Flatbed in Boston runs over Cyclist

There must be a lot of people riding bikes in Boston, that's not the first time I've heard of a bicyclist getting hit.

 

Many bike riders seem to be of the belief they are protected by some "bicyclist God", and are incapable of being smashed and at fault at the same time. Many of them seem to throw caution to the wind as they're riding around streets and highways. Many of them have much bigger balls then I do but it's no guarantee they can't lose the game of chicken some times.

 

What seems so unbelievable to me, is the way cyclists react to any criticism of their riding. On the one hand, they scream that "the law says I have a right to ride here," on the other hand, they often ignore the law by blowing stop signs and traffic lights, riding in the roadway on high-speed or curvy mountain roads, when there is an available space for them to ride.
Some how they just don't seem to get the fact that a person on a bicycle that tangles with a car, let alone a big truck, is NOT going to come out of it without some problems. Usually serious problems. They just don't get it.

 

It seems lots of people are riding bicycles on all of our highways. Its amazing the number of bikes I see on our highway. Amazing more of them do not get hit by the cars & trucks using the highways.

What is sad they've got the right-a-way even though they're much slower than the cars & trucks.

 

I see these signs at the entrances to highways that say something along the lines of "vehicles incapable of 60 km/h prohibited on highway" yet why are cyclist still allowed to ride or why do they do it anyways? I regularly ride mountain bike and I'm always watching other traffic. Heck if there is a sidewalk, I'm riding on it. I have zero trust in other drivers.

 

It's sad to hear about situations like this when someone gets hurt, or worse.

I have been an avid road cyclist over the years and have logged tens of thousands of miles. For example, my longest single day ride has been just over 200 miles. My longest race has been the 530 mile non-stop Race Across Oregon.

Generally, your comments are pretty spot on from my experience (my definition of a cyclist is the one with that expensive bike and that all that spandex as they are less likely to do something unexpected.)

Cyclists are supposed to follow the rules of the road when they're riding with traffic. Yes, we all know and have seen those that don't. If they are going the speed limit and are not impeeding traffic, they can "take the lane", otherwise, they stay to the right.

In my experience, there seems to be this constant back-and-forth between motorists and cyclists. Each side claims that the other needs to watch out for the other, or get off the road. I hate it when those people are around me - unsafe for me and them.

Many of you, without even knowing me, have given me extra room when passing on that 2 lane state highway (I've never riden on any interstates).

For those that do give a little extra room, a big thank you!

Be safe out there.

 

try living in portland oregon...
most bike friendly city in america.
this happens all the time around here, trucks and cars hitting bikers.
natural selection is what i call it.

 

Maybe they should pay some road fees for cleanup.Im talking to dispatch yesterday in NJ,and cyclist is riding,splitting lanes,right next to my window.He thought it was quite funny.Probably didnt know that 80K pound truck,was watching out for his survival.what a tool.