"I Hate Cyclists Because..."

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"I Hate Cyclists Because..."

Рет қаралды 59,014

Күн бұрын

They say never read the comments, but I'm making an exception here and going through the comments from angry motorists I've received over the years. I think it might be useful for cyclists to be armed with some of these answers, and for the 99% sane motorists to know what cyclists deal with from that hostile 1%.
Big thanks to Bike Legal to helping make sure I got this one right.
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@worstretirementever Жыл бұрын

Some of the comments here are predictable and I think missing my point. I’m less interested in trying to convert the 1% lunatic drivers out there, than I am trying to communicate to the 99% of motorists and voters how vulnerable we are to them and what can be done about it

@DavidtheDoom Жыл бұрын

I think the last point is the most humane and, without maliciously adding to the polarity of the topic, anyone disagreeing is an egoistic psychopath, more or less. Least protected participant in traffic should be given right of way. Normal asterisk applies as always. Let's build a culture of curtesy. In Sweden the sentiment is piss poor when speaking with most people when talking about road cycling but in traffic more than half are decent fortunately (yielding, giving way, keeping distance, safe overtaking etc).

@nicksalt4346 Жыл бұрын

The algorithm knows you're an angry jerk. 😂 Pure class.

@esgee3829 Жыл бұрын

nothing says i'm trying to reach across the isle like pulling a middle finger out of your pants. if this genuinely your goal, this video ain't it chief.

@unconventionalideas5683 Жыл бұрын

The reason this is true is because driving taps much more into dominance hierarchy circuitry than we realize, and that can bring out some terrible behaviors in the name of “enforcing hierarchy,” or “preserving (perceived) dignity,” and that is most unfortunate.

@cebruthius Жыл бұрын

Even in the Netherlands, the "lycra bandit" type cyclists are insufferable. They show contempt for the wonderful infrastructure here by running red lights and crowding around casual bike riders in group formation. Until a year ago my grandmother liked to ride her bicycle to the supermarket, but no more because the high passing speeds on the narrow bike lanes made her feel unsafe.

@derekh7441 Жыл бұрын

I had a very angry motorist close-pass me in his pick-up at high speed. A mile or so down the road, he was in a parking lot waiting for me. As I approached he started barking at me. I rolled to a stop, pulled my dog tags out of my jersey and said, "Nine years. Army. Infantry. Iraq. The law says I'm allowed to be out here. I defended your freedom. Don't deny me mine.". He genuinely apologized. It's just too bad I had to be a veteran to get that response. We're not all combat vets but we are all human.

@stefand5034 Жыл бұрын

They always bark pay-road-tax cliche assuming cyclists wearing lycras are self entitled spoiled brats who never worked or done anything in life but just taking up space from the hardcore truck driver class of America...I wear the crappiest outfit I can find on my commutes in the city of LA, some of the craziest place you can ride your bike on week days, highly not recommend riding bikes for pleaser in peak traffic unless you look like a very poor commuter who doesn't have a car to go to work

@jW-zu6rw Жыл бұрын

This comment is so hilariously American that it made my day. Ty

@fhowland Жыл бұрын

It’s. Always. A. Pickup.

@noahmills2884 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your service. This video just shows why mountain biking is so big in the US.

@DaveCM Жыл бұрын

I have a USMC kit and I do get treated differently than I do when I don't wear it.

@rangersmith4652 Жыл бұрын

Most motorists don't seem to realize that most cyclists are also motorists, so we do understand their perspective. It's they who by and large don't understand ours.

@josephcowee6388 Жыл бұрын

I've always thought this too. And I've especially always hated the "they don't pay fuel/ road tax" argument, because it's not like that bicyclist doesn't have a job or possibly ever drive for their commute.

@brokenrecord3095 Жыл бұрын

@@josephcowee6388 well I don't drive, so I don't pay fuel taxes. But whenever I buy something at the store a share of that goes to pay for that obscenely large parking lot that I never use. And I've no doubt that more of my income taxes go to subsidize highways than to subsidize bike paths.

@annybodykila Жыл бұрын

Well i know ive been stopped on a bike for speeding, and he told me i still must obey all traffic laws, however, if i decide to go down the road at 10 mph, im gonna get pulled over. If you cant do the speed limit, stay off the road!

@annybodykila Жыл бұрын

In a car ill get stopped but not on a bike, i mean.

@miraelgato392 11 ай бұрын

@@brokenrecord3095 If you think about it, everyone pays for fuel taxes, since all products must be shipped from wherever it is produced to a store, most of the time, in a truck that uses fuel

@cokebottles6919 Жыл бұрын

The thing I hate most about cyclists is there aren't enough of us.

@hbp2m Жыл бұрын

Plus they eat my cake. It's my cake. My cake.

@utube7930 Жыл бұрын

underrated comment

@sandrahufsmith8948 Жыл бұрын

The Idaho stop law allows cyclists to go through a stop sign or lights if they have the right of day. Nine states follow this rule.

@l00tur Жыл бұрын

This might be changing with the introduction of e-bikes. I’m in the Midwest and the amount of people I would’ve never seen on the streets has exploded in the last few years. I may not agree with e-bikes, but they could become a useful tool on advocating for bicycle infrastructure. Case and point, I have a city council meeting I’m attending to discuss this very topic, I have several supporters, one of which is on the council for the expansion of bicycle infrastructure.

@wturber Жыл бұрын

@@sandrahufsmith8948 I think Stop signs should be treated as Yield signs for cyclists. Doing so would actually make it nicer for motorists given that a cyclist is so much slower to accelerate from a stop. It also makes sense because a cyclist represents a minimal danger to others on the road compared to the typical 3000-5000 lb vehicle.

@michaelpolakowski7301 Жыл бұрын

In my fantasy world, part of getting your driver's license is logging 10 hours of cycling on the roads you normally drive on (spandex is optional). Those might be the only 10 hours you'll ever ride, but I guarantee they'll make you a better driver.

@christophersalvador8380 Жыл бұрын

i like it. walk a mile in your neighbor’s shoes. be the line cook at your favorite restaurant before getting a yelp account. empathy, decency even, can be learned with a dash of perspective.

@leftylum Жыл бұрын

I've had the same idea

@silentqueue2344 Жыл бұрын

Love it. Like mandatory civil service.

@wturber Жыл бұрын

Bicycle commuting almost completely eliminated any rush hour anxiety I ever had while driving to work.

@dudeonbike800 Жыл бұрын

So good! I've said many times the best way to make an excellent driver is put 'em on a bike as a kid. And I'm happy to say middle and high school mountain biking is really popular today. We'll have much better drivers as a result - if they ever want to drive, that is! No really. A 3 month mountain biker knows more about braking technique, cornering and traction than a driver will ever learn! Put a kid in a peloton and they're skills increase that much more!

@alchemist89blk Жыл бұрын

That last one about the bike lane gets me. Adding a bike lane costs pennies to the dollar compared to building a road or adding a lane. For example, my city is expanding one road that is 5 miles long from one lane each way to two. It's slated to take three years and cost nearly 12 million dollars. Adding a bike lane to this was less than a hundred thousand dollars (DOT's estimate). The city council is losing their mind over the cost of adding a bike lane. Yet, by their own study, if they put in this lane, 8% of the population of our city will use it daily. That doesn't mention the other cyclists outside our city that will use it. (Currently the road is heavily trafficked by bikes.) So, 8% of the population is asking for less than 8% of the budget, and the city loses their mind. I just don't get it. Cycle lanes are cheap and easy to build. Just build them.

@ajlong404 Жыл бұрын

Yes, to more bike lanes, but they must be protected and maintained. Otherwise, they are unsafe and less inviting to use.

@DanceonthePedals Жыл бұрын

Rename them to ‘alternative traffic lanes’. Or something? ..maybe would convince.

@russwright Жыл бұрын

A really key point. If they are glass/gravel filled they aren't helpful. As for protected lanes- I'm starting to see more of those but it's going to take a long time in the US, sadly. That 3 ft wide lane adjacent to the line of parked cars is marginally better than riding in the car lane.

@Thezuule1 Жыл бұрын

Bike lanes are so cheap because they're usually a spray painted gutter...

@robertnobles8189 Жыл бұрын

“Protected” lanes are harder to keep clean unless your city has a 3 foot wide street sweeper. In my experience they never get cleared of debris and leaves.

@adamsouthard1155 Жыл бұрын

The four way stop is infuriating. I’m like: Don’t be nice. I am a small car! Just act like that and we’ll both get through this stop sign faster.

@kbd13-n9c Жыл бұрын

Yes! It’s so annoying. Follow the traffic laws and we all move faster.

@christopheroliver148 Жыл бұрын

My annoyance is with traffic control with metal detectors. They have a hard enough time seeing my steel customs. I hate imagining what it must be like for someone with a modern bike mainly made of composites.

@OlderBudde Жыл бұрын

@@christopheroliver148 most traffic control in NA leaves a lot to be desired.. it's pretty cool how some European countries utilize radar to sense when pedestrians and cyclists are approaching an intersection.

@ancientfifer Жыл бұрын

I live not far from where Magnus White was literally plowed over while riding in a designated bike lane on a training ride a couple weeks ago. A young women drifted off the road across the bike lane and into the ditch and had to do it right where he was and there were miles of roads without cyclists that she could have drifted off to her hearts content. 17 year old child with a promising future in cycling, and whatever else he chose to do with his life that is no longer, and let's not forget family and friends devastated by this loss. The family themselves is now putting out public pleas for anyone who may have seen something or witnessed this collision, and I ask myself "isn't that the job of the police?"

@asherbeal8357 Жыл бұрын

That was so sad. Poor kid.

@appa609 Жыл бұрын

Death penalty

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

One thing that gets me is why are our roads designed so poorly? US roads are incredibly dangerous. Around 40 THOUSAND people die on our roads every year. If anything else in our country killed that many people per year it would be banned immediately, but cars car a pass somehow? It is very possible to design roads that are safer for everyone, where the penalty for making a mistake at the wheel isn't losing your life or taking someone else's. Physical separation between motorized vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists, roads where the design speed, matches a safe speed for everyone, and make the cost of driving reflect the negative externalizes of driving a one ton metal box around everywhere. The public is starting to realize how dangerous cars are and I'm glad to be part of the urbanism movement

@hughrobinson9978 Жыл бұрын

What police???

@cindylou2128 Жыл бұрын

She was probably on her phone, texting or checking social media. Absolutely tragic loss...

@Littleweenaman Жыл бұрын

as someone who actively hated cyclist and made fun of those douchebags in lycra on the road it was only until years later when I got my first roadbike did I understand what they were going thru It was a big change of mind experiencing it first hand

@Frostbiker Жыл бұрын

What *did* you hate about cyclists back then? I had to stop wearing lycra because it attracted angry drivers like shit attracts flies. When I look "casual" they treat me better, even though I'm exactly the same person doing exactly the same route.

@Littleweenaman Жыл бұрын

@@Frostbiker I think bill burr had a good quote on his podcast something like the cyclists who dress with normal clothes are usually “good shits” who let you by that’s kinda showed me how most drivers must feel

@wisskier Жыл бұрын

It's why I don't get down on ebikes -- more people riding means more people who understand.

@12pentaborane Жыл бұрын

There was a study in Australia that found cyclists wearing helmets get hit 30% more often.

@rumobin 11 ай бұрын

@@12pentaboraneThe ones that go fast on their bike probably tend to wear helmets more often because they take higher risks. helmets and statistics are a fun one - during the great war the brits did a study that found helmets to be dangerous because they registered more head injuries with them. I wonder why.

@richardrutishauser4689 Жыл бұрын

Phil touched on something that I believe is very true, the people angry at cyclists are already driving angry. We (cyclists) are just a convenient target for the misplaced anger because, at least on the road, we appear to be weaker than they are or at least feel. I sure do not have any solution for this, just ride smart and safe as you can.

@simonvetter2420 Жыл бұрын

"appear to be weaker" I agree with you but this is so beautifully ironic. Cyclists aren't the ones who need two-ton machines to haul their lazy asses around.

@kokopelli314 11 ай бұрын

People should have to pass a Psych evaluation before allowing them to operate a one ton killing machine on public roads.

@elliotwilliams7421 10 ай бұрын

That's a lie. Like your told when your younger bullies are just jealous. Cyclists are a danger and a problem that needs addressed

@elliotwilliams7421 10 ай бұрын

What a bizzare out of touch comment.

@elliotwilliams7421 10 ай бұрын

@@simonvetter2420yes, cyclists do need two tonne vehicles. Are you dumb?

@seanwise7464 Жыл бұрын

I had a large diesel pickup intentionally “roll coal” on me last week while passing me. I was actually honored he felt I was worth burning an extra 5 bucks of fuel for.

@patriot9487 9 ай бұрын

The "people" who have those modifications are some of the best examples of why voting should be a restricted privilege.

@trentonscism Ай бұрын

Diesel truck drivers and people towing boats are always ones to watch out for as a cyclist. I think it is a response based on insecurity

@DannysMyNanny Жыл бұрын

Regarding stop signs, here in Minnesota, they just passed a law that allows all cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs. Of course literally everyone was doing that already, but helps a lot knowing we are allowed to roll through them now

@AndroidCyclist Жыл бұрын

Same in Utah.

@TheWrigle Жыл бұрын

As it should be.

@logan_nosal458 Жыл бұрын

I live in Minnesota and had someone yell at me and give me the finger for rolling through a four way when we were both going straight. I’m sure the same guy would’ve been upset if I stopped and he had to wait behind me for a little extra time. I’m just trying to keep things moving. Wish the law was more advertised and explained so drivers knew about it.

@jamesphillips2285 Жыл бұрын

Also if a red light has a sensor that does not trigger on your bicycle: it is an inoperative signal. You treat it as a 4 way stop.

@logan_nosal458 Жыл бұрын

@@sladewestern6704 I agree cyclists should have rules and I wish more cyclists followed them but it’s actually been proven that when used properly the rolling through stops actually reduces accidents. Key word is used properly meaning you can see there are no cars coming obviously blowing a stop without looking or caring is a bad idea for everyone involved

@markwatkins5416 Жыл бұрын

I have ridden on the streets for 40+ years with no car incidents that left a mark. I ride with one thought. These cars are trying to kill me.

@jamesphillips2285 Жыл бұрын

I got rear-ended by a minivan that followed me out of the travel lane one night. Fresh snow proved it. I started a counter-steering maneuver to leave the road a little too late (may have helped me avoid falling under the wheels). It is possible that they were *actually* out to get me (never proven).

@TinkleAssify Ай бұрын

Ye it’s like a war out there. You may get seriously injured or die.

@brunospasta Жыл бұрын

I understand every driver that is a bit annoyed. I am mildly annoyed if I bomb down a technical downhill and then I am stuck behind a car. Thats life.

@bryanbischof4351 Жыл бұрын

National park commute complaint is incredible. What a parody of a life challenge.

@Outsideville Жыл бұрын

Wait until Bigfoot steps out in his way. 👣

@reflectionsdetail Жыл бұрын

the speed limit in a national park is 10-30mph, relax and enjoy the drive

@brianbailey5714 Жыл бұрын

My commute goes through a playground, and I'm furious at the kids getting in my way...

@DetectiveThursday Ай бұрын

The problem I have with the answer given to the national park complaint is that it feels as though it was given in bad faith. What I mean is that it was a straw man answer and any reasonable person could see it as such because it fails to address the core issue of the complaint. Substitute a road being in a national park for a rural road that happens to be popular with bicyclists and see if the answer still holds up. The complaint certainly does.

@bryanbischof4351 Ай бұрын

@@DetectiveThursday I mean we can trivially play this game: “I purposely choose a low speed road to experience a beautiful scenery in a relaxed environment” is open to the same criticism here. Fundamentally the argument isn’t about the straw man, it’s that desired expediency and relaxing beautiful views are at odds. Steel-manning the position that ppl wanna go fast and see nice things only arrives you at more emphasis on good road infrastructure, not abolition of cyclists on backroads

@Henrywildeberry Жыл бұрын

I always tell the impatient drivers the quickest way to get that 12 seconds back when safely passing a cyclist is to split their car down the middle and get rid of the two empty seats on the other side. Have your passenger sit behind you and get microphones if you want to talk to one another.

@SrFederico Жыл бұрын

Talk to whom? Most cars have 1 passenger only anyway.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

"He's out of line, but he's right."

@WegotaRoblem Жыл бұрын

Someone passed us outright one time, decided he was mad because we slowed him down briefly, slammed on his brakes in front of us and pulled a gun. Could've just not done any of that and saved way more time. Instead, he got really worked up, got the cops called on him, and sped off before totaling his car in a ditch trying to swerve into another group of cyclists up the road.

@viktorthevictor6240 Жыл бұрын

Where do these psychos come from??

@RO8YO Жыл бұрын

Love the vehicle weight vs road damage chart. I took notice when you posted it in that short recently... I'm using it in my bike advocacy work. Lots of great points in this vid. I always like your advocacy posts.

@core2zero Жыл бұрын

if someone complains about road damage, hand them a penny and tell them to keep the change

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

"Oh no, my bike dislocated a loose brick in the road, a construction crew would have to spend like 10 minutes pasting that back down, maybe, prolly not."

@60lbsofcrazy Жыл бұрын

Thank you for spreading advocacy! I have so many stories like these. I commute to work and have a total of 2 blocks between bike lanes on the way and somehow still had cars passing dangerously and screaming at me to "get on the f**king sidewalk!" And a couple weeks ago a woman driving the other direction (aka completely unimpacted by us being there) decided she needed to scream at a group of us on a ride.... She was apparently in a hurry to get to a parking spot to smoke because we came across her again on the return of the ride 40 minutes later.

@goosewithagibus Жыл бұрын

It's absolutely mindblowing to me that people get yelled at for being in the bike lane. My very first experience as a kid of cycling out of my neighborhood onto busier streets, we (three of us) were all yelled at TWICE in 5 minutes for being "IN THE FUCKING ROAD". We were in the bike lane.

@kitchencarvings4621 Жыл бұрын

We just got the safety stop here in Colorado and I just know people are watching me and saying "see, those bikers flaunt the laws, they don't stop at stop signs". You are right, stopping at each stop sign is draining, especially where there is one on every block. The safety stop is so nice I really enjoy riding in town now. The second comment you highlighted equally applies to motorists. They run stop signs, don't obey speed limits, and don't stop for pedestrians or signal.

@taylorlayton4508 Жыл бұрын

i appreciated this section (6:08). I'll be honest, it's not all safety - I do run the lights or stops sometimes cause I'm in a rush commuting, but only if there is no one around. Totally agree with the 4 way stop problem - so often drivers wave me on when i'm trying to slow down for them. I also liked his callout that there are some bad cyclists. i gave a little beep at a guy who blasted through a red light doing a wheelie today, blocking traffic in both directions. As a fellow cyclist, it bothers me to see flagrant law flouting. But yeah, in general, cars are way worse. They break rules just as much, if not more and can kill you when they do it.

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

They allow rolling stops for cyclists in Idaho as well. It was proposed in California but never even made it out of committee to get voted on. Of course, I still do it and nearly got hit by a semi once whose driver ran a stop sign. Of course, he honked his horn and was screaming at me.

@joelv4495 Жыл бұрын

Ya, it was eye opening when I got a power meter... When I accelerate from a stop with vehicles behind I'm often hitting 400w for 5-10 seconds (basically a micro sprint effort).

@kitchencarvings4621 Жыл бұрын

@@joelv4495 Yeah, when you have to do it every 100 yards, it adds up. It's true that if you make it easier to cycle then more people will cycle. I used to hate riding in town because of all the stops, and I obey the rules strictly just like when I'm driving my car. Now I like to go there and ride. I live way out in the country so I don't see a lot of people and riding in town is now fun and I get to see other human beings out and about. But before I avoided town or limited my time there when on the bike. The answer is that people just need to slow down and be patient and not melt down because they were delayed a few seconds. But for some reason, when people get into that metal and glass box. Other people's needs go out the window and it becomes acceptable to risk someone's life to save 10 or 20 seconds. Maybe riding in traffic should be part of the requirements to get a driver's license?

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

"Cyclists break the speed limit too" fucking how? How tf are my legs able to propel me 55 mph in a 35 mph? I genuinely don't get how someone types that with a straight face, or rather a frowny face.

@cjharrer01 Жыл бұрын

Great video Phil, I have experienced many of the scenarios you mention. It's amazing the exaggeration motorists use when stating how much time the wait for cyclists. At least once per group ride we'll mention that we just cost that car 5 seconds when they zoom by honking. Keep up the messaging!

@YukiTsunoda7 Жыл бұрын

*God Bless you Phil and thanks for being a voice for us, im treated like absolute shit on the road, literally on a regular basis being in ontario canada is so horrible people are actually evil*

@huntergibson9359 10 ай бұрын

This is why I have moved to BC. See ya never Onterrible!

@emilioc700 Жыл бұрын

Retail businesses that try to stop cycling infrastructure on their streets always end up with more business when its completed. Funny how a person is far more likely to notice that hair salon / real estate agent / donut shop / shoe store / antique shop, etc.. when they are on a bike and not hurtling by in their cars at 50mph.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

That one car parking space in front of that shop is totally gonna bring in like hundreds of people, and not hundreds of people walking/cycling in front of your store. Walking and cycling infrastructure benefits everyone

@wk633 Жыл бұрын

We all have stories, but the one closest for me goes back to when I had a commute that started with three blocks on a narrow 25mph street. At the end of the three blocks was a stop sign at a T intersection and a real bike lane. But for those three blocks, there wasn't room to 'share' and not risk getting doored. So although I'm not Phil, I can manage 25mph for three blocks. So I'd wait for a big gap in car traffic, and then sprint those three blocks. One morning a car comes flying past me, having to illegally cross the center line because this is a narrow residential street, going WELL over 25 mph to get past me, and of course by the time the do, the three blocks is up and they have to hit the brakes and pull back into my lane RIGHT in front of me, nearly taking out my front wheel. I yelled something loud, and the driver stuck her head out the window and yelled "it's ok sweetie, I'll patch you up at the hospital" (hospital was 1/2 mile away). So, a health care worker of some kind, excusing the risk to my life and limb because she'll "patch me up".

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

I have to cross a short narrow bridge over a creek on my ride to work. It is amazing how car drivers can't slow down for literally 3 seconds until I get off the bridge and onto the shoulder again. Also, I'm typically going 35 mph in a 35 mph zone when I'm going over that bridge due to the small downhill and my desire to go as fast as possible and spend as little time in the road as possible.

@paulmcknight4137 Жыл бұрын

Hilarious. She thought she could pass you and wasn't prepared to overcome your 25mph sprint! "Sweetie? Patch you up?" She was impressed. Nice work!

@froggy0162 Жыл бұрын

Maybe they’re different in the US, but here in Australia traffic lights have sensors embedded in the bitumen to sense the presence of a car. And they often don’t pick up a bike, especially a carbon fibre one… So I have to run those red lights if it’s just me because otherwise I sit there until a car comes along to trip the sensor for me!

@joelv4495 Жыл бұрын

Yup, we have those too in the USA.

@christopheroliver148 Жыл бұрын

@@joelv4495 Yup. Even setting a steel bike down sideways on the pavement doesn't necessarily trip the sensor.

@impaledface7694 11 ай бұрын

Even happens with a motorcycle since they are mostly aluminum. On the bicycle if I know the traffic is low for cars I just hit the pedestrian crossing button.

@Appreciate2704 Жыл бұрын

Being hit by a car whilst riding has left me after 3 years and an operation still struggling with my health problems 🥴.. I was coming out of a stop light crossing the intersection when it turned green and the car behind me ran into me and left the scene .. he came back 20 mins later stating ‘ he thought he hit something ? But didn’t know what’ .. I was hugging the gutter and obeying all road laws .. I couldn’t of been more compliant.. and still he tried to create a false narrative.. and blame me .. ‘ he was fined ‘ $500 and that’s it 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴 Previously lost his licence for drunk driving .. had many traffic offences.. yet 😮..he only incurred a fine .. and I am still suffering after 3 years and … probably will never recover fully 🥺 Where is the justice? Why? Do bike riders get treated so badly ? 😢 If I had a wish it would be that all drivers take riding lessons for at least 100 hours before their licence is issued.. 🚴‍♀️💕🚴‍♀️

@BradyLikesBikes Жыл бұрын

This video should be standard for drivers ed. Speaking of, it would be great if it was standardized across the country. Some states basically only require you to have a pulse to get a driver’s license.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

And when the cost of driving is so artificially low, of course people do it, and that includes people who shouldn't be driving. The cost per gallon of gas in Europe is about $9-$10/gallon (adjusting for currency conversion and volume conversion) and that prevents some people from driving because driving is an unsafe activity. The cost in most US places is like $4-$6/gallon. Also there are really high registration fee's in Europe for cars because they kill people. See City Nerd's video on this for more if you want: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qsh1qMR0qLyRqps.html

@ThomasPublicThuene 11 ай бұрын

About offending traffic laws as a cyclists: If I make a mistake I am dead. If the car driver makes a mistake I am still dead.

@renegadeflyer2 Жыл бұрын

I drive threw red lights, because my bike doesn't have enough steel to make the the lights change.

@traversecitysufferclub Жыл бұрын

Love you, Phil! Thanks for speaking up for us 🖤

@guitardog7414 Жыл бұрын

My favorite cycling moment was cruising into a construction zone where car lanes merged from two lanes to one. I stayed in the bike line going slow cuz I don't trust them drivers. Harley guy passed me in bike lane just to hit a car nosing out of the LBS parking lot. Looked hilarious. Careful out there. Thanks for the advice on uninsured motorist coverage.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

Please tell me you gave them an "I told you so" kinda look, lmao

@hughrobinson9978 Жыл бұрын

You might feel good about slowing up drivers, but then some of them take it out on the next cyclist they see - I was nearly killed because of this1

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

@@hughrobinson9978 If there's enough space, of course I let cars pass and let them go about their day. There are some times where I'm cruising along and come up to a line of parked cars, to which I would make sure I am clear to slide over into the travel lane and then move back after passing the parked cars.

@guitardog7414 Жыл бұрын

@@hughrobinson9978 some crazed driver was upset because they were having problems with other cyclists and ran you over or what?

@guitardog7414 Жыл бұрын

@@ambiarock590 I was laughing at the Harley on it side and a guy that was having problems picking it up to tell him anything.

@jaybobd Жыл бұрын

Great video. I think the root of it for those that hate cyclists (and you're being generous saying it's only 1% of drivers) is the belief that we simply don't belong on the road at all, so any inconvenience is too much. As for helmets, they did a study where drivers actually gave cyclists more space if they weren't wearing a helmet. I don't understand the psychology behind it, but it's true (I still wear a helmet all the time).

@shieldgenerator7 Жыл бұрын

in all the crashes ive had, not once did a helmet actually help me. i still wear it tho, i carry it like a badge of honor whenever i get to my destination

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

What a way to support American "Freedom" by telling people that they cannot use their preferred mode of transport or recreation because you are inconvenienced by 3 seconds. How American of those drivers.

@hughrobinson9978 Жыл бұрын

Good that you keep wearing your helmet - mine saved my life! Cars and concrete are harder than bone and flesh - keep as safe as you can out there, Jaybold!

@ThrowmeAFrigginbone Жыл бұрын

YES, YES, YES. It's funny they are inconvenienced for a mere 10 seconds and then will stop or pull up to you and complain for 10x that amount of time. It's not NASCAR or Track & Field tenths of seconds of difference of you getting somewhere on time DOES NOT MATTER. I am of the mindset "Your impatience will make me a PATIENT". Thanks for showing me you know how to burn the rubber off your tires or that your diesel can make black smoke just to outperform a cyclist, wow I'm impressed. I'm on 2 inches of rubber and most vehicles are riding on 24, that's why and I don't ride on the edge and am allowed to use the entire lane. Great content Phil.

@David-nx2vm Жыл бұрын

I’m 67, live in a very large, non-bike friendly city in Texas, and ride a mountain bike for fitness. Very few bike lanes and the ones we have are always trashed. I’m retired military/law enforcement. I ride on sidewalks whenever I can - you have to create physical distance from 2-ton motor vehicles. Sorry not sorry - I have grandkids I want to see grow up. I have been seen by law enforcement literally thousands of times and none have ever said anything to me. I wear brightly colored clothing, have flashing strobes front/rear/helmet, slow down when overtaking someone, ring a bell, get off onto the grass if I can. At intersections, driveways, etc., I always assume the motorist is at best distracted/indifferent and does not see me. Right of way is not something you can take - it has to be yielded to you. Forget the law, I’m talking practicality and physics. There are jerk cyclists out there, but I have encountered way more jerk motorists including diesel pickup drivers “rolling coal” as they pass me, people throwing water bottles and other trash, etc., and I’m not even in the street!

@Jhawk_2k Жыл бұрын

Sidewalks are great for this type of riding. It gets tricky when you're a guy like Phil going 25mph, but your points are well taken

@David-nx2vm Жыл бұрын

@@Jhawk_2k right! I’m embarrassed to say my average speed in a typical ride is 12mph. I could never hang with roadies…

@davidh1187 Жыл бұрын

Those who whine about cyclists or get angry about cyclists fail to realise that they are actually in the minority (overall that is, perhaps not in their own social circles though....) I find it interesting that they assume that they speak for 'everyone' - a common theme in the messages you showed, and a means of justifying their opinions!

@philstrn Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. You basically highlight all of my thoughts on cyclists trying to survive in traffic (this really shouldn't be the word used in this context, but unfortunatelly it has to be). Even though I'm a cyclist myself, I sometimes catch myself being angry at other cyclists when driving, but I keep that anger inside the car, and make sure to pass them safely - the way I'd want to be passed. I don't entirely aggree with you on running red lights, I'll only do it if I'm turning right, but I understand your reasoning. Here in Europe we just don't have too many giant intersections where I'd need to race across to dodge the motorists so I can't really relate to that. Anyway, thank you for all of your content! You got me into doing hard climbs on my bike, and these more "phylosophical" videos are great too!

@norgtube Жыл бұрын

Angry Advocacy Phil is my favorite phil. Doing the lord's work my dude.

@mottohorn Жыл бұрын

Had a driving instructor - yes an instructor in the passenger seat with his student driving - in the in Pasadena area roll the window down and holler at me asking me why I wasn’t riding on a bike street. If you know Pasadena at all, there are many "bike streets" called Rose Ways which have erected signs and painted chevrons on the lanes with a bike symbol and Mountain which goes to and from the famous Rose Bowl ride is one of these. I asked why he wasn’t instructing his student to not follow a cyclist so close or give 3 feet of space when passing which is the law in California. He did not like that. I also asked if he’d like to turn around and find the signage saying that this is in fact a "bike street" so his student could be informed of proper transportation solutions in bike friendly cities. He did not like that either. He proceeded to explain his GoPro was running and would submit it to the police to show I was running stop signs - a bad example for his student. I have yet to hear from the police. 😂

@neilmdon Жыл бұрын

One thing about bike lanes / infrastructure. I do NOT use them when doing hard intervals if they are crowded or busy. That would be, in the Pittsburgh dialect known as Yinzer, "being a jaggoff". Instead I do my work in the adjacent road and endure the jaggoffs calling me a jaggoff while they role coal on me.

@thecitizen49 Жыл бұрын

I'm 73 year old man who doesn't own a car or a TV because I believe that the car and the TV were invented to separate me from my humanity. So I ride my bicycle and take the bus even though it takes 10 times longer to get anywhere because I think its worth it for my salvation.

@DetectiveThursday Ай бұрын

And I’m a middle aged dude who for work purposes needs to travel from job site to job site with equipment in my work vehicle. I can’t lug all my equipment on a bike or public transport and I can’t afford to take 10 times longer to get from place to place, and neither can my clients and employers whom I have duties to respectively. What I have a problem with is people that believe themselves superior because they have the choice to commute by bike feeling that it’s always an option and a superior option for whatever reason for everyone (I'm not saying you are that particularly). I don’t go out of my way to hate on cyclists usually but I tend to hear from a lot of cyclists and urban planner types how I’m a threat to the planet because I drive a motor vehicle, and really that’s the kind of elitist behavior a lot of drivers react to.

@skchalk Жыл бұрын

Great and informative video, Phil. During the Tour De Big bear, my group rolled up on the accident right when they were loading the kid in the ambulance. Had no idea it was a hit and run, just crazy. Hope the kid is ok.

@Moradude99 Жыл бұрын

It’s weird because when I drive my car I literally get stuck behind a group of cyclist at most a couple of times a year, this also includes 20 years of being a truck driver. People are just dicks.

@wmlarch Жыл бұрын

Phil, thanks for all the great points! One note, near intersections, bike lanes are marked with dashed lines, which indicates cars are intended for cars turning right to merge over when clear. This allows cyclists to continue straight to do so without being hit by the right turning car.

@ajlong404 Жыл бұрын

Terrific video, Phil! You pretty much stated everything I've been saying for years! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

@jimbo2112 Жыл бұрын

All learner drivers should be made to learn all of Phil's comments and understand why they make sense...

@agie170hss2 Жыл бұрын

@Phil Gaimon: Phil, one thing I'd like to see you promote -- when riding on a tight twisty road, a quick "beep beep" by the car driver while they are still a ways back goes a LONG ways to help a rider "knowing" there is a car coming from behind. As you know (better than most of us), when you are riding at a good speed, there is a lot of wind noise. It's happened many times to me that I don't know anyone is coming from behind until I see a front bumper next to me (and sometimes it's a UPS or Fed-Ex truck!). A road you are familiar with (Santa Rosa Creek, which you had the KOM on) is an example of this -- I have frequently been "surprised" by 10 or15 vehicles coming up behind me during a ride up that road, and NONE, EVER, tap the horn to announce they are coming up from behind. And I believe your estimate of people staring at their phones is far too low. The very common one I see is drivers coming up to a red-light or stop-sign intersection where they might be turning right, and they are staring down at their phone long before they are even close to being stopped.

@gavanconroy8453 Жыл бұрын

Buy a varia. It’s been a game changer for my riding at least.

@Draxel Жыл бұрын

@@gavanconroy8453 +1 recommendation from me as well - never felt more safe in traffic after getting the radar.

@markallen242 Жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure the comment about the 9 mile road through a national park is referring to Picture Rocks Rd. In Tucson. So many of the drivers on that road are super hostile towards cyclists, and use the park road as a highway shortcut to get to town. If you are in such a rush to get to the city that you need to cut through a national park, maybe you should just move to the city and cut out that long commute.

@colocounty4 Жыл бұрын

"You're taking the scenic route. So enjoy the scene of my butt for a couple seconds until it's safe to pass me". 😂😂😅 17:46

@wannabetowasabe Жыл бұрын

I've been asked why I don't use a bike trail that is parallel to the road I'm riding on. That is because bike riders are in the minority on bike trails. They are full of walkers, some who walk 4 abreast and won't move to let a bicycle go buy. There are people with strollers, people on roller skates and people with earbuds who can't hear you approach. It's dangerous to ride a bike on a "bike trail." In addition the "bike trail" is often up and down with hills as they follow the grade of the terrain, whereas the parallel road is at a steady grade, which is better for training.

@stephenalivero4068 Жыл бұрын

Equestrian, pedestrian, bicycle, motorist. Rights to roadway.

@sakomeow Жыл бұрын

I hate cyclists because most of them are faster than me, and many of their bikes are nicer.

@payastikotekar6531 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Phil for patiently breaking down these very common arguments against cyclists. Also loved how you placed that helmet image right on your head :)

@GB-ez6ge 6 ай бұрын

Gas tax only covers about 50% of road building and maintenance.

@joecardon7077 Жыл бұрын

When I’m riding up Utah mountains safely on the shoulder, drivers often get mad because they have to give me a little space. I always think I have worked so hard to be 18 miles up this climb. You are having to move your hand a few millimeters to give me a little space. So who “Deserves” to be on that road the most? The guy who has put a crazy amount of effort to be there or the person who has done next to no effort to be there? The amount of anger motorists feel based off of how “inconvenienced” they have been by safe cyclists has always shocked me.

@ToomanyFrancis 11 ай бұрын

Just days ago a motorist passed me and my partner illegally on a 2 lane double yellow street and almost caused a collision because of a vehicle turning into the lane they were illegally passing us in. Of course we kept up with them at every single red light and eventually passed them as they turned into the Dairy Queen drive through. We stopped at the CVS across the street, did our shopping, and then once again met up with them as they were leaving the DQ drive through. There was not a line of people at the walk up window, only a line of cars in the drive through that extended onto the street. If we would have been going to that DQ we would have probably been home before they left the drive through. I don't think this person was aggravated by us, they didn't open their window and scream at us, but I also don't think they recognized the needless danger they put everybody else on the road in by trying to pass us. I personally am more concerned with these people that I am of the people that do get aggravated.

@user-wn6cz8xb9e Жыл бұрын

The 4-way stop sign is a real thing. These are nice people doing a nice thing by trying to let me go and yet it totally destroys my rhythm. If they wave me through I still have to stop and wait my turn because I can’t trust the car. Not sure of the solution - tell people not to be nice? Just take your damn right of way (very nice) people!

@froggy0162 Жыл бұрын

4 way stop intersections freaked me out when I first went to the US. A very very weird idea! Seems like it’s just a game of chicken!

@schmoab Жыл бұрын

I live in an area that is basically all 4-way stops, one after the other for miles. Driver behavior is mostly ok, but they can be overly courteous. The whole chicken game is exhausting and I just wish the city would finish building a dedicated path to my neighborhood. At least the construction methods have come a long way in 10 years. An adjoining community has small sidewalks and no bike lines, while we have bike lanes and wide paths everywhere.

@froggy0162 Жыл бұрын

@@schmoab why don’t you just use roundabouts like normal people…?

@wk633 Жыл бұрын

I stop and put my foot down as a signal I'm not going until it's my turn. Often as not a cyclist behind me will just blow on through.

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

@@froggy0162 They put roundabouts in on one road I used to take to work. It was a major residential street with only 2-way stops for the side streets. Now instead of riding a nice wide shoulder I have to get into traffic with the cars to go through the roundabouts. Paid for with money from a cycling safety fund.

@nononsense2688 Жыл бұрын

I use to be a slightly angry motorist before i started cycling. Not that bad that i would endanger anyone, but i got mad. More about the homeless in my area who are really careless about riding on the skinny shoulder. But i put down 200+ miles a week now on these roads and when i drive i give every single person bike or not, the time i need to safely pass. If its a cyclist on a nice bike i dont mind looking at the frame/components for a second either haha. And give extra visible thank yous to truck drivers who wait to pass.

@paulnam4488 Жыл бұрын

😊😅

@MrPerezthomyenBici Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all info. I'll keep riding in my Lycra. yes my 250lbs. 😉 be safe everyone

@richardmulligan2540 Жыл бұрын

Same here😊

@wowshiii4519 Жыл бұрын

I use to get mad at cyclists until I started biking myself. Even though I bike only a once a week for transport it still feels ridiculous at times when there's only a sharrow and Im expected to share the car lane. I now try very hard to yield to cyclists because its not fun to be passed by a guy in a truck that gives you barley any room.

@wanderingtriathlete3013 Жыл бұрын

My favourite comment is the ‘riding single file’ . In the UK the Highway Code states that cyclists should ride two abreast (where safe to do so), as it is quicker for a car to pass than a group of riders strung out in single file. But you still get things thrown at you for doing so. I’ve given up riding completely. Trained as triathlete for 10 years (amateur), and got fed up of the abuse and the anxiety of going out on the roads in the UK. Drivers are impatient and the road conditions are terrible. And I believe it got worse after covid, peoples tolerance for others has got less and less, so now I stick to running and hiking. The only people that hate me now are the dog walkers, but they aren’t threatening me with 2 tons of steel.😂

@debs_wheels Жыл бұрын

Bless you for fighting the good fight. After years of having things thrown at me, insults and finally getting hit by a car, I gave up road cycling. I let the terrorists win and I’m sad about it.

@UraniumMilk Жыл бұрын

Fact is people are territorial apes, and are under some kind of modal bias that whatever transport method they're using at the moment (truck/bicycle/scooter/walking etc) is the most entitled to the roads. The practical solution is to find some.option where the mode mixing is minimal, like a velodrome, mountain bike trail, riding in the wee hours.of the morning when no one is awake etc. At this point with all the terrifying experiences I've had I'm about to just use an indoor trainer and be done with outdoor cycling altogether.

@stevegoodfellow3423 Жыл бұрын

Hi Phil, I fell across your channel by accident but just wanted to add my four-penneth. You may already have guessed I'm not an American but wanted to let you know that I can relate to everything you have said in your video. Here in the UK we have a book called the Highway Code - it's a list of the rules of the road for everyone from pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motorists - which was recently updated to include a hierarchy of road users. This basically states that the most vulnerable road users must be given the greatest priority by other road users. One of the new rules states that motorists must leave at least 1.5m (that's just shy of 5ft) of room when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30mph and even more at higher speeds. Regrettably, most motorists don't appear to be aware of the changes or, most probably, are just ignoring them. Fortunately, many of us wear helmet cameras when cycling and the local Police have a web site that we can upload clips of close passes and dangerous driving to which has lead to plenty of convictions. We still get too many cyclists killed on our roads though :( Keep up the good work, mate 👍

@peterharridge8565 Жыл бұрын

A common misconception. No you are wrong. You said must, no it is should. Just looked it up, and it states as a guide. But then strangely says at the bottom of the rule you should wait if you cannot leave 1.5m or the same width as a car. The rule is not a rule and totally stupid. Meaning you should do so but not must do so (it is guidance and not law). This is clear, you should leave 1.5m but is not must because not always practicable and is sometimes dangerous to do so. And also could unnecesarily hold up traffic. Say on the A5183 south of Dunstable. Leaving 1.5M would mean you are on the wrong side of road and endless traffic the other way. Anyway the guidance should be re-written. And actually axed, it is dangerous no question. Because if you go on the wrong side of the road you may hit a car or a bike. rather obvious. One, don't go on the wrong side of the road on my account (my Dad died that way when hit by a car on wrong side of the road) and two, cyclists are gonna get the blame for this rule. Because some driver won't go by and other cars will hoot at said cyclist. Anyway should means you should but not must do it. A reason why many drivers are not breaking the law by not doing it.

@patrickwong4824 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Phil for speaking up. My city of Barrie Ontario has quite a few dedicated bike lanes. The thing that gets me is the cyclist riding the bike lane in the wrong direction.

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

Or, on the street in the wrong direction. I just love going out into traffic in a 45 mph zone to avoid hitting an idiot on a bike.

@magiwarwolf1 Жыл бұрын

The reasoning here is simple. If were going the right direction, we don't see you, and have no fucking way to know you see us and aren't able to pancake us. If we go against traffic, we can see you, we can avoid you, and you get to rush home to your TV dinner without the knowledge you just killed someone.

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

@magiwarwolf1 I guess motorcyclists should do the same or maybe we should all obey the law. By the way, riding on the wrong side of the road doesn't just endanger my life, it's a good way to get "pancaked", as you put it, by a car turning right onto the road (left in British countries) because they aren't looking in the wrong direction for someone traveling on the wrong side of the road.

@magiwarwolf1 Жыл бұрын

@@michaelb1761 the motorcycle point isn't valid, they can keep up with and outrun traffic. We cannot. Does a cyclist going the wrong way on the shoulder or in a bike lane really endanger you? They're still a slower moving vehicle that you should see and avoid hitting, and if they can see and avoid you, how is that worse for you? Sure. Impact forces are amplified in opposing directions, but the difference between 80kph for the car and 20kph for the bike is negligible the health outcome.

@michaelb1761 Жыл бұрын

@@magiwarwolf1 read my first reply. It's pretty obvious how the wrong way cyclist endangers me by forcing me out of the bike lane and into traffic. The point is we should all obey the traffic laws. Anybody who can't doesn't belong on city streets.

@Edmond347 Жыл бұрын

I'm an avid cyclist and was nearly killed by a distracted driver in 2018. Spent three days in a medically induced coma. I miraculously lived and recovered to be riding again. With that preface, I actually also dislike groups of cyclist bigger than maybe five, even as a cyclist. I live in San Diego, and once in a while I run into "swarms" of cyclist, probably from the North County. I'm talking more than 50 cyclists. It's beyond annoying. They paralyze traffic, and create unsafe conditions for solo riders. I'd also be pissed if I got stuck behind a group that large with no way of passing them as a driver. I don't understand the point of riding in groups of that size.

@Jhawk_2k Жыл бұрын

Large groups are fine if they aren't swarming traffic. On more rural roads it's usually fine, but it definitely gets tricky when you start to deal with lights

@Edmond347 Жыл бұрын

@@Jhawk_2k Not sure how you can have a large group of cyclist not "swarming" traffic, whatever that means. They block and paralyze traffic even on multi-lane roads like they do on 101 in San Diego. It's also a nightmare for other solo or small group cyclists as well who either get stuck behind the large group, or have to risk being killed by going around them. Someone please explain to me the logic of riding in a peloton on a weekend amateur ride.

@robertdavenport6705 Жыл бұрын

I ride with the installed conviction that every motorist is a drunken , homicidal/suicidal bike hating psychopath. This is of course not true. What I am doing is riding with as much awareness as I am capable of of ALL the other motorists , cyclists , pedestrians out there . I have been (purposely) almost clipped when it was just me and the car and no other traffic. I have been hit , cursed , swung at by someone leaning out an open window, had a beer bottle thrown at me and I could go on. I break the road rules when it's simply best to get my ass out of there as fast as possible. I am appalled though at the number of cyclists that endanger themselves with the ear buds in or looking at their cell or going thru designated crossings as if the white stripes indicate there is a force field protecting them. And as a reformed alcoholic I can attest to the fact that impaired drivers are everywhere at all hours of the day and night and they will eventually bust a red light or worse. Pay attention , be aware , forgive ,but be ready for , the innocent but endangering things you or others can do. And bike lanes do open up the roads for motorists. Take care out there. Great video Phil.

@dorseykindler9544 Жыл бұрын

Great comment!

@daveoutdoors4949 11 ай бұрын

In my state we are not required to stop at stop signs. We treat stop signs like yield signs and stop lights like stop signs.

@mtbikesam68 Жыл бұрын

On the stop sign issue, many times the reason I roll a stop sign (after checking that it is safe, because my field of vision is MUCH broader because I am up high and NOT in a car with reduced visibility) is to be out of the "stop sign confusion" that you referred to. If I am not there, drivers that do not know how stop signs or four way stops work don't have to deal with me, I'm already through the intersection.

@paulmcknight4137 Жыл бұрын

Exactly. LOL!

@user-pu9fj5zq7w Жыл бұрын

Just stop, safety first, quit making excuses for poor cycling habits. @@paulmcknight4137

@clinlashway9147 Жыл бұрын

I'm very fortunate where I live. I've been riding for about 4 years and have about 18,000 miles and 1,300 hours of riding under my belt. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been honked or yelled at. And those times have made no sense at all. Getting yelled at by someone driving the other direction on the other side of the road, that type of thing. Almost all drivers move to the left to pass me more safely. Rarely, there seem to be some that are either oblivious or are intentionally not giving extra room. And, yeah those drivers that just won't take the right of way drive me nuts too. More often then not, they could go through the intersection before I even get there, but they wait until I'm there, thinking they are doing me a favor. And of course I still stop, because I can't be sure they are yielding to me, and not just looking at their phone. To those that are being annoyingly "nice" or cautious, I tell myself, I'd rather a driver be too cautious, than the other way around. And given that some cyclist can be unpredictable, I can't blame a driver that want's to be extra careful. In the end, drivers and cyclists both have to do their part to share the road. I find that most drivers I encounter seem to be doing a good job of that.

@hewasfuzzywuzzy3583 11 ай бұрын

I've had drivers yell at me while waiting in a left hand turn lane, "GET OFF THE ROAD! YOU'RE NOT A CAR!" I've also had drive by, sealed water bottles thrown at me. Eggs. And the always wonderful and ever so special, "rolling coal." I've only been hit once by a car, and that was while crossing at a crosswalk, and the motorist couldn't wait for me to finish crossing. I was pinned between the car and my bike as I was knocked to the ground when the driver made their impatient right turn on a walk signal. The oddest and kind of funniest thing that's ever happened to me while on a bike was having a prefabricated wall hit me. It slid out of the back of a trailer as I was just starting to walk my back across the crosswalk. LOL

@samuelhartinpasco2553 Жыл бұрын

Someone has probably mentioned this but there are several states in which you are legally as a biker allowed to treat a stop sign as a yield sign -in Washington where I am it’s WA SB 6208. Despite this it is a pretty normal occurrence here to get yelled at by someone behind you for going through an empty stop without stopping. Ignorance on laws which give cyclists more rights is definitely not a helpful thing.

@MaineJulia Жыл бұрын

I believe that is the case in France too.

@jeremyhatt7208 Жыл бұрын

Drivers on the internet, for some reason assume, cyclists never drive, and could never understand their 'issues'. I've been driving 30 years... virtually all motorists grievances are just temper tantrums that would get them a long time-out in kindergarten.

@daveanolik8837 Жыл бұрын

I like the hierarchy of vulnerability: a toddler crawling is clearly on one side of the spectrum, I’m thinking maybe a garbage truck or Hummer is on the other side. Tangentially, I’ve played hopscotch for countless miles on rural roads with postal carriers pulling up to mailboxes in the past. No conflicts, usually two people just smiling and waving at each other. FWIW, I do use both a garmin radar and cool little Rene herse bar-plug mirror, makes me feel a tiny bit safer.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

That hierarchy also applies to convenience. A pedestrian trying to cross a street could be waiting for several minutes if cars don't let them cross, but if everyone just stopped to let them through everyone would spend like 50 seconds collectively.

@fnorgen Жыл бұрын

As a frequent cyclist, the only cyclists that really annoy me are the ones who ride on the narrow main road into town with very few passing opportunities, during rush hour, and hold up a line of 20+ cars, when there's a separate cycle path that runs parallel to said road just 3 meters away. For some reason it's usually the 40-somethings with very expensive kit, who aren't nearly as fast as they appear to think they are.

@stevenfranklin4675 Жыл бұрын

I'm a cyclist living in Yosemite and the level of impatience people have for me is insane.

@gentrelane 11 ай бұрын

The #1 cause of motorists hating cyclists is them knowing they're too out of shape and lazy to do it and being ashamed of it deep down

@jonathanzappala Жыл бұрын

I know bike legal told you this, but my State Farm insurance agent told me, that he would like for such coverage to exist (he is also a rider) but uninsured motorist coverage does not cover you if you get hit and run or hit by an uninsured driver on a bike, only in your vehicle.

@wildmano1965 11 ай бұрын

Exacty...Some of these drivers are actually FULL BLOWN Sociopaths. The world is full of them.

@trishaleaver3581 11 ай бұрын

Agree with everything you say! Been a cyclist for 45 years. It was waaaaay easier before mandatory helmet laws. In the 1970s / 1980s roads were way busier with people not driving. Helmet laws kinda killed the desire. The cities where people bike the most don’t have helmet laws. Motorists are not used seeing us on the road anymore.

@neilmouneimne5451 11 ай бұрын

The argument that drivers would treat cyclists with respect if only we followed the rules of the road is patently ridiculous.

@dannydirty_life_and_times8916 Жыл бұрын

I tend to agree with you, as a bike rider and driver. Your grocery store example is a perfect scenario that once behind the wheel aggression tends to take over.

@ambiarock590 Жыл бұрын

Because drivers don't see other drivers as humans, but other machines that are in their way of getting to where they wanna go, and that sentiment is transferred onto cyclists despite being able to see the person operating the bike. Driving is dehumanizing and socially isolating.

@and2244rew Жыл бұрын

These are the same people that complain about walking across a large parking lot. Irony totally lost on them.

@Tilemason1 Жыл бұрын

I grew up in Huntington Beach now in rural Podunk Utah, I can hear the banjo's before the engine. Fortunately there's 3000 miles of sick gravel/mtb

@tedwalker1370 Жыл бұрын

As a bicycle rider for many years I can relate to everything you said. I must say I got quite a few chuckles out of your comments.😂

@happydappyman 11 ай бұрын

Im a cyclist and I hate (some) cyclists too. That being said, I'm also a driver and i hate drivers much more. An annoying cyclist is.. annoying. A danger to themselves mostly, and an occasional minor danger to others. An annoying driver is much more common and much more dangerous. It's to the point now where I'm angry every time i drive. Whoever is giving these moron motorists a license has committed a crime against humanity imo. P.S. the media machine is full of b.s. when it comes to anti cyclist, pro-car propaganda; but you listen to them about trump? Think about it man.

@rangersmith4652 11 ай бұрын

There are two important safety concerns that always apply, regardless of what sort of conveyance: 1) People want to go in different directions, at the same time, in the same finite space. Statistically, intersections are the most dangerous places for drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians. That's why most intersections are controlled by various signals. This is widely acknowledged. 2) People are going different speeds. We talk a lot about mixing bikes with cars, walkers with bike riders, etc., but we miss the basic reason why these things are problematic: differential speed. There's a very good reason why people who race at the pro or club level, whether in cars, on motorcycles, on bicycles, on foot, etc., must first "qualify" by demonstrating their ability to maintain a certain speed. Anyone going much faster or much slower than everyone else is a hazard. Differential speed is a major hazard on public streets and roads as well. Even in a bike lane, it's not safe for a person on a road bike to go 25+ mph with other riders going 10 mph on a cruiser. It can actually be much safer for a fast cyclist to mix with cars than to mix with slow cyclists and pedestrians. So, a potential solution to all this is not to create car lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian lanes, but rather to create lanes designated for different speed ranges.

@dhkitson1 Жыл бұрын

Good video Phil. I guess where I live we’ve got thousands of miles of logging roads(gravel). I can pretty much stay off roads and stay away from the few pricks who make road riding a nightmare

@KwadSkwad Жыл бұрын

I started road riding in the late 90s. with the number of folks staring at their glowing rectangles instead of the road, I've found it's just much safer for me to ride gravel as well (where I see

@SR-fm1ft Жыл бұрын

Cycling is bad for the roads, bad for the environment and causes traffic. Said no sane person in history.

@emannpro11 Жыл бұрын

Riding roads scares me. I was on vacation in Nashville a couple years ago and a guy just turned into me in a bike lane when I was going straight and had the right-of-way. I dread big city biking now if it’s not on a trail which unfortunately a lot of bigger cities don’t have or they are quite lacking in the trails they do offer. Actually live in Iowa and got into gravel biking recently. I feel a lot safer on those roads even though I am aware that accidents can happen on those too.

@Joshua-dx7zn Жыл бұрын

In Virginia, it is a state law now that you can ride 2 bikes side by side and not have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign if you yield. I will ride beside my buddy but when a car comes (I have a Garmin radar) I will move in front or behind him to let the car pass. And you are so right about the stop sign, it uses so much energy to come to a complete stop, unclip or track stand, then restart and get up to speed. I've had people get so annoyed even when I am riding on the shoulder. But I try to make a habit of waving people pass me when it is clear on the back roads. I think most people appreciate me recognizing they are back there and wanting to pass and by me waving them on, they feel more confident that they can pass me safely and get on their way.

@paulmcknight4137 Жыл бұрын

Well, as far as stop signs, cops have let me go for doing a track stand, looking both ways, and then going through the intersection. I never have to unclip. Right on, getting over and letting cars pass. Showing intent is important for a guy on a bike.

@Kid_Ellipsis Жыл бұрын

Did these pass? I thought 2 abreast was modified and Idaho stop was denied.

@Joshua-dx7zn Жыл бұрын

@@Kid_Ellipsis Yes they passed. I passed a cop the other day riding two abreast and he waived.

@kitchencarvings4621 Жыл бұрын

Around here it's "bikers don't have to pay for license plates and use the roads for free". My retort is always that I pay property taxes and registration on my truck but when I'm riding my bike, I'm not doing damage to the roads the way all you farmers do with your big diesel trucks, farm equipment, and trucks loaded with 20 thousand pounds of potatoes. Plus we're not dropping metal parts all over the road. I've probably spent well over $2,000 on tires and tire repairs from all the crap that is on the roads from old farm trucks and equipment, screws, bolts, wire, pieces of the fenders and frames, screwdrivers, wrenches and all manner of debris.

@Thezuule1 Жыл бұрын

I'm lucky to live in an area where all the busy 55 mph roads have 4' wide shoulders to ride on and there are ample bike paths connecting the area around. Shoulders can be smaller in the city here, and they're almost always full of parked cars, but I'm able to keep up with the city traffic easily enough so I don't think I cause too much of an obstruction for other people. I have no issues getting in a lane to turn at a traffic light or pulling up to a 4 way to make a turn like I'm a car, but I'm on a TT bike and I haul ass. I make a point to make eye contact with drivers who made be turning at intersections and I move quick enough most cars won't try to cut me off to make a right turn ahead of me or whatever. I 100% of the time follow the rules of the road, I signal my turns, stop at red lights and stop signs, etc.

@tvfieri4633 Жыл бұрын

We need a gofundme for a national tv commercial / PSA.

@bruceleroy1143 Жыл бұрын

I ride in the burbs. If it’s under 15 miles round trip. I ride. When I do get buzzed or get an angry driver. I just take a look at the driver Anand point to my chin and the lack of a double chin. I ride to stay healthy. I will say most people are pretty nice and give you room. The four way stop issue will always be one. But id rather take a timid driver waving me on than an angry person blowing a stop sign to beat me in my 35 lb commuter bike.

@Xubuntu47 11 ай бұрын

I am both a lifetime cyclist (since 1965) and professional driver. I would say, where I drive, safe, law-abiding cyclists are a rarity. When I witness a cyclist who is aware of traffic, signals their intentions, and blends smoothly with the flow, it is a joy to share the road with them. But I give space to vulnerable road users regardless of how cluelessly they operate. I just wish the smart people were more common. Also, it took me about a year to get used to rolling through stop signs on my bike when my state passed the "safe stop" law, but now I appreciate it. Still, it pains me to be on group rides and be the only one that doesn't just cruise through at full speed without looking. Is it so hard to slow down and look? And (gasp!) maybe even wait for a car who has the right of way? Instead of expecting them to always stop for you no matter whose right of way it is? Our local drivers are trained to do this by cyclists who cut them off. Pedestrians are also trained to expect bikes to run them down if they don't watch out, and are shocked when I yield to them in a crosswalk😂. It actually confuses them.

@dudeonbike800 Жыл бұрын

One thing to add: Drivers have no RIGHT to drive. Driving is a PRIVILEGE! Riding and walking? Yup, we have the RIGHT to walk and ride on the roads and streets. Drivers fail this most basic of facts every single time.

@hughrobinson9978 Жыл бұрын

Was hit a couple of years ago by an 83 year old who had a red light and T-boned me whilst I was crossing the road on my MTB. Later came out that he had been annoyed by another cyclist earlier in the day and was "going to take the next one out". He even changed lanes to hit me. I ended up in hospital as a near fatal - surgeon said my helmet saved my life....

@davidgeorge9233 Жыл бұрын

All excellent responses to those comments Phil, the world is so polarised at the moment, so much hated and bickering. Over here in the UK we have many of the same issues you mentioned, only our roads are narrower and cycle lanes either non existent or they appear and disappear randomly! I is always stop on red, and at temporary lights if at the front I always wave the cars behind me through first, I try to ride approx 1m from the kerb, to claim road space and force drivers to think instead of just trying to squeeze through, always ride with dayflash lights too. Stay safe.

@noisepuppet Жыл бұрын

A puzzling thought process: 1. "I'm annoyed by traffic delays." 2. "Everyone should drive cars." Do they not see the connection between traffic volume and congestion? 😂

@timotius Жыл бұрын

As a cyclist, I always do my best to stop at a stop sign and stop at red light. It's important to obey rules to prevent getting an accident from motorists.