Bicyclists

I just realized that I am most angry in the morning on my way to work. I encounter the most crazy individuals either walking or driving behind the wheel. In a previous blog post, I discussed my experiences with road rage. I forgot to mention my experiences with another offender.

Here's why I'm mad:

ARRGGHH!!! Bicyclists! They are all over the place. Some of them ride in to work, while others ride for work (courier services, delivery men/women, etc). I cannot STAND them. Bicyclists cannot ride on the sidewalk so they ride in the street... alongside me. They do not have indicators so they have to use their hands to let you know what direction they are going in. Here you are, weaving in and out of traffic, trying to cut me off so you can make a left turn. I guess I would be in the wrong if you got clipped "accidentally" by my car, huh?

What annoys me the most about them is the way they cross the street. They rarely, if ever, cross the street like normal people. OK, try to catch the visual: You are at an intersection and you need to cross vertically, but you also need to cross to your right, horizontally. 90 degrees, right? Nope, not bicyclists. They cross the street diagonally!! Then put their hands out in the street for you to stop, so they can illegally, and foolishly, cross the street even though you have the green light.

Bicyclists make me sick.

Besides their blatant disregard for my insurance rates, which will go up if I hit one of those suckers, and their health, which will be in jeopardy if I hit one of those suckers, their outfit annoys me! The standard bicyclist's outfit consists of these funky tight jackets and pants that are usually extremely bright.


I understand the functionality of having tight clothes. You need to ensure that your clothes do not snag on the peddles or bike chain and create a very dangerous accident. I even get the fact that you need to wear bright colors so that you can be seen by both drivers and pedestrians. However, just because I get it does NOT mean I condone it. You look absolutely ridiculous! Men look bad, but old men look worse! Even the men who wear work suits look ridiculous because they have their socks over their pant leg. I understand the safety risks but geez.

Ugh, bicyclists make me really sick.

There has to be a better way! There must! Some places have lanes just for bicyclists. I am sure that would not be easy in downtown Washington, D.C., but we need to explore that option. Please Mayor Fenty. Look into it. I beg you. My insurance rates and possible jail time depends on it!