John, thank you for #10, which I would have added if you hadn't included it. Imagine the nightmare scenario of getting to a 4-way stop, going out of turn at the insistence of a driver and getting hit (somehow), only to have a third-party witness testify (truthfully) that the motorist who hit you had the right-of-way.
I just want to follow up on this. The scenario I describe in this video happened to me last week in the same spot. In Alberta the law states 'This means that even if the crosswalk is unmarked, vehicles must stop and yield to pedestrians.' I disagree with this too, because in my experience about 20% of the motorists don't stop in crosswalks. It would be safer and faster if the vehicles were given the right of way in every situation. The onus should be on the pedestrian or cyclist to cross when it is safe. Consistency is key.
I ride up behind someone or a couple and out of courtesy ring my bell 'when it works' and they are always startled. Some smile, some look slightly pissed off. You can't please everyone.
I have had people curse at me. I think they misunderstand the reason for the bell, to alert them to my presence. Some people think it's like a horn... a 'get the hell out of the way' signal.
You make some very good points. Retractable leashes, with the human electronically hypnotized by their cell phone, are common on our rail trails too. Recently, a death occurred between a cyclist and a young e-biker, leading up to a 90 day e-bike ban here in the Miami area. I am also super cautious of pedestrians and cyclist making a U-turn as I am passing, scary stuff for sure! But the big one down here lately was too much exposure to the media, which turned most of our bike club into germaphobes concentrating on sanitizers instead of safety, leading many of us to depart. Stay safe out there and we will see you later.
Thanks for the comments. Germaphobes eh? Hmm, wonder what caused that? I have been asked occasionally what objects I see the most lying on the side of the road. Years ago, used up lighters, I saw them all the time. I think they stood out because of their colour. Then I started seeing bungie cords, no doubt getting loose and flying off some traveller's load. A few years ago these blue fabric things with elastic strings were everywhere, scattered all over the road. I think your germaphobes, who no doubt lecture people about the environment in their spare time, had them fly off their faces and out the window... like the aforementioned bungie cords. All the best from Calgary. It has been a long time since I have been in Florida. After a long winter I sure could use the Sun.
Well in Europe you must have a bell and lights and of course the brakes in good shape . E bakes are hazard for us and the cars . Way to fast ,no insurance like wtf lol, ps awesome rants I love it .thank you 🍺
Apple Air Pods have transparency mode which id great for outdoor awareness. I like to listen to podcasts but I can still hear whats around me. I'd step aside and wave if you were coming up behind me.
I appreciate your point, but if I'm riding my bike I need all of my attention on what is happening around me. I can't be sure my attention is on a bike bell or a truck bearing down on me if I'm rocking out to Led Zeppelin or Rush.
Share paths are being built because they are cheaper than separation paths but with the introduction of EBike, Airbuds etc you mention, they are not fit for purpose anymore. I have a bike bell, it is a waste of time, never use it, because no one acknowleges it anymore.
I hate bells on the pathway. You can't tell which direction the cyclist is coming from and, frankly as a cyclist, it scares the hell out of me sometimes. Pedistrians prefer you say loudly, "passing on the right (or the left)." Because it tells them where you are, where they should go, and where they can expect you to travel past them.
Sorry for the late reply. I understand your point, but man it gets tiring saying "passing on your left" a couple hundred times on a ride. Thanks for the comment.
If I'm off the saddle grinding up a hill and I meet you coasting down, I'm probably not going to risk giving you a wave. You'll have to settle for my subtle nod.
Regarding #9. It's ineffective to preach "follow the rules of the road" specifically to cyclists who sometimes break the rules for our own safety without harming or hindering anyone. If you're going to deliver that sermon, deliver it to every road user because motorists are equally guilty as cyclists in breaking traffic laws. Who's telling the drivers who consistently roll the stop signs in residential neighborhoods or speed under red lights that they're making other motorists look bad?
I agree about motorists. I am speaking as a cyclist who doesn't want to be lumped in with bad riders. Some motorists hate bikes. I am afraid road rage might take me out some day because I have two wheels and pedal, not because I did something wrong. Thanks for the comment.
@@CyclingOnAShoestring I understand where you're coming from, but your concern about road rage does not change the facts regarding who breaks the rules and why. As a cyclist, I roll stop signs when it's safer for me without hindering motorists, and as a motorist I anticipate that the cyclists I encounter will be doing the same when it's safer for them without hindering me. This is how all motorists SHOULD be trained. (One could say that cyclists should be trained to this standard also, but experienced cyclists already know it, though many make the "give cyclists a bad name" argument). If we want all to be well with the world, it's the typical motorist's attitude that needs changing, not the habits of the typical cyclist. If we change our habits to accommodate drivers' bad attitudes, individual crashes might be avoided, but on the macro scale nothing will ever change. It's really not a radical concept unless you are ready to let motorists win.
I am in favour of the Idaho stop. It was voted down in Calgary few years ago. I think there are bad motorists and cyclists. I want to reiterate, bad cyclists make us all look bad. I don't want an us vs them attitude out there. I'm not changing my riding to drivers bad attitudes. As far as letting motorists win, I have no idea what you're talking about. Bottom line... if you're riding a bike, obey the rules of the road!!!
@@CyclingOnAShoestring Motorists win when we take onboard their views about cyclists, which is what you do when you say we all look bad -- to motorists! How can you not see that? If a bad cyclist represents all cyclists, then does a bad driver represent all drivers? Does a bad pedestrian represent all pedestrians? Applying your logic, the answer can only be yes to both. So why are you unwilling to say that? Why do you apply that principle only to cyclists?
John, thank you for #10, which I would have added if you hadn't included it. Imagine the nightmare scenario of getting to a 4-way stop, going out of turn at the insistence of a driver and getting hit (somehow), only to have a third-party witness testify (truthfully) that the motorist who hit you had the right-of-way.
Great point. All the best.
I just want to follow up on this. The scenario I describe in this video happened to me last week in the same spot. In Alberta the law states 'This means that even if the crosswalk is unmarked, vehicles must stop and yield to pedestrians.' I disagree with this too, because in my experience about 20% of the motorists don't stop in crosswalks. It would be safer and faster if the vehicles were given the right of way in every situation. The onus should be on the pedestrian or cyclist to cross when it is safe. Consistency is key.
I ride up behind someone or a couple and out of courtesy ring my bell 'when it works' and they are always startled. Some smile, some look slightly pissed off. You can't please everyone.
I have had people curse at me. I think they misunderstand the reason for the bell, to alert them to my presence. Some people think it's like a horn... a 'get the hell out of the way' signal.
You make some very good points. Retractable leashes, with the human electronically hypnotized by their cell phone, are common on our rail trails too. Recently, a death occurred between a cyclist and a young e-biker, leading up to a 90 day e-bike ban here in the Miami area. I am also super cautious of pedestrians and cyclist making a U-turn as I am passing, scary stuff for sure! But the big one down here lately was too much exposure to the media, which turned most of our bike club into germaphobes concentrating on sanitizers instead of safety, leading many of us to depart. Stay safe out there and we will see you later.
Thanks for the comments. Germaphobes eh? Hmm, wonder what caused that? I have been asked occasionally what objects I see the most lying on the side of the road. Years ago, used up lighters, I saw them all the time. I think they stood out because of their colour. Then I started seeing bungie cords, no doubt getting loose and flying off some traveller's load. A few years ago these blue fabric things with elastic strings were everywhere, scattered all over the road. I think your germaphobes, who no doubt lecture people about the environment in their spare time, had them fly off their faces and out the window... like the aforementioned bungie cords. All the best from Calgary. It has been a long time since I have been in Florida. After a long winter I sure could use the Sun.
Fun rants. There are lots of elderly with hearing disabilities, I never know if they can hear my bell.
Excellent point.
Well in Europe you must have a bell and lights and of course the brakes in good shape . E bakes are hazard for us and the cars . Way to fast ,no insurance like wtf lol, ps awesome rants I love it .thank you 🍺
Apple Air Pods have transparency mode which id great for outdoor awareness. I like to listen to podcasts but I can still hear whats around me. I'd step aside and wave if you were coming up behind me.
I appreciate your point, but if I'm riding my bike I need all of my attention on what is happening around me. I can't be sure my attention is on a bike bell or a truck bearing down on me if I'm rocking out to Led Zeppelin or Rush.
I agree with that. I only wear them when I'm walking, not riding. Probably should be made illegal. @@CyclingOnAShoestring
Great T-shirt by the way!
Share paths are being built because they are cheaper than separation paths but with the introduction of EBike, Airbuds etc you mention, they are not fit for purpose anymore. I have a bike bell, it is a waste of time, never use it, because no one acknowleges it anymore.
I feel the same way about bells. Thanks for the comment.
9 out of 10 of the list can be summarized in one word, entitlement.
Coming soon riding with VR goggles... thanks apple
The movie Wall E coming to life. Thanks
@@CyclingOnAShoestring I like that movie. This is more like Ready Player One
I hate bells on the pathway. You can't tell which direction the cyclist is coming from and, frankly as a cyclist, it scares the hell out of me sometimes. Pedistrians prefer you say loudly, "passing on the right (or the left)." Because it tells them where you are, where they should go, and where they can expect you to travel past them.
Sorry for the late reply. I understand your point, but man it gets tiring saying "passing on your left" a couple hundred times on a ride. Thanks for the comment.
How’s about cyclists that are so committed and serious they can’t give us plodders a wave 🙄
Can we call them cycling snobs? Good one.
If I'm off the saddle grinding up a hill and I meet you coasting down, I'm probably not going to risk giving you a wave. You'll have to settle for my subtle nod.
Regarding #9. It's ineffective to preach "follow the rules of the road" specifically to cyclists who sometimes break the rules for our own safety without harming or hindering anyone. If you're going to deliver that sermon, deliver it to every road user because motorists are equally guilty as cyclists in breaking traffic laws. Who's telling the drivers who consistently roll the stop signs in residential neighborhoods or speed under red lights that they're making other motorists look bad?
I agree about motorists. I am speaking as a cyclist who doesn't want to be lumped in with bad riders. Some motorists hate bikes. I am afraid road rage might take me out some day because I have two wheels and pedal, not because I did something wrong. Thanks for the comment.
@@CyclingOnAShoestring I understand where you're coming from, but your concern about road rage does not change the facts regarding who breaks the rules and why. As a cyclist, I roll stop signs when it's safer for me without hindering motorists, and as a motorist I anticipate that the cyclists I encounter will be doing the same when it's safer for them without hindering me. This is how all motorists SHOULD be trained. (One could say that cyclists should be trained to this standard also, but experienced cyclists already know it, though many make the "give cyclists a bad name" argument). If we want all to be well with the world, it's the typical motorist's attitude that needs changing, not the habits of the typical cyclist. If we change our habits to accommodate drivers' bad attitudes, individual crashes might be avoided, but on the macro scale nothing will ever change. It's really not a radical concept unless you are ready to let motorists win.
I am in favour of the Idaho stop. It was voted down in Calgary few years ago. I think there are bad motorists and cyclists. I want to reiterate, bad cyclists make us all look bad. I don't want an us vs them attitude out there. I'm not changing my riding to drivers bad attitudes. As far as letting motorists win, I have no idea what you're talking about. Bottom line... if you're riding a bike, obey the rules of the road!!!
@@CyclingOnAShoestring Motorists win when we take onboard their views about cyclists, which is what you do when you say we all look bad -- to motorists! How can you not see that? If a bad cyclist represents all cyclists, then does a bad driver represent all drivers? Does a bad pedestrian represent all pedestrians? Applying your logic, the answer can only be yes to both. So why are you unwilling to say that? Why do you apply that principle only to cyclists?