Topic: What is it with people?

[Angry Chicken]

I posted this in Two-wheeled toys in a thread about bike commuting, but I just need to get this off my chest.  Brigitte, I'll understand if you move this to "Moan and Whine".  /Eric

Well I made it both ways today.  I got soaked to the skin on the way in, in a sudden and apocalyptic rain storm.  The weather forecast said there was a 30% possibility of rain.  I felt 100% soaked so it must've been off!   

The route in to work was 15.6 km according to Google Maps. I had to take a detour on the way home because the perilous, narrow, no-shoulder construction zone which snakes its way out of Manotick to Prince of Wales is one-way.  This added another 1 km to my return trip, so 16.6 km on that leg.  All told, 32.2 km.  Not a bad ride.

Link to my route here:  http://tinyurl.com/p7mpqf  (close enough anyway....no need to know where I work!)

Saw the aftermath of a bike/car collision at the corner of Woodroffe and Prince of Wales on the way home.  Cyclist was sitting on a paved median looking groggy, helmet still on with road raspberries on both legs.  The car involved (late model white Toyota Corolla) looks to have pulled into the cyclist while trying to merge on to Prince of Wales southbound at Woodroffe.  She pulled a U-turn onto the opposite shoulder and looks to have lost her LR wheelcover, which she was collecting out of the ditch as the first-responder firetruck was arriving.  Seems pretty callous.  Collecting your stupid hubcap while buddy's bleeding on the road.

[dorin]

Well, showing concern for the cyclist might be construed as admitting fault you know...  Plusthecyclistprobablydidn'tevenbelongontheroadand thatcornergetssobusyandit'sconfusingwithsomeoneonthebikearound especiallywhenyou'retalkingonthephoneandyou'reinahurrytogethomeandstuff...

[tpl]

I've met her !!     

[rrocket]

It's tough to say, since you just rolled onto the scene.  It's possible she talked to the cyclist and he told her "Give me a few minutes...I'm groggy and need to clear my head" or perhaps "I'm OK...but GTF away from me you stupid ^%$&*".  I've been there (high speed get-off at the track).  Also, the rate at which the police arrive is sometime SLOOOOW.  Here in Windsor unless you say someone is seriously injured, expect to wait close to an hour.  So with the cyclist recovering and with nothing else to do...maybe she was just picking her stuff up.  Who knows.....

[Angry Chicken]

It's tough to say, since you just rolled onto the scene.  It's possible she talked to the cyclist and he told her "Give me a few minutes...I'm groggy and need to clear my head" or perhaps "I'm OK...but GTF away from me you stupid ^%$&*".  I've been there (high speed get-off at the track).  Also, the rate at which the police arrive is sometime SLOOOOW.  Here in Windsor unless you say someone is seriously injured, expect to wait close to an hour.  So with the cyclist recovering and with nothing else to do...maybe she was just picking her stuff up.  Who knows.....

Or maybe, "The last time I smoked a cyclist I lost a hubcap and my husband told me that next time it happened not to bother coming home unless I found it because they're very expensive."

....OK...you're probably right.  Though you've gotta admit that the optics are pretty poor here.  Of course, my optics were adjusted to the "defend the cyclist" mode.

[rrocket]

....OK...you're probably right.  Though you've gotta admit that the optics are pretty poor here.  Of course, my optics were adjusted to the "defend the cyclist" mode.

I know.     But put yourself in the cyclist situation.  If someone just blasted you off the road, how much of a Chatty Cathy would you be with the person in the car?  Trust me...I know.  I've been there!!   

[Angry Chicken]

Well, showing concern for the cyclist might be construed as admitting fault you know...  Plusthecyclistprobablydidn'tevenbelongontheroadand thatcornergetssobusyandit'sconfusingwithsomeoneonthebikearound especiallywhenyou'retalkingonthephoneandyou'reinahurrytogethomeandstuff...

I know where you're coming from.  I've been biking for a long time and I've got to say that drivers are getting way more inattentive.  Just this morning I got pushed onto the shoulder by someone texting and driving while driving slowly through a construction zone.  Blonde valley girl in a blue convertible VW punch buggy.  Same colour as Dr_Spock's actually.  Where's that air horn?! 

I try to laugh it off, though.  Otherwise I'm going to get so freakin' mad that I'll have a coronary.  Cycling's supposed to be good for your health!

[quadzilla]

On my ride after work I almost got hit by a new Mazda3 on a test drive as she rolled through the stop sign too far. I debated dragging my cleat across the hood of the car and saying FU. Of course, the self defense kicks in and I avoided getting hit.

It goes both ways though. I see both cyclist and cars making really stupid moves. This week I almost took out a cyclist on the phone.

Then there are just people that can't look both ways when walking across the road/path. Or parents that let their kids run where ever they want. Or dog owners that think Fifi needs to be on a 20 foot lead.

There are idiots where ever you look.

I saw a guy get taken out by a dog one night and he was furious at the owner and I stepped in to help try calm him down. I think he would have torn the guy apart. Then again, once the idiot said the dog is on a leash (he was not holding it though) I almost wanted to stick my foot up his ass also.

[mmret]

Of course, my optics were adjusted to the "defend the cyclist" mode.

Yes. What is up with people.

[Angry Chicken]

Of course, my optics were adjusted to the "defend the cyclist" mode.

Yes. What is up with people.

Yup.  Brigitte?  Could you please move this over to Moan & Whine?  I'm embarassed.   /Eric

[Brigitte]

Okey dokey... 

[Cortina]

You got to remember that when you ride a bike, or any two wheeler your invisible. Especially in Canada. In most parts of Europe we are very used to bicycles.