mph!!! and he changed lanes without signaling!! oh my god!! those CAR drivers are always breaking laws!!
i’m so sick of these CAR drivers who break the law, and then whine when they get a ticket! if car drivers want to be respected, then they need to follow the traffic laws like everyone, and that includes NOT SPEEDING, even 65 in a 55 is speeding. but you’re above the law in a car, right?
thank you for being a bunch of holier-than-thou, whiny drivers. like mama said, when you point a finger, you got four more pointing back at you.
August 15th, 2008 - 13:58
Amen, Mr. Frye!
I bike commute 8 miles five times a week and I’m just as frustrated as anyone driving an automobile by the nonsense I see- I think almost all people behave fairly well no matter what they’re driving/riding, but you only need one rude person to make a lasting impression.
P.S. If you keep it up, your mother is going to take away your computer, Lamar.
August 15th, 2008 - 14:07
the other day my girlfriend and i got accosted by two guys in a car for riding our bikes on the side of a road with no bike lanes which is totally legal. these two guys were willing to resort to violence to prove there point about not liking cyclists, i wonder if they would have hit my girlfriend? hopefully these are not the guys you cyclist haters are getting your advice from. everyone and i mean everyone will break the law at some point, not matter what form of transportation they use! maybe if we all look out for each other we can work together to maintain safe travel and maybe then we will be ready for all ya’ll motorists to join us in the bike lanes once the gas is gone, that is, if we can still breath. cyclists and motorists should always obey the traffic laws but don’t, maybe we could all use a refresher course in traffic laws.
August 15th, 2008 - 14:09
Most bikers are not rude. I’m sorry you’ve encountered some of the rude ones.
But every serious biker has had multiple experiences with belligerent drivers screwing with them just for the heck of it. A driver passing ultra-close, when there’s no other car on the road, just for the fun of it, is a common one.
I know I get road rage more quickly and easily on a bike than on a car, because my life is more immediately on the line.
August 15th, 2008 - 14:23
Hey Channing,
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I agree with you that there are definitely some people who ride bikes in this town who are not considerate of anyone, whether they’re in a car or on a bike.
I get buzzed in the bike lane all the time by people on bikes who don’t ring a bell or let me know they’re passing. And don’t get me started about people who think red lights don’t apply to them.
There’s a lot of work to be done to improve this situation. Some of that work has to do with attitude adjustments, some of it has to do with everyone becoming more aware of the rules of the road, and some of that work (perhaps most importantly) has to do with planning and engineering our roads so that everyone can feel safe and comfortable out there.
Speaking of that, have you ever biked in downtown Portland? If not, I’d be happy to join you for a ride. I think you’ll love enjoying the weather from the other side of the windshield and you might also get an important perspective on what it’s like to ride a bike in traffic… and I would love to introduce you to a whole new community of Portlanders.
You can email me at jonathan [at] bikeportland [dot] org if you’re interested.
Cheers and good luck with your preparations for the upcoming season.
–Jonathan Maus, editor of BikePortland.org (and former NBA dreamer before two ACL surgeries ended my career!)
August 15th, 2008 - 14:29
Look at me! Look at me! I’m a hipster and I ride a fixie!!! I’m sooo cool on my fixed gear bike, with my jean shorts, and my really cool bandanna. I also where cowboy boots because cowboy boots are fucking cool?!?! No one else dresses like me I’m such an individualist, well no one except all my friends and every one that shops at buffalo exchange. I’m going to go sit outside the coffee shop with and write lyrics on napkins so everyone will look at me and think I’m the next Elliot Smith.
Hipsters are going to start driving cars now because it is no longer the cool thing to do.
August 15th, 2008 - 14:38
Channing -
Feel free to run the next bicyclist you encounter off the road. We need to make an example out of one of them.
John Putnam
August 15th, 2008 - 14:57
I can’t decide which is worse: The recklessness of the cyclists in Downtown, or the moral indignance with which they react whenever a close call that they caused occurs. Either way, you’re one funny dude, Channing. And please watch your ****ing language.
August 15th, 2008 - 15:00
When I drive a vehicle (car or bicycle), I stop for stop signs, signal my lane changes and turns etc. But not everyone drives this way. Many cyclists ignore the rules — they drive against traffic, blow by stop signs and red lights and change lanes without signalling.
The worst part about drivers, though, is not that they speed, change lanes without signalling, or break other rules. The main problem is that they don’t respect bicycles as equal road vehicles. When I bike, other drivers behave as if I am a pedestrian: a more-or-less stationary object that can stop on a dime. So drivers will do all kinds of crazy stunts: they’ll make left turns across my path, they will try to overtake me with little visibility. It just doesn’t occur to them that I may be going at 25 or 30mph (the speed limit in many residential zones) and have a non-trivial stopping distance.
What do you think the driver overtaking on my left on a narrow road will do when he discovers a car coming at him?
August 15th, 2008 - 15:16
Lamar- Channing was in NYC before this. Portland’s roads are 10x better.
People are annoying on both sides, but I don’t see any bikers saying drivers should be run over.
August 15th, 2008 - 15:17
Greetings Channing;
I am sorry that you are having problems with Rouge Cyclists. I live in East Portland, and I bike commute all over town for My work. The bad actions of a few cyclists, end up spoiling it for moderate riders. I have been hit by a car while carrying a load of groceries, and I don’t know what I did wrong. Please don’t think poorly of all Bicyclists.
I am also a Long-Time Blazer Fan, and I ride to games when I get a chance. I hope the team will have a very successful upcoming season It is good to see Greg Oden in practice, and I was happy to hear that Brandon Roy is going to recover in time for this season.
Keep up the hard work, and I’ll be Praying for a Great Blazer Year.
Lonnie
August 15th, 2008 - 16:15
Hi Mr. Frye,
Thanks for posting your feelings on the matter of scofflaw cyclists. We share your concerns and work tirelessly to educate all road users as to the importance of following the rules of the road and respecting one another. Through our youth education programs, we have taught nearly 45,000 children how to bike safely and follow the rules.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is an advocacy organization serving Oregon and SW Washington. Through the support of our membership, we advocate for education, engineering and enforcement policies that improve the conditions for all road users. If you are interested in supporting our efforts, we would be delighted to have you as a member.
Best regards,
Karl Rohde, Government Relations and Public Affairs Director
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
PS: Best wishes for a successful season.
August 15th, 2008 - 16:21
Quit crying about being slightly inconvenienced.
Bicyclists get killed all the time in PDX by clueless idiots talking on cell phones or putting on makeup while driving.
August 15th, 2008 - 16:57
Man, jerks on both sides of the equation I guess. I drive and bike. I do my best to follow the laws (although I will roll through a stop sign every once in a while, not red lights though, that’s lame) and yeah, it pisses me off how some cyclists think they own the road.
It also scares the hell out of me when people say like, “Run the bicyclist off the road, we need to make an example of them.” The next time you do that John Putnam, I hope you go to jail.
Cheers Channing, love reading the blog!
August 15th, 2008 - 17:51
Nice lighting rod topic. I have no beef w/cars or bikes, but one thing I’ve noticed about Portland: People are passionate about certain things and this passion usually leads to them (unwittingly) becoming moral crusaders. I was once lambasted at a party when a vegan found out about my hot dog consumption. I feel the same happens with certain cyclists. They might think that the mere fact they ride a bike automatically makes them a more enlightened person than someone who drives a car. While this may or may not be true, I feel that in America we’re all guilty of something. We can all stand to improve something in our lives. So, everyone: Relax and just wait for basketball season to come around because that’s more important than bikes, cars, litter, politics, indie rock, helping the homeless, religion, education, your loved ones, global warming/or cooling, etc. Go Blazers!
August 15th, 2008 - 18:18
i hear that man, i grew up here, have seen the changes, have many friends who commute on bike, but i have to drive no other option, and the thing that frustrates me the most are that the people on bikes apparently dont know what a stop sign is, or what purpose it serves, they bitch and moan about how horrible the cars are and that they want equal rights to the road but then the majority of them dont follow traffic laws putting themselves at a serious risk, trust me man, as a native, i know how ya feel!
August 15th, 2008 - 20:09
There are some circumstances where stopping at a stop sign can be very dangerous for a cyclist. Cars can be very impatient while waiting for a cyclist to go from 0-20 and that impatience can result in danger. Now if there is cross-traffic then obviously the cyclist should stop. But if there is no cross-traffic, it’s a situational call for the cyclist.
I’ve been annoyed by pedestrians in a downtown area when I was driving. And I’ve been annoyed by drivers in a downtown area when I was walking. And I’ve been annoyed by both in a downtown area when I was cycling. We all piss each other off.
Just remember this: if you have a beef with a cyclist, be prepared to get your ass beat. That person has already proved that they don’t give a f*** just by riding a bike. But if you join them for a group ride, like critical mass or midnight ridazz, you’ll have a great time. They are a very welcoming and salt-of-the-earth crowd. Just don’t mention the whole driving thing.
August 15th, 2008 - 20:34
Channing! i agree 100%. imagine if we were driving Hummers downtown – we’d have hippies jumping out of the trees trying to throw pechulli oil on us!
i think most of the bikers we have ‘incidents’ with are people of sub-100s IQ in the first place. likewise with some drivers.
knock em off of their bikes with a 12 foot stream of pepper spray and hit the gas. c-yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
August 15th, 2008 - 21:11
Here’s my experience as a bicyclist in Bethlehem, PA.
The city’s not huge, nor is it crowded. It’s definitely a car city, although the two downtowns are somewhat pedestrian friendly. But cars definitely outnumber bicycles or pedestrians here.
Here are some of my interesting experiences with cars here:
- When I first started riding, I didn’t see too many bicycles around. It’s still the same deal nowadays, but the message was somewhat driven in in my first month of riding.
I was riding down a relatively busy road. At a certain intersection, the road bends right. I was turning right on this intersection along with the cars, but the driver of the red Buick next to me somehow freaks out and suddenly jumps into the opposing traffic lane, literally going over a concrete median separating the traffic.
From the way he was driving, I think he panicked and tried to avoid hitting me, even though I was all the way on the inside of the turn. He either never encountered a bicycle on the road or he never saw me until the last second.
- I was on another busy road, but the supermarket I wanted to go to was just one block from the intersection ahead. So I was on the left lane so I could turn left when this pickup truck driver starts honking at me. I pull to the right, and he rolls down the window and ever so kindly informs me that as a bicyclist, I should be on the right lane. I wave at him.
So the traffic light turns green, and the truck goes. Where does this douchebag go? That’s right, he turns left into the supermarket, just like I was supposed to. This asshole was so impatient that he blasted his horn so he could travel that single block oh so much faster. Meanwhile, I have to wait for all of the other cars to pass me before I could turn. When I locked up my bike, the driver passed me by. I desperately wanted to rip into that asshole, but I settled for giving him the stink eye.
So those are a couple of my experiences here. It’s not a bike city like Portland is, so I could only imagine how asshole bikers act.
I’ve heard from a far more experienced bicyclist here that a woman in a minivan pulled her van in front of a group of bicyclist, stopped, and started screaming at them. On the flip side, he mentioned that the bicyclists gave her some choice words of their own, mostly something to do with her eating more fast food.
And I’m somewhat guilty in ignoring stop signs if I see an intersection is clear. But given that I’m usually the lone bicyclist here, I know that I can never own the road, so I remain humble to the cars, the true kings of the road (as do pedestrians).
August 15th, 2008 - 21:56
Mr. Frye,
As an 18-year old byciclist who has completed two 500 mile rides, I would like to share my experiences with you.
As a biker, I feel that the cars fear me more than I fear them. They DON’T want to hit me – for various reasons, including insurance and paperwork and so I feel free to take some chances.
These chances include running stop signs and traffic lines but ONLY when there is no traffic.
However – I know who rules the road. I don’t want to be hit by a car either. For the most part, I ride with experienced bikers. we follow the rules of the road and rarely create problems with drivers through our wn volition.
I admit – there have been times when cars have not passe me because I was there but this occurred going uphill and i left enough space on the road for the cars.
My only advice would be to remember that poor bike drivers are like poor car drivers – they occur. You’ll share your anecdotes concerning careless bikers.
I’ll share mine concerning the drivers who disrespect bikers and throw beer cans at us (usually with poor accuracy).
Regards,
An NBA (and Truehoop by Henry Abbott) fan
August 15th, 2008 - 22:58
a few comments, in no particular order. a lot of people have no real idea how to manage themselves in traffic. or in a checkout line at the grocery, or getting off an elevator, or whatever. some of them ride bikes. a lot of them drive cars. many motorists do not signal their intentions (note: you are supposed to signal a turn 100 feet before the intersection). many do not fully stop at stop signs. every once in awhile, a motorist will run a light (often while talking on a cell phone). plenty of cyclists do in fact observe the rules of the road, signal turns, stop at stop signs and lights, etc. one of them is writing this posting right here. so let’s not generalize too awfully much. oh, and keep in mind that a moving car is a huge, heavy, dangerous piece of machinery that can very easily injure or kill someone. and I mean, keep it in mind. keep it in mind when you close the door and turn the key. keep it in mind when you ease out the clutch and punch the accelerator. keep it in mind when you reach over to get something out of the glove box or change the radio station or when the cell phone rings. dangerous, heavy, can kill.
one other note. in Portland, a cyclist is required, by a law I think is stupid, to stay to the right even as they approach an intersection where a motorist is going to be turning right across her path. I don’t do this. I move to the left and let the right turning car merge right while I come around on the left. but when I do this, I am breaking a poorly conceived law.
which in a way brings me back to my original point: managing yourself in traffic is actually not easy. you can’t do it without paying attention. a lot of attention, all the time. most people are completely incapable of this. some are on bikes, a lot are in cars.
August 16th, 2008 - 00:36
Hey good job using your forum as a pro athlete making millions to make life harder on people that are trying to do their thing in a sport that gets very little recognition in the states. Perhaps some cyclists are rude as are drivers, but I am sure your Mercedes can make up the time rather quickly that you were inconvenienced. Weak post you can do better than that. Sadly we shared a high school you and I..
August 16th, 2008 - 03:05
you hid my comment …
August 16th, 2008 - 06:22
I hate bicycle freaks!! Nothing worse then a 48 year old man on a 1975 bike with a backpack riding in the middle of the road. Get the frick out of the way!!! I think I am going to go run one over today.
August 16th, 2008 - 08:28
Wow Larry. That was a foolish comment to leave.
That being said, when I read comments like yours, it reminds me how many americans feel frustrated, angry and like they are always fighting for control. They want to feel empowered, and what better vehicle than the car, right? Your in control, the road is yours, that is of course, until you have to deal with stop lights, with traffic jams, with road rage, with…other people.
That feeling of a lack of control fuels a lot of the anger that we see. But there are outlets, ways to empower yourself. Options where you can chose your own route, take your time or let out some of that energy by pushing yourself hard, getting yourself to where you want to be by your own strength and determination. One option that would allow you to do this is of course, the bicycle.
August 16th, 2008 - 08:42
Wow, I bet you never thought such a random little blog about bicyclists would create such an up-roar.
August 16th, 2008 - 14:40
Until this blog post was emailed to me, I had never heard of Channing Frye. I don’t follow basketball and lost my love of professional sports with the MLB strike of 1994 – not that I could afford going to professional sports events even if I still followed them. I’m just a regular person with a regular job, bills to pay, and a quiet, boring life. To make ends meet in an economy on the brink of stagflation, I ride a bicycle. Not owning a car allows me to live and make ends meet, and did so long before gas hit $4 per gallon. I took the time to read the laws in this state as they pertain to riding a bicycle and I follow them. Not everyone does that, but I’ve also notice not everyone follows traffic laws when they drive a car, either.
After reading these comments, I now understand why some drivers will take time out of their busy day to try to hurt and kill me – they obviously go to blogs like this one where they are encouraged by like-minded people. Thank you, Mr. Frye, for this blog post and for going out of your way to make life harder for a regular, ordinary person who is just trying to make ends meet.
August 16th, 2008 - 20:44
Gee, can’t we all just get along? With the exception of motorists who go out of their way to harass and endanger cyclists, I as a cyclist tend to side with the motorists and ride with their convenience in mind. This is as much for self-preservation as it is my humble attempt to be a decent guy.
Most of the time, a cyclist cannot keep up with the flow of traffic, which makes him something of a hazard on the road. Motorists, however, are surprisingly courteous and accommodating when you ride predictably, obey traffic laws and make life easier for them when you can safely do so.
For instance, when you’re first in line at the next stop light, move to left edge of your lane so motorists can turn right. When the light turns green, get the hell over to the right as soon as possible. Learn to ride a straight line close the shoulder. Use those hand signals. Unless there’s a dedicated bike lane or an extremely wide lane, don’t pass waiting cars on the right. And pick your routes with care—sometimes the safest route is not the shortest one (I know that sucks, but it’s the reality).
At the same time, sometimes it’s necessary to hold your ground. For instance, if a lane is too narrow for passing, don’t ride so close to the edge that motorists will be encouraged to do so; let them use the fast lane. Cyclists who expect to be treated well on the road but who ride to their own set of laws are living by a double-standard. In defense of cyclists, roads are not always designed with their safety in mind—traffic lights that cannot be triggered by the waiting cyclist, narrow right-hand lanes on high-speed roads, poorly maintained road edges, etc.
Cyclists and motorists can co-exist on the road successfully, but finger-pointing ain’t the way to do it.
August 17th, 2008 - 09:23
Hi,
I have zero problems out on the road. I side with the cyclists on these issues, until the judge says I can drive again.
Signed,
That very red, mean looking 50 year old bearded dude smoking a Camel while riding an old Trek down NE Sandy.
August 17th, 2008 - 12:15
Pretty ignorant post, Channing. Seriously.
August 17th, 2008 - 12:52
My theory:
We are all RUDE! Every single one of us, especially when we are on the roads.
It’s stressful out there. The chance of being in an accident is much higher on the road than doing most about anything. Not everything is in our control. Thus high stress levels.
When you are in your car you can yell, flip off and cuss at other drivers and chances are they are not going to notice. Not so for bicyclist. The drivers see them flipping them off. Most times they can hear their yelling.
So what happens? You get a bunch of cussing, yelling butts out there getting into altercations.
The remedy? Watch out for each other. If a bicyclist yells at you, ignore it. Drive on and be safe. Let’s all just be rational.
August 17th, 2008 - 16:50
C-Frye, you are the man. I love that you live in Portland and us Blazer fans love ya! Don’t worry about those rude cycle riders. They probably all have dui’s or something. You should get a Salmon charter out of Astoria before the season starts. I know you would love it. Stay real!
August 17th, 2008 - 19:51
I ride a bike for transportation. There are bicyclists with an inflated sense of entitlement and a lack of respect for others. (My pet peeve is people riding side by side so they can socialize.) There are, in similar ratios, car drivers with the same.
But look, most bicycle riders and car drivers are respectful and trying to do a good job. Mature people never ascribe the sins of the few to the sins of the many. Never.
But since you mentioned it, I will try and signal better.
August 18th, 2008 - 11:38
Channing,
I am a huge fan but you gotta lighten up buddy. You are downtown, you are most likely not going to get anywhere faster than the bike you are so annoyed with. Lights every block, limited parking, heavy traffic, and lots of pedestrians and bikes in the road and crossing it. I ride as a courier and don’t need any more angry idiots flooring it to pass me screaming the whole way only to by stopped in 20 feet at the next red light. I ride aggressively to make sure you don’t hit me on accident as I would much rather make your day a little bit more annoying than be put in the IC at the hospital because I was worried about slowing you down. Taking up a lane is legal in Portland and often necessary since I can’t exactly make a left turn from the right bicycle lane and I am forced to ride a doors length away from parked cars as I have been hit by doors flying open and have known riders who have been killed and or permanently injured because of this simple careless act.
Try and keep some perspective about what you are doing and how huge and deadly a car is. I’m not out to ruin your day, I’m just trying to get where I’m going and not die in the process.
Also on a side note not every inconsiderate bad rider is a messenger downtown. Most in fact are not messengers as couriers know the score in who will win against a car vs bike run in. We are on the road everyday and have all had close calls and accidents, some our fault and some the cars. Most of the time it is misplaced anger and resentment from drivers similar to you who are just fed up with traffic and find the bikes are the easiest target to vent on. I am not perfect and have made mistakes but I don’t think that means I deserve to be “driven off the road and made an example of”. Good luck this year and I am super excited for the season.
Casey
P.S: I’m the biker with the blazers logo embroided on my bag so feel free to email with your direct complaints next time I manage to ruin your day.
August 19th, 2008 - 13:14
Man, I’ve been ran over by a car before…it was my fault. I’ve ridden in Portland and Eugene for the last 4-5 years…and all I can say is that there are a lot of distracted drivers out there.
Talking it up on their cells, going to fast, multi-tasking, and just not being very aware. If you are like this when you drive…then be careful because there are 5000+ bikers a day that commute to work…usually not more than 1-2 miles.
I just ride over the hawthorne bridge everyday, and I still run into trouble. If I am cruising, don’t think I am going to stop for you…
August 21st, 2008 - 07:59
The danger that cyclists face on the road is nothing compared to the slight inconvenience that some drivers might feel when they’re “stuck” behind a bicycle. Would the people who only drive rather all of us cyclists ditch our bikes for cars? Do you really want MORE cars on the road and more traffic during rush hour? You should be thankful that some of us are choosing to lessen the hours per week you have to sit in traffic by riding bicycles.
I’ve primarily commuted by bike for at least five years now from and I’ve encountered some pretty terrible drivers. Some have even gone out of their way to block my path or throw things at me. There is far more venom hurled at bikes than the other way around.
Ignorant ingrates like larry, kel, and John Putnam, who joke about hurting cyclists, should try commuting by bicycle once or twice and see how it feels. My commute from downtown to NE takes less time by bike than in a car.
Bill Walton commuted by bicycle, so can you!