Speaking of words of wisdom... It has some psychology involved as well. Ever notice that u feel uneased when a stranger get to close to u? It has been proven that the same personal space extended outrward considerably when u are driving, especially in ur treasured vehicle.

Happy motoring,

ET

What a great bunch of conversation here. Had me laughing out loud for pushing that biker over from your mirror hahahahahahaha. I personally go to college in Tallahassee Florida at FSU. Last year I bought a 300$ bike and used it to get to school which was across the street and was able to get across the campus right quickly. However I always let the cars do their thing and I never got in their way. I am a considerate driver(except for people who get on my tail for the heck of it)when it comes to pedestrians and bikers. I don't let people walk all over me but I don't need to run them over. I'm still waiting for a good oppertunity to scare the living poo out of someone with my air horn I installed on my 190. Just want to sneak up behind a road hogger and make them jump 15 feet in the air. Also thinking of getting a better one that would compare with what they use on a semi truck. Well happy road raging to you all and good luck!

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Rob C
89 190E 2.6
Beige

In most places in the U.S., bikers do have the same rights as cars, and alot of drivers don't seem to understand that. However, there are still more bikers that don't understand the rules. I used to live in Tempe Arizona, which is a college town with an unusually large number of bicylists. I read some statistics published by the city on accidents and an astonishing 85% of all car-bicycle accidents were the fault of the bicylist.

I can believe that stat.
It is a common sight to watch cyclists cruise through red lights, weave in and out of traffic, make illegal turns, go the wrong way down one way streets etc. If they have the same rights, they should obey the same rules.
And if you have to ride something with two wheels on the street, get a motorcycle so you don't hold up traffic.
I am all for excercise and enjoying the outdoors, and there are plenty of bike paths, parks and off road areas for that.

Love that pushing the guy off the mirror trick. Thumbs up for that.

Fresh air? What's that? I live in L.A. I drive next door to the neighbors house...
Mostly out of laziness though…
I walk the dog with the leash out the driver window...
Sigh




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Two 1991 300E's
2000 E55
2001 Brabus CL500

Hey trent...we live in the bike courier capital of the world...almost. Most of the craziness is courtesy of them. I know...I have 25 of them working for me!

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Dale
'82 300 TDT 330,000 km

Working FOR you. If that means that you are their employer, do you give these guys medical coverage ? Now that would be scary.

And yeah, when it comes to downtown, those couriers are pretty bold on their bikes. At least in heavy traffic, vehicle speeds are low enough that they are more of an annoyanc than anything.

It is the guys pedaling down major streets (Mac Tr or 14 street etc.) and are sort of in the right side of the right hand lane, and most people in cars either don't have enough room to get around them safely or are too scared to try. Big line of traffic behind them.
In this scenario, the guy on the bike can't even see the cars coming behind him. IF a car was going to run him over, he wouldn't even see it coming, and couldn't avoid it.
Very low margin for error all around. A few inches could spell disaster (scratched paint or broken mirror) <I'm all heart I know.>

I fail to understand logic, if there is any. Maybe some day I will be so bored and out of things to do that I will check out a street-cyclists forum and ask. Don't hold your breath though.

Nope, we just thank the big kahuna for a plethora of soccer moms and suburbans here in CA, because there is no better street-cleaner/biking-disincentive available.

I worked with a guy who rode his bike to work. One day he didn't show up. The next day he drove in, with his leg in a cast and a story. On his ride to work that day a city dump truck made a right turn in front of him and ran him and his bike over with the rear double wheels. Of course he started yelling. The driver backed up to see what the yelling was about and backed back over him. I know he at least got a new bike out of it, not that he could use it for a while.

BTW I put air horns in my wifes car, they are LOUD. Now she has a problem with butt prints on the hood.