I live in NYC and it seems like almost every time I go out for a bike ride someone almost hits me with their car. And then if you call them out on it they act like it’s your fault. I can’t even get out for a bike ride to clear my head anymore. I’m so sick of it.
According to Norwegian US news coverage, the bike has nothing to do with this, it’s how NY works
Thanks! The horn is a great idea. I’ll have to think about the the go pro
@toothpicks Cars shouldn’t be allowed on roads till they can be shown to be safe.
🥰
Blame the other riders and delivery bikers for being a massive nuisance to everyone in the city.
Look what they made me do!
“other riders and delivery bikers” developed those habits out of self-defense – they are the effect, not the cause
Nah, fam, that’s entitlement. Bicyclists need to follow the same traffic laws as every other vehicle on the road. Doesn’t matter if it’s a car, a bike, a scooter, or a motorcycle, if you’re not adhering to the same traffic laws as everyone else, you’re not predictable and you’re dangerous to yourself and others on the road.
There are studies into this. Most lawbreaking by cyclsist is motivated by personal safety, though that doesn’t necessarily excuse it.
considering the rates cars like to slaughter cyclists in NYC alone, I’d say it’s fully excusable
fam
Those habits are things like running red lights. How does that qualify as self-defense. It’s the dumbest thing you can do on a bicycle.
Honestly, have you ever been to New York City? It’s like the wild West for anybody with two wheels. They feel like they’re above the law and do whatever the hell they want with zero consequences unless they get run over.
Running red lights can be safer if the junction is clear. Junctions are the places most collisions happen, including cyclists getting rearended or cars crossing across lanes without adequate checking/signallong.
I’m not advocating for running reds (I never do), but road design that sometimes makes a road user choose between doing what is legal and what is safe is a bigger problem than a few bad actors.
Incidentally, there are lots of studies about this. Most cyclists don’t run red lights and motorists are more likely overall to break trafflc laws than cyclists. EDIT: Just noticed that link’s dead. Here’s an article summarising the results of the study, instead.
Agreed. Drivers are often turning when they have the light which is dangerous because they don’t care if someone is crossing there even though the crossing pedestrians also have the light. I often feel like it would be safer to j walk as a pedestrian than to cross at the proper time.
EDIT: Don’t know why I replied to you twice, sorry about that!
Many studies have shown that motorists break more traffic laws than cyclists. This is just the first one I found.
It’s a Danish study vs NY. Anecdotally, drivers here do all sorts of fucky shit, but when a motorcycle or bike does I remember it because I go out of my way to make sure they’re safe. Even if cyclists are being chill, the few that aren’t might be remembered due to confirmation bias.
why
won’t help for clearing your head, but try hooking up with Critical Mass (you’ll at least get one day when it’s safe-ish to be on the roads)
Thanks that’s a great idea. I’ve heard of things like this but somehow never looked into the possibility that it already exists in my city.
You love in New York man, if it exists it can be found there. Best of luck out on the roads!
See if your local cycling groups do a commuter “bike bus” as well. There’s one in Chicago that’s become very popular.
Keep a hammer with you and smash their front window
The streets are a battlefield unfortunately, that much holds true in even some of the better parts of the world for cycling.
Gotta stay defensive out there, and push your local government hard for protected infrastructure. A large part of my commute is safe due to there being fully separated infrastructure.
Probably not the answer you want, but if other road users are being dangerous around you then it would be ideal to try and look out for yourself more, if at all possible.
At intersections make sure drivers can see you, when in traffic try and stay visible in their mirrors, avoid blind spots whenever you can, and try to “read” what others are doing with their car - as some won’t indicate to show their intentions. Speed is an important one too - if a driver was to righthook/cut you at an intersection, can you evade it or stop in time?
Try and adapt your riding style to a way that allows you to maintain visibility of yourself, and the environment around you on the road - drivers are protected in a metal box, but we aren’t
Edit:
The real fix for these issues is separated bike infrastructure IMO, as well as better education for drivers about people on bikes
@lemann @toothpicks Most of my closest calls have been on well lit days, wearing bold visible clothes, at intersections with excellent visibility.
Drivers don’t look where they are going.
@cerement Oh, you attached an image. Those don’t federate :(
They don’t? I’m on sh.itjust.works and can see the image just fine.
@threelonmusketeers Not to Mastodon :(
(Although I can’t find anything discussing that limitation)
Thanks. Maybe I’ll try to get better at it. But usually it just makes me less likely to take the bike out at all. I usually end up just getting more stressed when I bike so idk if it’s worth it right now
I’ve never lived in NYC, but that’s NYC for you.
Is there somewhere else you recommend?
Find some bike trails in your area. Might have to drive a ways, but if you can transport your bike out of the city proper, you might find some bike-safe places to ride.