As a driver, when you come across someone jogging or bicycling in close proximity of your vehicle, are you tolerant or hostile?

I would rather they not jog in congested areas but some people bike as a means of transportation. They actually need the road as much as I do.

If they go with the flow of traffic then I guess its not a problem but I would prefer they keep their distance from my car. Trouble with joggers and cyclists is that they sometimes come out of nowhere. And if you hit them you're automatically to blame, even if it was their fault.

CeCe wrote:

I would rather they not jog in congested areas but some people bike as a means of transportation. They actually need the road as much as I do.

It doesn't matter what drivers' opinion is on this matter, the law in Florida gives bicycles on the road the rights of a vehicle AND drivers are supposed to give a 3-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist. If that is not feasible, then wait until such clearance can be done.

However, it is a law that has not been properly publicised to the drivers, who still honk at me as if I did not have a right to be on the road and still pass inches off my handlebars.

femme fatale wrote:

... And if you hit them you're automatically to blame, even if it was their fault.

Not true. I was hit by an impatient driver who blindsided me while in a turn lane. The pig gave ME a ticket, even tho the driver crossed a double yellow line to hit me while she was illegally skirting traffic to get to a turn lane. She said I rode in front of her from a side street. Fortunately, her insurance co. listened to the witness and settled with me for a couple grand.

If it is an area they are allowed, I am fine with it, though it makes me nervous. I really don't like it when they are in areas they are not supposed to be due to the unsafe nature of the road.

What drives me absolutely insane is walkers/runners out at night, wearing dark clothing in poorly lit residental areas. They are so bad about it around here. There are people who walk black labs with jeans and a dark top on. That is stupid as hell.

I'm a driver and a pedestrian so I know what it's like on both sides of the road. I usually have more of a problem with joggers and bikers when I'm behind the wheel than I do with drivers when I'm on foot. I am not saying all joggers and bikers think they own the road but two riders side by side so that one of them is in my lane? I won't be the one that hits them but come on. I'm very conscious of motor cycles too.

Cyclists make me nervous because, while they're supposed to be considered a vehicle, many don't act like one. I've seen them weaving in and out of traffic and coming up shoulders and so forth. I prefer when there's a bike path on the side of the road.

RedBedroom wrote:

If it is an area they are allowed, I am fine with it, though it makes me nervous. I really don't like it when they are in areas they are not supposed to be due to the unsafe nature of the road.

What drives me absolutely insane is walkers/runners out at night, wearing dark clothing in poorly lit residental areas. They are so bad about it around here. There are people who walk black labs with jeans and a dark top on. That is stupid as hell.

You don't see them until they're close enough to your headlights....and by then it's probably too late.

The more they stay on the sidewalk, the better.

If I'm out when it's dark I wear an orange reflective vest.