Twofer

Here I am sitting in front of the driveway to Panda, when these two vehicles pull out and drive all the way up to the light at Magee in the bike lane. They saved themselves thirty whole seconds on their drives home, so, that's what really matters,... right?

Why does it matter?

This isn't some kind of us versus them turf war for cyclists. We don't get concerned because drivers are intruding into some moral question. This isn't about being elitist snobs. It's because among all of the concerns cyclists have on the road, being struck from behind is the real nightmare scenario.

http://fox13now.com/2016/09/13/distracted-driving-possible-cause-of-collision-after-motorist-hit-cyclist-in-taylorsville/

It's one of the few situations on the road where there is little we can do to protect ourselves.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/cyclist-dies-after-being-hit-from-behind-by-car-1.3267698

The injuries that occur from this kind of incident are usually grave.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/general-news/20161107/cyclist-hit-sunday-in-rancho-palos-verdes-hospitalized-with-head-injury

But mostly because it only takes a few seconds of distraction for things to go very badly.

http://tucson.com/news/blogs/police-beat/bicyclist-killed-in-catalina-foothills-identified/article_0796d8b2-c2d7-11e5-b71b-c3ac35d1f8d1.html

Anyone can become a killer if they allow themselves to become distracted.

http://miltolinfoundation.org/

Editor's Note

I would just like to take a moment to make a note. It's easy collect a handful of pictures over a period of time and use that in a blog to make it look like there's a severe problem. That isn't what this is. I collected these few photos in just a couple hours of driving and I could have collected many, many more. I was motivated to publish this blog because I cannot go anywhere in town without witnessing some driver molesting the bike lanes, badly.

When a person is operating a 4000# weapon there is a responsibility that goes along with that. Drivers are very frequently not exercising that responsibilities. Those drivers need to be held accountable.

Volvo - Ina to Oracle turn lane

Same Volvo from the Infiniti pictures in the adjacent post. She did pretty well as the Infiniti wandered all over the road, but, once we got to the turn lane at this very dangerous for bikes location, she decided to park herself in the bike lane. It's a good bet this is more ignorance than anything.

Infinity Skyline - Ina

This is a dangerous driver, the Infinity in front of the Volvo. Driver wandered badly in the lane and frequently intruded into the bike lane. Let's be clear, this is one of the thoughtless drivers we need to reach.

Ford Expedition - Near LaPaloma

While not a horrible offender, this driver spent a good deal of time crowding the bike lane and intruded into it a couple of times.

BMW- Sunrise & Skyline

This one is heartbreaking. A woman on a bike was killed right here this time last year. This driver was heading west on Sunrise, and while obviously severely distracted nearly crashed into the triangular landscape island. Unfortunately I could not get a better photo.