Ever get tired of the "I'm doing the speed limit" jack wagon in the left lane?

[bloke]

this cop did ::008::

http://youtu.be/ELZQ-Z6lASI

 

[switchback]

About time someone did something about it. Here in UT it is definitely common practice to throw the Cruise control on and hang out in the left lane.

 

[Kevhunts]

In my state it's not illegal to cruise in the left lane, while in others, it is only for passing which makes sense to me.
We also have a law that states if you have a string of vehicles backed up, bumper to bumper behind you (even on a 2 lane road) you must pull over when safe and left those cars pass.

The only thing that frosts my ass is getting stuck behind one of those Lance Armstrong wannabe's who insist on riding their bicycles on the most narrow-ist of 2 lane roads, you know the ones without bike paths or shoulders and heavy traffic coming the other way, where you drive 20mph for 3-4 miles before you can get around them! ::010::

 

[markjenn]

The only thing that frosts my ass is getting stuck behind one of those Lance Armstrong wannabe's who insist on riding their bicycles on the most narrow-ist of 2 lane roads, you know the ones without bike paths or shoulders and heavy traffic coming the other way, where you drive 20mph for 3-4 miles before you can get around them! ::010::

Bicyclists should ride in a manner that cooperates with traffic as best they can, but to say they should only drive on roads with wide shoulders so as to not inconvience motorists is going way too far in my book. I ride bicycles quite a bit and I don't like riding on busy roads and mixing it up with traffic either, but there are lots of situations where you simply have no choice. A little cooperation and tolerance on both sides is in order here. How would you feel if the 4-wheel community decided that you shouldn't be on certain roads because they think they are unsuitable for motorcycles?

- Mark

 

[Twitch]

That was a funny vid in the first post. That was a dude who just had enough! We need those types of cops here in Florida.

How would you feel if the 4-wheel community decided that you shouldn't be on certain roads because they think they are unsuitable for motorcycles?

I think some element of the 4-wheel community has decided along those lines.

 

[Checkswrecks]

My XTZ needs a EZ-zap raygun.
Any idea how these bastages can snarl traffic while they create a rolling roadblock for a third of Independance or Constitution Avenue?
::009::

 

[rem]

Bicyclists should ride in a manner that cooperates with traffic as best they can, but to say they should only drive on roads with wide shoulders so as to not inconvience motorists is going way too far in my book. I ride bicycles quite a bit and I don't like riding on busy roads and mixing it up with traffic either, but there are lots of situations where you simply have no choice. A little cooperation and tolerance on both sides is in order here. How would you feel if the 4-wheel community decided that you shouldn't be on certain roads because they think they are unsuitable for motorcycles?

Well stated, Mark. The problem, as always, rests with those few (hopefully) individuals who are lacking in basic knowledge of rules of the road, courtesy and common sense. Like that segment of motorcycle riders, they give all the rest of us a bad name. An astute and intelligent bicycle rider has my full support and cooperation. Some of them, like some motorcyclists (drivers, pedestrians, politicians) can be complete idiots and it is that group with whom we have issues. I don't know the answer, but I agree that it is not to summarily ban their existence in certain areas. Hopefully each individual group will make the effort to "police" their own. The drivers (4 wheel) and pedestrians that comprise Whitehorse are some of the most ignorant in the country. I don't see how people that tuned out live as long as they do, but they do, and I have to deal with them on a daily basis.


Sorry for the rant .... It is an issue with me as well. R

 

[Don in Lodi]

I can deal with a cyclist fine, or a line of cyclists, I drive a small pickup or a Tenere, we can share. But the goofs that think "Share the Road" means they can ride side by side and essentially block the entire lane! Wassup with that? ::010::

 

[rem]

I can deal with a cyclist fine, or a line of cyclists, I drive a small pickup or a Tenere, we can share. But the goofs that think "Share the Road" means they can ride side by side and essentially block the entire lane! Wassup with that? ::010::

I agree, and this falls squarely into the "lacking in basic knowledge of rules of the road, courtesy and common sense' category I was referring to earlier. I don't think they fully appreciate the danger that they place themselves in when they do this, let alone the the inconvenience imposed on drivers. I dunno .... R

 

[markjenn]

But the goofs that think "Share the Road" means they can ride side by side and essentially block the entire lane! Wassup with that?

It's rude and inconsiderate. The worst think that because it is (possibly) their legal right to do so, they should exercise that right all the time. Others work under the (misguided) assumption that they are safer if they act like a car all the time and make it impossible for motoristst to pass in their lane. Others simply like talking and riding beside their buddy, and they don't give a bleep about anybody else.

It's unfortunate, but there are some real jerks out there, no matter what category of vehicle pilots you're talking about. Best to keep one's anger under control and deal with them as best you can while maintaining safety margins - nobody deserves to get hurt because they are an inconsiderate driver and hitting a bicyclist is not something I would want to live with the rest of my life with, no matter who was at fault.

- Mark

 

[rem]

::026::

 

[20valves]

In my state it's not illegal to cruise in the left lane, while in others, it is only for passing which makes sense to me.

Our state made it illegal to travel in the left lane, it is for overtaking only. Apparently, it will be awhile before some of our "drivers" understand this. I love the way the cop handled it in the video. Just great. ::008::

10-4 on the very reasonable comments on road bicyclists. I live in a hilly area here in OKC and for that reason I suppose the cyclists want to work out around here. Problem is, there is no shoulder and because of the hills, all roads are double yellow lined. Now, there are the same hills on the very wide, little traveled interstate feeder roads but do they ride there? NO! They have to make their point and make cars wait on them as they grind up the hills at 6 mph in the 45 to 55 mph zones. Self righteous pricks I'm sure. I ride road bicycles too and it's a great activity. But like anything, try to accommodate others and use manners and common sense, don't be a d-bag that says the world must deal with you only on your terms. ::009::

 

[elizilla]

When I was doing a lot of bicycling I would intentionally take over lanes when it was not safe for the cars to pass in my lane. To do otherwise is courting death; few car drivers are thinking about this, so you have to do the thinking and decide for them. This is especially true in city traffic where no one is going very fast anyway. If you ride in the gutter and the traffic/speeds are slow enough that cars don't get all the way past you before they forget about you, someone is sure to turn into you or push you off the road. The people who are most likely to be offended when you take a lane, are the same people who will get next to you and then turn right without signaling.

Also, next time you are on a country road and some bicyclist is failing to stay far enough right for you to pass in their lane, remember that the right hand edge of the road is far more likely to be one giant pothole full of broken glass, and when your tires are only an inch wide and 100psi, this is a much bigger problem than when your tires are six inches wide and running 30psi. They may be that far out in the lane, simply because of the problems with the pavement.

My three years of bicycle commuting was good training for motorcycling. I had to get over the whole "be timid and stay out of the way" mentality, and learn how to make myself seen, and how to control the drivers around me. As a result, when I am on the motorcycle I don't have nearly the adventures that other people report, of cars not seeing me and pulling out in front of me. I have a sixth sense for who sees me and who doesn't, and I can compensate automatically, so the close calls are very rare. It is SO much easier to win the psychological chess game of traffic, on a motorcycle, after learning it in that much harder school. I think all motorcyclists should learn to bicycle commute; it would be better than MSF.

 

[Yamaguy55]

As part of my job, I have to drive a huge amount, sometimes 2-4 hours one way to a site, often at a moment's notice. This could be any time of day, and often into the evening.
Here in PA, you're not supposed to be a left lane hog, as it is for passing only, and most PA drivers are not. However, there are a very large number of out of state drivers that pass through the area that I live in, and I can tell you ahead of time what state they are from by their "I'm important and you're not" attitude. I am almost always correct in my guess. We like guests, but would rather have welcome guests, not people that act as though the left lane were assigned to them, personally. I call them the "anti-destination league"

Would you consider yourself a good guest if you came into someone's home, and put your muddy boots on their furniture? I think not; so why would someone essentially do the driving equivalent? My guess: numbness, rudeness, or an entitlement mentality; or a combination of all three. To them I say: "Go home, we have enough of our own idiots, we don't need to import any!"

While not into vigilante justice, I find intense personal satisfaction when one of these bozos gets their comeuppance. Like I said: "GO HOME!"

When I become dictator, I'll have them shot: first in the engine, then in the kneecaps.

 

[rem]

To them I say: "Go home, we have enough of our own idiots, we don't need to import any!"

Unfortunately, this is a ubiquitous syndrome. The planet seems to abound with these individuals. I think they are winning. Sure makes you want to do harmful things to them, all right. The "ME" culture is nearing its apex. I dunno. R

 

[Yamaguy55]

Right you are. They didn't get that idea internally, or at least they don't keep doing solely because they think it is ok. They do it because nobody makes it unacceptable to do it. Shame on them.
It is an unfortunate side effect of having the authorities handle everything. In times past, it would have been handled on the spot. Perhaps that isn't the best method but this certainly isn't a good result.
There is a multitude of parallels: people drive like they do everything else. Really: spend time following people walking, and see how they drive. The same ones that stop in the middle of the aisle in the grocery to talk on the phone, will do the same on the road. There is no one other than them.

Because I'm particularly grouchy today, I'm revisiting and toning down my rants.

 

[Twisties]

My neighbor got hit on his bicycle Friday. He was stopped at a red light, with intent to go straight through the intersection. When the light turned green the first car in line going the other way made a left in front of him as he pulled out. He stopped and waited. The second car didn't move and he thought his row was being respected. As he continued into the intersection, she suddenly accelerated and took him down. He's more or less ok. Bike totaled. FWIW, folks on bicycles are even more vulnerable and less visible than we are. Like us, every one of them is one less car on the road, and even less air pollution, and probably a lower health care cost. I have no problem with them, and applaud them all the way.

As for jack wagons in the left lane.... I'm in the right lane in my cage, and far more worried about tailgaiters. I rarely ride the bike in urban or multi-lane highway conditions, but when I do I am much more able and willing to get around, one way or another. Am I bovvered?

 

[20valves]

I would intentionally take over lanes.....you have to do the thinking and decide for them....

How very considerate and generous of you.

 

[elizilla]

How very considerate and generous of you.

Yeah, I know it is frustrating for them to have to move their foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal for one or two seconds. And it's so aggravating to lose out on five seconds of time they could otherwise have spent tailgating the car in front of them, and annoying to miss out on the ten extra seconds they could have spent sitting at the traffic light a half a block ahead. But they would have felt bad if they got their paint scratched when they sideswiped me in the too-narrow space. Someone has to make this decision, and as the one who would do the bleeding if someone decided wrong, it was appropriate for it to be me.

To make it up to them, I also refrained from passing them on the right while they were waiting at the light after that, and I came pedaling up behind them. And I waited at red lights same as them. I didn't make anyone pass me twice. But they could damn well take a deep breath and pass me safely, once.

 

[rem]

Let's be careful out there. R