Prius.hybrid drivers vs rednecks

[runninboy]

Who is worse?
I split my time between Los Angeles and a rural community in the midwest.
IME the Prius and other hybrid drivers cut me off at a far greater frequency than other vehicles. I notice while driving but is especially apparent when i am on my bike.
By contrast when i visit my family in the country those "redneck" pickup drivers never honk except when they are waving hello and smiling. They also give me plenty of room especially passing, frequently only passing in passing zones and basically treating me with respect.
It is not that the people know me there, i get this on rides in several counties over where i know no one. Part of me thinks it is because people in rural areas have to yield the right of way to slow moving farm vehicles as well and are more patient in general because the laws are enforced.
But i find the rude and dangerous behavior of hybrid drivers to be troubling.
I applaud them for having the commitment to driving a more efficient vehicle so it makes me wonder are they bitter because we have "upped " them by using no fossil fuel whatsoever? Is not about the enviroment but in fact about being morally superior and they lose that argument to human powered vehicles?
just wondering.

 

[redtreviso]

Who is worse?
I split my time between Los Angeles and a rural community in the midwest.
IME the Prius and other hybrid drivers cut me off at a far greater frequency than other vehicles. I notice while driving but is especially apparent when i am on my bike.
By contrast when i visit my family in the country those "redneck" pickup drivers never honk except when they are waving hello and smiling. They also give me plenty of room especially passing, frequently only passing in passing zones and basically treating me with respect.
It is not that the people know me there, i get this on rides in several counties over where i know no one. Part of me thinks it is because people in rural areas have to yield the right of way to slow moving farm vehicles as well and are more patient in general because the laws are enforced.
But i find the rude and dangerous behavior of hybrid drivers to be troubling.
I applaud them for having the commitment to driving a more efficient vehicle so it makes me wonder are they bitter because we have "upped " them by using no fossil fuel whatsoever? Is not about the enviroment but in fact about being morally superior and they lose that argument to human powered vehicles?
just wondering.

Do you do a bunch of your wondering after a handful of oxycontin? just sayin

 

[runninboy]

Do you do a bunch of your wondering after a handful of oxycontin? just sayin

Such a useful & insightful response
You obviously have alot of practice and are now capable of being able to stereotype, condescend, insult all in the context of one sentence.
Congratulations

 

[redtreviso]

Such a useful & insightful response
You obviously have alot of practice and are now capable of being able to stereotype, condescend, insult all in the context of one sentence.
Congratulations

It takes a special kind of immoral delusional mind to try to look for complimentary virtues of the Pick-up driver compared to the hybrid driver..
or you have to stretch and look how farmer joe in Iowa or some bf place has good character compared to prius drivers in LA.. This is just the kind of thing a
drunk or oxy addict might blabber on about. Here in Texas the pickup or monster SUV driver is more likely to kill you than for you to see any prius driver doing any discourteous driving.

 

[biokemguy]

If you compare prius drivers to truck drivers in the same area, LA for example, there's no real difference IMHO.

My bias is against luxury car drivers (audi, BMW, etc.), but I've been surprised by the courtesy of drivers of all car types.

 

[patricknd]

It takes a special kind of immoral delusional mind to try to look for complimentary virtues of the Pick-up driver compared to the hybrid driver..
or you have to stretch and look how farmer joe in Iowa or some bf place has good character compared to prius drivers in LA.. This is just the kind of thing a
drunk or oxy addict might blabber on about. Here in Texas the pickup or monster SUV driver is more likely to kill you than for you to see any prius driver doing any discourteous driving.

i'm guessing you got beat up a lot when you were a kid.

i understand why

 

[usedtobefast]

i find hear in Tustin,Ca. the aholes drive all kinds of vehicles. and the hybrid crowd are no different. i still see a lot of soccer mom types on the cell phone driving a huge SUV and not really paying attention to the task at hand.

 

[Mr.DNA]

I live in Southern California.

When on my bike I rarely get attitude from drivers. Be considerate and they're cool.

However, when in my car... if there's a vehicle going 55 in the fast lane, it's usually a Prius, Camry or Corolla. Seems more Toyota- than hybrid-related.

 

[Michael Brown]

C'mon, what difference does it make? Last time I checked, there was no law dictating what types of vehicles a-holes must drive.

Fact is, a-holes drive all types of cars. Crappy cars. Luxury cars. Pick-up trucks. Hybrids.

The only question is the a-hole density of where you are riding. I live in Dallas, TX, where the a-hole density is quite high. Lots of 'em.

Contrast that to when I visit my parents in Oklahoma and ride in the rural areas there...the people, regardless of vehicle, are (on average) a friendlier, more courteous bunch.

I usually think to myself, "wow, what a courteous redneck" when I should be thinking "man, Texas is chock full of a-holes compared to Oklahoma".

I might even be one - but not behind the wheel.

 

[runninboy]

C'mon, what difference does it make? Last time I checked, there was no law dictating what types of vehicles a-holes must drive.

Fact is, a-holes drive all types of cars. Crappy cars. Luxury cars. Pick-up trucks. Hybrids.

Well my point was that in my OP was that IME cyclists that i know generally denigrate rural drivers as stereotyoical red necks in pickup trucks who will tell you get a haircut and then run you off the road.
And i just seemed to have the opposite experience. I spend alot of time in Los Angeles and most of the incidents of people turning in front of me, cutting me close, pulling in front hitting the brakes have been by and large not SUV's but in fact small hybrid vehicles.

I found it very curious and it might be due to the area where i live might have a higher percentage of those types of cars.
I ride a loop course near my house quite often.there are two luxury gated communitites o the route. i like to use it as I am never further than 2.5 miles away from home but i can get in some good climbing. about 7 miles a loop. One day i got cut off several times on each loop. 4 different Prius drivers, a toyota hybrid, a couple of Honda's and other assorted small cars. All nice looking upscale cars, clean but seemingly totally oblivious, many ran a stop sign without slowing pulled out right in front of me on a descent. Instead of stopping when they saw me they merely accelerated.
It is probably due to the type of driver but i thought social consciousness about the enviroment also included respecting other people who have taken similar steps.
My bad i guess.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

One thing I've noticed is that a lot that Prius drivers are more often than not some of the worst drivers out there, many are first car owners. Secondly, I've seen so many expelled cigs thrown out the windows of these Prius', seems somewhat contradictory seeing as the reason for the auto purchase. Soccer moms in mini vans can be a menace sometimes. Some of the very worst are High School aged kids that just got their lic.

 

[redtreviso]

Well my point was that in my OP was that IME cyclists that i know generally denigrate rural drivers as stereotyoical red necks in pickup trucks who will tell you get a haircut and then run you off the road.
And i just seemed to have the opposite experience. I spend alot of time in Los Angeles and most of the incidents of people turning in front of me, cutting me close, pulling in front hitting the brakes have been by and large not SUV's but in fact small hybrid vehicles.

I found it very curious and it might be due to the area where i live might have a higher percentage of those types of cars.
I ride a loop course near my house quite often.there are two luxury gated communitites o the route. i like to use it as I am never further than 2.5 miles away from home but i can get in some good climbing. about 7 miles a loop. One day i got cut off several times on each loop. 4 different Prius drivers, a toyota hybrid, a couple of Honda's and other assorted small cars. All nice looking upscale cars, clean but seemingly totally oblivious, many ran a stop sign without slowing pulled out right in front of me on a descent. Instead of stopping when they saw me they merely accelerated.
It is probably due to the type of driver but i thought social consciousness about the enviroment also included respecting other people who have taken similar steps.
My bad i guess.

Sounds more like the truck nutz people are your kind and you declare them to be good and the prius people victimize you.

 

[ViaPagliano]

while we're on the topic of Prius', I'd like to point out that no car scares the S*** out of me more than this car.

the true ninja equivalent of the automotive world, you never notice them until they are RIGHT behind you. by the time you yell "car back" they are already whipping past you.

I only really notice them after they honk or when they are in my peripheral. And then they have the nerve to gesture angrily as if I should have heard them coming.

 

[runninboy]

One thing I've noticed is that a lot that Prius drivers are more often than not some of the worst drivers out there, many are first car owners. Secondly, I've seen so many expelled cigs thrown out the windows of these Prius', seems somewhat contradictory seeing as the reason for the auto purchase. Soccer moms in mini vans can be a menace sometimes. Some of the very worst are High School aged kids that just got their lic.

agreed. I avoid riding in areas near schools when soccer moms are picking up or dropping off as it is like russian roulette at that time. So i guess by my avoidance i am somewhat to blame for my skewed perspective and statistics.

 

[runninboy]

while we're on the topic of Prius', I'd like to point out that no car scares the S*** out of me more than this car.

the true ninja equivalent of the automotive world, you never notice them until they are RIGHT behind you. by the time you yell "car back" they are already whipping past you.

I only really notice them after they honk or when they are in my peripheral. And then they have the nerve to gesture angrily as if I should have heard them coming.

+1

I have had many close calls in parking lots. they can accelerate quickly and silently. they come around from one aisle of parking and dart into the next, if you are not looking in their direction you are toast because they are so quiet. I have also seen a couple close calls with blind people. they can't hear them backing up and obviously cannot see their backup lights.
I don't know if they have installed a backup alarm but it is really needed on that car.

 

[Sanitiser]

I think it's quite simple really, if they are in a rush they are impatient and try to harass you. Hence luxury car drivers (including Prius since really who pays for such an overpriced, underpowered car unless they want to make a message), utility vehicles, taxis etc are the worst. 'Rednecks' in the OP don't care because they are not in a rush.

 

[Fowsto Cope-E]

Living in Atlanta's suburbs, I've noticed that the "red-necks" that moved into my town from the rural areas tend to have more hate for cyclists than anyone else where I live. However ,when i go ride out in the country, it seems that most people are among the nicest people you can meet.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I think it's quite simple really, if they are in a rush they are impatient and try to harass you. Hence luxury car drivers (including Prius since really who pays for such an overpriced, underpowered car unless they want to make a message), utility vehicles, taxis etc are the worst. 'Rednecks' in the OP don't care because they are not in a rush.

It may be off topic but in this thread does anybody really care? But have you ever driven a Prius? They can actually be made to move right along, I suspect however that the problem lies with the average Prius driver who always has one eye on the little gauge that tells him how many mpg he is scoring.
I think harassment of cyclists by motorists cuts across all socioeconomic strata, sometimes it is even the fault of the cyclist.
It is lack of courtesy all the way around.

 

[flicker]

Prius drivers have a higher than average poor drivers. It does not matter what direction they are coming from the people seem not to look out from them, as if they are in their own little Dr. Suess universe. Prius drivers in Whoville.

Thing is though I see the same lacidazeacil attitude with middle aged cyclists on high end bikes. A disturbing sense of immortality and omnipotence with the weekend Guru and Colnago set. Blocking the rode riding on the centerline side by side at 12 MPH. They give you the stink eye when you pass them risking your own life and other motorists.

 

[runninboy]

It may be off topic but in this thread does anybody really care? But have you ever driven a Prius? They can actually be made to move right along, I suspect however that the problem lies with the average Prius driver who always has one eye on the little gauge that tells him how many mpg he is scoring.
I think harassment of cyclists by motorists cuts across all socioeconomic strata, sometimes it is even the fault of the cyclist.
It is lack of courtesy all the way around.

As i said before, yeah i do care because i think cyclists tend to see things the way they have been conditioned to think off the bike. Reality is different. The reality i have found is actually Prius a much over hyped vehicle tends to be, in my experience, a little more of a danger to cyclist and pedestrians than the much maligned pickup truck. Yes it is the driver partially. But when a car is as quiet as this one your usually defenses are less than adequate. And we have a difference of opinion on the lack of courtesy all the way around. I am very aware of my behaviour on a bike and as i usually train alone i tend not to conform to most cyclists habits. When i am at a red light i continually keep an eye out behind me for a right turning vehicle i move over to give them plenty of room, if they hang back i motion them forward. Usually as a result the driver rolls down the window and thanks me. Once they are past i move the bike back to the right to give the car to my left plenty of room to go by.
So i would really like to hear an example from you when i have been less than courteous.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Prius drivers have a higher than average poor drivers. It does not matter what direction they are coming from the people seem not to look out from them, as if they are in their own little Dr. Suess universe. Prius drivers in Whoville.

Thing is though I see the same lacidazeacil attitude with middle aged cyclists on high end bikes. A disturbing sense of immortality and omnipotence with the weekend Guru and Colnago set. Blocking the rode riding on the centerline side by side at 12 MPH. They give you the stink eye when you pass them risking your own life and other motorists.

I keep reading your posts just waiting for the one that makes some sense. Still, it never comes.

 

[Hugh Januss]

It may be off topic but in this thread does anybody really care? But have you ever driven a Prius? They can actually be made to move right along, I suspect however that the problem lies with the average Prius driver who always has one eye on the little gauge that tells him how many mpg he is scoring.
I think harassment of cyclists by motorists cuts across all socioeconomic strata, sometimes it is even the fault of the cyclist.
It is lack of courtesy all the way around.

As i said before, yeah i do care because i think cyclists tend to see things the way they have been conditioned to think off the bike. Reality is different. The reality i have found is actually Prius a much over hyped vehicle tends to be, in my experience, a little more of a danger to cyclist and pedestrians than the much maligned pickup truck. Yes it is the driver partially. But when a car is as quiet as this one your usually defenses are less than adequate. And we have a difference of opinion on the lack of courtesy all the way around. I am very aware of my behaviour on a bike and as i usually train alone i tend not to conform to most cyclists habits. When i am at a red light i continually keep an eye out behind me for a right turning vehicle i move over to give them plenty of room, if they hang back i motion them forward. Usually as a result the driver rolls down the window and thanks me. Once they are past i move the bike back to the right to give the car to my left plenty of room to go by.
So i would really like to hear an example from you when i have been less than courteous.

I'm sorry, could you look back at my post and tell me exactly where I said that you were being discourteous? Is it not a possibility that the drivers you encounter on your solo rides in LA are reacting more to the group of 40 "bike racers" who ran the red light in front of them 10 blocks earlier, and then flipped them off and MFed them because they didn't stop quickly enough as they were running said light, than they are to you (or me) riding on our own. Or maybe it was the pack of fixie riders who take pleasure in flaunting all traffic rules? How many of either of these groups do you think motorists encounter up in your neck of the woods?
I also do all the move over to let motorists turn right and stuff, but I am not sure it always makes up for the other cyclists that they encounter. Are there car drivers who are complete a-holes? Oh, you bet, and there would be no matter what, but the actions of a certain percentage of cyclists do nothing but add to the column of car drivers who dislike bike riders.
There is also a shocking number of Police Officers and a huge number of motorists who do not even really know what the traffic laws are with regard to cyclists, and a lot more education would be nice.
Finally the higher the volume of traffic the more confrontations there will be, but that doesn't mean that your generalization will be very accurate.

 

[BroDeal]

C'mon, what difference does it make? Last time I checked, there was no law dictating what types of vehicles a-holes must drive.

There are exceptions. Does anyone but a douchebag drive a Hummer?

 

[slartiblartfast]

My experience is you are more likely to be given the finger, yelled at or injured by drivers who (think they) are in a hurry, no matter what car they drive. Young provisional licence drivers and their passengers often feel obliged to wind the window down and shout abuse as they drive past. I have been given the finger by a young woman on her way to dropping her kids at preschool after she turned in front of me forcing me to brake quickly. I have nearly been killed by another young mother who turned blind out of a driveway across oncoming traffic when I happened to be riding past.

Generally drivers in rural areas are not in as much of a hurry so are more courteous.

Cyclists who run red lights, go through stop signs or ride up past cars stopped in the turning lane at traffic lights are not only risking their own lives but also those of other cyclists because they contribute to road rage.

 

[Arnout]

I guess I have no right to be in this thread as I live in the Netherlands where all drivers are used to bikes going everywhere and are in general polite (although as of late it seems to be changing a bit, there are so many recreational riders on racing bikes who think they own the whole road that it is becoming annoying, even for fellow bike riders).

But anyway, the Prius is the biggest joke in human history (the only thing the electric motor does is use some of the warmth of the engine and some of the braking energy, hardly revolutionary). The major part of the energy savings is the result of eco tyres (unsafe, I've driven in one and it is awful, especially when it is wet) and the shape of the car. The battery is so polluting that actually the Prius is worse for the environment than a normal car.

But still they get major subsidies