Safe and courteous cycling

[mandokraft]

I am new to the forum, but not to cycling. I am 62 years old, I have raced road bikes, done Centuries, do a 2 week fully loaded tour each year and commute to work. Although I am excited about seeing the increased number of bicycles on the street, I am distressed by people not stopping at stop signs-or even slowing down, riding against traffic and on the sidewalk. I tend to follow the Oregon law- yield at stop signs, view signals as stop signs. I think is incumbent upon LACBC, Bikerowave and all cycling friendly organizations to get he word out for people to obey the traffic signs. It makes it harder for me as a commuter when drivers look at me as another idiot on a bike.

[Steve Mattson]

In all sanctioned rides hosted by LACBC, CICLE or any known, legit bicycling advocacy group that hosts rides follow all the laws.  We do not host rides.  Yes, I'd like to see people off the sidewalk in general, going the right way down the street, and stopping at stop lights (I'm with you on the yield approach to stop signs unless a motorcycle cop is right there --I think that's the Idaho Law).  We can make bikes as safe as we can here in the shop, but us wagging our fingers at the "idiot" cyclists probably isn't the solution.  (except the d-bags who race down venice blvd's sidewalk right in front of the shop and almost take me or any pedestrian out upon exiting the shop.)

Any time you get somewhere faster and with more joy and greater energy than someone stuck in traffic, that person will most likely hate and resent you for doing it better than they are.  Because most likely that person is not all that evolved and living in complete reaction to their emotions.  And they can be dangerous when they aren't conscious of how dangerous their vehicle and them behind the wheel can be. 

Where you get the idea that they think you are an idiot, well, you might want to ask them about that.  Sounds like you think a number of cyclists who are idiots.  And that's probably true.