tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post1844647495752708842..comments2024-03-11T12:46:28.806-04:00Comments on You. Me. Ride This Crazy Train - Adventures and Observations on The GO: Bought a new bike... because I nearly got killedC.J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-50575393226131661582015-07-02T21:19:51.599-04:002015-07-02T21:19:51.599-04:00Where's the like button? I wanna hit it a few ...Where's the like button? I wanna hit it a few million times hereJ. Allannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-72359770094052627592015-07-02T14:58:40.585-04:002015-07-02T14:58:40.585-04:00I've never come close to hitting a cyclist or ...I've never come close to hitting a cyclist or pedestrian despite all the things 'they' (that includes me) do wrong. Why? Because I'm steering a tonne of metal a few feet from flesh and bones so I PAY ATTENTION. I don't want to hit someone then take solace in the fact that it wasn't my fault. And I don't want to waste my time trying to get people to behave properly, 100% of the time. It won't happen, ever - for cyclists, pedestrians or drivers.<br /><br />We all flout the rules and take risks. That will never change. But a driver flouting the rules is less likely to wind up dead. As a driver you have a lethal weapon under you and therefore more responsibility - whether you like it or not - to look out for everyone else.<br /><br />By all means scream at the idiot cyclist, just don't hit him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-19362376511662984612015-07-02T13:08:30.525-04:002015-07-02T13:08:30.525-04:00I agree. And I'm tired of it. How about we all...I agree. And I'm tired of it. How about we all just be kind to one another? Driving/Cycling isn't about being right. C.J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-13618335322830256222015-07-02T13:04:58.630-04:002015-07-02T13:04:58.630-04:00The drivers versus cyclists argument got boring ye...The drivers versus cyclists argument got boring years ago...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-46446331387165165082015-07-02T12:37:59.675-04:002015-07-02T12:37:59.675-04:00I didn't say car drivers were a problem. I am ...I didn't say car drivers were a problem. I am a driver myself. This situation was one where the driver saw me and chose to run the stop sign anyway expecting me to deal with it. Second, I admitted I had been riding a bike not suited to me.<br />I don't ride in downtown Toronto. <br />I don't represent all cyclists nor do I speak for cyclists.<br />The point of this post was to mention the dangers of riding a bike that doesn't fit you when dealing with a dangerous driver.<br />NOTE THE USE OF SINGULAR. One driver. <br />I also didn't say I was in the "right". I did have right of way but also didn't expect this driver to suddenly stop in the middle of the intersection.<br />I will tell you that a week later it is now apparent this driver did this deliberately. As if to teach me a lesson. <br />I've since learned that some drivers will do this because they have a hate-on for anyone on 2 wheels. <br />I can't fix that but I can be more aware.<br />But don't make this about all cyclists are bad. There are bad cyclists and there are bad drivers.<br />There are also good drivers and I see way more of them while riding than I do bad ones.<br />Thank you for writing in.C.J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-10976818351898228032015-07-02T12:02:11.041-04:002015-07-02T12:02:11.041-04:00Car drivers are the problem?
Obviously you never ...Car drivers are the problem?<br /><br />Obviously you never noticed all the cyclists running stop signs, riding on the sidewalk, passing open streetcar doors, riding on the subway/go platforms, ... I nearly got hit by some asshat cycling on the sidewalk last night when I exited the streetcar on Queen. <br /><br />Then you get all the cyclists who think it's safe to pass a right turning car/truck/bus on the right, and then their family screams to the media about car/truck safety when they get smushed by a truck. <br /><br />I'm not blaming you for what happened, but a little more defensive riding may save your skin someday. Being right is no good when you're dead. <br /><br />Cyclists are really hard to see, especially if they are moving fast. Most car drivers make improper stops. Have your bike under control at all times, be ready to stop at any intersection, even if you have the right of way. If you can't see them in their mirror, chances are they don't know you are beside them. Even if you can, they still probably don't know you're there. If you are passing a few parked cars, and there is one with the wheels turned left, or you see somebody in the drivers seat, be careful, you may get doored or the person may pull out in front of you. Stuff like that. <br /><br />You may have the right of way, but if you can save yourself from getting hurt it's better than being dead right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-23655736144836231062015-07-01T09:48:18.578-04:002015-07-01T09:48:18.578-04:00No horn but lights yes. Whistle is a good idea. Ha...No horn but lights yes. Whistle is a good idea. Have one of those. Will get a horn too. Something loud like a siren.C.J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-60525617789773854192015-07-01T09:43:29.713-04:002015-07-01T09:43:29.713-04:00Definitely add a horn and LED lights front and bac...Definitely add a horn and LED lights front and back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-65758623840001098102015-07-01T01:18:11.690-04:002015-07-01T01:18:11.690-04:00Should get a coaches whistle and blow it. It can b...Should get a coaches whistle and blow it. It can be heard a mile away.<br /><br />I use a whistle and I will blow it if drivers don't stop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-16744149758677888862015-06-30T23:04:05.260-04:002015-06-30T23:04:05.260-04:00I've decided riding through subdivisions is a ...I've decided riding through subdivisions is a certain part of Hell I need to avoid.C.J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-7835935215637811442015-06-30T22:59:16.146-04:002015-06-30T22:59:16.146-04:00As a bicyclist, you need never ask if a motorist i...As a bicyclist, you need never ask if a motorist is stupid. I always assume that every car I encounter is piloted by at best a 6 year old, and at worst, a homicidal maniac bent on killing everyone he sees that day. Very little surprises me, except for drivers that give me and my bike adequate passing room. J. Allannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-19171681894127140962015-06-30T19:11:50.363-04:002015-06-30T19:11:50.363-04:00Ah, drank. Yes!Ah, drank. Yes!Bickynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-84370856832484746172015-06-30T16:12:41.665-04:002015-06-30T16:12:41.665-04:00I can totally understand. I only wish I had done t...I can totally understand. I only wish I had done this three years ago. C.J. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325979176373626807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441168213084499367.post-24379251881023371512015-06-30T16:10:19.124-04:002015-06-30T16:10:19.124-04:00When I made the switch from a too small, way too h...When I made the switch from a too small, way too heavy bike with all terain tires to my lovely, light road bike my life changed!!! KMnoreply@blogger.com