How do you deal with aggressive cyclists?
Replies
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Actually, it would be battery if they truly hit you. Assault is when someone is threatening another to do bodily harm. Though I think it would be hard to prove in this case.
I understand that some people are giving joke answers to try to hit the cyclists, but since you're serious, it helps to understand that bikers are not required to move out of the way of runners, it's the runners who are required to yield to the biker. If they hit you and were hurt, they would have a more legitimate case against you than vice versa.
No one likes to hear "you're the one who has to yield" but that's why we have rules like this.0 -
I am an avid cyclist and most of my fellow cyclists are incredibly courteous. There are exceptions. Most runners are also quite courteous; however, there are exceptions. My biggest problems when riding on the paved trails around my home is the runners who either run side by side, blocking the entire pathway and refusing to yield, or don't hear me coming because their earphones are in their ears and their music is cranked too loudly. This is an athletic bike path. I routinely cycle it at around 17 mph (slowing down of course in more populated areas of the trail). I always say loudly "On your left!" when I am passing. Other bikers and most runners move right over. Many, but not all, runners look at me like I'm nuts, continue chatting with their buddies and keep jogging away. I cannot stop on a dime. I am not asking for more than 10 inches of space on the path we share.0
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Actually, it would be battery if they truly hit you. Assault is when someone is threatening another to do bodily harm. Though I think it would be hard to prove in this case.
I understand that some people are giving joke answers to try to hit the cyclists, but since you're serious, it helps to understand that bikers are not required to move out of the way of runners, it's the runners who are required to yield to the biker. If they hit you and were hurt, they would have a more legitimate case against you than vice versa.
No one likes to hear "you're the one who has to yield" but that's why we have rules like this.
Yes, that's true. I was simply trying to clarify the difference between assault and battery. People get them confused. If you hit someone, with your hand, a tire iron, a bike, a vehicle, or whatever, it's battery. If you threaten to harm someone, whether verbally or in some cases with body language, it's assault.
Also it seems what you are talking about is a civil suit. Those are entirely different rules altogether. I was referring to criminal charges.0 -
They seriously aim their bikes at you? I don't believe I'd be jumping out of the way. Sounds like assault to me and that you would be justified in defending yourself. I think pepper spray or a ballbat between the spokes would get your point across.
if a cyclist aimed at me he'd get the People's Elbow.
LOL, XD I don't know what the "People's Elbow" is but I'm dying of laughter.
It's a signature move of prowrestler/actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The People's Elbow TOTALLY kicks butt! LOL0 -
The bikes have the right away. You are running the wrong way down the street and putting yourself and the bikes in danger. There's no reason for you not to run with traffic. You said there is very little traffic... so run the right way!0
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Also it seems what you are talking about is a civil suit. Those are entirely different rules altogether. I was referring to criminal charges.
Yeah I get you, definitely, I just think it's a bad idea to tempt a lawsuit either way, much easier to just get out of the way of the cyclist.0 -
That's no good. I'd say your best bet would be to move out of their way for your own safety. But remember that there are cyclists out there that aren't jerks. I'm a cyclist, and when I'm on the paths here in my city, I move out of the way for any walkers/runners/joggers. 0 -
I just find it hard to believe that they are actually aiming at you since they would get hurt pretty badly if they actually hit you. You're doing everything correct by running against traffic, but you do need to move out of the way even if there aren't any cars. Sometimes while cycling it is hard to know if there is a car right behind you or not, and even though you think there is plenty of space, the cyclist shouldn't have to try to make that choice moving at the speed they are. So just make it easier for everyone, and move over when you see them. And for the people who keep saying they would put a stick in their spoke, or elbow them, they are just lying to make them selves sound internet tough, or to get a laugh they wouldn't do that in real life, they would be just like you and move over.0
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The bikes have the right away. You are running the wrong way down the street and putting yourself and the bikes in danger. There's no reason for you not to run with traffic. You said there is very little traffic... so run the right way!
You are not suppose to walk or run with traffic if there isn't a side walk. So why tell somebody the bikers have the right of way, and then tell somebody to do something the wrong way?0 -
So basically I should just get out of the way?
Yes.
Unless you want to get hit.
Isn't this common sense??0 -
The bikes have the right away.
Yes they have the right away. As in, get out of their way, right away0 -
Rightfully or wrongfully, I think that running against traffic triggers a more aggressive response in cyclists than running with the traffic would. I don't know why, it just does, at least for me. Now my annoyance is usually because they are running on the asphalt rather than the cement sidewalk to save their knees, but for me personally, I can honestly say that where I am making a snap judgement as I am zipping along on my bike, I would be more inclined to give a friendly ring of my bell as I approach and then give as wide a berth as safe. In the case of runners coming towards me, I still give them a wide berth but I am usually more annoyed than I otherwise would be.
Not saying it's right, but it's human nature.0 -
As a runner and a cyclist (commuter & race)-- 75% of people on the trails are just trying to "exercise their right" to who has the right of way. it's so annoying.
Gah people, get off your high horse and just look out for each other. I honestly do not get the on going war between runners/cyclists. We are all out there training--keep your eyes in front of you, only one headphone in, and be on the lookout. It's not that hard people.
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Where I live, several pedestrians got killed by cars this week and the police warn, that pedestrians (runners) have no rights on the road (if there is no sidewalk). On the other hand, its illegal for bikes to be on the sidewalk, yet almost every day when I go for an exercise walk, I am faced with bikes going at full speed and making to attempt to avoid me. If one ever hits me, his bike will end up unusable.
On the other hand when I used to cycle more often, there was a paved trail that was divided into bike and walk/run lanes and I had to work hard to avoid the runners that used my bike lane.0 -
i dont worry about people pedaling around. just treat them like an old lady in a grand marquis and give a safe distance0
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Im sorry to burst a few peoples bubbles but as long as the pedestrian is moving in the same direction ( OP you need to be on the correct side of the road ) , regardless of speed and is continuously moving, the pedestrian has just as much right to be on the same path/ road as a bicyclist or a car! Common sense says the smaller and slower of the two moves aside but neither has a direct implied " i have the right of way cause of my mode of transportation" .0
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Im sorry to burst a few peoples bubbles but as long as the pedestrian is moving in the same direction ( OP you need to be on the correct side of the road ) , regardless of speed and is continuously moving, the pedestrian has just as much right to be on the same path/ road as a bicyclist or a car! Common sense says the smaller and slower of the two moves aside but neither has a direct implied " i have the right of way cause of my mode of transportation" .
When you're running, against traffic is the correct side of the road.0 -
Im sorry to burst a few peoples bubbles but as long as the pedestrian is moving in the same direction ( OP you need to be on the correct side of the road ) , regardless of speed and is continuously moving, the pedestrian has just as much right to be on the same path/ road as a bicyclist or a car! Common sense says the smaller and slower of the two moves aside but neither has a direct implied " i have the right of way cause of my mode of transportation" .
When you're running, against traffic is the correct side of the road.
you are correct sir my mistake. Doesnt change the fact that both have the right to be on the same path/road.0 -
you are correct sir my mistake. Doesnt change the fact that both have the right to be on the same path/road.
Yes and of course this is ideal. But if you don't have the right of way and cyclists are swerving to avoid you, it's because you aren't being very courteous yourself.0 -
No, you're right, I will get out of the way/avoid in future. It was the intimidating attitude of the cyclist that angered me more than the actual yielding and wondered if anyone else had had similar experiences. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have tried to run a rugby player off the road....Maybe I'm talking crazy here, by why not just get out of the way? Why do you have to "deal" with them? They are on a bike moving with a ton of velocity. In a collision you will both look like you were in a motorcycle accident. If you get out of their way, are you moving backwards? Will you lose all your gainz? Will it throw off the reading on your HRM?
That's a fair point. Being a large black man, I'm sure there are many times when someone wants to do or say something aggressive to me, but they keep it to themselves. That let's me get away with being the smarty pants a-hole that I am. So I understand if it's really frustrating when you know they are acting that way toward you simply because they feel they can intimidate you. My advice remains the same tho. Just move out the way and keep moving. Or you can run behind me, and I'll push those jerks into traffic for you0 -
Screw it, I'm just going to stay home and eat cheetos. It ain't easy bein cheezy but it beats getting speared by random cyclists.0
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Logically, the person walking has more control and maneuverability than the person on a bike. Cyclists have to maintain a certain minimum speed or fall over. It is easier AND SAFER for the pedestrian to step out of the roadway if it is too narrow to accommodate both at the same time. Traffic laws consider a bicycle to be a vehicle and they must follow the laws that apply to vehicles on a road. Pedestrians have more flexibility with regard to direction.There are rude cyclists and rude pedestrians. Don't be one of the rude ones.0
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Also it seems what you are talking about is a civil suit. Those are entirely different rules altogether. I was referring to criminal charges.
Yeah I get you, definitely, I just think it's a bad idea to tempt a lawsuit either way, much easier to just get out of the way of the cyclist.
Agreed.0 -
Aw, How sweet of you to offerMy advice remains the same tho. Just move out the way and keep moving. Or you can run behind me, and I'll push those jerks into traffic for you
Thank you
Thanks everyone for the input; cyclists and runners alike. I shall endeavour to be a bit more tolerant and stay out of the way! 0 -
Im sorry to burst a few peoples bubbles but as long as the pedestrian is moving in the same direction ( OP you need to be on the correct side of the road ) , regardless of speed and is continuously moving, the pedestrian has just as much right to be on the same path/ road as a bicyclist or a car! Common sense says the smaller and slower of the two moves aside but neither has a direct implied " i have the right of way cause of my mode of transportation" .
Wrong, a pedestrian does not have just as much right to be on a roadway as a car or bicycle. I know people believe this but it isn't the law in most places. Pedestrians have the right to be on the sidewalk, the shoulder of a road or crossing a road at a crosswalk or intersection. That's why there are fines for jaywalking and if a motorist hits a pedestrian who is jaywalking charges are often not laid because the fault was with the pedestrian.
I run and cycle so I see both sides of this. I hate getting off the paved road and running on the mushy shoulder for a cyclist but they do have the right of way. So does the car. You can take your chances with both but why bother just to make a point that they "could" get over? You could get over too and the cyclist is probably cursing that ignorant woman who won't get off the road and writing about it in a cycling forum.0 -
If I could refer you to my post immediately above yours ^^You could get over too and the cyclist is probably cursing that ignorant woman who won't get off the road and writing about it in a cycling forum.0 -
Observations:
A majority of posters hate cyclists and advocate actions that could easily result in serious injury or death (which also are grounds for getting convicted of a serious felony up to and including murder).
Way too many people do not know the rules of the road as it applies to pedestrians... Locally they must run against traffic and at the edge of the roadway and I do not know of any area where this is not the law. This is as important in less traveled areas as areas with high amounts of traffic since it is the vehicle you don't see or hear that is most likely to kill you.
A majority of posters believe cyclists are easy to hurt. This is very true. We have had several get serious injured by cars in my area and one killed last year by a pedestrian running with traffic that decided to turn right into the path if a cyclists who was unsuccessful in swerving and broke his neck. The pedestrian couldn't hear the cyclist yelling due to his use of two earphones and high volume on his iPod.
As for the anger, some is caused by cyclists who ride against traffic (illegal and dangerous) but most is caused by people who don't like to slow down and share the road from my experience. Personally I have been hit with rocks, driven completely off the road by semi trucks who did it on purpose when I was already to the right of the fog line), cussed at for wearing bike shorts, almost run into a rock embankment, and almost been hit by cars too many times to count. I always hear about cyclists running red lights but never here from drivers all of the times a car runs a red light or stop sign and takes out a cyclist (has happened to me twice this past year - I was lucky and swerved out of the car's path both times).
My personal pet peeve in my area is one road on a hill where walkers come out in the evening and walk in line across the road taking both lanes and leaving no where to go, however, unlike so many of the posters here I don't try to hit them - I will yell "rider" and hit my brakes but figure actually hitting them is going to her me more than them. I won't suggest we "all get along" but suggest people resolve their homicidal tendancies and reconsider their anger before someone dies.0 -
To all the people who can't get the attention of the ipod-wearers:
There's thing called an Airzound. It will blow your freaking hair off.
Very useful for safety.0 -
I run against the traffic, so at least I can see the idiots coming, and keep to the side of the road; it's not like I'm dancing all over the shop disrupting their way sooo... How do you handle them? Ignore?
Perhaps your problem is that you are running against traffic. Personally if I was on "MY" side of the road and you were coming at me, I would aim at you too! Just sayin, courtesy works both ways!
Maybe this is different in other areas, but legally bikes and cars travel in one direction and pedestrians go against traffic. A bike and a pedestrian on the same road, both heading West for example, should be on different sides of the road.0 -
Actually, it would be battery if they truly hit you. Assault is when someone is threatening another to do bodily harm. Though I think it would be hard to prove in this case.
I understand that some people are giving joke answers to try to hit the cyclists, but since you're serious, it helps to understand that bikers are not required to move out of the way of runners, it's the runners who are required to yield to the biker. If they hit you and were hurt, they would have a more legitimate case against you than vice versa.
No one likes to hear "you're the one who has to yield" but that's why we have rules like this.
Yes, that's true. I was simply trying to clarify the difference between assault and battery. People get them confused. If you hit someone, with your hand, a tire iron, a bike, a vehicle, or whatever, it's battery. If you threaten to harm someone, whether verbally or in some cases with body language, it's assault.
Also it seems what you are talking about is a civil suit. Those are entirely different rules altogether. I was referring to criminal charges.
This actually depends on the laws of your area, in some places assault is the physical action. I can't find battery in our penal law.0
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