Public comments while I ride.

[Renee]

I love riding and up until a few years ago it was relaxing. But lately I have had drivers and others point out my shortcomings. Yesterday I am about 25 feet from an intersection and a truck stops to let me cross and I say thank you to his open window and he says. "You're suppose to walk your bike across. " If I had gotten to the crosswalk and then gotten off the bike he would have had to wait even longer. Not a sign about that anywhere BTW. The same thing happened a few months ago my husband was at the crosswalk, I hadn't arrived there yet but was close and a car stops and we then cross. The guy yells "you're suppose to push the crossing signal" Last year at a cross walk we were crossing a street on a newly paved bike trail and the woman yells out her window "That trails not open yet." No it wasn't officially but lots of people were there. Technically we were trespassing with everyone else but is that so important to her? Is this the new age of policing the public by the public now. There went my good mood and enjoyable ride. Lots of grumpy people out there.

 

[6zfshdb]

Nothing new here. I've experienced behavior like this for as long as I've been biking. It's worse in some areas however.
I think it just emphasizes the general animosity many motorists have for cyclists.

 

[Chargeride]

I had three seperate aggressive reactions from drivers on my last ride.
I was slowing their journey by fractions of a second turning off onto bridleways.
I just point the camera at them...instant back down.

 

[Chargeride]

I had three seperate aggressive reactions from drivers on my last ride.
I was slowing their journey by fractions of a second turning off onto bridleways.
I just point the camera at them...instant back down.

99.9% of drivers leave huge gaps as they pass, give you loads of time and wave you out....so no worries

 

[Gionnirocket]

This is what your middle finger is for.

 

[Renee]

This is what your middle finger is for. View attachment 215113

Well I have used that but as a woman, even though I am on a bike and can ride fast it's probably not safe.....

 

[Chargeride]

You can get arrested in the UK for doing that to the Police, so be careful.

 

[teskow]

In all fairness there are bikers out there that put themselves in dangerous positions because they feel they have their rights and by god they are going to use them. We have way too many bicycle deaths in Tucson Arizona.

 

[Renee]

In all fairness there are bikers out there that put themselves in dangerous positions because they feel they have their rights and by god they are going to use them. We have way too many bicycle deaths in Tucson Arizona.

I agree, We are beginning to have more bicycle deaths here as well.

 

[Renee]

99.9% of drivers leave huge gaps as they pass, give you loads of time and wave you out....so no worries

Point a camera? Good heavens I am not that capable.

 

[stompandgo]

I love riding and up until a few years ago it was relaxing. But lately I have had drivers and others point out my shortcomings. Yesterday I am about 25 feet from an intersection and a truck stops to let me cross and I say thank you to his open window and he says. "You're suppose to walk your bike across. " If I had gotten to the crosswalk and then gotten off the bike he would have had to wait even longer. Not a sign about that anywhere BTW. The same thing happened a few months ago my husband was at the crosswalk, I hadn't arrived there yet but was close and a car stops and we then cross. The guy yells "you're suppose to push the crossing signal" Last year at a cross walk we were crossing a street on a newly paved bike trail and the woman yells out her window "That trails not open yet." No it wasn't officially but lots of people were there. Technically we were trespassing with everyone else but is that so important to her? Is this the new age of policing the public by the public now. There went my good mood and enjoyable ride. Lots of grumpy people out there.

"Walk your bike across" is the new "He wasn't wearing a helmet". When I ride the CCRT to the end, there are at least 20, probably 25 crossings each way. Like you said, I can either be the good doobie and walk my bike across, which will take 15-20 seconds, or ride across, which will take 3 seconds. As long as the drivers at the crossing acknowledge me, I'll get through before they've come to a stop, and all is right with the world.

I understand the intent of the regulation. It is supposed to prevent riders from blowing through without looking, which is the #1 driver issue at these crossings. It's the inconsiderate and reckless riders that brought this stupid regulation on.

 

[Renee]

"Walk your bike across" is the new "He wasn't wearing a helmet". When I ride the CCRT to the end, there are at least 20, probably 25 crossings each way. Like you said, I can either be the good doobie and walk my bike across, which will take 15-20 seconds, or ride across, which will take 3 seconds. As long as the drivers at the crossing acknowledge me, I'll get through before they've come to a stop, and all is right with the world.

I understand the intent of the regulation. It is supposed to prevent riders from blowing through without looking, which is the #1 driver issue at these crossings. It's the inconsiderate and reckless riders that brought this stupid regulation on.

I don't have a problem with the regulation and it's essentially my choice should I choose to ignore it. But I hate this trend for others to think they can tell me what to do or let me know of the rules when they see them not being followed. BTW there is no signage that says walk your bike on this trails intersections. And of course they have a right to say what ever they want to me but it's just so prevalent. People minding other peoples buisness. He was able to travel on faster because I got across the intersection faster especially since I was not even at the crosswalk when he stopped. I could have been stopping at the bench there and he would have stopped for nothing. I think he might have been even more upset had I stopped at the crosswalk, gotten off my bike and walked. But he was stopped so when I got to the crosswalk I just went as a courtesy to him rather than make him wait even more......

 

[Chargeride]

Point a camera? Good heavens I am not that capable.

Well Im already holding a gopro, so its not hard

 

[stompandgo]

I don't have a problem with the regulation and it's essentially my choice should I choose to ignore it. But I hate this trend for others to think they can tell me what to do or let me know of the rules when they see them not being followed. BTW there is no signage that says walk your bike on this trails intersections. And of course they have a right to say what ever they want to me but it's just so prevalent. People minding other peoples buisness. He was able to travel on faster because I got across the intersection faster especially since I was not even at the crosswalk when he stopped. I could have been stopping at the bench there and he would have stopped for nothing. I think he might have been even more upset had I stopped at the crosswalk, gotten off my bike and walked. But he was stopped so when I got to the crosswalk I just went as a courtesy to him rather than make him wait even more......

About half of the crossings on the CCRT have warning flashers in the road for vehicles, and huge "Walk your bike" signs on the trail sides.

 

[Chargeride]

Walk your bike signs, anyone bothering to get off and walk in the UK would hear Nelsons..'ha..ha' if they did that.

 

[6zfshdb]

This is what your middle finger is for. View attachment 215113

I used to do that a lot in my younger years. Now days, you never know what the other guy will do. Especially someone driving a vehicle 25X heavier than yours. Whoops.... "Gee officer, I didn't even see him"

 

[Renee]

I used to do that a lot in my younger years. Now days, you never know what the other guy will do. Especially someone driving a vehicle 25X heavier than yours. Whoops.... "Gee officer, I didn't even see him"

I have always been a nervous nellie when it comes to crossing streets. I think it stems from walking to school in first grade and my neighbor who walked with us would dash across the street in front of cars before we got to the crossing guard. I was horrified. I also don't stop on train tracks ever at a stop light in my car, on my bike or on my motorcycle. Makes my hubby crazy.

 

[McApple]

Here in The North Woods, things are pretty straightforward. When I'm on a rail-trail going through a town and have to cross a street, I slow down and check for traffic. If there are vehicles approaching, I stop, wait until the path is clear, then ride across the street; there are no signs, or crosswalk signals.

Well over 50% of the time, as I am waiting for traffic to clear, the approaching vehicle(s) will stop and give me the right of way. As I ride across, there are smiles and waves from all sides....Canada Eh.

 

[Marcela]

Kind of like playing baseball. If you are batting .500, it is a hit and miss, some people will connect, others need an outlet for their fear and anger, their theory strike first lest thee be striked upon. Don't take it serious and don't let it effect the freedom and fun you are experiencing. It can be a doggy downer but the connects can outweigh that. Good luck.

 

[teskow]

I grew up very near the border in Minnisota & Wisconsin. Yep everybody greeted everybody like they know you with a friendly smile, wave or hello.