cyclists and stoplights - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

A264172 · #31 09-27-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuan

Some mass groups are quite bad. They preach hate for cars. Don't like them at all.

That reminds me of an episode of Speed Racer 'The Car Hater' episode.
"...guy rides a horse everywhere and refuses to allow his daughter to ride in a car until she needs to get to the hospital in a hurry"

Critical mass sucks imo, sole purpose appears to be causing traffic jams at rush hour.
If once a month you block some guys way he's gona say "what have I been thinking I'm gonna dump this gas guzzler and get me a pedal-cycle, save the world and be able to pass these guys?"

t walgamuth · #32 09-27-2006, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

I have always understood that the rolling resistance of any tire is above its sliding or skidding resistance.

"Locking them up" looks good, and feels like you are doing your best, but it may not give the shortest stopping distance.

A quick search found this (there may be others, but I'm out of time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system

I will admit that a really skilled (professional race?) driver may be able to do this, but not necessarily each and every time, in the rain and snow, after a bad night's sleep, hungover, on the cell phone, etc.

So, in theory ABS can be beaten. In practice, it is a terrific helper when you mis-judge how much brake pressure to apply, in a panic or on slippery surface.

i dont recommend locking them up. but i have often read in car tests that locking them up results in the shortest distance. perhaps this is only true on clean good condition asphalt. the real world may well be another matter.

for myself i really dont think i need abs all that much but for my wife and my family i want it. and now that i have it in my vehicles i like having it too.

agian though, the main advantage is in keeping the car pointed the direction you desire to go and in being able to steer the car away from danger with the brakes fully applied.

i can think of a couple of times where i avoided a crash by letting off the brake pedal, unlocking the brakes and steering away from the inevitable rear end collision. this would be on rainy greasy pavement or snow or ice. and in cars before abs was a twinkle in the eye of dr. bosch.

tom w

t walgamuth · #33 09-27-2006, 11:58 PM

i nearly hit a biker today who was whizzing along the sidewalk. i was turning onto the side street and she was coming into the crosswalk. there was no doubt a walk signal but she was moving a lot faster than a walker and i had committed to the turn before seeing her. luckily she was able to stop because i couldnt have, probably.

when riding a bike on the sidewalk you must be aware that the car driver will be looking for folks moving at walking speed.

i once had a biker slam into my car when i was waiting at an intersection and did a right turn on red. he assumed i would stay there til the light changed. i came up and cleared the crosswalk and waited maybe 20 seconds then began to turn right and wham! he rode right into the rf of my 84 280e euro. dented it too.

luckily i was able to push it out 98% perfect and it didnt have any broken paint.

tom w

#34 09-28-2006, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackE55

Heh, "Critical Mass". They had an active group in Madison. I'd blow by them many times in my '66 Olds Toronado on the way back from work (pre Mercedes days). Howling glasspack duals, headers, smoke - they hated me. Well, they hated all cars.

They do hate all cars. There is a seven mile scenic road a few miles from my house that is a favorite amongst bicycle riders. On weekends, they ride en masse, taking up the whole lane of a narrow two lane rode that is mostly double yellow. The problem is that the soccer mom suv drivers only see a slow a** car in front of them and don't realize that there is a group of bicycle riders in front. So, when they pull out to pass me, I have to almost come to a complete stop in order to let the suv squeeze by me and get behind the bicycle riders. In between that and the morons riding those Chinese made scooters while drinking coffee or chating on a cell phone, the only good driving time is early Sunday morning, because most people are sleeping one off.

retmil46 · #35 09-28-2006, 01:59 AM

In this state, if I remember the traffic laws correctly, they'd be breaking the law by riding en mass and deliberately holding up traffic. Seems I recall that if you're operating a vehicle on public road and doing more than a certain amount below the speed limit, the road is zoned as "no passing", and you're holding up more than X number of vehicles behind you, you're required to pull over to the side at the first safe opportunity and allow the traffic behind you to proceed before pulling back onto the road.

An idiot is an idiot, and an a##h##e is an a##h##e, regardless of whether they're piloting a bicycle, motorcycle, or car, and doing so in a manner to deliberately inconvenience or anger others on a public road, and/or in complete disregard of traffic laws.

Jim B. · #36 09-28-2006, 02:39 AM

They have those in San Francisco, one Friday afternoon a month. I've seen them, thousands of them take over Market Street, the main artery to downtown, and yet even the Police even stand by and let them run amok. They are contemptuous of cars, trucks, buses streetcars and pedestrians (I was once mowed down by one racing on the sidewalk)

It's routine to see them go flying through red lights, anything so as not to lose momentum, the ones who DO stop will go in circles so as not to put their foot down

Once I was stopped in my car on Market Street, first in line, waiting for a chance to make a right turn on red (permitted when safe to do) When I was turning the corner, all of a sudden from nowhere, a bicyclist came flying down the sidewalk, and tried to stop quick because my car was there, the last thing I saw of him was the rear of the bike in the air and the cyclist flying over the handlebars

Despite the traffic lanes they have for them, it's still pretty dangerous - the bike messengers get "doored", there've been cases when one pulled in front of a Muni bus, or a garbage truck and gotten killed that I remember, and it makes more sense to walk or ride the bus. The city traffic can be fast and unforgiving.

#37 09-28-2006, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

In this state, if I remember the traffic laws correctly, they'd be breaking the law by riding en mass and deliberately holding up traffic. Seems I recall that if you're operating a vehicle on public road and doing more than a certain amount below the speed limit, the road is zoned as "no passing", and you're holding up more than X number of vehicles behind you, you're required to pull over to the side at the first safe opportunity and allow the traffic behind you to proceed before pulling back onto the road.

An idiot is an idiot, and an a##h##e is an a##h##e, regardless of whether they're piloting a bicycle, motorcycle, or car, and doing so in a manner to deliberately inconvenience or anger others on a public road, and/or in complete disregard of traffic laws.

My father is heavy into vintage Willys military Jeeps, and they can do about 45 mph on a good day. He always checks his mirrors and pulls over to let people pass. He rides out to my house every once in a while, and never has anyone flip him off, otoh, I get flipped off all the time in my 300D by soccer mom suv drivers who don't understand that I need about ten feet to get rolling with traffic. Maybe, I need one of those yellow signs on the rear bumper that read "heavy load" or some such thing.

aklim · #38 09-28-2006, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

The problem is that the soccer mom suv drivers only see a slow a** car in front of them and don't realize that there is a group of bicycle riders in front. So, when they pull out to pass me, I have to almost come to a complete stop in order to let the suv squeeze by me and get behind the bicycle riders.

I don't follow. When I am in a truck or SUV, I can see above most cars. Even when I am in a car, I can look thru the glass most of the time if I cared to.

Edit: I wouldn't. I had someone do that around a right curve and they almost hit the oncoming car. Think I am going to burn off my rubber and brakes for your stupidity? Think again.

aklim · #39 09-28-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

I get flipped off all the time in my 300D by soccer mom suv drivers who don't understand that I need about ten feet to get rolling with traffic.

Maybe, I need one of those yellow signs on the rear bumper that read "heavy load" or some such thing.

Have you considered that you take too long at the lights? I get irritated when the light turns green and the front driver tries to figure out what it is and what they are supposed to do or act unsure of the intersection and how to cross it. Before I get into an intersection, I have looked at and around it and am sure what to do. I don't make a turn or cross the intersection in 5 steps. If it is clear, I move. If not, I stop. When I move, I move like I mean it.. I'd put an obnoxious horn on the 210 but the wife forbade it.

Edit: How about one of those orange triangles like the amish have? Your 300D isn't that slow and the SUVs are not that fast. If they are like that, I might want to move there. The soccer moms here are 3rd in my rating as the slowest drivers. 2nd prize goes to old people. 1st goes to orientals. If SUVs are that fast, I haven't seen it. They are slow and cumbersome here. After driving the SUV for a couple days towing our toy hauler, I take the Vete our for some Corvette Therapy. Not addressing whether they are rude or what but somehow I get the feeling you are driving with an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal.

retmil46 · #40 09-28-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

My father is heavy into vintage Willys military Jeeps, and they can do about 45 mph on a good day. He always checks his mirrors and pulls over to let people pass. He rides out to my house every once in a while, and never has anyone flip him off, otoh, I get flipped off all the time in my 300D by soccer mom suv drivers who don't understand that I need about ten feet to get rolling with traffic. Maybe, I need one of those yellow signs on the rear bumper that read "heavy load" or some such thing.

I'd say it's their different perception of the two vehicles. A vintage Willys military Jeep is easily recognizable as an antique/classic vehicle, and they might also make the unconcious connection that the older gent driving it may be a retired vet, and cut him some slack. OTOH, when they see a MB, they just assume it's some rich idiot out for a joyride.

BTW, my compliments to your father, he sounds like a very courteous gentleman.

#41 09-28-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Have you considered that you take too long at the lights? I get irritated when the light turns green and the front driver tries to figure out what it is and what they are supposed to do or act unsure of the intersection and how to cross it. Before I get into an intersection, I have looked at and around it and am sure what to do. I don't make a turn or cross the intersection in 5 steps. If it is clear, I move. If not, I stop. When I move, I move like I mean it.. I'd put an obnoxious horn on the 210 but the wife forbade it.

Edit: How about one of those orange triangles like the amish have? Your 300D isn't that slow and the SUVs are not that fast. If they are like that, I might want to move there. The soccer moms here are 3rd in my rating as the slowest drivers. 2nd prize goes to old people. 1st goes to orientals. If SUVs are that fast, I haven't seen it. They are slow and cumbersome here. After driving the SUV for a couple days towing our toy hauler, I take the Vete our for some Corvette Therapy. Not addressing whether they are rude or what but somehow I get the feeling you are driving with an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal.

IMHO.

It's all relative. A 1984 300D with 300k is a bit slow compared to Lexus LX400 and Escalade suv models. I have driven MB diesels for over 20 years, and I can tell you that they aren't the first choice of bank robbers. Though, the 300D is the newest on I have had. I know the newer models are pretty fast. People hesitate at lights when they turn green because they have to let the cross traffic that is running the light go thru the intersection. Seriously. I'm not about to risk my health or my car for the sake of the person behind me who thinks they are Walter Mitty.

#42 09-28-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123c

I've seen Bike cops pull cars over, which I find very funny

That reminds me of the time I loaned my buddy my early '80s Kawasaki GPZ550. He got pulled over for not wearing a helmet by a cop blowing a whistle on a bicycke. Man, did we give him a hard time for that.

aklim · #43 09-28-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

IMHO.

It's all relative. A 1984 300D with 300k is a bit slow compared to Lexus LX400 and Escalade suv models. I have driven MB diesels for over 20 years, and I can tell you that they aren't the first choice of bank robbers. Though, the 300D is the newest on I have had. I know the newer models are pretty fast.

People hesitate at lights when they turn green because they have to let the cross traffic that is running the light go thru the intersection. Seriously. I'm not about to risk my health or my car for the sake of the person behind me who thinks they are Walter Mitty.

My wife's 99 E300 is barely acceptable after chipping. Doesn't have the spriteliness of the gas models. It is ok only if they are comparing NA with forced induction. I have driven a couple of older diesels and while they are pooches (Up till 99, they all are, I haven't driven a new CDI yet), they are not so bad. I took an acceptable 02 Suburban, dumped headers and exhaust, intakes, gears and chipped it and it would be pretty good. In most parts of the country I have driven, I find that when it comes time to leave the line, I am usually 2 car lengths away before the guy behind me figures it out and that is with my wife's pooch. If you are so slow that soccer moms are giving you the finger, I suspect it is not the car but the driver that is moving slowly.

I am talking about those who wait till the light turns and then they start trying to figure out what to do. I watch the other set of lights and when they start to turn, I look around. When the light turns, I go because I already know what is in the intersection. I don't wait for the lights to turn then look around, check it twice before I tip toe thru the intersection. If I was unsure, I should not drive. Don't know how that risks either me or the car. I am not talking about running blind into a situation. I am saying that I know the situation before going into it and then I take off. Now, if John Force and his drag car is on the road, I suppose my system would not work.

#44 09-28-2006, 05:32 PM

Your confidence is amusing.

aklim · #45 09-28-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Holmes III

Your confidence is amusing.

Pretty cryptic. What confidence? Do you or do you not look at what the dangers are? I do. I just do it a few seconds before the light changes. If you are doing it after the light changes, isn't it the same thing except it keeps people waiting? If it is clear, what are you waiting for?

I anticipate when the light will change by looking at the other side that is green. When it is about to change, I scan around and identify the problems. When it changes, having checked and it is clear, I leave. When I take off, I get up to speed limit without squealing the tires. When I am leaving I still am looking for anything that comes into my space. What more is there?