bike riders

[Bronn]

I got no problem with them at all so long as I don't see them on a sidewalk, disobeying traffic light or stop sign laws, riding opposite the flow of traffic, passing by stopped people at a stoplight or stop sign, or anything else unsafe not only to them but to other people on the roads.

 

My beef is with mopeds. A high percentage of folks on them, in my experience locally, do so because they've lost their license via DUIs or other reasons. They, moreso than bike riders, often disregard the rules of the road, and either rarely signal or don't at all. If they can't get a driver's license because of some reason like a DUI, then they don't have any business operating any kind of motorized vehicle on the roadways.

 

Also, please take note that Delhommey has expressed some sort of bias against people who drive automatic transmissions twice now. Really, man? Do you not have any better reasons to beef with people than the type of their transmissions? lol C'mon, now. I agree with you a lot of the time but this just seemed goddamned ridiculous.

[Delhommey]

People who drive oversized automatics tend to do so because they don't want to be troubled with the act of driving.

Thankfully I think within our lifetimes we will see the advent of the self driving car.

[Kettle]

I drive a silverado. It helps get my manly jobs done. The ones many bike riders would care less about. Home improvement type things. I know tht from a few former friends who have blown a lot if money on bikes and accessories only to see their yards become mostly dirt.

It's automatic, and its because I've all but blown my left (clutch) knee when I was younger doing board sports. I used to only have straight drives, but the last frequently left me limping after city driving. I am not the guy delhommey speaks of, and I would bet that few are.

[Delhommey]

I drive a silverado. It helps get my manly jobs done. The ones many bike riders would care less about. Home improvement type things. I know tht from a few former friends who have blown a lot if money on bikes and accessories only to see their yards become mostly dirt.

It's automatic, and its because I've all but blown my left (clutch) knee when I was younger doing board sports. I used to only have straight drives, but the last frequently left me limping after city driving. I am not the guy delhommey speaks of, and I would bet that few are.

There are exceptions clearly. My mom drives an automatic now because she's 72 with bad knees.

[Mvp2014]

If you dont drive an auto than you better have a fast car. Otherwise you just look like a punk. Or msybd you have a crazy GF and dont want her driving your car. Good reason to have a stick

[Floppin]

If you dont drive an auto than you better have a fast car. Otherwise you just look like a punk.

 

What?

[Chimera]

A sports car driver with an automatic looks like a much bigger punk than a guy driving a 1997 Saturn getting 40+ MPG because he has a 5 speed.

I stopped biking in and around Charlotte. Too many dogs loose in my neighborhood. Too many idiots on the road elsewhere. So now I just put my bike rack on my tow hitch of my oversized automatic SUV (actually its midsized) and find a greenway.

[Mvp2014]

A sports car driver with an automatic looks like a much bigger punk than a guy driving a 1997 Saturn getting 40+ MPG because he has a 5

Agreed. I hate seeing a really nice sports coupe thats auto. Ewww

[MadHatter]

They only annoy me when they do not follow the rules of the road*. When they ride in a single file line it is annoying but still easy enough to go around them but when they ride side by side it aggravates the poo out of me and only thoughts of their children growing up father/motherless keeps me from ending them there and painting a bike in the side of my truck.

* Not the Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - Rules of the Road Mind you

The only time they really annoy me us when there is a large group of them riding single file on Tilly Morris or McKee. Makes it damn near impossible to get around them.

[Zod]

Why do street bike riders do so much to make things as easy as possible for them? Spandex, ultra light carbon fiber bicycles, crazy helmets, shaved legs, etc. Aren't you doing it for the exercise? Shouldn't you make it harder on yourself? If you want some exercise and endurance building why not make it harder? Hey I am going to ride 30 miles today but I am going to make it so easy I just need to fart to propel myself!

 

[Happy Panther]

Why do street bike riders do so much to make things as easy as possible for them? Spandex, ultra light carbon fiber bicycles, crazy helmets, shaved legs, etc. Aren't you doing it for the exercise? Shouldn't you make it harder on yourself? If you want some exercise and endurance building why not make it harder? Hey I am going to ride 30 miles today but I am going to make it so easy I just need to fart to propel myself!

 

The same reason I don't wear a diving suit to go running.

 

Not sure exactly what that reason is, but it's the same one.

[thefuzz]

I get it, there are a ton of Armstrong wannabe's out there, and normally I don't get upset with them.

 

However, if they are riding on the street after massive amounts of tax dollars have gone into building a bike land right beside them....which they refuse to use I get extremely angered.

[Salvo]

Why do street bike riders do so much to make things as easy as possible for them? Spandex, ultra light carbon fiber bicycles, crazy helmets, shaved legs, etc. Aren't you doing it for the exercise? Shouldn't you make it harder on yourself? If you want some exercise and endurance building why not make it harder? Hey I am going to ride 30 miles today but I am going to make it so easy I just need to fart to propel myself!

 

Because exercise doesn't mean torture oneself. The more you overexert your body, the less likely you're going to enjoy it as an exercise and continue the routine day in, day out...eventually resorting yourself to the couch once again. I wouldn't want to run in jeans and a leather jacket just to make it harder for myself.

 

The amount of money spent on lightweight bikes is severely overrated. There's not a lot of difference between a 22 lb $400 bike (which I have) compared to a 15 lb $2000 carbon fiber bike. The difference is more relevant in mountain biking where the bikes are generally heavier and need to be very strong. A lightweight and rigid carbon fiber mountain bike can be very beneficial.

 

There's also a lame status element to it. Don't have a high priced bike or a professional team jersey on, you're seen as a nobody. Funny because those that can afford it are usually the ones that don't deserve it as they are the slowest and clog up the roads with their smugness. 

[Niner National]

Bike riders don't really bother me, but since I live in right in the city, my trips are generally less than 2 miles and top speeds are rarely more than 35.

 

Fortunately, Charlotte put $35 million into greenways with the latest CIP funding. This will connect the Little Sugar Creek Greenway with the McMullen Creek Greenway in the Ballantyne area, which connects with the McAlpine Greenway. It will also connect with the Mallard Creek Greenway in the University area. When this is completely built out (I believe it is supposed to be by 2017), you will be able to ride a bike from the fringes of Huntersville all the way to Ballantyne without touching the road.

 

That won't keep the Lance Armstrong wannabe's off the road, but it will give people who are simply looking to get exercise or actually use a bike for transportation a much safer and more scenic route to take.

 

It will also get far more use than something like the streetcar for a fraction of the cost. As a casual biker, I can't wait for it to be finished.