Perhaps. However the prius owners spewing vitrol isn't automatically ticketed ( and more at fault in the eye of insurance companies due to getting a traffic violation ) if we get into a wreck.
As motorcyclist, we are constantly aware and reminded that we are in smaller vehicle and the onus of our own safety is in our own hand. Many riders do things at their own inconvenience to minimize risk their own risk .. such as riding line a sane person .. such as not splitting at 75MPH .. such as going ATGATT even when its 90 deg outside .. such as not crossing DY on a blind turn .. ect ect.
Cyclist on the other hand have much smaller lighter slower, more vulnerable "vehicles". But instead of being even more vigilant than motorcyclist, and taking even more care / precautions to guarantee personal safety, most cyclist ride around with the only protection being that little clamshell on top of their head called the helmet and their spandex while breaking numerous road rules. Even the BaRFer cyclists posting on this thread admits to habitually blowing stop signs.
After all that, now what is expected to keep them safe is a law forcing everyone else on the road to be inconvenienced and to stay 3 ft away.
I'm one of those, and I average 30k per year on the motorcycle. At my current rate, I will clock at least 3k on the bicycle.
Trust me, I am NOT unaware of the dangers out there, the fact that I ride a motorcycle has me hyper aware of shit on two wheels. I adjust my ride based on conditions, I am constantly doing shoulder checks. Shit, I shoulder check MORE OFTEN now that I have been on a bicycle without mirrors.
Yes, most bicyclists are morons, because they do NOT have a concept of how fucked they are if they get into an accident. I do, and I ride accordingly. Yes, I roll through stop signs, after slowing, and making sure there are no vehicles or people anywhere near the area. You are telling me that you come to a complete and full stop, at an empty intersection, at 6am, with no traffic or people around?
If you say yes, I am calling bullshit.
I hate most every other bicyclist on the road I hate every dot-com fucknut on their 5000 dollar bike, that can't get out of the way because they are cruising with their bro, talking about the latest ycombinator startup, I hate the moron that just grabbed one of the new bike share bikes, and is weaving all over the fucking road, screwing with cars, bikes, and pedestrians, I don't hate the messengers, that is their job, and I have ridden with a couple of them, they are fast, and they are safe (believe it or not). I see the majority of commuters pull the most amazing shit. Not stopping at redlights in SF during commute hours is pretty much suicide, and I see it happen all the time, and they don't even look to see if it is clear.
So guess what, you enjoy lane splitting because you can. I enjoy that, and I enjoy being able to move through an EMPTY, WITH NO TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS intersection, because I can.
I'm not fucking with you, I"m not screwing with your commute, and if you rolled up as I approached a stop sign, I would stop. Then I would probably have to yell "JUST FUCKING GO" like I do EVERY DAY because you couldn't figure out why I wasn't just screaming through the intersection.
arty
