Bike helmets are designed for impact speeds of 20 km/hr or less. Not exactly useful on a freeway.

Blotto?



/Hot like Olive Oyl

Twice Banned: detroitdoesntsuckthatbad: moops: BICYCLE RIGHTS!

[28.media.tumblr.com image 500x280]

I'm sure bikeportland.org will have a nice unbiased piece about this at some point.

What do people in Portland think about the show in general. They're poking fun at people who notoriously don't have a sense of humor -- well, when it comes to themselves, anyways.

From the people I know those of us in the city limits love it. The suburban people who hate Portland proper hate it like anything else Portland related. It seems like the weirder someone is, the more they love it. My friend who is a pet massuse is probably the biggest fan I know.

theMagni: Sigh, this again.

When you're biking in traffic, cars always have the right of way.

If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by a couple of tons and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

If you're driving a standard car in traffic, a semi always has the right of way
If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by 77,000 lbs and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

"Cars always have the right of way" is BS.
Deal with it.

/yes, a lot of cyclists are idiots
//yes, a lot of motorists are idiots

This could be reduced down to one statement:

Please do not bike on NYC's Brooklyn-Queens EXPRESSWAY... especially without a helmet, especially during rush hour, especially in the middle of the lanes, and most especially while you're blotto

davidphogan: Twice Banned: detroitdoesntsuckthatbad: moops: BICYCLE RIGHTS!

[28.media.tumblr.com image 500x280]

I'm sure bikeportland.org will have a nice unbiased piece about this at some point.

What do people in Portland think about the show in general. They're poking fun at people who notoriously don't have a sense of humor -- well, when it comes to themselves, anyways.

From the people I know those of us in the city limits love it. The suburban people who hate Portland proper hate it like anything else Portland related. It seems like the weirder someone is, the more they love it. My friend who is a pet massuse is probably the biggest fan I know.

That's good to know. I could see that some locals wouldn't take it so lightly. But I guess if the mayor makes appearances. it's not offending enough to hurt a political career

Twice Banned: davidphogan: Twice Banned: detroitdoesntsuckthatbad: moops: BICYCLE RIGHTS!

[28.media.tumblr.com image 500x280]

I'm sure bikeportland.org will have a nice unbiased piece about this at some point.

What do people in Portland think about the show in general. They're poking fun at people who notoriously don't have a sense of humor -- well, when it comes to themselves, anyways.

From the people I know those of us in the city limits love it. The suburban people who hate Portland proper hate it like anything else Portland related. It seems like the weirder someone is, the more they love it. My friend who is a pet massuse is probably the biggest fan I know.

That's good to know. I could see that some locals wouldn't take it so lightly. But I guess if the mayor makes appearances. it's not offending enough to hurt a political career

The mayor already had no political career ahead of him before Portlandia. He's survived multiple recalls but isn't running for re-election because he was busted for making out with an underage intern in a basement bathroom in City Hall.

I assume he'll either end up working as an actor or bicycle advocate after his replacement is elected in November. They're both Portlandia material themselves. (One quit mid-term as a city council member to sell streetcars while dodging Oregon taxes, the other is a Harvard educated lawyer who has a terrible driving record and a history of punching people in the balls during friendly basketball games. POTLANDIA!)

susler: Brap can confirm but that appears to be northbound between Tillary St. & Flushing Ave.

If so, I call shenanigans on the story. There's no way there are that few cars at 6:15 pm.

Not even on a Sunday. BQE is a total piece of crap. For sheer WTF-were-they-thinking, I always recommend the Kew Gardens interchange during rush hour.

YouPeopleAreCrazy: theMagni: Sigh, this again.

When you're biking in traffic, cars always have the right of way.

If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by a couple of tons and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

If you're driving a standard car in traffic, a semi always has the right of way
If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by 77,000 lbs and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

"Cars always have the right of way" is BS.
Deal with it.

/yes, a lot of cyclists are idiots
//yes, a lot of motorists are idiots

way to miss the point.
just because you're "technically correct" doesn't reverse your traumatic brain injury. if you choose to assert your "right to the road" and some soccer mom on her cell phone behind the wheel of her H2 doesn't happen to notice you asserting your rights... you will still pay a much higher price than she will.

YouPeopleAreCrazy: In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

But you can't ride them on the expressway, because your ass can't pedal hard enough to go 65 mph.

Likewise, your body does not have airbags to prevent you from dying when you play chicken with a woman that is eating a bagel with one hand, talking on the phone with the other, and steering with her knee.

/Some things are more equal then others.

YouPeopleAreCrazy: theMagni: Sigh, this again.

When you're biking in traffic, cars always have the right of way.

If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by a couple of tons and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

If you're driving a standard car in traffic, a semi always has the right of way
If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by 77,000 lbs and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

"Cars always have the right of way" is BS.
Deal with it.

/yes, a lot of cyclists are idiots
//yes, a lot of motorists are idiots

On the BQE cars and trucks absolutely have the right of way. Bikes have ZERO right to anything on that piece of road. NothIng, nada.

And no one would cast doubt for a second it was the cyclists fault when he/ were crushed under the wheels of a motorized vehicle. Even if the driver that killed the person was tripping balls on angel dust the only crime would have been the DUI. I cannot imagine a "manslaughter" charge could ever stick.


That pic is either fake, a person committing suicide or someone with better luck than a lottery winner.

A major amount of the BQE is elevated so if you commit to bringing a bike up there you have to stick it out at least one exit. The worst part about that road is not having alternatives,once you commit to taking it your at the mercy of whatever traffic brings to bear.

Please do not bike on ANY street that's made for cars. Stay on the sidewalk where you belong.

If you go cycling on the BQE you either have a death wish or are so stupid no one should pity your demise. End of story.

moops: BICYCLE RIGHTS!

I always live cyclists arguing this, I simply explain to them this simple math problem:

Object A weighs 250lbs, object B weighs 2500lbs. Which object should be more cautious of their surroundings?

Stay the fark off the road during rush hour and quit blocking cars assholes.

YouPeopleAreCrazy

"If you're driving a standard car in traffic, a semi always has the right of way
If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by 77,000 lbs and is made out of steel. Bad Times."


Uhh...correct? You said it as if to be sarcastic or reverse the original point, but if anything, you just supported it. While I drive down the highway in my car, I give extra attention to any semis in my vicinity; whether it's my fault or theirs, if their monstrosity hits into me, I'm royally farked. Hence, I'm quite careful of them. This also applies for bikes --> cars, regardless of whatever equality drivel you want to espouse.

Physics > Law
Semi > SUV/Truck > Car > Bike

Deal with it.

steamingpile: moops: BICYCLE RIGHTS!

I always live cyclists arguing this, I simply explain to them this simple math problem:

Object A weighs 250lbs, object B weighs 2500lbs. Which object should be more cautious of their surroundings?

Stay the fark off the road during rush hour and quit blocking cars assholes.

What you're not getting is that size =/= right. If that were true schoolyard bullies would ALWAYS be in the right. They're not. They're just bigger and can get their way.

Legally for the most part bikes have just as much of a right to roadways as cars and semis. Anyone who believes differently is quite simply in the wrong. In Midtown Manhattan, quite honestly, it is often safer, and legal and actually recommended at times. Don't believe me? Go to the link below and scroll to page 13.

Don't like that? Email the mayor.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/dot_bikesmart_brochure.pdf

That having been said, common sense, courtesy and a general understanding of physics/safety do apply. If you are in a car in the city it's a good idea to watch for bikes. And yes, bikers should be careful and follow the rules. That does NOT translate into "guy in car is always right." Particularly if the guy in a car is some meathead parked in an East Village bike lane on a Saturday night (I'm looking at you, NJ SUV drivers.)

And finally: guy in TFA = teh stoopid. Bikes are not allowed on BQE for very good reason. It's one of the few roads in the city where that's the case. It's suicidal.

I forgot to hyperlink the URL.

Ooops. Apologies.

As penance I'll go take a ride on BQE.

YouPeopleAreCrazy: theMagni: Sigh, this again.

When you're biking in traffic, cars always have the right of way.

If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by a couple of tons and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

If you're driving a standard car in traffic, a semi always has the right of way
If you got into a fight with a guy that outweighed you by, say, 20 pounds, you're going to have a bad time. Now imagine that guy outweighs you by 77,000 lbs and is made out of steel. Bad Times.

In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

"Cars always have the right of way" is BS.
Deal with it.

/yes, a lot of cyclists are idiots
//yes, a lot of motorists are idiots

You know what's ironic about your statement? I realize that fact and stay away from them, the difference is I can drive faster than them to get away from the issue. I really doubt any cyclist can speed up to 75mph to get away from the car, get over it you are smaller and way underpowered to be in a cars way douchebags.

WTF is a blotto?

I live near BWI airport.There is like a 25 mile bike trail around the arport, it runs parallel with the roads. Many people use it but I see alot of folks riding on the road where cars are zooming by at 60mph. Plus there are alot of semi's on this particular road system. Why in the world would you rather ride unsafely than use the trail? Drives me nuts.

Then this one time it was early mornng and still dark. I'm coming up to an intersection. About 20 feet prior to the intersection I see a teeny tiny red light barely flashing. I damn near hit the guy. Got to the intersection, and trying to be nice, I told him I couldn't see him until I almost hit him and suggested some reflective clothing or more lights on the bike. He basically told me to fark off.

funzyr: WTF is a blotto?

A blotto! WTF is it?

I speak English as my first language, and I don't have a second. I have never heard this word before. What language is it?

serial_crusher:

I probably would have too. 99% of the time people say shiat like that it's because they weren't paying attention, not because I'm not visible enough.
Anyhow, most places have laws requiring a certain amount of lighting or at least reflectors. Might be good to familiarize yourself with those laws and think back to whether or not the guy in question was adhering to them. In theory, if he was obeying the applicable laws (most places I've heard of only require a rear reflector, so an actual blinky is a step up), that would be fair proof that you were the one not paying attention (or it could just mean the laws suck).

Well, this guy had NO reflective clothing and as stated previously there was ONLY a teeny tiny red light that was kind of flashing and could hardly be seen on the back of his seat. It was pitch black out, no street lights in the area. Thankfully, I was slowing down as I was reaching an intersection so I was paying attention as the light at the intersection was red. I was concerned for his safety and that he might want to know that the little red light really couldn't be seen (like a battery was running low or something) I thought he would just like to know and not realize that he could not be seen until right on top of him. I would have been appreciative if someone informed me.

Aah, Fark cyclist hate threads, full of impotent motorist rage swaddled in faux-concern (you'll be right but you'll be dead right) for the cyclist.

Here's the thing. When I'm out riding, I can guarantee I'm more concerned for my own safety than any other person on the road. I have a wife and son to get home to, and I don't like pain. When I'm out taking the lane, it's not because I'm being arrogant. It's because I want to be seen first and foremost. I could give a fark whether I have the right to be there (but I do). The main point is, a driver might get pissed off that I'm there, but if they are pissed, then they know I'm there, which is Mission Accomplished as far as I'm concerned. I had a guy yell at me once that my lights sucked and they were too bright. Fark you. You saw me, that's all I care about.

I ride defensively, courteously, and within the law, but that doesn't mean I cower away from cars when it's safer for me to be in the lane. I slowed you down a little bit? Deal with it (sunglasses). Tour de Fark You.

You're all ignoring the real question - Did oxygen tank guy get his BJ?

Ow! That was my feelings!: enjoy...

Traffic laws aren't for bicyclists

What an idiotic article. Yes, THEY ARE. It's not up to bicyclists to decide. I've seen a lot of this mentality lately from them...this sort of "I'd follow the laws if they were more convenient" attitude. F*ck you, your feelings are irrelevant!

YouPeopleAreCrazy: In almost all places in the US, bikes are legally considered equal participants of the road system.

"Cars always have the right of way" is BS.
Deal with it.

I'd be happy if bicyclists actually subscribed to that philosophy consistently. Unfortunately, they only do so when it's convenient for them. But they won't hesitate to blow a stop sign, ride into oncoming traffic, etc. when THAT'S convenient...it's as if they think the law does not apply when they can break it safely. At least, that's how they are in Chicago. To the average pedestrian, bicyclists are as bad if not worse than the auto traffic.

What bugs me is that I was polite, didn't yell or be rude and just letting this guy know I couldn't see him until I was virtually on top of him. He's the one that responded rudely. I don't know how those lights work, but I'm assuming a battery is involved and maybe his was going bad or just needed to be replaced. If I were on the receiving end, I would have appreciated the notice and not been a total jerk.

I had a friend in the 80's who was a bike messenger in DC and was killed on the job - hit and run. Never found out who was "at fault". But regardless, when on two wheels, motorized or otherwise, I think it is in your best interest to err on the side of caution and have as much protective gear as possible. We ride BMW's and we ATGATT (all the gear all the time). Motorcycle folks run into the same problem of not being seen by other motorists. YMMV.