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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Cycling and the City: Driver Confrontations</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?9624</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:37:34 PST</lastBuildDate>
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<title>C</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Bicycling in this city consists of trying to stay on the side of the road until a cab veers for you with no intention of stopping, forcing you onto the sidewalk. Then once you're on the sidewalk all the pedestrians give you the look of contempt. When you are able to drive on the street, you're constantly sandwitched when you need to pass parked cars on the curb. Then once you're passing they will often swing their door open without looking behind them. I have had 3 doors swung in my face and narrowly missed getting corpseified in the last few days. Its crap. I hate this city.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c288477</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c288477</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:21:16 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>geoffrey</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I take the ttc and use my car once in a while.  In my daily observations I find that cyclists generally do not obey the traffic laws far more than drivers.  They don't stop for the street cars, they run red lights and they weave in and out of traffic.  I've seen a few get hurt doing that and I can't say that I have alota sympathy for anybody - driver or cyclist that gets hurt on the road because they weren't being careful and mindful of others.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c285030</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c285030</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2008 21:19:51 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Mason</title>
<description><![CDATA[
In response to katiec about the phrase "on the left", just keep your eyes open if using this - I once used it on a trail while passing someone on their left, only to see them misinterpret the phrase and veer to the left, requiring me to slam on my brakes and nearly lose control.

I definitely disagree with Jay's comparison between bikes and car horns though - they are not really analagous. As a matter of fact, in many countries with much denser traffic flows, cabs use their horns even more than cyclists here use bells. It's about awareness for other road users, not just an audible middle finger. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284927</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284927</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2008 13:02:46 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>aahhrrgg</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The Netherlands may be a paradise for cyclists but not for any pedestrian who puts so much as a toe on a bike path.  Cyclists there are merciless.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284385</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284385</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 17:05:29 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Danielle</title>
<description><![CDATA[
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/429141 And watch where you open your car doors, thanks.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284064</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c284064</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 02:16:55 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>hemaworstje</title>
<description><![CDATA[
some BS , i live in the netherlands, a paradise for cyclists, it is the mentality of your tribe that makes this happen.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283872</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283872</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 10:45:41 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>John</title>
<description><![CDATA[
It amazes me to hear some people defend car culture here. I've lived in car culture, I grew up in it. Most of us from Ontario did.

I ride a bike to work now, why, because I don't want to grow up to be a fat ass. I know what it is like to feel rage behind the wheel. I know what it is like to feel like you own the road. (I don't agree with the douche who said bikes don't belong there though because they don't pay insurance. FU because I pay insurance on my car and municipal taxes you POS, I pay much more than you).

The point I'm getting at is everyone needs to get out on the streets of Toronto, on a bike, with the cars, whether a driver or not. Switch places. You'll see then, riding a bike has become a matter of life and death. That means we aren't talking about who owns the road, we are talking about people's lives. Let's make Toronto bike friendly to save lives, promote the environment and a healthy sustainable lifestyle. Anyone who doesn't think this is a good idea is basically a selfish dickhead.

If it has wheels, it belongs on the road. So all you car drivers, accept it and share the road. Sidewalks are for walking. Any biker on the sidewalk should be scolded and ticketed.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283663</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283663</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 14:12:19 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Daniell</title>
<description><![CDATA[
How is it holier-than-thou to comment about following the rules of the road and having somebody completely endanger you and ignore them? And no, I wasn't trying to arrest them or give them a ticket, but I was trying to make them realize that their lack of paying attention could have caused a major injury.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283639</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283639</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 12:24:30 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Mr. Saget</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I love how the majority of cyclists have this holier than thou attitude, they disregard the rules anytime the mood strikes yet want cars to obey everything.  I also am amazed at the idea of following a car that has "done a wrong" and confronting them, are cyclists the fucking police now?  Won't be long until one of  the cyclists ends up in the ICU after confronting the wrong person.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283620</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283620</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 10:56:23 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>breerion</title>
<description><![CDATA[
as a side note, I gotta say I was really entertained by the '2 wheels good, 4 wheels bad' rant. insightful and witty and inspired! ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283455</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c283455</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 17:17:38 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Andrew</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Bullshit!
All I ever hear about when they want to build bike lanes is whiny assholes saying "nobody rides their bike in this city, why do we waste money on bike lanes?". 
So if that is the case then where are all these reckless bikers coming from? I ride to work almost every day and I don't see many people screwing around on their bikes. Bike couriers are crazy but they are a different breed.
I used to obey every single rule and have been sideswiped and hit on many occasions and avoided many more because I knew the morons behind the wheel were going to do something stupid. If the drivers don't obey the rules, why should I? I still do but screw it, you can get killed that way.
Anyone who says it is the bicyclist's fault more times than naught is such a fucking idiot I can't even think of how to begin telling them how wrong they are. How many incidents have I caused or been in that were my fault as a cyclist or the fault of another cyclist? Zero. How many incidents due to motorists? Seven and avoided many more.
And passing on the left of a right turning car? Yeah, try that and see how soon it is until some jerk behind that turning car smashes you as he tries to swing around the car in front and pass it in the same lane before that car makes its turn. Or you get squished by the dude in the next lane figuring he just got some room to make his lane change in the intersection.
Also, motorists, stop parking in the bike lane! Stop talking on your damn phones! Stop playing kissy-kissy with your girl and pay attention! Stop looking at addresses or stores as you saunter along the road unpredictably changing speeds and orientation! Start using signals and when you do, put them on before you get to the intersection or well before you want to change lanes! Putting on a signal after or during your lateral move doesn't help! I could go on but I will spare you.
I have owned a car in the past and I drive a motorcycle now. I always check my blindspots, how friggin hard is that? No excuse based on changing seasons, that is hogwash. Your obligation to PAY MUTHAF%^$ING attention is year-round!]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282677</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282677</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 17:41:42 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>jimmy</title>
<description><![CDATA[
some of the posts here are pretty crazy - its all just metal and rubber people, stop getting so worked up.  Cars, nor bikes, are going anywhere... learn to get along or you're going to kill each other.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282501</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282501</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 22:57:08 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>James</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"On your left" (or right) is the normal mountain biking thing to say. However, bells or verbal warnings often are a waste of time on Toronto's recreational paths because pedestrians are completely oblivious. Sorry, that is a whole other discussion. My bad.

I was driving downtown this evening - I would have rather rode but circumstances did not permit. I found the whole Queen West situation pretty dangerous. There were a fair number of cars speeding along to pass in the right hand lane, dodging bikes that rightfully were using the lane. My route also took me along Queen's Quay where the right turns across the bike path is the problem (e.g. into parking garages of the wall of condos). A lot of our bike paths just aren't safe because there is no enforcement of the rules of the road.



]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282489</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282489</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 22:06:09 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>katiec</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"I'm also annoyed by people who ding every fucking time they pass another bike. Do you honk your horn every time you pass another car? Just leave enough space and you can safely pass without making noise. There is too much noise in our world already." - Jay

I am one of those cyclists who dings the bell every time I pass someone.  I do it because I would rather a fellow cyclist has a heads up that I am about to pass them and I like it when people do the same for me.  Recently, I had a cyclist pass me saying "on the left," which I do prefer to dinging my bell, so now I say that in certain situations.  

I also ding the bell when passing a parked car with a person in it.  I do not trust that they will look before opening their door.  I'm sorry if this contributes to more noise pollution, but I'd rather be safe and have people be aware of where I am.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282450</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282450</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 18:47:19 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>guy lafleur stole my bike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Keep in mind that our varying seasons play a huge role in awareness and skill. During the winter, the cars reign. Come spring, the bicycles come out in force. People have had time to forget how to drive around other types of vehicles (bikes, motorcycles, scooters) and are more likely to make mistakes. Similarly, riders of those other vehicles have had the winter off and often forget a lot, their skills have dulled. 

I don't ride a bike, but I do ride a motorcycle. Experienced riders always say that it's this time, early in the season, where riding is most dangerous. Also, to back what someone else said, be extra careful around minivans and cabs! All of my close calls involved those vehicles. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282446</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282446</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 18:11:03 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>James</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Another thought - a unique problem with the downtown Toronto area is that a lot of people are driving there that don't live there. It is visual overload and you must adopt a different and more careful driving style from the suburbs. This is especially true on the weekends.

The older couple in the van I referred to above is probably somebody not used to the norms of driving downtown. On the other hand, maybe they were just assholes.

Under civil law, if you hit a bike with a car and kill or injure someone your going to have a challenge proving you took duty of care. Your liability insurance may or may not cover it and you will be very sorry before it is all over.

On the other hand, it is possible but pretty hard to kill someone with a bike.


]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282437</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282437</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 17:36:57 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Matt on his bike</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Roads are not a privelege. They start as paths through the woods and fields and become wider as more people and a larger variety vehicles use them. They are where/how people move from one place to another to engage in the daily goings on of life. 
The laws that govern driving, what some drivers seem to want cyclists to adhere to, are for cars. Remove motor vehicles from the road and the law become unnecessary. These laws were not created for cyclists as cyclist are not nearly the threat to others that motor vehicles are.
That being said there are a ton of assholes on bikes who regularly ride like assholes, but try and find the instances where people were seriously injured or killed in accidents only involving cyclists and pedestrians and what you find is a number that is insignificant in comparison to comprable accidents involving motor vehicles. A driver on their phone, eating ther lunch, lighting their smoke, screwing with the radio, is WAY more dangerous than any asshole on a bike wearing head phones.
The bottom line is that for every dick on a bike there are countless more dicks driving in a manner that can kill. Until the city builds the cycling infrastructure that a town like this deserves there will be dicks sharing the road.
]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282426</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282426</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 16:52:19 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Jay</title>
<description><![CDATA[
James - you're taking your life in your hands when you get into a car as well.  Or when you step out of your house to walk down the street for that matter.

Cars and bikes are like Israel and Palestine.  It's just too bad we can't all share and get along.

]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282407</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282407</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 14:51:44 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Pamela</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I like to keep up with the news in general. I read and hear of a lot more fatalities by cars driven by reckless drivers. The latest report killed two young people, and put two in critical condition. These are the references I'd cite to back up my arguments above.  I'm interested in reading articles or stats about reckless cyclists who've killed or maimed others though.. not just anecdotes. ]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282404</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282404</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 14:46:39 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>James</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I drive downtown when I have to, but I very much prefer to bike. The GO train / bike combination makes for a much nicer day than driving. It just happens to help the environment too as a bonus.

The problem is every time I bike downtown is taking my life in my hands. Last weekend a 60-something couple in a gray van almost hit me - turning right - in the west end of downtown. Then they rolled down their window and swore at me. Nice.

Last year a technician in a Rogers van tried to assault me when I was in got in his way blocking right-hand turn lane at a red light (I was in front of him in the lane). A complaint to Rogers public relations resulted in no follow-up.

Street car tracks, parked car doors flying open: these I can deal with. Hyper aggressive car drivers who are unfamiliar with driving downtown - this I fear.

I'm a car driver and a bicyclist. The problem is almost always the car drivers. Moreover, the legal duty of care rests on the person driving the heavier and more dangerous vehicle.

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<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282401</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2008/05/cycling_and_the_city_driver_confrontations/#c282401</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 14:32:40 PDT</pubDate>
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