RANT – Bicyclists on Alki

[RonM]

Never thought this would be such a polarizing topic! The simple fact is that the ignorant bicyclist suddenly appeared in front of the car from between two parked cars without looking. Had he hesitated or deviated his path or slowed, he’d been a hood ornament on my car. I merely tapped the horn to let him know I was there. It obviously angered him and he intentionally gave me the finger, slowed, and prevented me and the cars behind me from passing him. Ignorance and arrogance, just the recipe we need in West Seattle? NOT!

[JanS]

round the sound..sorry the peds were a bit slow in their…umm…what? lack of response? Yeah, I am a ped, and for sure I’d get out of your way…well, I wouldn’t be in the bike path at all unless I was crossing the street. I like the bell idea, but mebbe you need a loudspeaker hooked up…lol..maybe they’d get it then…

[austin]

Drivers pissed at bikers need to chill.

Bikers pissed at drivers need to chill.

Relax and get over it.

[glocson]

And the argument goes on and on. Everyone needs to share the road. Just get off my bike path! LOL just kidding. I know everyone gets butt hurt over that statement. I would love to get slightly injured by a motorist. I want some insurance money. So if any rich Prius driving person coming back from PCC wants to bump me and cause a moderate amount of injury come on with it.

[JanS]

austin..couldn’t agree more..

[Magpie]

I was walking across the cross walk today with the green light and a bike rider blew through the red light and almost plowed in to me..my first reaction was a wish to knock him off his bike, it was a very red light, all of the cars had long stopped…unfortunately, I don’t carry a horn on my body and I don’t weigh anywhere near 3000 lbs. I think the bottom line here is that everyone needs to start considering their surroundings and be much more considerate of their fellow humans whether they are biking, walking or driving. Doesn’t this really boil down to a bunch of selfish people thinking that they are the only ones with rights? I could go on and on about the families of bikers in the junction that use the sidewalk and ride behind me while I am walking yelling “on your left”..the sidewalk in the junction isn’t a bike path…(and yes, you bikers, I always have the right of way on the sidewalk) and I don’t walk on the bike path on alki.

[rampinrodney]

Many of these Lance wannabes think they are SOOOO special…..I especially love their hot bicycle gear and their holier than thou attitudes….oh! they are so hot….

[datamuse]

The Prius definitely is quiet…I drive one and recently scared the hell out of bicyclists in Vancouver, though not on purpose–there are a lot more of them there than here.

The real problem here seems to be that someone darted out into the street without looking, something I thought most of us learned not to do when our parents taught us about traffic intersections.

[Anonymous]

RonM you are totally in the right as far as I am concerend. Your rant is reasonable and justified. Jerks on bikes or in cars, take note, you are not wanted in this community.

I could kind of understand rude behavior on I 5 or I 90 but when it’s in a neighborhood, why be an ass to your neighbor? Like, if one lane is closed on Admiral way, don’t cut to the front of all of your neighbors, be neighborly.. You are not just on your way out of town, you are only headed one place unless you are taking the long way to I 5 by heading west on Admiral.

[glocson]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I love how this car vs. bike thing is such a big argument and debate.

[vincent]

we have always been at war with oceania

[bcollins]

Since glocson has now commented a couple of times on this topic, I view it as a personal invitation to me. The cyclist was a jerk and unlike the ped vs cyclist subject from weeks back…the motorist would not be charged with any infraction if he hit the cyclist…if the cyclist emerged mid-block between cars as outlined. Cyclist must obey street laws if in the street.

I’m not an advocate of hitting cyclists, but sometimes they reap what is sown. I prefer that we should all just try to get a long.

[Irukandji]

These threads almost scared me out of buying a bike. Fortunately, I’m no Lance Wannabe, I’m just looking to get out with the kid and have a pleasant and safe ride. Wish me luck!

[tsunaminw]

Actually we don’t need to “chill”. Chilling is a state of mind and doesn’t actually change dangerous or stupid behaviour, just how you respond to it.

Idiot bicycles need to use the bike lane built for them. They need to stop being rude, stop riding side by side holding up traffic, stop wanting it both ways pretending to be a car when it benefits them but running lights etc when it does not. I catch a biker trying that stuff every now and then, and I pass them without crissing the midle line, getting as close as I can and then sliding over slowly so they cannot get by. I don’t care if it helps or hurts but it does make me feel better and may encourage them to use the damn bike lane or use some manners.

Walkers need to stay off the bike lane too, this is why alot of riders use the street. You mention to strolling people when they are obliviously blocking the bike lane that you are there and this is a bike lane, and they flip you off too. Until I turn the bike around and have a little chat about their manners.

Greenlake doesn’t seem to have this issue but the cops do seem to enforce the wheels/feet lanes better.

I ride a bike, drive, live, and walk Alki. I have a home on the strip. I love it. But am always amazied by the idiots.

“Chilling” just allows this stuff to continue. It may make the hippies feel like they are better people but accomplishes nothing.

It takes someone standing up and saying something even when unpopular to get something done. I understand some don’t have the courage to do this, so people like us will do your job for you while you chill.

[vincent]

tsunaminw:

Your basically saying you like to run bikes off the road. Half of your statements contradict the law, which I could post here, but I am sure you don’t care.

I enjoyed your little self righteous tirade because its filled with ignorance and verbal vomit. Your concept of manners is the only think idiotic here, and its liable to get someone seriously injured either from your car, or yourself when someone drags you out of the window and leaves you bloodied for veering into them with a vehicle.

THE LAWS REFERENCED ABOVE:

RIDING TWO ABREAST LEGAL

Section 11.44.060 RIDING MORE THAN TWO ABREAST PROHIBITED. Persons operating bicycles upon a roadway or sidewalk shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

USING WHOLE LANE LEGAL

Section 11.44.040 RIDING ON ROADWAYS. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed slower than the normal and reasonable flow of motor vehicle traffic thereon shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe, except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway that carries traffic in one direction only and that has two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may utilize the shoulder of the roadway or any specifically designated bicycle lane if such exists.

SPLITTING LANES LEGAL

Section 11.53.200 OVERTAKING A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT. The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of such overtaken vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

BICYCLES HAVE ALL RIGHTS AS CARS ON THE ROAD

Section 11.44.020 RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF RIDER. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to a driver of a vehicle, except as to the special regulation of this chapter and except as to those provisions of the Traffic Code which by their nature can have no application.

[JanS]

the way I see things..which in the realm of things isn’t very important…is that there are people on both sides of this argument that like to fuel things….glocson with his/her “I love/live to piss off drivers” (which in some instances just might get you shot, if road rage exists), and drivers who like to pass a bicyclist as close as possible to give a..what? a warning? (which can get your a$$ in a bit of trouble if you really hit said bicyclist, worse if you hit and kill hir.

So, who’s right? neither in my book…you all give lip service to “share the road”, but you don’t practice one bit what you preach…both are instigators, and really not being truthful..JMHO.

[glocson]

I don’t mean to be rude. Just matter of fact. Sorry(not really) for the true feelings I have. Geez I how I do love this blog!

[tsunaminw]

Rude behaviour IS bad with both cars and drivers. Both are unacceptable. But at a certain point, whether I90 or my neighborhood tolerating and overlooking it doesn’t seem to change anything. It takes someone standing up and saying enough.

Some may not like how the message is delivered, and nobody is perfect. My reactions may at times be off base, Im human too. But the thing is I shouldn’t have to tell you at all, you make it my job to try and find the perfect way to say or correct your bad manners? I shouldn’t have to say anything at all. You take care of how you act, and you won’t have to worry about what I say or do about it.

What this really is, is an effort by bicyclists to continue to act this was and have everyone else be ok with it and not react. Life doesn’t work that way.

[vincent]

tsunaminw: Contrary to the view from the top of your inflated ego, its not your job to regulate rude behavior. Sorry people in this country have a right to pretty much act however they like.

Your self imposed ideals don’t give you the right to scoff the actual law and take it into your own hands. And I guarantee you, if you endanger someone with these antics you seem to prescribe to. You are going to get physically assaulted in self defense.

[roundthesound]

So do I hear an interest in an Alki critical mass?!

[vincent]

Only if we wear these:

http://www.gotpollution.com/products.html

in response to this:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/374066_badair08.html

[JenV]

I have been verbally and physically assaulted by bikers twice- and I did nothing more than honk at them for pulling out right in front of me- one ran a stop sign, and the other swerved into my lane on a blind corner. It was a honk to say “hey, what the hell? you’re going to get yourself hit!” …and when I got to the stop light there was this spandex-clad warrior, hitting my car and spitting on me. Nice behavior there, guys. This is the picture that I have of bike riders in the city. they think the law doesn’t apply to them, but then whine when cars “don’t share the road”. I steer clear of them & give them a wide berth 99% of the time, but dammit, if you do something stupid in front of me I will honk at you. And if you come up to my car next time, you will get a door in the groin and the cops called on you.

(in full disclosure, I love bikes, I ride bikes. Just not on the street. Bike paths only for me.)

[vincent]

jenV:

How did you get physically assaulted? it seems like your car was spit on, but thats doesn’t fit any definition of assault.

I understand the whole glass houses thing, but with so many drivers out there who apparently never break any laws ( speeding, seatbelt cellphone or otherwise ) Where do you get the notion that your some how assisting someone who is doing something that requires balance by startling them with a horn?

Also on following the law, maybe you should follow your own advice?

HONKING ILLEGAL

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/329092_honk27.html?source=mypi

RCW 46.37.380: Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device may emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.

[JenV]

had I not shut my window, he would have hit me. Instead, he got my car. Satisfied?

I am not going to give up my horn, or my finger- if someone is doing something that places me and themselves in danger. Boo hoo, I startled him when he needed his balance? PUH-LEEEEZE. They both had balance enough to run a stop sign and swerve into my lane. No sympathy here.

[JanS]

JenV…thank you for that. It seems that the cyclists that are on here seem to feel that they’re never in the wrong. If they want to be on the road, they have to get used to honking, etc. , even if the person doing the honking is not honking at them. Bicyclists make mistakes…they don’t all obey the laws, they get in your face, and we’re just supposed to sit and act like they have every right to be that way? NO..we’re better than that. I expect bicyclists to be as courteous to me as I am to them…and I am. I will go 10 mph an hour behind you for the 3 blocks that you decide to hold up traffic…I will allow you a wide berth if I finally decide to go around you when it’s safe.. And I’d like you to be as courteous to me when you’re riding as you would be if we were sitting across a table from one another. Yeah, I have a car, too bad. In your perfect world, drivers wouldn’t exist…sharing the road? yeah, right!!

It’a all about attitude…

[Author]

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