Better to say something? Or keep quiet?

[Crickey7]

I come down on the law ‘biding side. If I allow myself to decide when it’s okay to run a red or stop sign, then I will always be making a calculation of how much extra danger am I willing to take on in order to save time and energy. The vast majority of the time, I would make the right call. But one interest is always pitted against the other. I’m not sure I need to give myself any incentives to make things more dangerous in general, or to bet that my judgment will always be right. I take other risks, to be sure. But risk is cumulative. And bones are fragile, especially on the north side of 50.

[baiskeli]

@Geoff 71433 wrote:

I sometimes go up the right hand side (of the street) between cars and curb, when the cars are stopped. Never had reason to go up the left. The idea of going between lines of cars gives me the willies. But what really makes my jaw drop is watching riders go through a red light in DC WHEN THERE ARE CARS MOVING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. Sorry for shouting, I do that when my jaw drops.

Yes, I remember seeing this recently while waiting with several other cyclists at the light. We all taunted the guy, saying “Don’t die!” and stuff like that. He exhibited a strange combination of stupidity and impressive skills, and didn’t die – this time.

[Orestes Munn]

@baiskeli 101018 wrote:

He exhibited a strange combination of stupidity and impressive skills

Sounds like one of my external reviews.

[Dirt]

I always speak up. It is hard to know what to say. If someone doesn’t call their pass, I wish them a good ride. Perhaps they’ll start communicating. If they do something really rude or scary, I’ll happily suggest that they be safe. “Ride safely!”. It is hard to keep it positive, but that is important. If delivered in a negative way or sarcastically, your message does the exact opposite of its intent. You make it easier for the person to blow off riding safely and those who suggest that they do so.

[Author]

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