Prius.hybrid drivers vs rednecks

[sublimit]

I've noticed women dropping off their kids at school in their husbands nice big expensive car of any type but more often than not Japanese top end models - can be a menace, total disregard for anybody else on the road particularly cyclists.

I got one of those behind me a while back and she blasted her horn expecting me to get out of the way because the road was a narrow sides street and she had little Jonny in her car to drop off.. Suffice to say I gave her mouthful of foul abuse.

 

[runninboy]

sometimes it is even the fault of the cyclist.
It is lack of courtesy all the way around.

Pretty straightforward. You claim a lack of courtesy all the way around. you have made no exceptions

 

[forty four]

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

so true really who would by one of those epic monstrosity's generally small penis syndrome i think same with raised trucks with knobby tires with no clearance that get 5mpg that are never driven off road lol so sad the insecurity.

 

[forty four]

for me self entitled b-i-t-c-hes are the worst in there eyes the world revolves around them and there offspring. you are simply an obstacle and inconvenience not a living human. 99% of my interactions are all good it seems some draw problems to themselves i know cyclists like that. people mostly leave me alone and are cool. dumb rednecks on occasion are a nuisance but not so much in cali.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Originally Posted by 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. Except for Runninboy.

Pretty straightforward. You claim a lack of courtesy all the way around. you have made no exceptions

OK how's that? You might be just a tad too sensitive for the interwebs.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

One exception I think for the SUV driver (I also own one) is that if you live in a mountain town pretty much everyone that is into one sport or another drives one and they're probably the most courteous towards cyclists.

Another sort of impatient driver that we should mention are the white vans, whether it be service or delivery they are really, really bad. Also, back when I was courting my girlfriend in NYC the taxi drivers there are by far the worst on this side of the planet.

 

[Ferminal]

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.

Yep... silent assassins.

They need to have some artificial noise added to them so you can hear them.

 

[redtreviso]

Yep... silent assassins.

They need to have some artificial noise added to them so you can hear them.

This is all BS.. no a prius doesn't sound like a Dodge Hemi Pickup but most vehicles you cannot hear their engines. Past 10mph you hear the tires..It could be electric or be a regular engined car but coasting and be just as dangerous to you if you are depending on sound.. Maybe some folks ought to stop looking at their garmins or themselves in the mirror and just pay fattention.

 

[mulletCobra]

My wife drives our Prius and I ride my bicycle. I'd say she is a courteous and safe driver. Sometimes I think she is too courteous. Even before we married she was cautious and respectful of cyclist. I think most people are just impatient and/or idiotic. I haven't had many any incidents with Prius drivers yet. I'm am convinced that certain types of people drive certain cars though.
We are both in agreement that anyone who drives a Land Rover or Range Rover will do there best to murder you. I've yet to encounter one that didn't drive like their rear end was on fire. I've had all kinds of motorist try to run me off the road. Vans seem the most likely to do so. They weren't all soccer moms either(though they fill with rage very quickly.)
Thankfully I've yet to be injured on my bicycle. The only two crashes I've had were with other cyclist.

 

[Ferminal]

This is all BS.. no a prius doesn't sound like a Dodge Hemi Pickup but most vehicles you cannot hear their engines. Past 10mph you hear the tires..It could be electric or be a regular engined car but coasting and be just as dangerous to you if you are depending on sound.. Maybe some folks ought to stop looking at their garmins or themselves in the mirror and just pay fattention.

Actually I'm speaking in general, as a pedestrian etc, not just on a bike. In built up areas where they are only doing 20-30km/h. The noise from the road and air isn't exactly huge. It just means we have to stop relying on hearing as a tool for road awareness.

 

[usedtobefast]

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 do the same with motorists. i like them in front of me and give them every chance to get around me when it is safe. the thing that annoys me is when a driver accelerates around you to beat you to the light/stop and then cuts you off in the process. that gets me angry.

 

[usedtobefast]

This is all BS.. no a prius doesn't sound like a Dodge Hemi Pickup but most vehicles you cannot hear their engines. Past 10mph you hear the tires..It could be electric or be a regular engined car but coasting and be just as dangerous to you if you are depending on sound.. Maybe some folks ought to stop looking at their garmins or themselves in the mirror and just pay fattention.

i have to disagree. the hybrid silent car is hard to hear. sure the tires make a sound, but the engine has a vibration and that is what we riders are used to.
a small tone generator would be good. blind people are have issues with these
vehicles as well.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/tips-article/1010548_blind-want-prius-to-make-noise

 

[laziali]

Runningboy and I don't much agree, but on this one my experience here is Ostraya accords with his. Most "rednecks" in utes (you Americans call them pickups) give a wide berth and are respectful of riders on rural roads. Most hybrid types seem to be blissfully unaware and either buzz you or cut you off.

The odd redneck screams abuse but they are almost all 18yr boys who've just got their licence and are still trying to find their sense of manhood.

 

[veganrob]

Prius drivers may be worse drivers, but it is the rednecks that will intentionally try to take you out. Two years ago outside Louisville had glass bottle thrown out of PU at me, shattered on road and cut my leg. This was on open country road.
Scariest of all is soccer moms in SUV talking and texting because they are simply not paying attention to road.

 

[runninboy]

This is all BS.. no a prius doesn't sound like a Dodge Hemi Pickup but most vehicles you cannot hear their engines. Past 10mph you hear the tires..It could be electric or be a regular engined car but coasting and be just as dangerous to you if you are depending on sound.. Maybe some folks ought to stop looking at their garmins or themselves in the mirror and just pay fattention.

strongly disagree, it all depends on the car and your surroundings.
In addition even if your theory is correct it is little consolation to the blind person who gets backed over in a parking lot. I have seen more than one close call

 

[runninboy]

Prius drivers may be worse drivers, but it is the rednecks that will intentionally try to take you out. Two years ago outside Louisville had glass bottle thrown out of PU at me, shattered on road and cut my leg. This was on open country road.
Scariest of all is soccer moms in SUV talking and texting because they are simply not paying attention to road.

I agree to a point, i think it is a lack of attention that is the most dangerous situation. My problem with Prius drivers is that obviously they have taken the time to make some sort of social commitment in their choice of car. It would be nice if they also exercised the same discretion in the way the drive. I don't doubt your story it just runs opposite to my experience.
In addition when cyclists are sitting around talking i find the interjection of the word pickup is used often to enhance the story. Not once have i ever heard someone say
"man i saw my life flash before my eyes today, this Prius tried to take me out!"
However substitute redneck in a pickup and it is a phrase we are all too familiar with. In your case , your experience would warrant that observation However with most people i encounter The car seems only to be relevant when it is perceived to be one counter to the cycling culture, in my opinion.

My problem is with Prius drivers the same as moms in SUV's, they have made a decision. The Mom's in SUV's will mention safety. They want their precious children protected. However i have seen outrageous behaviour, Mom's accelerating on the wrong side of the road weaving through traffic causing accidents so their precious children can get their education on time.
They don't care about society they only care about themselves.
The Prius drivers i believe are creating an illusion for others and themselves that they care about society. But in practical application they do not. Some do i am sure, Ed Begley jr for example, he charges his car with his own power source. Very admirable. But if you make such a choice in your car why can't you respect the rights of others to share the road and make a conscious choice to be a better driver?

 

[redtreviso]

I agree to a point, i think it is a lack of attention that is the most dangerous situation. My problem with Prius drivers is that obviously they have taken the time to make some sort of social commitment in their choice of car. It would be nice if they also exercised the same discretion in the way the drive. I don't doubt your story it just runs opposite to my experience.
In addition when cyclists are sitting around talking i find the interjection of the word pickup is used often to enhance the story. Not once have i ever heard someone say
"man i saw my life flash before my eyes today, this Prius tried to take me out!"
However substitute redneck in a pickup and it is a phrase we are all too familiar with. In your case , your experience would warrant that observation However with most people i encounter The car seems only to be relevant when it is perceived to be one counter to the cycling culture, in my opinion.

My problem is with Prius drivers the same as moms in SUV's, they have made a decision. The Mom's in SUV's will mention safety. They want their precious children protected. However i have seen outrageous behaviour, Mom's accelerating on the wrong side of the road weaving through traffic causing accidents so their precious children can get their education on time.
They don't care about society they only care about themselves.
The Prius drivers i believe are creating an illusion for others and themselves that they care about society. But in practical application they do not. Some do i am sure, Ed Begley jr for example, he charges his car with his own power source. Very admirable. But if you make such a choice in your car why can't you respect the rights of others to share the road and make a conscious choice to be a better driver?

You seem to be trying to create the illusion that prius drivers are a specific threat to you because they are liars. While many drivers from all walks of life are not safe or courteous to other drivers much less cyclists. They don't know how. The redneck/teagbagger/republican trash dittohead in the "utility" vehicle that thinks its funny to pass you with 2 feet to spare doing 70mph is
your societal idol..

 

[The Gnome]

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

you are just a rude mofo...hope you know that for yourself...christ almighty...

 

[runninboy]

You seem to be trying to create the illusion that prius drivers are a specific threat to you because they are liars. While many drivers from all walks of life are not safe or courteous to other drivers much less cyclists. They don't know how. The redneck/teagbagger/republican trash dittohead in the "utility" vehicle that thinks its funny to pass you with 2 feet to spare doing 70mph is
your societal idol..

Not at all. As i have stated before, it is not that people make mistakes. They do, all different people.the thing is the people who supposedly have made the most socially conscious choice in their cars just decide to flip off society once they get inside the comfort of their vehicle. And we as cyclists because we symphathize with their point of view tend to give them a pass.
However we do the opposite when we stereotype the people in a pickup.Which is kind of funny because in most rural areas where i am the vast majority of farmers are Democrats, so even you stereotype lacks credibity, dittohead, riiiight. I have ridden well over 300,000. miles alot of it on rural roads and i have yet to have an encounter such as you describe.
One of the reasons i put this in the general category was because of people like you. You just perpetuate stereotypes because it suits your political purposes. Again have you ever used your phrase above substituting "Prius"
for utility vehicle? I seriously doubt it. I took a power wagon to a race once. It was the only vehicle i had available and i came straight from the farm. When i rolled up to the starting line thats all the people were talking about , from their attitude and comments you would think a mass murder had pulled into the parking lot.
And again to your comment regarding liars. I just have a problem with people being hypocrits and when their behaviour affects my well being i like to call attention to it. I also wanted to share my personal experiences and see if anyone else noticed that regardless of personal political or social views that the cars are really a danger in their design to cyclists and pedestrians.
And while most cyclists have been conditioned to live in fear of the big bad beheamoth, it might just be the little car that puts your lights out permanently.

 

[redtreviso]

Not at all. As i have stated before, it is not that people make mistakes. They do, all different people.the thing is the people who supposedly have made the most socially conscious choice in their cars just decide to flip off society once they get inside the comfort of their vehicle. And we as cyclists because we symphathize with their point of view tend to give them a pass.
However we do the opposite when we stereotype the people in a pickup.Which is kind of funny because in most rural areas where i am the vast majority of farmers are Democrats, so even you stereotype lacks credibity, dittohead, riiiight. I have ridden well over 300,000. miles alot of it on rural roads and i have yet to have an encounter such as you describe.
One of the reasons i put this in the general category was because of people like you. You just perpetuate stereotypes because it suits your political purposes. Again have you ever used your phrase above substituting "Prius"
for utility vehicle? I seriously doubt it. I took a power wagon to a race once. It was the only vehicle i had available and i came straight from the farm. When i rolled up to the starting line thats all the people were talking about , from their attitude and comments you would think a mass murder had pulled into the parking lot.
And again to your comment regarding liars. I just have a problem with people being hypocrits and when their behaviour affects my well being i like to call attention to it. I also wanted to share my personal experiences and see if anyone else noticed that regardless of personal political or social views that the cars are really a danger in their design to cyclists and pedestrians.
And while most cyclists have been conditioned to live in fear of the big bad beheamoth, it might just be the little car that puts your lights out permanently.

I think most people caught the gist of your point on the very first post.

 

[Barrus]

Keep it civil y'all and keep the politics in the politics thread

 

[runninboy]

Keep it civil y'all and keep the politics in the politics thread

Sorry kind of the reason i originally posed it in a different category. I was afraid it might get diverted. My bad though I should not have diverted the discussion into a political nature that is not the main culprit.

Mostly i think the the problem is two fold,

one we are conditioned to believe one evil and it might be the people with the best intentions who are the ones who actually punch our ticket.
number two
one vehicle that appears harmless actually has dangers built into the car itself. Battery power, smaller tires make for a very stealthy vehicle when we have been conditioned to be aware of something making slightly more noise.

and on a side note i have also noticed that the worst driving incidents i have seen lately involved Semi's on wide open stretches of interstate highway with little traffic in Wyoming and Nebraska. I would estimate seeing 4 to 5 trucks actually veer halfway onto the shoulder. The first couple times i thought the driver might be falling asleep at the wheel or drunk. However when i eventually went around them i could see in the rear view mirror a blackberry or similar device being held and apparently texting. Sometimes cyclists use the shoulders of these same highways and the thought of someone being hit by a double bottomed semi going 80 mph still makes me ill.

 

[benpounder]

While hybrid owners certainly emit a cloud of smug, that does not make them a__hole drivers. Choosing to live in a large metropolitan area where you have to spend ample time getting to and from work is what usually causes the a__hole attitude. That is why it is just as likely that the uppity yuppy in a BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc will be just as big an a__hole as the Prius, Ford F250, or Hummer city driver.

That is my experience here in the states.

 

[stainlessguy1]

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.

Ya true , never get in the way of a woman with a van full of kids to and from arena's , cubs , scouts and girl guides and of course shopping and school . So that is pretty much always . Mostly mini van drivers up here but the exclusive multi-mom drives the high end SUV and is always on a cell phone . They seem to be super-multitaskers and know it all . Their tenacity to be on the cell phone and check their GPS at the same time they take a whack at a kid in the van while turning a corner without stopping and then yell at you to inform you that you are not wearing a helmet and looking backwards while driving forwards to see your reaction . ????? oh well .

 

[stainlessguy1]

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.

This is true , add a couple of youngsters in the car that just got a license and its a recipe for disaster . They will try to run up on you and try to scare the B'Jesus out you just because they can . Super stealth mode . I guess its something the designers never thought of .