Denver bicyclists

In Capitol Hill and Downtown I regularly see bicyclists with no lights or reflectors at night, not even slowing down for stop signs and redlights, going the wrong way on one way streets, riding on the sidewalks nearly missing pedestrians, and doing lots of stupid shit.

Tonight I nearly faceplanted one into the concrete. I'm walking down the sidewalk near Broadway and 5th, after dark, no other pedestrians anywhere near me, when all of a sudden I see a blur as a bicyclist zips past me from behind at about 30 mph, missing clipping me by less than 3 inches when he would've had plenty of room to pass on the other side and he must've seen me from at least 50 feet back. If I wasn't distracted by something else and my reaction time was a fraction of a second quicker, I'd probably be in jail tonight. This wasn't some punk teenager either -- guy looked to be in his mid 40s and well dressed.

So, hypothetically, as a private citizen, how much trouble would I probably have been in for knocking someone off their bicycle under such circumstances? NOT deliberately, but because I was startled and they got clotheslined by my arm or something. I know it is illegal for them to be on the damn sidewalk in the first place.
[Rant1]

Just defending yourself from an unknown asssailant. ;)
My bicycle has lights and a tail light.

As a rider, fuck those clowns. [Rant1]

Just a coincidence that your elbow happened to contact his throat when he tried to zoom around you, no way you could have seen him coming..

Hmmm, mid 40s and well dressed. This guy?

http://www.seeing-stars.com/museums/...ike(small).jpg

:D

I don't know what the repercussions would be. Bikes are supposed to follow all rules and regs. But if you were startled and reacted...?

I have to go with Denis Leary's philosophy on these. Possibly NSFW, for language.

http://youtu.be/6zHpoHFAPjY

Embedding no work apparently.

:D

I feel your pain.

Last week I was driving into Evergreen from Conifer on Hwy 73. Some spandex-clad turd burglar was riding his bike in the middle of the lane through the S-curves. He made no effort to stay to the right...at all. There was a lady in the car ahead of me who was too timid to pass. I wasn't.

When I got the opportunity to pass him I probably came within a few inches of tagging the little douchebag with my mirror. He caught up to me at the light and gave me his best tough-guy look...as tough as a guy can look on a bike dressed in fetish clothing.

I motioned to him he was "number 1" and gave him a loud "FU" through the open window. Then passed him again. He gave me a lot more room the second time.

here maybe this will cheer you up.. not sure if sfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNgR2...eature=related

also I cycle from time to time and hate it when people are retarded about it.. we don't need to ride 2 abreast ever and especially on a road that the bike lane barely allows 1.. just avoid those roads

too bad you didn't see him park his bike so you could cut his tires.