"I Hate Cyclists Because..."

[@worstretirementever]

Some of the comments here are predictable and I think missing my point. I’m less interested in trying to convert the 1% lunatic drivers out there, than I am trying to communicate to the 99% of motorists and voters how vulnerable we are to them and what can be done about it

[@DavidtheDoom]

I think the last point is the most humane and, without maliciously adding to the polarity of the topic, anyone disagreeing is an egoistic psychopath, more or less. Least protected participant in traffic should be given right of way. Normal asterisk applies as always. Let's build a culture of curtesy. In Sweden the sentiment is piss poor when speaking with most people when talking about road cycling but in traffic more than half are decent fortunately (yielding, giving way, keeping distance, safe overtaking etc).

[@nicksalt4346]

The algorithm knows you're an angry jerk. 😂 Pure class.

[@esgee3829]

nothing says i'm trying to reach across the isle like pulling a middle finger out of your pants. if this genuinely your goal, this video ain't it chief.

[@unconventionalideas5683]

The reason this is true is because driving taps much more into dominance hierarchy circuitry than we realize, and that can bring out some terrible behaviors in the name of “enforcing hierarchy,” or “preserving (perceived) dignity,” and that is most unfortunate.

[@cebruthius]

Even in the Netherlands, the "lycra bandit" type cyclists are insufferable. They show contempt for the wonderful infrastructure here by running red lights and crowding around casual bike riders in group formation. Until a year ago my grandmother liked to ride her bicycle to the supermarket, but no more because the high passing speeds on the narrow bike lanes made her feel unsafe.

[@derekh7441]

I had a very angry motorist close-pass me in his pick-up at high speed. A mile or so down the road, he was in a parking lot waiting for me. As I approached he started barking at me. I rolled to a stop, pulled my dog tags out of my jersey and said, "Nine years. Army. Infantry. Iraq. The law says I'm allowed to be out here. I defended your freedom. Don't deny me mine.". He genuinely apologized. It's just too bad I had to be a veteran to get that response. We're not all combat vets but we are all human.

[@stefand5034]

They always bark pay-road-tax cliche assuming cyclists wearing lycras are self entitled spoiled brats who never worked or done anything in life but just taking up space from the hardcore truck driver class of America...I wear the crappiest outfit I can find on my commutes in the city of LA, some of the craziest place you can ride your bike on week days, highly not recommend riding bikes for pleaser in peak traffic unless you look like a very poor commuter who doesn't have a car to go to work

[@jW-zu6rw]

This comment is so hilariously American that it made my day. Ty

[@fhowland]

It’s. Always. A. Pickup.

[@noahmills2884]

Thanks for your service. This video just shows why mountain biking is so big in the US.

[@DaveCM]

I have a USMC kit and I do get treated differently than I do when I don't wear it.

[@rangersmith4652]

Most motorists don't seem to realize that most cyclists are also motorists, so we do understand their perspective. It's they who by and large don't understand ours.

[@josephcowee6388]

I've always thought this too. And I've especially always hated the "they don't pay fuel/ road tax" argument, because it's not like that bicyclist doesn't have a job or possibly ever drive for their commute.

[@brokenrecord3095]

@@josephcowee6388 well I don't drive, so I don't pay fuel taxes. But whenever I buy something at the store a share of that goes to pay for that obscenely large parking lot that I never use. And I've no doubt that more of my income taxes go to subsidize highways than to subsidize bike paths.

[@annybodykila]

Well i know ive been stopped on a bike for speeding, and he told me i still must obey all traffic laws, however, if i decide to go down the road at 10 mph, im gonna get pulled over. If you cant do the speed limit, stay off the road!

[@annybodykila]

In a car ill get stopped but not on a bike, i mean.

[@miraelgato392]

@@brokenrecord3095 If you think about it, everyone pays for fuel taxes, since all products must be shipped from wherever it is produced to a store, most of the time, in a truck that uses fuel

[@michaelpolakowski7301]

In my fantasy world, part of getting your driver's license is logging 10 hours of cycling on the roads you normally drive on (spandex is optional). Those might be the only 10 hours you'll ever ride, but I guarantee they'll make you a better driver.

[@christophersalvador8380]

i like it. walk a mile in your neighbor’s shoes. be the line cook at your favorite restaurant before getting a yelp account. empathy, decency even, can be learned with a dash of perspective.

[@leftylum]

I've had the same idea

[@silentqueue2344]

Love it. Like mandatory civil service.

[@wturber]

Bicycle commuting almost completely eliminated any rush hour anxiety I ever had while driving to work.

[@dudeonbike800]

So good! I've said many times the best way to make an excellent driver is put 'em on a bike as a kid. And I'm happy to say middle and high school mountain biking is really popular today. We'll have much better drivers as a result - if they ever want to drive, that is! No really. A 3 month mountain biker knows more about braking technique, cornering and traction than a driver will ever learn! Put a kid in a peloton and they're skills increase that much more!

[@cokebottles6919]

The thing I hate most about cyclists is there aren't enough of us.

[@hbp2m]

Plus they eat my cake. It's my cake. My cake.

[@utube7930]

underrated comment

[@sandrahufsmith8948]

The Idaho stop law allows cyclists to go through a stop sign or lights if they have the right of day. Nine states follow this rule.

[@l00tur]

This might be changing with the introduction of e-bikes. I’m in the Midwest and the amount of people I would’ve never seen on the streets has exploded in the last few years. I may not agree with e-bikes, but they could become a useful tool on advocating for bicycle infrastructure. Case and point, I have a city council meeting I’m attending to discuss this very topic, I have several supporters, one of which is on the council for the expansion of bicycle infrastructure.

[@wturber]

@@sandrahufsmith8948 I think Stop signs should be treated as Yield signs for cyclists. Doing so would actually make it nicer for motorists given that a cyclist is so much slower to accelerate from a stop. It also makes sense because a cyclist represents a minimal danger to others on the road compared to the typical 3000-5000 lb vehicle.

[@alchemist89blk]

That last one about the bike lane gets me. Adding a bike lane costs pennies to the dollar compared to building a road or adding a lane. For example, my city is expanding one road that is 5 miles long from one lane each way to two. It's slated to take three years and cost nearly 12 million dollars. Adding a bike lane to this was less than a hundred thousand dollars (DOT's estimate). The city council is losing their mind over the cost of adding a bike lane. Yet, by their own study, if they put in this lane, 8% of the population of our city will use it daily. That doesn't mention the other cyclists outside our city that will use it. (Currently the road is heavily trafficked by bikes.) So, 8% of the population is asking for less than 8% of the budget, and the city loses their mind. I just don't get it. Cycle lanes are cheap and easy to build. Just build them.

[@ajlong404]

Yes, to more bike lanes, but they must be protected and maintained. Otherwise, they are unsafe and less inviting to use.

[@DanceonthePedals]

Rename them to ‘alternative traffic lanes’. Or something? ..maybe would convince.

[@russwright]

A really key point. If they are glass/gravel filled they aren't helpful. As for protected lanes- I'm starting to see more of those but it's going to take a long time in the US, sadly. That 3 ft wide lane adjacent to the line of parked cars is marginally better than riding in the car lane.

[@Thezuule1]

Bike lanes are so cheap because they're usually a spray painted gutter...

[@robertnobles8189]

“Protected” lanes are harder to keep clean unless your city has a 3 foot wide street sweeper. In my experience they never get cleared of debris and leaves.

[@ancientfifer]

I live not far from where Magnus White was literally plowed over while riding in a designated bike lane on a training ride a couple weeks ago. A young women drifted off the road across the bike lane and into the ditch and had to do it right where he was and there were miles of roads without cyclists that she could have drifted off to her hearts content. 17 year old child with a promising future in cycling, and whatever else he chose to do with his life that is no longer, and let's not forget family and friends devastated by this loss. The family themselves is now putting out public pleas for anyone who may have seen something or witnessed this collision, and I ask myself "isn't that the job of the police?"

[@asherbeal8357]

That was so sad. Poor kid.

[@appa609]

Death penalty

[@ambiarock590]

One thing that gets me is why are our roads designed so poorly? US roads are incredibly dangerous. Around 40 THOUSAND people die on our roads every year. If anything else in our country killed that many people per year it would be banned immediately, but cars car a pass somehow? It is very possible to design roads that are safer for everyone, where the penalty for making a mistake at the wheel isn't losing your life or taking someone else's. Physical separation between motorized vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists, roads where the design speed, matches a safe speed for everyone, and make the cost of driving reflect the negative externalizes of driving a one ton metal box around everywhere. The public is starting to realize how dangerous cars are and I'm glad to be part of the urbanism movement

[@hughrobinson9978]

What police???

[@cindylou2128]

She was probably on her phone, texting or checking social media. Absolutely tragic loss...

[@adamsouthard1155]

The four way stop is infuriating. I’m like: Don’t be nice. I am a small car! Just act like that and we’ll both get through this stop sign faster.

[@kbd13-n9c]

Yes! It’s so annoying. Follow the traffic laws and we all move faster.

[@christopheroliver148]

My annoyance is with traffic control with metal detectors. They have a hard enough time seeing my steel customs. I hate imagining what it must be like for someone with a modern bike mainly made of composites.

[@OlderBudde]

@@christopheroliver148 most traffic control in NA leaves a lot to be desired.. it's pretty cool how some European countries utilize radar to sense when pedestrians and cyclists are approaching an intersection.

[@DannysMyNanny]

Regarding stop signs, here in Minnesota, they just passed a law that allows all cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs. Of course literally everyone was doing that already, but helps a lot knowing we are allowed to roll through them now

[@AndroidCyclist]

Same in Utah.

[@TheWrigle]

As it should be.

[@logan_nosal458]

I live in Minnesota and had someone yell at me and give me the finger for rolling through a four way when we were both going straight. I’m sure the same guy would’ve been upset if I stopped and he had to wait behind me for a little extra time. I’m just trying to keep things moving. Wish the law was more advertised and explained so drivers knew about it.

[@jamesphillips2285]

Also if a red light has a sensor that does not trigger on your bicycle: it is an inoperative signal. You treat it as a 4 way stop.

[@logan_nosal458]

@@sladewestern6704 I agree cyclists should have rules and I wish more cyclists followed them but it’s actually been proven that when used properly the rolling through stops actually reduces accidents. Key word is used properly meaning you can see there are no cars coming obviously blowing a stop without looking or caring is a bad idea for everyone involved

[@Littleweenaman]

as someone who actively hated cyclist and made fun of those douchebags in lycra on the road it was only until years later when I got my first roadbike did I understand what they were going thru It was a big change of mind experiencing it first hand

[@Frostbiker]

What *did* you hate about cyclists back then? I had to stop wearing lycra because it attracted angry drivers like shit attracts flies. When I look "casual" they treat me better, even though I'm exactly the same person doing exactly the same route.

[@Littleweenaman]

@@Frostbiker I think bill burr had a good quote on his podcast something like the cyclists who dress with normal clothes are usually “good shits” who let you by that’s kinda showed me how most drivers must feel

[@wisskier]

It's why I don't get down on ebikes -- more people riding means more people who understand.

[@12pentaborane]

There was a study in Australia that found cyclists wearing helmets get hit 30% more often.

[@rumobin]

​​​@@12pentaboraneThe ones that go fast on their bike probably tend to wear helmets more often because they take higher risks. helmets and statistics are a fun one - during the great war the brits did a study that found helmets to be dangerous because they registered more head injuries with them. I wonder why.

[@brunospasta]

I understand every driver that is a bit annoyed. I am mildly annoyed if I bomb down a technical downhill and then I am stuck behind a car. Thats life.

[@richardrutishauser4689]

Phil touched on something that I believe is very true, the people angry at cyclists are already driving angry. We (cyclists) are just a convenient target for the misplaced anger because, at least on the road, we appear to be weaker than they are or at least feel. I sure do not have any solution for this, just ride smart and safe as you can.

[@simonvetter2420]

"appear to be weaker" I agree with you but this is so beautifully ironic. Cyclists aren't the ones who need two-ton machines to haul their lazy asses around.

[@kokopelli314]

People should have to pass a Psych evaluation before allowing them to operate a one ton killing machine on public roads.

[@elliotwilliams7421]

That's a lie. Like your told when your younger bullies are just jealous. Cyclists are a danger and a problem that needs addressed

[@elliotwilliams7421]

What a bizzare out of touch comment.

[@elliotwilliams7421]

​@@simonvetter2420yes, cyclists do need two tonne vehicles. Are you dumb?

[@seanwise7464]

I had a large diesel pickup intentionally “roll coal” on me last week while passing me. I was actually honored he felt I was worth burning an extra 5 bucks of fuel for.

[@patriot9487]

The "people" who have those modifications are some of the best examples of why voting should be a restricted privilege.

[@trentonscism]

Diesel truck drivers and people towing boats are always ones to watch out for as a cyclist. I think it is a response based on insecurity

[@noisepuppet]

A puzzling thought process: 1. "I'm annoyed by traffic delays." 2. "Everyone should drive cars." Do they not see the connection between traffic volume and congestion? 😂

[@markwatkins5416]

I have ridden on the streets for 40+ years with no car incidents that left a mark. I ride with one thought. These cars are trying to kill me.

[@jamesphillips2285]

I got rear-ended by a minivan that followed me out of the travel lane one night. Fresh snow proved it. I started a counter-steering maneuver to leave the road a little too late (may have helped me avoid falling under the wheels). It is possible that they were *actually* out to get me (never proven).

[@TinkleAssify]

Ye it’s like a war out there. You may get seriously injured or die.

[@RO8YO]

Love the vehicle weight vs road damage chart. I took notice when you posted it in that short recently... I'm using it in my bike advocacy work. Lots of great points in this vid. I always like your advocacy posts.

[@core2zero]

if someone complains about road damage, hand them a penny and tell them to keep the change

[@ambiarock590]

"Oh no, my bike dislocated a loose brick in the road, a construction crew would have to spend like 10 minutes pasting that back down, maybe, prolly not."

[@WegotaRoblem]

Someone passed us outright one time, decided he was mad because we slowed him down briefly, slammed on his brakes in front of us and pulled a gun. Could've just not done any of that and saved way more time. Instead, he got really worked up, got the cops called on him, and sped off before totaling his car in a ditch trying to swerve into another group of cyclists up the road.

[@viktorthevictor6240]

Where do these psychos come from??

[@bryanbischof4351]

National park commute complaint is incredible. What a parody of a life challenge.

[@Outsideville]

Wait until Bigfoot steps out in his way. 👣

[@reflectionsdetail]

the speed limit in a national park is 10-30mph, relax and enjoy the drive

[@brianbailey5714]

My commute goes through a playground, and I'm furious at the kids getting in my way...

[@DetectiveThursday]

The problem I have with the answer given to the national park complaint is that it feels as though it was given in bad faith. What I mean is that it was a straw man answer and any reasonable person could see it as such because it fails to address the core issue of the complaint. Substitute a road being in a national park for a rural road that happens to be popular with bicyclists and see if the answer still holds up. The complaint certainly does.

[@bryanbischof4351]

@@DetectiveThursday I mean we can trivially play this game: “I purposely choose a low speed road to experience a beautiful scenery in a relaxed environment” is open to the same criticism here. Fundamentally the argument isn’t about the straw man, it’s that desired expediency and relaxing beautiful views are at odds. Steel-manning the position that ppl wanna go fast and see nice things only arrives you at more emphasis on good road infrastructure, not abolition of cyclists on backroads

[@Henrywildeberry]

I always tell the impatient drivers the quickest way to get that 12 seconds back when safely passing a cyclist is to split their car down the middle and get rid of the two empty seats on the other side. Have your passenger sit behind you and get microphones if you want to talk to one another.

[@SrFederico]

Talk to whom? Most cars have 1 passenger only anyway.

[@ambiarock590]

"He's out of line, but he's right."

[@60lbsofcrazy]

Thank you for spreading advocacy! I have so many stories like these. I commute to work and have a total of 2 blocks between bike lanes on the way and somehow still had cars passing dangerously and screaming at me to "get on the f**king sidewalk!" And a couple weeks ago a woman driving the other direction (aka completely unimpacted by us being there) decided she needed to scream at a group of us on a ride.... She was apparently in a hurry to get to a parking spot to smoke because we came across her again on the return of the ride 40 minutes later.

[@goosewithagibus]

It's absolutely mindblowing to me that people get yelled at for being in the bike lane. My very first experience as a kid of cycling out of my neighborhood onto busier streets, we (three of us) were all yelled at TWICE in 5 minutes for being "IN THE FUCKING ROAD". We were in the bike lane.

[@cjharrer01]

Great video Phil, I have experienced many of the scenarios you mention. It's amazing the exaggeration motorists use when stating how much time the wait for cyclists. At least once per group ride we'll mention that we just cost that car 5 seconds when they zoom by honking. Keep up the messaging!

[@kitchencarvings4621]

We just got the safety stop here in Colorado and I just know people are watching me and saying "see, those bikers flaunt the laws, they don't stop at stop signs". You are right, stopping at each stop sign is draining, especially where there is one on every block. The safety stop is so nice I really enjoy riding in town now. The second comment you highlighted equally applies to motorists. They run stop signs, don't obey speed limits, and don't stop for pedestrians or signal.

[@taylorlayton4508]

i appreciated this section (6:08). I'll be honest, it's not all safety - I do run the lights or stops sometimes cause I'm in a rush commuting, but only if there is no one around. Totally agree with the 4 way stop problem - so often drivers wave me on when i'm trying to slow down for them. I also liked his callout that there are some bad cyclists. i gave a little beep at a guy who blasted through a red light doing a wheelie today, blocking traffic in both directions. As a fellow cyclist, it bothers me to see flagrant law flouting. But yeah, in general, cars are way worse. They break rules just as much, if not more and can kill you when they do it.

[@michaelb1761]

They allow rolling stops for cyclists in Idaho as well. It was proposed in California but never even made it out of committee to get voted on. Of course, I still do it and nearly got hit by a semi once whose driver ran a stop sign. Of course, he honked his horn and was screaming at me.

[@joelv4495]

Ya, it was eye opening when I got a power meter... When I accelerate from a stop with vehicles behind I'm often hitting 400w for 5-10 seconds (basically a micro sprint effort).

[@kitchencarvings4621]

@@joelv4495 Yeah, when you have to do it every 100 yards, it adds up. It's true that if you make it easier to cycle then more people will cycle. I used to hate riding in town because of all the stops, and I obey the rules strictly just like when I'm driving my car. Now I like to go there and ride. I live way out in the country so I don't see a lot of people and riding in town is now fun and I get to see other human beings out and about. But before I avoided town or limited my time there when on the bike. The answer is that people just need to slow down and be patient and not melt down because they were delayed a few seconds. But for some reason, when people get into that metal and glass box. Other people's needs go out the window and it becomes acceptable to risk someone's life to save 10 or 20 seconds. Maybe riding in traffic should be part of the requirements to get a driver's license?

[@ambiarock590]

"Cyclists break the speed limit too" fucking how? How tf are my legs able to propel me 55 mph in a 35 mph? I genuinely don't get how someone types that with a straight face, or rather a frowny face.

[@YukiTsunoda7]

*God Bless you Phil and thanks for being a voice for us, im treated like absolute shit on the road, literally on a regular basis being in ontario canada is so horrible people are actually evil*

[@huntergibson9359]

This is why I have moved to BC. See ya never Onterrible!

[@ThomasPublicThuene]

About offending traffic laws as a cyclists: If I make a mistake I am dead. If the car driver makes a mistake I am still dead.

[@emilioc700]

Retail businesses that try to stop cycling infrastructure on their streets always end up with more business when its completed. Funny how a person is far more likely to notice that hair salon / real estate agent / donut shop / shoe store / antique shop, etc.. when they are on a bike and not hurtling by in their cars at 50mph.

[@ambiarock590]

That one car parking space in front of that shop is totally gonna bring in like hundreds of people, and not hundreds of people walking/cycling in front of your store. Walking and cycling infrastructure benefits everyone

[@froggy0162]

Maybe they’re different in the US, but here in Australia traffic lights have sensors embedded in the bitumen to sense the presence of a car. And they often don’t pick up a bike, especially a carbon fibre one… So I have to run those red lights if it’s just me because otherwise I sit there until a car comes along to trip the sensor for me!

[@joelv4495]

Yup, we have those too in the USA.

[@christopheroliver148]

@@joelv4495 Yup. Even setting a steel bike down sideways on the pavement doesn't necessarily trip the sensor.

[@impaledface7694]

Even happens with a motorcycle since they are mostly aluminum. On the bicycle if I know the traffic is low for cars I just hit the pedestrian crossing button.

[@Appreciate2704]

Being hit by a car whilst riding has left me after 3 years and an operation still struggling with my health problems 🥴.. I was coming out of a stop light crossing the intersection when it turned green and the car behind me ran into me and left the scene .. he came back 20 mins later stating ‘ he thought he hit something ? But didn’t know what’ .. I was hugging the gutter and obeying all road laws .. I couldn’t of been more compliant.. and still he tried to create a false narrative.. and blame me .. ‘ he was fined ‘ $500 and that’s it 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴 Previously lost his licence for drunk driving .. had many traffic offences.. yet 😮..he only incurred a fine .. and I am still suffering after 3 years and … probably will never recover fully 🥺 Where is the justice? Why? Do bike riders get treated so badly ? 😢 If I had a wish it would be that all drivers take riding lessons for at least 100 hours before their licence is issued.. 🚴‍♀️💕🚴‍♀️

[@sakomeow]

I hate cyclists because most of them are faster than me, and many of their bikes are nicer.

[@BradyLikesBikes]

This video should be standard for drivers ed. Speaking of, it would be great if it was standardized across the country. Some states basically only require you to have a pulse to get a driver’s license.

[@ambiarock590]

And when the cost of driving is so artificially low, of course people do it, and that includes people who shouldn't be driving. The cost per gallon of gas in Europe is about $9-$10/gallon (adjusting for currency conversion and volume conversion) and that prevents some people from driving because driving is an unsafe activity. The cost in most US places is like $4-$6/gallon. Also there are really high registration fee's in Europe for cars because they kill people. See City Nerd's video on this for more if you want: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpOoppR5eLtgsMk

[@wildmano1965]

Exacty...Some of these drivers are actually FULL BLOWN Sociopaths. The world is full of them.

[@thecitizen49]

I'm 73 year old man who doesn't own a car or a TV because I believe that the car and the TV were invented to separate me from my humanity. So I ride my bicycle and take the bus even though it takes 10 times longer to get anywhere because I think its worth it for my salvation.

[@DetectiveThursday]

And I’m a middle aged dude who for work purposes needs to travel from job site to job site with equipment in my work vehicle. I can’t lug all my equipment on a bike or public transport and I can’t afford to take 10 times longer to get from place to place, and neither can my clients and employers whom I have duties to respectively. What I have a problem with is people that believe themselves superior because they have the choice to commute by bike feeling that it’s always an option and a superior option for whatever reason for everyone (I'm not saying you are that particularly). I don’t go out of my way to hate on cyclists usually but I tend to hear from a lot of cyclists and urban planner types how I’m a threat to the planet because I drive a motor vehicle, and really that’s the kind of elitist behavior a lot of drivers react to.

[@wk633]

We all have stories, but the one closest for me goes back to when I had a commute that started with three blocks on a narrow 25mph street. At the end of the three blocks was a stop sign at a T intersection and a real bike lane. But for those three blocks, there wasn't room to 'share' and not risk getting doored. So although I'm not Phil, I can manage 25mph for three blocks. So I'd wait for a big gap in car traffic, and then sprint those three blocks. One morning a car comes flying past me, having to illegally cross the center line because this is a narrow residential street, going WELL over 25 mph to get past me, and of course by the time the do, the three blocks is up and they have to hit the brakes and pull back into my lane RIGHT in front of me, nearly taking out my front wheel. I yelled something loud, and the driver stuck her head out the window and yelled "it's ok sweetie, I'll patch you up at the hospital" (hospital was 1/2 mile away). So, a health care worker of some kind, excusing the risk to my life and limb because she'll "patch me up".

[@michaelb1761]

I have to cross a short narrow bridge over a creek on my ride to work. It is amazing how car drivers can't slow down for literally 3 seconds until I get off the bridge and onto the shoulder again. Also, I'm typically going 35 mph in a 35 mph zone when I'm going over that bridge due to the small downhill and my desire to go as fast as possible and spend as little time in the road as possible.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Hilarious. She thought she could pass you and wasn't prepared to overcome your 25mph sprint! "Sweetie? Patch you up?" She was impressed. Nice work!

[@traversecitysufferclub]

Love you, Phil! Thanks for speaking up for us 🖤

[@renegadeflyer2]

I drive threw red lights, because my bike doesn't have enough steel to make the the lights change.

[@philstrn]

Thank you for this video. You basically highlight all of my thoughts on cyclists trying to survive in traffic (this really shouldn't be the word used in this context, but unfortunatelly it has to be). Even though I'm a cyclist myself, I sometimes catch myself being angry at other cyclists when driving, but I keep that anger inside the car, and make sure to pass them safely - the way I'd want to be passed. I don't entirely aggree with you on running red lights, I'll only do it if I'm turning right, but I understand your reasoning. Here in Europe we just don't have too many giant intersections where I'd need to race across to dodge the motorists so I can't really relate to that. Anyway, thank you for all of your content! You got me into doing hard climbs on my bike, and these more "phylosophical" videos are great too!

[@gentrelane]

The #1 cause of motorists hating cyclists is them knowing they're too out of shape and lazy to do it and being ashamed of it deep down

[@norgtube]

Angry Advocacy Phil is my favorite phil. Doing the lord's work my dude.

[@guitardog7414]

My favorite cycling moment was cruising into a construction zone where car lanes merged from two lanes to one. I stayed in the bike line going slow cuz I don't trust them drivers. Harley guy passed me in bike lane just to hit a car nosing out of the LBS parking lot. Looked hilarious. Careful out there. Thanks for the advice on uninsured motorist coverage.

[@ambiarock590]

Please tell me you gave them an "I told you so" kinda look, lmao

[@hughrobinson9978]

You might feel good about slowing up drivers, but then some of them take it out on the next cyclist they see - I was nearly killed because of this1

[@ambiarock590]

@@hughrobinson9978 If there's enough space, of course I let cars pass and let them go about their day. There are some times where I'm cruising along and come up to a line of parked cars, to which I would make sure I am clear to slide over into the travel lane and then move back after passing the parked cars.

[@guitardog7414]

@@hughrobinson9978 some crazed driver was upset because they were having problems with other cyclists and ran you over or what?

[@guitardog7414]

@@ambiarock590 I was laughing at the Harley on it side and a guy that was having problems picking it up to tell him anything.

[@David-nx2vm]

I’m 67, live in a very large, non-bike friendly city in Texas, and ride a mountain bike for fitness. Very few bike lanes and the ones we have are always trashed. I’m retired military/law enforcement. I ride on sidewalks whenever I can - you have to create physical distance from 2-ton motor vehicles. Sorry not sorry - I have grandkids I want to see grow up. I have been seen by law enforcement literally thousands of times and none have ever said anything to me. I wear brightly colored clothing, have flashing strobes front/rear/helmet, slow down when overtaking someone, ring a bell, get off onto the grass if I can. At intersections, driveways, etc., I always assume the motorist is at best distracted/indifferent and does not see me. Right of way is not something you can take - it has to be yielded to you. Forget the law, I’m talking practicality and physics. There are jerk cyclists out there, but I have encountered way more jerk motorists including diesel pickup drivers “rolling coal” as they pass me, people throwing water bottles and other trash, etc., and I’m not even in the street!

[@Jhawk_2k]

Sidewalks are great for this type of riding. It gets tricky when you're a guy like Phil going 25mph, but your points are well taken

[@David-nx2vm]

@@Jhawk_2k right! I’m embarrassed to say my average speed in a typical ride is 12mph. I could never hang with roadies…

[@davidh1187]

Those who whine about cyclists or get angry about cyclists fail to realise that they are actually in the minority (overall that is, perhaps not in their own social circles though....) I find it interesting that they assume that they speak for 'everyone' - a common theme in the messages you showed, and a means of justifying their opinions!

[@joecardon7077]

When I’m riding up Utah mountains safely on the shoulder, drivers often get mad because they have to give me a little space. I always think I have worked so hard to be 18 miles up this climb. You are having to move your hand a few millimeters to give me a little space. So who “Deserves” to be on that road the most? The guy who has put a crazy amount of effort to be there or the person who has done next to no effort to be there? The amount of anger motorists feel based off of how “inconvenienced” they have been by safe cyclists has always shocked me.

[@colocounty4]

"You're taking the scenic route. So enjoy the scene of my butt for a couple seconds until it's safe to pass me". 😂😂😅 17:46

[@neilmdon]

One thing about bike lanes / infrastructure. I do NOT use them when doing hard intervals if they are crowded or busy. That would be, in the Pittsburgh dialect known as Yinzer, "being a jaggoff". Instead I do my work in the adjacent road and endure the jaggoffs calling me a jaggoff while they role coal on me.

[@ajlong404]

Terrific video, Phil! You pretty much stated everything I've been saying for years! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@daveoutdoors4949]

In my state we are not required to stop at stop signs. We treat stop signs like yield signs and stop lights like stop signs.

[@skchalk]

Great and informative video, Phil. During the Tour De Big bear, my group rolled up on the accident right when they were loading the kid in the ambulance. Had no idea it was a hit and run, just crazy. Hope the kid is ok.

[@mottohorn]

Had a driving instructor - yes an instructor in the passenger seat with his student driving - in the in Pasadena area roll the window down and holler at me asking me why I wasn’t riding on a bike street. If you know Pasadena at all, there are many "bike streets" called Rose Ways which have erected signs and painted chevrons on the lanes with a bike symbol and Mountain which goes to and from the famous Rose Bowl ride is one of these. I asked why he wasn’t instructing his student to not follow a cyclist so close or give 3 feet of space when passing which is the law in California. He did not like that. I also asked if he’d like to turn around and find the signage saying that this is in fact a "bike street" so his student could be informed of proper transportation solutions in bike friendly cities. He did not like that either. He proceeded to explain his GoPro was running and would submit it to the police to show I was running stop signs - a bad example for his student. I have yet to hear from the police. 😂

[@payastikotekar6531]

Thank you Phil for patiently breaking down these very common arguments against cyclists. Also loved how you placed that helmet image right on your head :)

[@jaybobd]

Great video. I think the root of it for those that hate cyclists (and you're being generous saying it's only 1% of drivers) is the belief that we simply don't belong on the road at all, so any inconvenience is too much. As for helmets, they did a study where drivers actually gave cyclists more space if they weren't wearing a helmet. I don't understand the psychology behind it, but it's true (I still wear a helmet all the time).

[@shieldgenerator7]

in all the crashes ive had, not once did a helmet actually help me. i still wear it tho, i carry it like a badge of honor whenever i get to my destination

[@ambiarock590]

What a way to support American "Freedom" by telling people that they cannot use their preferred mode of transport or recreation because you are inconvenienced by 3 seconds. How American of those drivers.

[@hughrobinson9978]

Good that you keep wearing your helmet - mine saved my life! Cars and concrete are harder than bone and flesh - keep as safe as you can out there, Jaybold!

[@markallen242]

I'm pretty sure the comment about the 9 mile road through a national park is referring to Picture Rocks Rd. In Tucson. So many of the drivers on that road are super hostile towards cyclists, and use the park road as a highway shortcut to get to town. If you are in such a rush to get to the city that you need to cut through a national park, maybe you should just move to the city and cut out that long commute.

[@Moradude99]

It’s weird because when I drive my car I literally get stuck behind a group of cyclist at most a couple of times a year, this also includes 20 years of being a truck driver. People are just dicks.

[@jimbo2112]

All learner drivers should be made to learn all of Phil's comments and understand why they make sense...

[@agie170hss2]

@Phil Gaimon: Phil, one thing I'd like to see you promote -- when riding on a tight twisty road, a quick "beep beep" by the car driver while they are still a ways back goes a LONG ways to help a rider "knowing" there is a car coming from behind. As you know (better than most of us), when you are riding at a good speed, there is a lot of wind noise. It's happened many times to me that I don't know anyone is coming from behind until I see a front bumper next to me (and sometimes it's a UPS or Fed-Ex truck!). A road you are familiar with (Santa Rosa Creek, which you had the KOM on) is an example of this -- I have frequently been "surprised" by 10 or15 vehicles coming up behind me during a ride up that road, and NONE, EVER, tap the horn to announce they are coming up from behind. And I believe your estimate of people staring at their phones is far too low. The very common one I see is drivers coming up to a red-light or stop-sign intersection where they might be turning right, and they are staring down at their phone long before they are even close to being stopped.

[@gavanconroy8453]

Buy a varia. It’s been a game changer for my riding at least.

[@Draxel]

@@gavanconroy8453 +1 recommendation from me as well - never felt more safe in traffic after getting the radar.

[@wmlarch]

Phil, thanks for all the great points! One note, near intersections, bike lanes are marked with dashed lines, which indicates cars are intended for cars turning right to merge over when clear. This allows cyclists to continue straight to do so without being hit by the right turning car.

[@wannabetowasabe]

I've been asked why I don't use a bike trail that is parallel to the road I'm riding on. That is because bike riders are in the minority on bike trails. They are full of walkers, some who walk 4 abreast and won't move to let a bicycle go buy. There are people with strollers, people on roller skates and people with earbuds who can't hear you approach. It's dangerous to ride a bike on a "bike trail." In addition the "bike trail" is often up and down with hills as they follow the grade of the terrain, whereas the parallel road is at a steady grade, which is better for training.

[@stevegoodfellow3423]

Hi Phil, I fell across your channel by accident but just wanted to add my four-penneth. You may already have guessed I'm not an American but wanted to let you know that I can relate to everything you have said in your video. Here in the UK we have a book called the Highway Code - it's a list of the rules of the road for everyone from pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motorists - which was recently updated to include a hierarchy of road users. This basically states that the most vulnerable road users must be given the greatest priority by other road users. One of the new rules states that motorists must leave at least 1.5m (that's just shy of 5ft) of room when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30mph and even more at higher speeds. Regrettably, most motorists don't appear to be aware of the changes or, most probably, are just ignoring them. Fortunately, many of us wear helmet cameras when cycling and the local Police have a web site that we can upload clips of close passes and dangerous driving to which has lead to plenty of convictions. We still get too many cyclists killed on our roads though :( Keep up the good work, mate 👍

[@peterharridge8565]

A common misconception. No you are wrong. You said must, no it is should. Just looked it up, and it states as a guide. But then strangely says at the bottom of the rule you should wait if you cannot leave 1.5m or the same width as a car. The rule is not a rule and totally stupid. Meaning you should do so but not must do so (it is guidance and not law). This is clear, you should leave 1.5m but is not must because not always practicable and is sometimes dangerous to do so. And also could unnecesarily hold up traffic. Say on the A5183 south of Dunstable. Leaving 1.5M would mean you are on the wrong side of road and endless traffic the other way. Anyway the guidance should be re-written. And actually axed, it is dangerous no question. Because if you go on the wrong side of the road you may hit a car or a bike. rather obvious. One, don't go on the wrong side of the road on my account (my Dad died that way when hit by a car on wrong side of the road) and two, cyclists are gonna get the blame for this rule. Because some driver won't go by and other cars will hoot at said cyclist. Anyway should means you should but not must do it. A reason why many drivers are not breaking the law by not doing it.

[@stephenalivero4068]

Equestrian, pedestrian, bicycle, motorist. Rights to roadway.

[@mtbikesam68]

On the stop sign issue, many times the reason I roll a stop sign (after checking that it is safe, because my field of vision is MUCH broader because I am up high and NOT in a car with reduced visibility) is to be out of the "stop sign confusion" that you referred to. If I am not there, drivers that do not know how stop signs or four way stops work don't have to deal with me, I'm already through the intersection.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Exactly. LOL!

[@DonM-x9u]

Just stop, safety first, quit making excuses for poor cycling habits. @@paulmcknight4137

[@DennisChesnut]

The 4-way stop sign is a real thing. These are nice people doing a nice thing by trying to let me go and yet it totally destroys my rhythm. If they wave me through I still have to stop and wait my turn because I can’t trust the car. Not sure of the solution - tell people not to be nice? Just take your damn right of way (very nice) people!

[@froggy0162]

4 way stop intersections freaked me out when I first went to the US. A very very weird idea! Seems like it’s just a game of chicken!

[@schmoab]

I live in an area that is basically all 4-way stops, one after the other for miles. Driver behavior is mostly ok, but they can be overly courteous. The whole chicken game is exhausting and I just wish the city would finish building a dedicated path to my neighborhood. At least the construction methods have come a long way in 10 years. An adjoining community has small sidewalks and no bike lines, while we have bike lanes and wide paths everywhere.

[@froggy0162]

@@schmoab why don’t you just use roundabouts like normal people…?

[@wk633]

I stop and put my foot down as a signal I'm not going until it's my turn. Often as not a cyclist behind me will just blow on through.

[@michaelb1761]

@@froggy0162 They put roundabouts in on one road I used to take to work. It was a major residential street with only 2-way stops for the side streets. Now instead of riding a nice wide shoulder I have to get into traffic with the cars to go through the roundabouts. Paid for with money from a cycling safety fund.

[@Edmond347]

I'm an avid cyclist and was nearly killed by a distracted driver in 2018. Spent three days in a medically induced coma. I miraculously lived and recovered to be riding again. With that preface, I actually also dislike groups of cyclist bigger than maybe five, even as a cyclist. I live in San Diego, and once in a while I run into "swarms" of cyclist, probably from the North County. I'm talking more than 50 cyclists. It's beyond annoying. They paralyze traffic, and create unsafe conditions for solo riders. I'd also be pissed if I got stuck behind a group that large with no way of passing them as a driver. I don't understand the point of riding in groups of that size.

[@Jhawk_2k]

Large groups are fine if they aren't swarming traffic. On more rural roads it's usually fine, but it definitely gets tricky when you start to deal with lights

[@Edmond347]

@@Jhawk_2k Not sure how you can have a large group of cyclist not "swarming" traffic, whatever that means. They block and paralyze traffic even on multi-lane roads like they do on 101 in San Diego. It's also a nightmare for other solo or small group cyclists as well who either get stuck behind the large group, or have to risk being killed by going around them. Someone please explain to me the logic of riding in a peloton on a weekend amateur ride.

[@wanderingtriathlete3013]

My favourite comment is the ‘riding single file’ . In the UK the Highway Code states that cyclists should ride two abreast (where safe to do so), as it is quicker for a car to pass than a group of riders strung out in single file. But you still get things thrown at you for doing so. I’ve given up riding completely. Trained as triathlete for 10 years (amateur), and got fed up of the abuse and the anxiety of going out on the roads in the UK. Drivers are impatient and the road conditions are terrible. And I believe it got worse after covid, peoples tolerance for others has got less and less, so now I stick to running and hiking. The only people that hate me now are the dog walkers, but they aren’t threatening me with 2 tons of steel.😂

[@debs_wheels]

Bless you for fighting the good fight. After years of having things thrown at me, insults and finally getting hit by a car, I gave up road cycling. I let the terrorists win and I’m sad about it.

[@wakazuzu]

Here in Melbourne (Australia) I find that generally the drivers aren't so much rude but they do lack awareness and frequently fail to see me when they're waiting at intersections etc, so riding ultra defensively is a must. But unfortunately the most aggressive experience I have had was from another rider who got really angry at me because I hadn't obeyed the road rules (I think I snuck through just before the lights changed to get ahead of the cars). He caught up to me and threatened to kill me. What a knob.

[@Joshua-dx7zn]

In Virginia, it is a state law now that you can ride 2 bikes side by side and not have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign if you yield. I will ride beside my buddy but when a car comes (I have a Garmin radar) I will move in front or behind him to let the car pass. And you are so right about the stop sign, it uses so much energy to come to a complete stop, unclip or track stand, then restart and get up to speed. I've had people get so annoyed even when I am riding on the shoulder. But I try to make a habit of waving people pass me when it is clear on the back roads. I think most people appreciate me recognizing they are back there and wanting to pass and by me waving them on, they feel more confident that they can pass me safely and get on their way.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Well, as far as stop signs, cops have let me go for doing a track stand, looking both ways, and then going through the intersection. I never have to unclip. Right on, getting over and letting cars pass. Showing intent is important for a guy on a bike.

[@Kid_Ellipsis]

Did these pass? I thought 2 abreast was modified and Idaho stop was denied.

[@Joshua-dx7zn]

@@Kid_Ellipsis Yes they passed. I passed a cop the other day riding two abreast and he waived.

[@nycticorax5653]

Cycling with a friend (single file, no shoulder, far to the right side) when a truck from behind honked and gunned the engine going by us then pulled sharply in front of us into a drive. The driver got out and ran, yelling towards us. I barely missed him with my front wheel, he went straight for my friend and started a fist fight in the middle of the street. He somehow grabbed the bike and threw it. Luckily (major luck) a black SUV pulls up, Secret Service, he saw it all, cuffed the driver and waited for the city PD. The driver was jailed, after his sentence he had to pay a fine, then pay for and take anger management classes and pay for all repairs on the bike. 😊

[@RobertoGreenthumb]

Probably my favorite video in existence. Great job and thank you for making it

[@nononsense2688]

I use to be a slightly angry motorist before i started cycling. Not that bad that i would endanger anyone, but i got mad. More about the homeless in my area who are really careless about riding on the skinny shoulder. But i put down 200+ miles a week now on these roads and when i drive i give every single person bike or not, the time i need to safely pass. If its a cyclist on a nice bike i dont mind looking at the frame/components for a second either haha. And give extra visible thank yous to truck drivers who wait to pass.

[@paulnam4488]

😊😅

[@UraniumMilk]

Fact is people are territorial apes, and are under some kind of modal bias that whatever transport method they're using at the moment (truck/bicycle/scooter/walking etc) is the most entitled to the roads. The practical solution is to find some.option where the mode mixing is minimal, like a velodrome, mountain bike trail, riding in the wee hours.of the morning when no one is awake etc. At this point with all the terrifying experiences I've had I'm about to just use an indoor trainer and be done with outdoor cycling altogether.

[@stevenfranklin4675]

I'm a cyclist living in Yosemite and the level of impatience people have for me is insane.

[@TribusMontibus]

Great effort Phil! I grew up in Europe and raced bikes since the 1980's. I was lucky to live where cyclists were an accepted element in road traffic. Then I was unpleasantly surprised when I lived in the US during the 1990's and got yelled at (stuff was thrown at me as well) from cars, while I was cycling on quiet roads, staying well out of the way. Nowadays I live in Europe again, but ride in the US (as well as in Africa and Asia) a few times a year. I do notice that US motorists appear to have become significantly more 'bike aware' and bike tolerant since the 1990's. So, I am thinking, and hoping, that this is a gradually improving process. Your insights on this are good and I hope your. video makes a few more people stop to think.

[@Rrruckezzz]

As a european (swiss) I am actually surprised and sad that you have to deal with that kind of motorists. Here in Switzerland I almost never get into any (intentional) trouble with motorists. All pretty respectful.

[@paulmcknight4137]

Same in the Washington DC area and the two small cities I lived in in east Texas. LA is something else. Broken dreams in The City of Angels.

[@matthewshultz8762]

I would guess that the average Swiss citizen has ridden a bike for transport, whereas the average American has not.

[@dom_veloce]

Phil this message is great. We need more advocacy like this on a national level. Please produce more of these messages!

[@clinlashway9147]

I'm very fortunate where I live. I've been riding for about 4 years and have about 18,000 miles and 1,300 hours of riding under my belt. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been honked or yelled at. And those times have made no sense at all. Getting yelled at by someone driving the other direction on the other side of the road, that type of thing. Almost all drivers move to the left to pass me more safely. Rarely, there seem to be some that are either oblivious or are intentionally not giving extra room. And, yeah those drivers that just won't take the right of way drive me nuts too. More often then not, they could go through the intersection before I even get there, but they wait until I'm there, thinking they are doing me a favor. And of course I still stop, because I can't be sure they are yielding to me, and not just looking at their phone. To those that are being annoyingly "nice" or cautious, I tell myself, I'd rather a driver be too cautious, than the other way around. And given that some cyclist can be unpredictable, I can't blame a driver that want's to be extra careful. In the end, drivers and cyclists both have to do their part to share the road. I find that most drivers I encounter seem to be doing a good job of that.

[@Tilemason1]

I grew up in Huntington Beach now in rural Podunk Utah, I can hear the banjo's before the engine. Fortunately there's 3000 miles of sick gravel/mtb

[@tedwalker1370]

As a bicycle rider for many years I can relate to everything you said. I must say I got quite a few chuckles out of your comments.😂

[@TheCharnwoodCyclist]

All excellent responses to those comments Phil, the world is so polarised at the moment, so much hated and bickering. Over here in the UK we have many of the same issues you mentioned, only our roads are narrower and cycle lanes either non existent or they appear and disappear randomly! I is always stop on red, and at temporary lights if at the front I always wave the cars behind me through first, I try to ride approx 1m from the kerb, to claim road space and force drivers to think instead of just trying to squeeze through, always ride with dayflash lights too. Stay safe.

[@hewasfuzzywuzzy3583]

I've had drivers yell at me while waiting in a left hand turn lane, "GET OFF THE ROAD! YOU'RE NOT A CAR!" I've also had drive by, sealed water bottles thrown at me. Eggs. And the always wonderful and ever so special, "rolling coal." I've only been hit once by a car, and that was while crossing at a crosswalk, and the motorist couldn't wait for me to finish crossing. I was pinned between the car and my bike as I was knocked to the ground when the driver made their impatient right turn on a walk signal. The oddest and kind of funniest thing that's ever happened to me while on a bike was having a prefabricated wall hit me. It slid out of the back of a trailer as I was just starting to walk my back across the crosswalk. LOL

[@robertdavenport6705]

I ride with the installed conviction that every motorist is a drunken , homicidal/suicidal bike hating psychopath. This is of course not true. What I am doing is riding with as much awareness as I am capable of of ALL the other motorists , cyclists , pedestrians out there . I have been (purposely) almost clipped when it was just me and the car and no other traffic. I have been hit , cursed , swung at by someone leaning out an open window, had a beer bottle thrown at me and I could go on. I break the road rules when it's simply best to get my ass out of there as fast as possible. I am appalled though at the number of cyclists that endanger themselves with the ear buds in or looking at their cell or going thru designated crossings as if the white stripes indicate there is a force field protecting them. And as a reformed alcoholic I can attest to the fact that impaired drivers are everywhere at all hours of the day and night and they will eventually bust a red light or worse. Pay attention , be aware , forgive ,but be ready for , the innocent but endangering things you or others can do. And bike lanes do open up the roads for motorists. Take care out there. Great video Phil.

[@dorseykindler9544]

Great comment!

[@Xubuntu47]

I am both a lifetime cyclist (since 1965) and professional driver. I would say, where I drive, safe, law-abiding cyclists are a rarity. When I witness a cyclist who is aware of traffic, signals their intentions, and blends smoothly with the flow, it is a joy to share the road with them. But I give space to vulnerable road users regardless of how cluelessly they operate. I just wish the smart people were more common. Also, it took me about a year to get used to rolling through stop signs on my bike when my state passed the "safe stop" law, but now I appreciate it. Still, it pains me to be on group rides and be the only one that doesn't just cruise through at full speed without looking. Is it so hard to slow down and look? And (gasp!) maybe even wait for a car who has the right of way? Instead of expecting them to always stop for you no matter whose right of way it is? Our local drivers are trained to do this by cyclists who cut them off. Pedestrians are also trained to expect bikes to run them down if they don't watch out, and are shocked when I yield to them in a crosswalk😂. It actually confuses them.

[@wowshiii4519]

I use to get mad at cyclists until I started biking myself. Even though I bike only a once a week for transport it still feels ridiculous at times when there's only a sharrow and Im expected to share the car lane. I now try very hard to yield to cyclists because its not fun to be passed by a guy in a truck that gives you barley any room.

[@Thezuule1]

I'm lucky to live in an area where all the busy 55 mph roads have 4' wide shoulders to ride on and there are ample bike paths connecting the area around. Shoulders can be smaller in the city here, and they're almost always full of parked cars, but I'm able to keep up with the city traffic easily enough so I don't think I cause too much of an obstruction for other people. I have no issues getting in a lane to turn at a traffic light or pulling up to a 4 way to make a turn like I'm a car, but I'm on a TT bike and I haul ass. I make a point to make eye contact with drivers who made be turning at intersections and I move quick enough most cars won't try to cut me off to make a right turn ahead of me or whatever. I 100% of the time follow the rules of the road, I signal my turns, stop at red lights and stop signs, etc.

[@rangersmith4652]

There are two important safety concerns that always apply, regardless of what sort of conveyance: 1) People want to go in different directions, at the same time, in the same finite space. Statistically, intersections are the most dangerous places for drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians. That's why most intersections are controlled by various signals. This is widely acknowledged. 2) People are going different speeds. We talk a lot about mixing bikes with cars, walkers with bike riders, etc., but we miss the basic reason why these things are problematic: differential speed. There's a very good reason why people who race at the pro or club level, whether in cars, on motorcycles, on bicycles, on foot, etc., must first "qualify" by demonstrating their ability to maintain a certain speed. Anyone going much faster or much slower than everyone else is a hazard. Differential speed is a major hazard on public streets and roads as well. Even in a bike lane, it's not safe for a person on a road bike to go 25+ mph with other riders going 10 mph on a cruiser. It can actually be much safer for a fast cyclist to mix with cars than to mix with slow cyclists and pedestrians. So, a potential solution to all this is not to create car lanes, bike lanes, and pedestrian lanes, but rather to create lanes designated for different speed ranges.

[@jasonleslie6366]

Really appreciate your perspective and agree completely. Calling my cars insurance company now to raise my coverage. Thank you!

[@emannpro11]

Riding roads scares me. I was on vacation in Nashville a couple years ago and a guy just turned into me in a bike lane when I was going straight and had the right-of-way. I dread big city biking now if it’s not on a trail which unfortunately a lot of bigger cities don’t have or they are quite lacking in the trails they do offer. Actually live in Iowa and got into gravel biking recently. I feel a lot safer on those roads even though I am aware that accidents can happen on those too.

[@maxm6931]

When I first came to the US, I thought 4-way stop signs was the worst idea ever. You first force everyone to stop and then you create a situation where one guy waits for the other, then the other waves, and in the end both are likely to depart at the same moment, creating more hilarity. Now that I write that, a 4-way stop intersection in Italy would probably be instant comedy gold.

[@ToomanyFrancis]

Just days ago a motorist passed me and my partner illegally on a 2 lane double yellow street and almost caused a collision because of a vehicle turning into the lane they were illegally passing us in. Of course we kept up with them at every single red light and eventually passed them as they turned into the Dairy Queen drive through. We stopped at the CVS across the street, did our shopping, and then once again met up with them as they were leaving the DQ drive through. There was not a line of people at the walk up window, only a line of cars in the drive through that extended onto the street. If we would have been going to that DQ we would have probably been home before they left the drive through. I don't think this person was aggravated by us, they didn't open their window and scream at us, but I also don't think they recognized the needless danger they put everybody else on the road in by trying to pass us. I personally am more concerned with these people that I am of the people that do get aggravated.

[@michaelarndt3480]

I love the comment about kids playing in the road since the early 1900's. I played in the road in the 1970s! Great thoughts and I couldn't agree with you analysis more. Especially the Uber eats argument. Unfortunately here in Denver people typically value their cholesterol brick more than my life. I had a young kid pull up next to me in Littleton to tell me that "no one cares about your sport." I might have responded by saying, that's funny I don't remember asking...or caring! We (cyclists) just need to remember to advocate for our lawful presence on the road by riding on the road.

[@mwinfield1969]

I would love a study to be done to show motorists how much time they save everytime another motorist decides to commute to work via bike instead. I live in Wellington NZ and I see cars stuck in traffic all the time, but it is behind other cars. I must say that most motorists here are very good with cyclists giving a wide berth. I always thank them with often an exaggerated wave so that they don't think I am giving the finger (thinking about your road rage video). It always amazes me the people who say cyclists don't pay for the roads, well I also drive a car and when I go on my bike cause less damage to the road. You could argue I pay for the road at a higher rate as my car does fewer road kilometers (miles). Love your work Phil.

[@samuelhartinpasco2553]

Someone has probably mentioned this but there are several states in which you are legally as a biker allowed to treat a stop sign as a yield sign -in Washington where I am it’s WA SB 6208. Despite this it is a pretty normal occurrence here to get yelled at by someone behind you for going through an empty stop without stopping. Ignorance on laws which give cyclists more rights is definitely not a helpful thing.

[@MaineJulia]

I believe that is the case in France too.

[@thomaskuhn6541]

You're absolutely right about what happens at 4-way stops. A car often gets there first, has the right of way, but then sees a bike arriving. The driver gets that deer-in-the-headlights look and has a brain cramp. I've slowed down to let him go, but then everyone ends up standing there and I have my feet down and have lost all my momentum.

[@DonM-x9u]

You lose your momentum should not be a priority. Safety is the priority, if you stop no big deal, everyone is safe. The idea of losing your momentum is not priority in-fact it should be considered dangerous priority. I ride a bike and feel that need to not lose momentum, but that does not justify breaking the law or creating a dangerous situation. If you are not going to stop at a 4 way stop can make it difficult for the driver to predict what the cyclist will do. Being upset because lost you momentum is the wrong attitude, if you have stop to make sure everything is safe no big deal and just carry on.

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Nice video! Thanks! I want to point out that cyclists and pedestrians are not hit by cars, we are hit by Drivers. You brought up the elitist component of lycra and road cyclists. As someone that has bike toured across the U.S. three times, that feeling of hate has increased since my first crossing in1984. And I wear regular shorts, T-shirt, touring bike, fenders, panniers, lights, but in recent years more drivers yell, and brush close. I've even had a few drivers edge a fender at me on purpose at slow speed. I became curious about the increase, so I spent time reading NHTSA and GHSA yearly reports on the statistics and research for increased ped and cyclist deaths of 12%. Fact is, drivers are also killing each other at increased rates between 12-14%, 40,000 traffic deaths today in the U.S. There are several main reasons: Distracted driving; reduced traffic code enforcement; increased speeding; aggressive driving; increased DUI after years of decline; and increased miles driven due to economic growth. Yep, victims of our own success. BUT, standouts to me are the aggression, distracted drivers, and lack of enforcement by PD. Remember 20 years ago, or myself 50 years ago, and looking over your shoulder for a cop? Getting a ticket if you rolled a stop sign? Not any longer in major cities where PD, through attrition and retirements, all major cities are 200-300 officers under staffed today. Another fun fact: Demographics, violent crime in the U.S. declined over a 20 year period until recently because as our population aged, crime decreased. Older people commit less crime statistically. So, in order to balance budgets cities reduced PD via attrition and retirement, police were aging to retirement like our general population. Solution: Hire police, write tickets, enforce the traffic code to the letter. That would cover the 3 foot passing minimum in the traffic code, cell phone usage, speeding, aggressive driving, intersections, DUI codes, all of it. Make Drivers look over their shoulders for a cop like we did decades ago. PD training today is geared toward emergency response, terrorism, violent crime, and security at ballparks and concerts. Want to speak with an officer about what I just stated? Go to a local ballpark or concert with a scheduled event, they are there providing what is basically private security for our pro sports teams. Talk with police or highway patrol in big cities, I have. In a nutshell, as wealth in the U.S. has concentrated toward the upper 1%, all of our social costs, taxes, medical expenses, have shifted inexorably toward the middle class, those folks that work for a $5,000 carbon bike. The bicycle has become a symbol in our class struggle. That's why you're feeling that hate.

[@joekraxberger1489]

Im a cyclist and commuted to work for years. The road cyclists are the most snobby. Thanks for the video

[@CleatSurfer]

On people not using bike lanes, I wonder if a motorist would drive some place if they knew road abruptly ended a mile before the destination. I love how a city will paint the shoulder for one block and call it bike infrastructure. People will use the lanes when they feel safe to do so because the vast majority of users have low traffic stress tolerance. I try to explain riding to a motorist by saying it’s like realizing your freeway exit is 1/8 mile away, need to cross 3 busy traffic lanes, and missing it means 10 miles of extra driving.

[@trishaleaver3581]

Agree with everything you say! Been a cyclist for 45 years. It was waaaaay easier before mandatory helmet laws. In the 1970s / 1980s roads were way busier with people not driving. Helmet laws kinda killed the desire. The cities where people bike the most don’t have helmet laws. Motorists are not used seeing us on the road anymore.

[@kitchencarvings4621]

Around here it's "bikers don't have to pay for license plates and use the roads for free". My retort is always that I pay property taxes and registration on my truck but when I'm riding my bike, I'm not doing damage to the roads the way all you farmers do with your big diesel trucks, farm equipment, and trucks loaded with 20 thousand pounds of potatoes. Plus we're not dropping metal parts all over the road. I've probably spent well over $2,000 on tires and tire repairs from all the crap that is on the roads from old farm trucks and equipment, screws, bolts, wire, pieces of the fenders and frames, screwdrivers, wrenches and all manner of debris.

[@timotius]

As a cyclist, I always do my best to stop at a stop sign and stop at red light. It's important to obey rules to prevent getting an accident from motorists.

[@asherbeal8357]

🤬🤬🤬 I didn’t hear about the kid in Big Bear. I hope they catch the garbage that hit him. Thank you for this BTW. I am a non driving cyclist so I have only one perspective.... ...this should be shown in High School and Drivers ED.

[@fnorgen]

As a frequent cyclist, the only cyclists that really annoy me are the ones who ride on the narrow main road into town with very few passing opportunities, during rush hour, and hold up a line of 20+ cars, when there's a separate cycle path that runs parallel to said road just 3 meters away. For some reason it's usually the 40-somethings with very expensive kit, who aren't nearly as fast as they appear to think they are.

[@MobilityForWho-dk3mp]

Watching this video should be mandatory for anyone with a driver’s license. Thanks for sharing all of the things I’m tired of having to say over and over, now I can just share the link to this video.

[@dhkitson1]

Good video Phil. I guess where I live we’ve got thousands of miles of logging roads(gravel). I can pretty much stay off roads and stay away from the few pricks who make road riding a nightmare

[@KwadSkwad]

I started road riding in the late 90s. with the number of folks staring at their glowing rectangles instead of the road, I've found it's just much safer for me to ride gravel as well (where I see