1. More people on bikes = less cars in traffic.
2. Less traffic = motorists can get where they want to go faster and easier.
3. Yelling at people on bikes and intimidating or scaring them with your vehicle = less people on bikes.
I’m absolutely fed up of being yelled at and intimidated by motorists in this city. Just today, three different drivers yelled at me within 40 minutes. I’m sorry that I slowed you down by thirty seconds or a minute, or that you don’t think I should be on the road. At this point, I don’t even care that I have an equal legal right to the road, or that I’m better for the environment or any of the hundred of other arguments.
What it comes down to is that if you act aggressively towards cyclists, there will be fewer people on bikes and more people in cars. No one wants more traffic. So please, remember that cyclists constantly feel threatened (a car can easily kill us) and that yelling to at cyclists is counterproductive for everybody. —23 Years Too Long in This City
This article appears in Nov 10-16, 2011.
didn’t they just put in a shit-ton a bike lanes?
OB…the route out of the HRM is clearly marked, directions to the highways & airport its very easy to find your way out of here. So stop complaining & go .
Biking on the 100 series highway is, um dangerous….
Anyway, I’ve been biking 20 years in this town and have had less people yell at me than I need to count, what the fuck are you doing wrong? And yes, I’m ‘blaiming the victim’.
Absolutely Cranky, these people complaining weekly about people yelling at them and trying to kill them have to be doing something wrong, I haven’t had anyone yell at me yet, I’ve had one close call and the driver was super apologetic, I do try to pick the route less traveled so maybe that would work for you as well OP, take the scenic route….I know there are assholes out there in cars but there are also assholes on bikes that’s the way it goes, people can be assholes. I hope you keep on biking and don’t let it get to you, believe it or not it is getting better.
the wind is my biggest problem
“Biking on the 100 series highway is, um dangerous….”
And for that very reason, It shouldn’t be allowed IMO. Just about any other major urban centre in the country doesn’t permit cycling on major highways. It’s enough of a crap shoot driving a car on the 100 series around here, let alone a bicycle. But then, I’m not a cyclist, so…
The Good. Biking on 100 series highways is illegal in Nova Scotia, but they have made an exception for the stretch leading to the airport, as there isn’t really a direct route from Halifax to the Airport via bicycle, other than the highway. I still wouldn’t use it.
I see it all the time cranky.
I also see them going to Enfeild & beyond.
As well as coming in on it. when I am inbound. There was a parade of them this summer all loaded down with camping gear etc (had to be 9 or more) as I came onto the highway at exit 9.
I learned something new today. I didn’t know that, Cranky. Thanks.
I agree OP, I do my share of bicycle commuting. People driving by giving the finger for no reason, people cutting right over to the edge of the road in front of me, cutting me off at right turns. It is very unpleasant. I think it comes down to awareness. I have commuted in Vancouver, London, Calgary, some Japanese towns I worked in by bicycle and as more people there ride there is more awareness.
Just like you pointed out, most people don’t realize that if that “pesky bicyclist” wasn’t riding they would be just another car stuck in traffic.
Keep going pal, stay safe.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health…
OB, you’ll be happy to know I drove by a huge puddle and slashed a cyclist. I maintained the 1m distance I had to give them….hope they enjoyed the water. LOL.
I am a cyclist as well, but have never had drivers yell at me… If you had 3 people yell at you in 40 minutes, then it sounds like you may have been in the wrong. Do you obey stop signs, lights, etc? I see way too many cyclists blowing through 4 way stops and generally ignoring traffic signs.