Calgary Jeep Association
General Forums => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Matt4x4 on June 03, 2011, 10:19:44 AM
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Just so ya know.
They are legal on every road in Calgary, except Deerfoot and the restricted times on Stephen Avenue (8th Ave).
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its also ok for a cyclist to run a red light, pass traffic on a sidewalk to get to the front of the line, they can pass you on the right hand side of a right hand turn lane, and generally disrupt traffic too. but i guess its not like you can take away their drivers license ;) they aren't driving a car right?
i hate cyclists in this city. follow one set of rules. either traffic or pedestrian. sick and tired of almost waxing cyclists day in and day out in DT Calgary because one second they follow traffic rules, next they're pedestrians.
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if they are not off thier bike at a pedestrian crossing ... I never stop for them.
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if they are not off thier bike at a pedestrian crossing ... I never stop for them.
You're bolder than me. I've almost hit those damn couriers DT about a thousand times. They pass me on the right, while I am turning right, at 40km/h and are surprised when I don't notice them. FFS
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I used to ride religiously until I bought a jeep. Then the bike was no longer the money pit the jeep became. I cant recall how many times I was stopped by CPS and asked to get off the sidewalk. It was a lot. I will still to this day ride on the sidewalk but courteously to pedestrians. I am courteous to cyclists on the road when in my jeep, but to ride a bike on calgarys narrow lane streets, you have to have a deathwish.. Ive never been ticketed yet which knock on wood I never will be. I asked the officer one time if he would be gutsy enough to ride on the road where I was and he even agreed with me that he wouldnt... Though yes its the law. Its also law to have a bell and a helmet on the bike paths. Neither of which ive followed either, tho the helmet really is common sense now a days :) I dont have much of that left it seems.. After all, I did buy a Jeep..
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i ride my bikes a decent amount on the streets. for some dumb reason i enjoy riding amongst traffic. i used to do a lot more riding back home and a lot of it was downtown. i dont run red lights or stop signs. but i sure will pass on the right but give the cars room to turn if they need to. i ride on the sidewalk too cause its faster sometimes. im sure i squirt drivers off, but i could care less. get off your lazy arse and ride a bike :P
my drive to work was 9 minutes. now with deerfoot/blackfoot/glenmore backed up its more like 30-40 minutes every day. so ive been riding more.
yes ive heard all the complaints before but i use my head when i ride.
;D
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Around the city is one thing. I came home today from Watervalley, heading East bound on TR292. This is a paved back road, generaly not too busy,with NO shoulders! The speed limit is 80k. I live on an acreage North of Crossfield. There was Big MS bike thing going on, GREAT cuase. But, what TOTALLY upsets me, is these Spandex wearing, toffu farting, granola eating, tree hugging, douche bags, have to ride right down the middle of the road, sometimes 4 wide, with ON-COMING traffic! I did sound my horn, just long enough to let them know I was there, and none of them even looked, let alone moved over to the edge of the lane to ride single file. It should be legal to run them off the road.
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It's one day of the year dude. Would you rather they rode down the #2? BTW it's legal to "own" your lane... If I'm on a bike or a motorcycle and I'm travelling down the highway .... I have a right to the lane I'm in. If you wish to pass me you can do it when it is safe and legal to do so. Just like you would if you came up on a piece of slow moving farm equipment. Or maybe you're one of those no-teeth, tobacco chawing, sister loving, no bathing, barely literate inbred fuctards that would pass in the ditch honking and swearing and throwing empty cans of Lucky at the farmer? Like I said... it's one day of the year... and 80km/h is the LIMIT ... not the minimum.
Also... I'm sure the stereo typing was meant in fun... but it doesn't help our cause when people stereo type us... just as it doesn't serve you well to stereo type some guy pedaling a bike down a road.
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I think Tim's point was that they were riding 4 wide as opposed to cutting it back to single file so traffic can safely pass them. That cheeses me off as well. Usally happens to me when I'm trying to get somewhere for my grass cutting company on a rural road and they're out for a Sunday bike ride.
I'm already jealous that your enjoying the day while I have to work, no need to rub it in!
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Totally understand it can be annoying... just figure the stereotyping doesn't help us... nor does the "legal to run them off the road" comment. Best scenario is all road users are courteous (and yes my world is a happy place where all is good).
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I know it's only one day of the year. But these guys are Dicks, every day of the year, it's a condition. I know, I suffer from a similiar condition, I call a spade a spade. And yes, I would MUCH rather they rode down #2. At least it has a shoulder, not just a white line then ditch, where they can safely ride 2 wide and BS. It also has 2 lanes, where you can pass on the inside lane, same as I would for a broke down vehicle on the shoulder. Well maybe my stereo typical comments seem a bit harsh, but it is the out right arrogance of these guys that irritate the living crap out of me. It is the SAME arrogance, that is used by people who don't even use, enjoy, or respect our off-road areas, but feel the need to remove us all from them. And yes, I do know, VERY WELL, that it's always a few in the crowd, any crowd, that spoil it for all. You can see that any long weekend in the bush. And I don't mind sharing the road, however, these paricular types Should be run off the road to learn then a little respect and courtesy for others. The SAME type of treatment I'd be happy to dispense to some jack-arse out in the bush, if I caught him throwing out garbage on trail or ripping an off-trail area to crap, and knew better. PS...I just so happen to still have all my teeth, don't chew or smoke, and chances are, I went to school with that farmer and he'd be more than happy to pull over and have a Lucky with me. If that's the only crap we had. ;) Peace out.
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(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e229/vinman02/car-hits-bike.jpg)
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I don't believe it is the biker's fault they have a bad rap, it is the roads they use (except the 4 wide, that's rude). Sure Calgary has a decent trail system but the shared roads are complete bull! Especially in the downtown core.
I commuted in the saddle for years, I hated the cars and their drivers. I drove a big truck downtown for years, I hated the couriers and their attitude. I challenge anyone to "pedal a mile in their shoes" before laying the hate. Seriously, bike those same roads, follow all those rules you say bikers get to choose, just for a few hours, and if you can do it without cursing at least one motorist I salute you.
BTW, I'm stealing your line fug.
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The Alberta Traffic Safety Act defines the bicycle as a vehicle. When traveling on the road, cyclists have all of the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle. To operate safely in traffic, all road users including cyclists, must obey the same road rules.
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The Alberta Traffic Safety Act defines the bicycle as a vehicle. When traveling on the road, cyclists have all of the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle. To operate safely in traffic, all road users including cyclists, must obey the same road rules.
And they should also be required to carry liability insurance.
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... and stop at red lights and stop signs !
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... and stop at red lights and stop signs !
If they have insurance they don't have to stop. but neither will I.
I bet if its a tie, my truck wins.
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I commute by bike, there are quite a few bikers that I find annoyoing and give "bikers" a bad reputation.
I found riding on side streets jay walkers were a problem... and they yell at me!
now that my route includes 1st street , where many bikers are... there is no honking or yelling at bikers. no jay walkers either. Its probably because we can catch up at the next light...
some other riders say its because they have a heavy bike lock and it makes a nice dent on the trunk of a car .
just saying
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Back in the eighties when i was at UofC, i got pulled over one night. i was drunk riding my trusty bicycle home. The police can charge you with impaired driving (offense goes against your drivers license) and it counts :o
i had no identification on me, so i think the ticket may or may not have had my proper info on it. But, i did learn that IF you have a valid drivers license and are on a bicycle and get ticketed for anything, it counts against your drivers license.
Again, this was 25+ years ago and i am not sure if it is still true regarding infractions on a pedal bike counting against your DL. i think it does...still.
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Back in the eighties when i was at UofC ...Again, this was 25+ years ago
I had no idea you were so damn old Tom
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That is just because i act so juvenile :-\
But i will be 47 this week.
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That is just because i act so juvenile :-\
But i will be 47 this week.
Welcome to the club there buddy!!!!!!! BAPPY HIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! :D
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Wow... the hate for cyclists...
I commute on my bike, and I for one OWN my lane. None of this staying to side so you yahoos can slip by me. Been there done that way too many time.
Cut me off now... I will catch up to you and we will have talk... for maybe a light or 2 ;)
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Wow... the hate for cyclists...
It's got something to do with the garb worn by cyclists downtown whilst commuting that makes me want to swerve and hit them. Skintight Lycra in hot pink on men is just wrong , and I sometimes feel the need to put these bastards out of their misery.
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Welcome to the club there buddy!!!!!!! BAPPY HIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! :D
Thanks Rob.
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Definitely a lot of love being thrown around. like everything else a few bad apples, and the entire group is painted with the same brush…..funny the off road community wouldn't know anything about that. ::)
It all boils down to driver and cyclist education on what is legal/illegal for each group and enforcing those rules. When was the last time you've seen a guy on a bicycle pulled over by a cop for anything. So if a cyclist know's he can get away with running a few red lights, why not.
I cycle to work daily 8 months of the year and I think cyclists simply need to learn how to co-exists with the vehicles on the road, all be it, there is some situations that can't be avoid.
But the little things do go along way to avoid conflict.
Like choosing not to filter to the front of the line, because you know you'll end up frustrating drivers as they try and pass you again when the light turns green. Typically I would only filter to the front if i know drivers can safely pass me or if there's two lanes.
Or simply adjusting your speed (speeding up or slowing down) so when you do need to take the lane, your either well ahead or behind traffic.
I'm still not convinced that even with the $20M budget the city is planning to spend next year to improve bicycle stucture, that it will encourage cyclists or make it any safer for cycling in this city. The attitude from both drivers and cyclist simply need a big adjustment.
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It's got something to do with the garb worn by cyclists downtown whilst commuting that makes me want to swerve and hit them. Skintight Lycra in hot pink on men is just wrong , and I sometimes feel the need to put these bastards out of their misery.
Worn only by bicyclist. ;D or for the days they're running a bit late and had no time for that last wiz before they left the house. Their version of depends.
I give them full respect and room one time. If they don't go by the rules of the road and pass me while stopped at lights or some other reason I don't give them that same respect the second time. On the highway...if there's no shoulder I'll time it for a safe pass. If there is a shoulder and they are crowding the shoulder line....I won't be risking a head on collision with another vehicle and myself so I hope you are steady while I'm passing you in my lane.
Tim I agree with you on highway events. Any highway is not a good place for any event..one day or not....there's more than enough other locations to hold an event that ties up traffic for that long. At the very least put in for a permit to have the highway closed for such an event. Risks of high speed collisions are to great. Yup, I still have all my teeth too....no hillbilly blood in my family.
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If they have insurance they don't have to stop. but neither will I.
I bet if its a tie, my truck wins.
...after my second ambulance ride to the hospital, after some dick-for-brains motorist failed to stop at a STOP sign in the intersection and just ploughed right through me and my bicycle at 30kph.... I decided to give it up. As much as I loved cycling to and from work, the health aspect, everything.... it became apparent that I was going to end up in a coffin rather promptly due to the inadequacies of Calgary drivers. Also the continuation of blood, stitches, scars, concussions and bi-weekly visits to the Chiropractor for 6 consecutive months got old fast.
You know, I've cycled all over many other cities such as Rome, London, Paris (even around l'Arc de Triomphe, no less! Anyone who's driven around l'Arc de Triomphe will know what I'm talking about) and in all of those places never did I feel a fear of being hit, or knocked off my bike, like I always did in Calgary.
The majority of Calgary drivers, it appears, are simply inattentive twats.
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Or are the cyclists in those other countries far more cautious because they are open game like pedestrians? I'm not sure of thier regulations for cycling there but I'll bet they aren't allowed on the Autobaun like they are allowed here on the highway. Deerfoot is an exception that goodness.
If cyclists were to loss thier user equal on roads benefits I'm sure they would quit being as arrogant as they are to use an entire lane when going much slower than traffic in most occasions. They'd probably quit riding abreast on highways as well. If they are doing the same speed as traffic then knock yourself out and go ahead use a lane.
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...after my second ambulance ride to the hospital, after some dick-for-brains motorist failed to stop at a STOP sign in the intersection and just ploughed right through me and my bicycle at 30kph.... I decided to give it up. As much as I loved cycling to and from work, the health aspect, everything.... it became apparent that I was going to end up in a coffin rather promptly due to the inadequacies of Calgary drivers. Also the continuation of blood, stitches, scars, concussions and bi-weekly visits to the Chiropractor for 6 consecutive months got old fast.
You know, I've cycled all over many other cities such as Rome, London, Paris (even around l'Arc de Triomphe, no less! Anyone who's driven around l'Arc de Triomphe will know what I'm talking about) and in all of those places never did I feel a fear of being hit, or knocked off my bike, like I always did in Calgary.
The majority of Calgary drivers, it appears, are simply inattentive twats.
I feel like that when I'm on my motorcycle! It's much larger (easier to see), is white and blue and has 3 HIDs that are almost blindly bright, but people still fail to see me...
The worst was coming home one weekend from Edmonton. I was in the left lane following another vehicle and this guy blows up beside me in the right lane. He hangs out there for a couple minutes (he got blocked by the car I was almost beside in the right lane) and the whole time he's eyeballing me in his driver mirror. He then locks eyes with me in the mirror, puts his turn signal on and just starts to come into the lane (my front tire is in line with his back tire)! My middle finger and I had a good conversation with him as I pulled beside him on the shoulder >:(