Bikers on Roads

anticyclonic

Member
Mar 8, 2007
752
23
18
Lake Rathbun
How's this. Bikers continue to ride on country roads, and cars start driving on bike paths. Afterall, so many people in this thread are into making comparisons that show how biking is so much more beneficial and how motorists are major ********, why not make that comparison?

They did catch a little old lady doing this on the ISU campus in 1989 or so, she got confused with the wide pathways and ramp access show she started driving them.
 

redrocker

Well-Known Member
Sep 5, 2006
2,245
56
48
Ames - West-CY'd
They did catch a little old lady doing this on the ISU campus in 1989 or so, she got confused with the wide pathways and ramp access show she started driving them.

I have seen a couple of cars drive up the side walk that is right by music hall and carver. The one that goes up the hill at the 3 way stop.:wideeyed:
 

GoShow97

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2006
1,843
86
48
homeless
This update just in.

Cars still remain undefeated against bikes when the two collide. :notworthy:

Experts predict with 100% certainty that autos will remane unbeatable. :wideeyed:

Tragically, the last words of bicyclist still remain..........."But I have rights, damn it. :eek:

So tell me what good do rights do when you are squished like a bug. :confused:
 

Clonegrad07

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2008
2,463
109
63
North Carolina
Simmer down there Mr. Biker. Nobody is saying this is the guy's fault, nor are we saying we'd like to run people over. What we are saying is that country roads are unsafe for bikers for a multitude of reasons. Not to mention, very frustrating to get stuck behind a group of bikers going 40 mph slower. I'm sorry, but there are other places you can ride that doesn't impede the vast majority of people.

How's this. Bikers continue to ride on country roads, and cars start driving on bike paths. Afterall, so many people in this thread are into making comparisons that show how biking is so much more beneficial and how motorists are major ********, why not make that comparison?

Yeah, I like that. The distance between point A and point B has gotten significantly shorter for motorists!

You really just don't get it. You can see far enough on country roads to react to what is in front of you. If you can't, you're driving too fast. Bikes have the same rights to be on those roads and there is FAR less traffic on country roads than on city roads. Thus, they're holding up a much SMALLER amount of people on country roads. Slow down, stop being a *******, and learn to share like they teach you in kindergarten.
 
  • Like
Reactions: clones_jer

Phaedrus

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2008
5,110
311
83
Khorasan
This update just in.

Cars still remain undefeated against bikes when the two collide. :notworthy:

Experts predict with 100% certainty that autos will remane unbeatable. :wideeyed:

Tragically, the last words of bicyclist still remain..........."But I have rights, damn it. :eek:

So tell me what good do rights do when you are squished like a bug. :confused:

And, since car drivers STILL don't have God-like perfection and foreknowledge, bicyclists STILL are taking on risk by riding on country roads.

There are things both sides can do to alleviate the risk, but I just don't "get" bicyclists who stubbornly dig in and refuse to "because they have an equal right to the road dagnabit!"

Actually, I am a meticulous driver who not only drives the speed limit, but I slow for conditions. And always stops at signs, uses signals, exercizes caution, and I STILL have close-calls with bicyclists now and again. Which scares me and ticks me off.
 

redrocker

Well-Known Member
Sep 5, 2006
2,245
56
48
Ames - West-CY'd
Last summer at my grandfather's funeral, (he was not on a bicycle) I was riding to the cemetary with the funeral home director, and some cars pulled out in front of the percessional. I asked if people still pull over or just ignore funerals. He made a comment to me that I think pertains to this thread.

"People used to have Respect, now they have Rights."

I am not a big fan of bicycles on the narrow county roads, but I would never crowd their space or lay on the horn at them. I RESPECT their right to want to live. If it takes me an extra 10 - 20 seconds out of my day so be it. Better than taking someone's life.
 

Phaedrus

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2008
5,110
311
83
Khorasan
You really just don't get it. You can see far enough on country roads to react to what is in front of you. If you can't, you're driving too fast. Bikes have the same rights to be on those roads and there is FAR less traffic on country roads than on city roads. Thus, they're holding up a much SMALLER amount of people on country roads. Slow down, stop being a *******, and learn to share like they teach you in kindergarten.

This also ticks me off.

But it ignores human nature. When humans have less need for precision, they exercize less precise thinking. Empty country roads lead to complacency, which leads to problems.
 

alaskaguy

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
10,203
220
63
I can understand why automobile drivers believe that bicyclists are jerks. Some are.

But so are some of the automobile drivers. Most automobile drivers that are not also bicyclists are in denial. They don't have any idea how many drivers recklessly endanger the life of bicylists.

Unless you are a bicyclist yourself, you would not be privy to the actions and number of drivers that are total jerk-offs.

Perspective is in order here and the only way you gain it is through experience (both as a driver and bicyclist).
 
  • Like
Reactions: becrisgreg

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,605
5,945
113
50131
You really just don't get it. You can see far enough on country roads to react to what is in front of you. If you can't, you're driving too fast.

I'm happy you've done this research on county roads in Iowa. Maybe the DOT or someone should pay you.
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,605
5,945
113
50131
I sure hope there's not a bike on the other side of this hill.

c
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,605
5,945
113
50131
Here is some good info on riding bikes. It's sounds to me like people dying on bikes is a little over-hyped.

Is Cycling Dangerous? -- The Risk of Bicycle Use -- Accidents, Fatalities, Injuries, and Benefits

The crazy thing is that this guy actually died on a bike.


  1. 5.1% The bicyclist exited a driveway in front of an on-coming vehicle.
  2. 4.3% The bicyclist turned left in front of a passing vehicle.
  3. 3.9% The motorist was overtaking the bicyclist, cause of the accident unclear.
  4. 2.7% The bicyclist was struck while traveling on the wrong (left) side of the road.
  5. 1.4% The bicyclist, on the wrong side, turned right in front of a vehicle.
  6. 1.3% The motorist was overtaking the bicyclist and failed to see him.
  7. 1.2% The bicyclist lost control and swerved into the path of the vehicle.
  8. .8% The bicyclist made a normal left turn but ignored on-coming traffic.
  9. .6% The motorist lost control of the car and struck the bicyclist.
  10. .5% The motorist struck a play vehicle (big wheel, bike with training wheels).
 

Ms3r4ISU

Me: Mea culpa. Also me: Sine cura sis.
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
May 7, 2008
12,916
8,464
113
Ames
Maybe best of all (or worst), at least some of the thoughts and opinions expressed in this thread will likely come to mind the next time I encounter a bicyclist while I'm driving or riding in a vehicle. Maybe to you, too.
 

CyinCo

Well-Known Member
Mar 24, 2006
5,745
254
63
Clive, IA
I sure hope there's not a bike on the other side of this hill.

c

I don't get it. So "hope" is your driving strategy? Not only should you "hope" there isn't a bicycle on the other side of that hill, you should also "hope" there isn't a slow moving vechicle, a stopped vehicle (turning for example), a jogger, a deer, etc. It is called defensive driving. You are the only person in control of the vehicle you are driving. Hoping others are out of your way isn't a safe driving strategy.
 

GoShow97

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2006
1,843
86
48
homeless
Here is some good info on riding bikes. It's sounds to me like people dying on bikes is a little over-hyped.

Is Cycling Dangerous? -- The Risk of Bicycle Use -- Accidents, Fatalities, Injuries, and Benefits

The crazy thing is that this guy actually died on a bike.


  1. 5.1% The bicyclist exited a driveway in front of an on-coming vehicle.
  2. 4.3% The bicyclist turned left in front of a passing vehicle.
  3. 3.9% The motorist was overtaking the bicyclist, cause of the accident unclear.
  4. 2.7% The bicyclist was struck while traveling on the wrong (left) side of the road.
  5. 1.4% The bicyclist, on the wrong side, turned right in front of a vehicle.
  6. 1.3% The motorist was overtaking the bicyclist and failed to see him.
  7. 1.2% The bicyclist lost control and swerved into the path of the vehicle.
  8. .8% The bicyclist made a normal left turn but ignored on-coming traffic.
  9. .6% The motorist lost control of the car and struck the bicyclist.
  10. .5% The motorist struck a play vehicle (big wheel, bike with training wheels).

But.....but......How can this be? Bicyclist have rights.
 

flyhighcy

Member
Aug 7, 2006
233
6
18
BTW-I don't think people should ride close to bicycles or intentionally do anything to danger them. I'm just saying that by riding a bike at 15mph on a 55mph road you're putting yourself at a lot more risk. I know from my experience I've went over a hill at the speed limit and had to jam on my brakes to avoid bicycles. If I would have been 20 seconds earlier there is a good chance I would have hit them.
Limit bikes to slower roads? As someone who puts 7000 miles on a bike per year I am going to have to say this is the dimmist idea I have heard. Restricting bikes to low speed traffic means they will be in places where there is more traffic. The reason why most roads are at a lower limit is because they are inside urban areas or towns. Hint that is where MOST of the cars are. Get your facts straight. Over half of the cyclists inour state live in areas that either have extremely heavy auto traffic on the slower speed zones or extremely sparse traffic on the remote county roads. In my 25 years of cycling (which includes competitive cycling) the only times I have nearly been taken out was inside urban city limits and the roads surrounding the edge of larger towns like Iowa City and Ames. Riding in the remote county roads is the safest place for a cyclist. the Key is the time of day and the method. One thing is common in my experience...URban and suburban motorists are by far the abosolute worst in regards of how they treat cyclists. Most farmers are just fine. Grain Trucks can be troublesome..anhydrous tanks are an absolute death trap. They sway and swerve all over the road. But I NEVER seen a farmer drive with a tank at a high rate of speed. The comment about riding on the sidewalk was moronic. Its against the law in most towns to ride on the sidewalk in downtown areas. it is also an invitation for a broken neck. The only way to make anti cyclists happy is to outlaw bikes. Especially children.. No more kids bikes.
 

BigBake

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2006
6,768
628
113
50
U'dale
Let's see...how many of the recent spat of biking accidents were a result of the cyclist breaking a law? None, it's been the driver doing something illegal.

Reminds me of the fellow west of Des Moines that plowed thru two bikers ona FLAT, not a cloud in the sky day. Police report indicated he never even hit his brakes. He was also legally blind and should not have been driving.

Now, how different do you all feel if he had plowed over Mom and her two daughters driving their car but slowing down for a turn???
 

dmclone

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
21,605
5,945
113
50131
Limit bikes to slower roads? As someone who puts 7000 miles on a bike per year I am going to have to say this is the dimmist idea I have heard.

So I assume that you think that bicycles should be allowed on the roads like I-235(interstates)? If not, why?

BTW-I drive 20K miles a year in my car.
 

BigBake

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2006
6,768
628
113
50
U'dale
Plain and simple.

You agreed to operate your motor vehicle in a safe manner, respect other drivers and obey all laws when you got a license. If you can't do that then kindly go back down to your local DOT office and turn it back in!