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Old 04-27-2009, 06:01 AM   #23 (permalink)
The_Jazz
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Location: Chicago
Quote:
Originally Posted by JumpinJesus View Post
I agree that there is a lack of respect for cyclists out there. However I don't believe it's simply a matter of car drivers disrespecting cyclists. It's simply a matter of people not respecting others in general.
This is what I was here to say and JJ, you just beat me too it and said it well.

We've all been assholes at some point, and sometimes we expect that the rules don't apply to us because of our particular situation. It would be nice to say that we all follow the law 100% of the time, but we all know that's just not true.

Back in the day, I ran a lot. I've run in rural Iowa and only had 2 incidents involving aggressive drivers (one of which almost evolved into a fight). I've run in Southern California with no incidents beyonds being heckled by some kids. I've been hit by cars once in Tennessee (7 stitches) and Illinois (twice, both with cars coming out of alleys) and by a bike once in Illinois (he definitely got the worst of it since I ran on and he took an ambulance to the hospital with at least a broken collarbone). Of those 6 incidents, I was at fault twice (I was being a dickhead in IA and I was jaywalking in TN). In all of them, I was insanely lucky I wasn't injured or injured more seriously. One of the reasons that I wasn't is that I always try to be aware of my surroundings, even when I'm in the middle of nowhere or if I'm behind the wheel.

Pedestrians in a cross-walk ALWAYS have the right of way, especially if there's no light (in Illinois anyway - your state may be different but probably not). There are no exceptions. If they're off the sidewalk and in the cross-walk, you have to stop, whether you're on a bike or in a car. I'll admit that I don't always stop at stop signs when I'm on my bike, but I do if there's another car in the intersection. And having been in the receiving end, I make damn sure I know where the bikers are when I'm driving or getting ready to get out of my parallel-parked car.

I can only be responsible for me. If others on the road can't do the same, I just make note of them and stay as far aways as possible. And I avoid as many surprises as possible.
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