Solo Drivers should be appreciative of buses, bicyclists, pedestrians and carpoolers -not resentful

[JDPriestly]

74. Drivers "speed up to pass bicyclists for no good reason."

I tend to slow down when I see a bicyclist, but I think that other drivers speed up for the same reason that I slow down: fear. It arises because the driver cannot predict what the bicyclist will do.

Will the bicyclist swerve right in front of me to avoid an obstacle that is not near my path and that I cannot see? Bikes don't have brake lights that are bright, large and clearly visible. That's a problem.

Will the bicyclist suddenly decide to turn left without warning and cross in front of me? A lot of bicyclists nowadays don't signal before turning. People in my generation were taught to do that when we were learning to ride.

Will the bicyclist start to lose balance and twist the bike around and swerve and zig-zag a bit to regain balance? Will he get in my path when he does that? I've seen some really scary maneuvers in front of and to the side of my car. In some cases, the bike rider was just having fun and did not realize I was there. That's why bikes should stay to the right (as cars should unless passing).

A lot of the strategies that drivers use on the road to deal with bike riders do not come from aggressive feelings but rather from anxiety about having a bike so near.

Bikes look terribly fragile and bike riders extremely vulnerable from my view in front of a steering wheel.

I do not like driving next to a bike. When possible, I believe bikes should have bike-safe streets on which driving cars is discouraged.