Cyclists are the bane of the planet

I don't think cyclists should use the full lane, but it is the responsibility of passing car to make a safe pass and that usually isn't possible until a place you would pass a car (passing zone) using the full lane.

Cyclists aren't a motor vehicle. Maryland may be different than most states, but most states use most roadways for all traffic, just happens cars are the most frequent and popular. For instance, pretty common to have tractor traffic in our area that moves slower than cyclists and takes up more room.

I don't want to kill or hurt them!

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exactly! Go read your quote just above from this thread earlier!!!

 

that's not a 2 lane road. right lane is turn only from what I see. if cyclists were going straight they needed to be in the lane. also appears no shoulder or room for car to safely pass until after light. cars would attempt "stupid" passes, so often situation like this you take up entire lane to save them from themselves and also safer for you.

I've got a great story from ride last week that shows how stupid majority of drivers are with cyclists, but I will let this play out first.

 

I agree, cycling is the one thing in my life so far where i gave up on being right in the name of safety. that is rare as I'm very righteous person and willing to die for many righteous things. however, i learned how stupid the majority of drivers are and decided it wouldn't be "smart" for me to die at hands of someone stupid in the name of righteousness.

 

when I got hit by car it was a left hand turn only lane, I had no choice unless I stayed to far right and then at intersection cut across 3 lanes of traffic going each way. I could have received a moving violation for trying that. so with single turn lane I stayed in middle of lane as no shoulder or anywhere to pass and just 25 yards to the intersection. girl hit me square in the back totaled bike, major bruising and rash, still have back problems from it.
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I will save you from the skin pics, but it was pretty bad.

 

OK, here is my story how much of a disconnect between motorists and cyclists.

Texas Motor Speedway has a 5 mile loop around the outside that is a great cycling road a little shoulder and 2 lanes going each direction with light traffic.

There are 2 intersections that are 4-way stops. The track put up big signs before the stops that warn cyclists must come to a complete stop.

I was riding the loop and would come to a complete stop each time, over 80 minutes I encountered 20 cars at the same 4-way stop as me. Do you know how many came to a complete stop? ZERO!!!

I can guarantee almost every car would also complain if the cyclist didn't come to a complete stop. Just like every 4-way stop the person who comes to complete stop first gets to go first, since no one was coming to complete stop I had the right away every time. so then cars had to wait for me to get going from a complete stop and cross 4 lanes of traffic before they could then go.

I was fine with it, but just perfect example how cars have a wrong perspective. what, no signs warning cars must come to complete stop?

 

yep, I think the willingness to fight and die for what you believe in is missing in too many men these days, but I think it takes a higher form of intelligence and restraint not to die for stupid things.

 

don't blame yourself, 75% of Americans don't know how to drive. they don't understand how 4-way stops work, roundabouts, they drive in left lane on highway, don't use blinkers, and don't understand 2-turn lanes staying in proper lane.

so on 4-ways most of your problems were probably few doing it right to begin with.

rule 1 - whoever gets to line first goes first, complete stop. if you are 2nd or 3rd in line you don't worry about the order until you actually get to front. When that crowded often you just alternate.

rule 2 - if you come to stop about same time, the person on your right has the right away.

rule 3 - if the car coming the other direction has right away and not turning, then you can go too.

rule 4 - if someone goes out of turn then honk at them and flip them off.

 

it is kind of like the onramp, better to be aggressive and wrong and than timid and wrong. if you show any hesitation when your turn, then everyone will jump in front.

we have a good one by our house, I have been meaning to go film it during rush hour.