I live in NYC and it seems like almost every time I go out for a bike ride someone almost hits me with their car. And then if you call them out on it they act like it’s your fault. I can’t even get out for a bike ride to clear my head anymore. I’m so sick of it.
I’ve never lived in NYC, but that’s NYC for you.
Blame the other riders and delivery bikers for being a massive nuisance to everyone in the city.
“other riders and delivery bikers” developed those habits out of self-defense – they are the effect, not the cause
Nah, fam, that’s entitlement. Bicyclists need to follow the same traffic laws as every other vehicle on the road. Doesn’t matter if it’s a car, a bike, a scooter, or a motorcycle, if you’re not adhering to the same traffic laws as everyone else, you’re not predictable and you’re dangerous to yourself and others on the road.
There are studies into this. Most lawbreaking by cyclsist is motivated by personal safety, though that doesn’t necessarily excuse it.
Those habits are things like running red lights. How does that qualify as self-defense. It’s the dumbest thing you can do on a bicycle.
Honestly, have you ever been to New York City? It’s like the wild West for anybody with two wheels. They feel like they’re above the law and do whatever the hell they want with zero consequences unless they get run over.
Running red lights can be safer if the junction is clear. Junctions are the places most collisions happen, including cyclists getting rearended or hit by motorists changing lanes without adequate checking/signalling (the latter is the single most common way cyclists get seriously injured or killed, so it’s understandable that people want to avoid it).
I’m not advocating for running reds (I never run them myself). I’m saying that road design that sometimes makes a road user choose between doing what is legal and what is safe is a bigger problem than a few bad actors.
Incidentally, there are lots of studies about this. Most cyclists don’t run red lights and motorists are more likely overall to break trafflc laws than cyclists. EDIT: Just noticed that link’s dead. Here’s an article summarising the results of the study, instead.
EDIT: Don’t know why I replied to you twice, sorry about that!
Many studies have shown that motorists break more traffic laws than cyclists. This is just the first one I found.
I’ve found that drivers are a lot more courteous when I’m riding my cargo bike and have my kids on the back.
Probably not the answer you want, but if other road users are being dangerous around you then it would be ideal to try and look out for yourself more, if at all possible.
At intersections make sure drivers can see you, when in traffic try and stay visible in their mirrors, avoid blind spots whenever you can, and try to “read” what others are doing with their car - as some won’t indicate to show their intentions. Speed is an important one too - if a driver was to righthook/cut you at an intersection, can you evade it or stop in time?
Try and adapt your riding style to a way that allows you to maintain visibility of yourself, and the environment around you on the road - drivers are protected in a metal box, but we aren’t
Edit:
The real fix for these issues is separated bike infrastructure IMO, as well as better education for drivers about people on bikes
