The cyclists I’ve encountered all seem to be arrogant and self-righteous (“I ride a bike so I’m better than you.”) They run traffic lights and stop signs, ride on sidewalks, pass cars on single-lane streets and don’t obey traffic laws in general.
I would never try to deliberately hit one, but I have little sympathy when they get hurt. Bicycles are just glorified toys. They should not be allowed on public roads.
I find you attitude appalling. Perhaps you should ride a bicycle for a while to get another perspective. Try commuting to your work, or some other place you go regularly, one day per week. It is a healthful thing to do.
I commuted about 200 miles per week on a bicycle for about a year, and also rode 100-200 miles for recreation every weekend, during that time. I am also an avid motorcyclist, and I have been known to put nearly 50,000 miles on a motorcycle in one year.
I certainly saw plenty of irresponsible behavior by some other bicyclists, and I can understand why people in cars sometimes get upset.
I understand that the state of California has passed a law that motorists must give all bicyclist a minimum of 3 feet of clearance when passing them. As California goes, so does the rest of the US. Perhaps this will become the standard in the future in most states.
I have been hit twice by vehicles, while riding a bicycle. In both cases the driver was cited by the police. In one case I collected about $250,000 by suing the driver. Many bicyclists and moto riders are now wearing gopro cameras on their helmets to document the behavior of motorists in case they have an accident.
My average speed on a road bike would normally be around 25 mph, with a top speed on a ride of about 50 mph. Frequently, I would make eye contact with a stopped driver, when I had the right of way. Sometimes the drive would even nod an acknowledgement, and then pull in front of me. One thing that many motorists are not aware of is that a smaller object at the same velocity appears to be moving slower than a larger object at that velocity. So, while the prudent driver would not cut another car traveling at 25-30 mph, they will think nothing of doing that to a bicycle.
One problem that a bicyclist faces is that a braking efficiency is a function of tire contact with the road. Bicycle tires are designed to minimize rolling resistance, which usually means minimizing the contact area of the tire on the road. Bicycles do not stop as quickly as you might expect. Please keep this in mind, when you encounter a moving bicycle.
I once watched a bicycle club running a stop sign on a Sunday morning. There were probably 100 riders. Of course, they should not have been running the stop. There was a driver waiting at the stop sign, and obviously growing impatient. Suddenly, she decided to pull out into the street. At least six cyclists piled up into the side of her car. I rushed over to assist. There were at least three broken bones, possibly more. The drive was handcuffed and arrested for “assault with a deadly weapon”. Even though the cyclists should not have been running the stop sign. She was at fault for proceeding before it was safe to do so. Because she intentionally pulled in front of the moving cyclists, she was charged with a felony.
Keep in mind that a cyclist has the same right to the road as any automobile. In fact, if a cyclist decides to move out into the traffic lane, there may be a good reason which you are not aware of. An approaching intersection may be particularly hazardous for a cyclist, in ways which you would not be aware of in a car. There may be glass or potholes on the side of the road where the cyclist would prefer to ride… just to name a couple of reasons.
