Do we have to be obnoxious?

 Post #12:  Cyclist are assholes.  Yeah, I wrote that and I mean that.  I hope you are upset, I hope I have your attention.  We are a collective group that needs to get our collective stuff together and stop being clowns.  I was in Chicago this past weekend.  I went out for a 40 mile ride in North Chicago and rode mainly trails and some roads.  I used the bike lanes when available and kept right.  A few times I stopped at the traffic lights and waited for the green light to turn.  I saw a lot of the intersections saying no right on reds, so I figure (probably wrong) not to Idaho Stop those lights.  I stopped at 4 ways stops and followed the letter of the law on these.  A few times on that ride, another rider would come up and jump the light and look at me like I was a weirdo.  I normally will not Idaho Stop (Jump) a light, unless there is no traffic around.  Yup, even during the times I jump lights I am breaking the law unless other wise allowed by local policies. I am not innocent at all.  4 way stops, it is common for me to coast up on them and roll through after seeing no traffic.  If a vehicle is near, I will stop.

      I am no saint on the bike, but after what I watched this weekend, I am embarrassed by the cycling community of Chicago.  9am Sunday morning I watched the same red light, I watched 6 cyclist blow it like it was hot.  No slow down, no stop, just blew the intersection out right.  While eating my Avocado toast and Maple Latte made with Almond milk passing a lot of judgements. I also saw a large delivery truck blow that same intersection and that same red light.  I am not interested in the excuses, I am interested in seeing cyclist attempt to be safe.  I am just happy those cyclist did not get smoked when blowing the red light at full speed on their fixies.  

       As I ate my breakfast on the sidewalk patio, it only got worse.  I watched a few more come through the red light and make a left turn in front of crossing traffic.  I watched them ride on the side walk into the intersection. 

      My opinion is, if you are on the road, play by the rules of the road, and be safe.  I do not need another person on a bike being killed.  I know cars and trucks break the rules just as frequently, but the difference is 2 tons of steel vs your carbon fixie bike.  I wonder whom will win.  Stop being douches and start being accountable to yourself.