Random shit seen while biking

[trailrated]

I have only been biking to work the last few months, and it has been relatively uneventful so far. I just got a new light based on MMM recommendations and I was cruising to work this morning around 6:00am with my lunch bag draped over my shoulder while wearing jeans a t shirt and work boots. I see a light coming up behind me which I assumed was a car but was surprised when it was another biker who intentionally slowed down to pace me for about 10 seconds, he slowly turned his head and gave a smug look then peddled like a demon and rode off into the distance.

Did I insult him with my non-neon spandex attire? Was he just a douche? The world will never know but I couldn't help but laugh. It reminded me of some asshole revving their engine at a stoplight to show off. Anyways has anyone seen anything crazy or outlandish or story worthy on their biking adventures?

[mm1970]

I just started biking last week.  2x a week.
Monday: husband bikes in, I bike home (we work a block from each other, parent with car does kid routine)
Wednesday: I bike in, husband bikes home

It's about 10 miles (9.8).  There are several routes. 
City streets: 9.8 miles.  Upside: short.  Downsides:(1) I've been lazy and leaving at 7:30 am, which means I hit the high school at start time.  I got cut off by an SUV and parents LOVE to stop in the bike lane to let out their kids, despite the signs that say "no stopping, bike lane). (2) Old town, which has traffic lights, and two lanes each way with parked cars, and no bike lane.  They've painted a bike symbol on the right lane, yay?

Bike path through the university: 11.75 miles.  Upside: except for the first 1/3, which is the same as city streets with bike lanes, it's on dedicated bike path.  Downsides: longer.  Poor lighting at night (so I won't be doing this one on the way home).  University kids.

Today I had to wait to find a chance to pass a kid on his bike, just be bopping along with a drink in one hand.  Then I came upon 3 students.  It looks like one got injured in some sort of sports accident.  He was on a skateboard, and had two large bags of ice attached to his leg with saran wrap.  He was holding on to his buddy with one hand - his buddy was on a bike.  The other buddy was up ahead and to the left on his bike, sort of breaking traffic.  They were going very slow, naturally.  It was nice that his buddies were taking care of him.

I have a couple more routes to experiment with - basically cutting over from the bike path to city streets - I can cut over right after the high school, or further down right before Old Town (but that bike path is very bumpy with tree roots), or even further and skip Old Town but go past the airport.


In any event, being a 46-year old female, nobody gives me the smug look.  I'm on a hybrid with slick tires.  Not all of the gears on my 19-year old Schwinn actually work.  Pretty much I get passed by everyone (and that's not just because I'm new, it's always been that way).

[T-Money$]

Several instances while having my kids sit in the Peapod being towed behind me, old(ish) women have criticized me for putting my kids in danger.   A police officer recently pulled me over for not stopping at a stop sign (rural area with no traffic around). 

There certainly seems to be disdain for cyclists.   To make matters worse a bicycle is considered a "motorized vehicle" where I live.  Go figure. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mother Fussbudget]

I was transitioning from the end-of-the-bike-lane to the sidewalk prior to a freeway underpass, and a driver in a mini-cooper (with a child in the backseat) was turning right, but sitting directly in the middle of the pedestrian crosswalk.  To reach the curb-cut on the other side of the car, I had to decide whether to go around in front of, or behind the car.  I crossed in front to be most visible.  Driver watched me coming, and as I swerved from one sidewalk cutout, around the front of their car to the other cutout... they intentionally moved forward when I was right in front of them.  I shouted "HEY!" in 'the angry voice', and the driver put hands to face, saying 'Sorrreeee'.  It was so clearly intentional. 

I bike 1 mile each way to & from work on a daily basis - rain or shine - and even though there are bike lanes 90% of the way, and I'm a cyclist who observes all the rules, I have near-misses with cars/idiot-drivers at least once a week.

[JJ-]

I have only been biking to work the last few months, and it has been relatively uneventful so far. I just got a new light based on MMM recommendations and I was cruising to work this morning around 6:00am with my lunch bag draped over my shoulder while wearing jeans a t shirt and work boots. I see a light coming up behind me which I assumed was a car but was surprised when it was another biker who intentionally slowed down to pace me for about 10 seconds, he slowly turned his head and gave a smug look then peddled like a demon and rode off into the distance.

Did I insult him with my non-neon spandex attire? Was he just a douche? The world will never know but I couldn't help but laugh. It reminded me of some asshole revving their engine at a stoplight to show off. Anyways has anyone seen anything crazy or outlandish or story worthy on their biking adventures?

Pretty much that. Some people are very excited to be faster than other people on their bikes and show it off.

[DA]

A police officer recently pulled me over for not stopping at a stop sign (rural area with no traffic around). 

That seems uncalled for, but I find it a bit odd that cyclists claim the right to use the roads just like automobiles, but also claim that the traffic laws don't apply to them.  If you're going to ride in the street, you should stop at stop signs, stop lights, use turn signals, etc.  Again, not sure you need to be pulled over for the incident you described, but also genuinely curious as to how cyclists justify this cognitive dissonance. 

[FrugalToque]

A police officer recently pulled me over for not stopping at a stop sign (rural area with no traffic around). 

That seems uncalled for, but I find it a bit odd that cyclists claim the right to use the roads just like automobiles, but also claim that the traffic laws don't apply to them.  If you're going to ride in the street, you should stop at stop signs, stop lights, use turn signals, etc.  Again, not sure you need to be pulled over for the incident you described, but also genuinely curious as to how cyclists justify this cognitive dissonance.

As a frequent cyclist commuter, I've always felt that if I want to be respected in traffic, I needed to respect the rules.  I stop at stop signs (inasmuch as cars do, which means we slow down to almost stopping) take our turn in traffic, signal, and yield where we should.  This doesn't influence every douchebag to stop spraying us with vinegar water, but I feel like it's just the dues we have to pay to get our share of the road.

Toque.

[trailrated]

This seems oddly fitting ;)

http://www.theonion.com/article/cyclist-clearly-loves-signaling-turns-54045

"MILWAUKEE—Judging by the firm outward thrust of the woman’s arm and the length of times she held the gestures, witnesses confirmed Wednesday that a local bicycle rider clearly loves signaling turns. “I’ve been behind this woman for a few streets now, and you can tell she gets some real satisfaction each time she sticks her arm out and lets everyone know which way she’s going,” said local commuter Pete Ulrich, adding that based on the similar enthusiasm with which the cyclist bent her left arm downward at a perfect 90-degree angle next to her, it was obvious she derived an equal amount of pleasure from indicating she was stopping as well. "

[acroy]

I could tell ya many many...
Accidents
Wrong way drivers on one-way streets
Animals: rats, mice, deer, possums, armadillos, bats, snakes, feral cats, bobcat!
Floating Dumpsters (during downpour)
The list goes on....

But how do you know it was a demon smile? Maybe it was a $hit-eating happy smile? I am happy while biking... And I pass people when i am faster than they are.

This past spring a red-light runner about got me.
https://youtu.be/le3Og4v66BU

Today I narrowly avoided being taken out by another cyclist. I'd have pounded him pretty good if his stupidity caused me to wreck.
https://youtu.be/gsggrXAkpkM

[Kmp2]

Hmm crazy stuff seen while biking... Black bear cub, partridge that scattered in my path in front of me, and an osprey, my parkway route to work was awesome... When I worked in that office.

As for crazy people, I was stopped waiting to turn left. I had left enough room to my right for a small car to turn right beside me comfortably. But it wasn't a small car that pulled up behind me, it was a big ass oversized truck! I glanced back, debated getting off my bike to move further over left to let him by, but there was an upcoming break in traffic so I figured I would be out of the way shortly. He gunned it beside me and stopped so he could glare at me, he missed my back tire by inches, and I felt the wind from his mirror. I was shocked, he probably could have inched by slowly but he needed to be angry and threatening. I made my turn at the same time he did, but I should have waited and got his license... This is a turn right out of my neighbourhood a hundred meters from my house, that I make frequently I don't want to meet him again.

[Brokenreign]

When I pass someone I usually give a little smile or nod for friendliness. Being socially awkward, I'm sure the smile may be perceived as smugness.

A couple years ago (when my commute was 5x longer) I tried to pet a skunk. It was still dark in the morning and I saw what I thought was a cat by a garbage can. Naturally (what kind of monster doesn't pet stray cats??) I started to pull over to pet it. A few meters away I noticed the distinctive coloring, shrieked like a little girl and turned tails. I was almost Pepe Le pewed!

I was almost sprayed again skateboarding two nights ago - stink chute was aimed and ready to fire! Skunks are both adorable and terrifying.

I like threads like this. The best part of biking is random urban encounters.

As per aggro drivers, I try to respond with kindness and compliments about their fine auto. Really throws them for a loop and hopefully makes them a little less rageful with the next cyclist they encounter.

[trailrated]

This past spring a red-light runner about got me.
https://youtu.be/le3Og4v66BU

Today I narrowly avoided being taken out by another cyclist. I'd have pounded him pretty good if his stupidity caused me to wreck.
https://youtu.be/gsggrXAkpkM

Just wondering do you always bike with a camera? Is it just to make sure you are protected if something does happen?

[No Name Guy]

Was he just a douche?

Yes

As a frequent cyclist commuter, I've always felt that if I want to be respected in traffic, I needed to respect the rules...., but I feel like it's just the dues we have to pay to get our share of the road.

^^ - this. 

As to running the stop sign egil, as far as I'm concerned, consider yourself lucky you weren't cited.  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

So many cyclists wonder where driver "hate" comes from.  Well, it's obvious.  D-Bag cyclist behavior* is a significant reason.  And yes, its the bad apples that spoil the lot for people like Toque that obey the rules.

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

Anyways....on to the post topic of random (cool?) stuff seen while biking:  How about a cougar.  No, I'm not talking a middle aged lady looking to put her claws into some young man meat, but a no kidding cougar (or panther, mountain lion or puma depending on your local custom).  Mountain biking in the "Issaquah Alps" east of Seattle some years ago on a cool, damp but not raining day.  The moist ground was soft and quiet under tire.  As I came around a bend in the logging road, there it was about 30 yards in front of me.  It was gone, bolting up hill, in seemingly a fraction of a second.

[Slee_stack]

I see plenty of cool stuff, but I'm predominantly riding dirt.  Its rare I venture out to play with motorized vehicles.

That said, its very rare I've come across true assholes.  The majority of drivers and cyclists are good people.  Most of my bad experiences have actually come from oblivious people, not mean ones.

Of course it might only take one bad experience to ruin your day...or life.
 
I've found that if you show respect, you generally receive respect regardless of whether you are on two wheels or four.

Don't be a jackass behind the wheel and don't think you're a special snowflake on two wheels either.

My personal peeve is for folks that absolutely refuse to yield even an inch on the trail to oncoming traffic.  Its definitely an 'all about me' mentality.

There are indeed self absorbed jerks out there who would just as soon run you over as give you the time of day.  Thankfully, they are a tiny part of the population.  I try not to let those types ruin my ride for more than a minute or two.

[acroy]

This past spring a red-light runner about got me.
https://youtu.be/le3Og4v66BU

Today I narrowly avoided being taken out by another cyclist. I'd have pounded him pretty good if his stupidity caused me to wreck.
https://youtu.be/gsggrXAkpkM

Just wondering do you always bike with a camera? Is it just to make sure you are protected if something does happen?

Yes and yes. I figure it's cheap insurance in case of calamity, and good for some laughs as well :) I did file a police report once with a clip of a little old lady blowing a stopsign & almost getting me (license plate, face of the lady, everything). I don't know if they followed up.

[driftxsequence]

Had a moment of justice last week while commuting home.

Along my way home, there is a very slight decent for about 2 miles, with the last 1/2 mile being a decent 4-5% grade. On a road bike, its quite easy to hit 30 MPH with minimal effort. So on my way home I reached the steep section of the decent and got up to 30 MPH and passed an older man on his walmart style dual suspension bike. At the bottom of the hill is a stop light, and it turned red causing me to stop. At this section of road, there isnt much of a bike lane so I chose to take a full lane as I stopped. Well, this guy thought he'd show me what was up and blew right through the light and kept going. After about 10 seconds the light turned green and I took off to catch up and pass him back. No more than 200 ft after leaving the light I see a county police officer throw his lights on and pull the guy over!

I imagine if I hadn't stopped at that light the officer wouldnt have noticed and taken the situation seriously. Still, it felt like justice after the guy blew the light!

[Guesl982374]

Turkeys "peacocking" in mating season!

[Rubyvroom]

Saw a rather large man vomiting in a train underpass tunnel about 2 blocks down the road from a sports bar on my commute. It was only 4:30pm... daylight even! I wanted to (but didn't bother to) ride to the bar and tell someone to call him a damn cab, and hose off the sidewalk while you're at it...

[Brokenreign]

Saw a rather large man vomiting in a train underpass tunnel about 2 blocks down the road from a sports bar on my commute. It was only 4:30pm... daylight even! I wanted to (but didn't bother to) ride to the bar and tell someone to call him a damn cab, and hose off the sidewalk while you're at it...

No need to get jealous just because someone's better at partying! My goodness though - that is pretty early to be that drunk.

My favorite people to meet/chat with while cycling are (in order of preference)

1) Mormon missionaries
2) Drunks. For some reason daytime drinks tend to be much friendlier than nighttime drunks
3) Municipal workers

[Northwestie]

Last year - stopped for red light.  Sitting there for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 seconds when in the lane next to me a pickup just runs the light at 30 mph as a Honda Civic is crossing and T-bones it, pushing it up on the opposite sidewalk, blows out the side windows, air bags deploy.  Husband, wife, and two kids in car seats.  Luckily everyone is ok. 

Cop was a block away and heard the accident and was there in 30 seconds.  Took statements from me and several others.  Could have been worse.

[Guses]

I've seen several deers, a turtle (tortoise) and 2 coyotes. Not at the same time.

I have only been biking to work the last few months, and it has been relatively uneventful so far. I just got a new light based on MMM recommendations and I was cruising to work this morning around 6:00am with my lunch bag draped over my shoulder while wearing jeans a t shirt and work boots. I see a light coming up behind me which I assumed was a car but was surprised when it was another biker who intentionally slowed down to pace me for about 10 seconds, he slowly turned his head and gave a smug look then peddled like a demon and rode off into the distance.

Pretty much that. Some people are very excited to be faster than other people on their bikes and show it off.

Any chance the cyclist may have waited until it was safe to pass before doing so? I often tail people for a little while when I can't see what's coming or what's behind. Plus, it gives a nice break!

[Guses]

  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

So cyclists have to respect traffic laws but then they also have to yield to cars behind them? As far as I know, here at least, a vehicle in front of you has the right of way.

[moof]

Saw an accident yesterday.  At a light rail crossing the red light came on and the gate started coming down.  I was slowing to a stop, car #1 in the lane next to me slowed to a stop, and car #2 wasn't paying attention and slammed on the brakes a few feet too late, partially veering into the bike lane.  Luckily only a couple bumpers were harmed.  Oh well.

About 20% of drivers waiting at red lights have a phone in their hand (almost none to their ear) as I pass them.  I fear death by texter more than death by drunk driver.

Local buses have killed a few bikers, and I wrote it off in part to bad biking behavior in downtown.  But I have now been nearly hurt a few time in just the last year by the MF's while fully obeying the law.  One came up from behind and was directly beside me, the decided to move into the bike lane to stop for a pickup/dropoff while I was still very much in it.  I had to slam on the brakes when I realized I was down to a half a bike like and was about to get run out of room between the curb on one side and my handlebars and the bus on the other.  Other times they have passed me and then pulled over and braked right in front of me where I have to brake to avoid rear-ending them.

Lots of bikes like to ride the wrong way in the bike lane, or like to move from the side walk to the bike lane without looking for other cyclists already in the bike lane (1 near crash).  Crazy stuff.  It is very easy to forget how fragile you are and feel high and mighty about being a cyclists and being on the right side of the law, but that won't change who wins when it comes to push and shove with a couple tones of steel.

[moof]

  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

So cyclists have to respect traffic laws but then they also have to yield to cars behind them? As far as I know, here at least, a vehicle in front of you has the right of way.

It's a jerk move to block other traffic when not needed.  It also also rude to drive way under the speed limit with no good reason, despite being legal.  Same with people who stop in opposite directions to chit-chat while blocking the road for everyone.  Eventually you can get ticketed for impeding traffic if you take either too far.

I will "own a lane" in certain parts of my bike commute by riding in the center of the lane if I don't feel cars can safely pass me (as they often try dangerous maneuvers if I don't), but I am very mindful that I am inconveniencing my fellow citizens and only do it for the least amount of time necessary to get to a spot with a bike lane or at least a sufficiently wide lane to share

[ncornilsen]

  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

So cyclists have to respect traffic laws but then they also have to yield to cars behind them? As far as I know, here at least, a vehicle in front of you has the right of way.

I think this is one of those things where you may have the legal right to ride 4 wide in the middle of a road, but it is a dick move to do so when you could easily go single file for a minute in the bike lane an not be an inconvenience to motorists.

On a blind curve, no room to safely ride and allow a motorist to pass? Take control of the whole lane and do what you have to.

[BlueHouse]

I see a lot of braids and even full wigs.  At first I thought it was kind of strange -- like those sneakers on the side of the road...who doesn't realize they've lost a shoe?!  But now I've seen and heard the girl-fights and I know where all those weaves are coming from. 

There's one alley in my neighborhood that is 1 block closer to a high traffic area and they get A LOT of nasties in the alley! 

[Nudelkopf]

I used to live just outside a small, rural town, and I used to routinely ride through a mob of kangaroos.  That is about as exciting as the wildlife gets around here.

[accolay]

1. A couple years ago I saw a guy with his pants half down behind a not wide enough tree. I presumed he was about to take a dump. It's not like it was in a wooded area or something-it was in the middle of town in the middle of the day across from the Y. I called the cops.

2. A couple of months ago while on my commute to work this guy was standing in the middle of the bike lane on his phone. I said "get out of the way" while I passed. Three blocks later this guy is riding along side me in his camaro asking me what I said and continued to swerve close to me and try and run me over. He wanted me to stop so we could fight. He was crazy.  I think it was really one of those "could it be that you're angry about something else and once again are taking it out on me?" moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mTUmczVdik

3. People on phones. You gotta ride like everything anywhere is gonna jump out and kill you.

#2 has made me think about getting a helmet camera and or pepper spray to carry on my commute. People are fucking crazy.

[erutio]

This past spring a red-light runner about got me.
https://youtu.be/le3Og4v66BU

Today I narrowly avoided being taken out by another cyclist. I'd have pounded him pretty good if his stupidity caused me to wreck.
https://youtu.be/gsggrXAkpkM

Just wondering do you always bike with a camera? Is it just to make sure you are protected if something does happen?

Yes and yes. I figure it's cheap insurance in case of calamity, and good for some laughs as well :) I did file a police report once with a clip of a little old lady blowing a stopsign & almost getting me (license plate, face of the lady, everything). I don't know if they followed up.

Do you bike and commute in Dallas TX?  I interviewed there last month for a great job, and the prospective employer set us up with a realtor to drive my wife and I around the next day. I was very disappointed in what I perceived to be a lack a bicycling infrastructure in Dallas.  Actually factored heavily in our decision not to move there.

[No Name Guy]

  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

So cyclists have to respect traffic laws but then they also have to yield to cars behind them? As far as I know, here at least, a vehicle in front of you has the right of way.

I think this is one of those things where you may have the legal right to ride 4 wide in the middle of a road, but it is a dick move to do so when you could easily go single file for a minute in the bike lane an not be an inconvenience to motorists.

On a blind curve, no room to safely ride and allow a motorist to pass? Take control of the whole lane and do what you have to.

In a car, its a jerk move to putter along at 10 MPH holding up traffic.  Its also a jerk move to putter along in the left lane at 63 in the 70 zone south of Olympia when heading to Portland.  In fact, here in the Soviet of Washington, it is illegal to delay 5 vehicles and illegal to "camp" in the left lane.

Now, what kind of society do you want?  One where people are aware of others and are not inconveniencing them, or one where people don't give a shit about how much they impose on others?

To be frank, I'll take the first over the 2nd.  Don't be a dick to others and they'll be less likely to be a dick to you.  And that means single file to the right of the white line whenever possible.

[deadlymonkey]

A bit off topic, but I just had my bike tuned at a bike shop near the house.  I needed some minor repair work done and decided at the last minute to get it tuned (gears adjusted, entire casing removed and cleaned...bunch of other stuff done).  This bike is nearly 10 years old and while functional, was definitely showing it's age.  Got it back yesterday and WOW rides like a brand new thousand dollar bike.  Amazing job not just in the way it feels but everything looks shiny and new.  Not sure how often you really need to do that for a non-competitive bike, but I was impressed.

[Rubyvroom]

A toilet-papered tree in the front yard of a huge house in an affluent neighborhood. I mean seriously toilet papered, and it was a TALL tree. I don't think humans can even throw that high... It was the highlight of my morning ride today.

[Guses]

  Cyclists can't have it both ways.  If you want to operate on the roads, you're subject to the typical traffic laws.....and start obeying them. 

* - I can't count the number of times I've seen cyclists riding side by side left of the white line, willfully blocking traffic when it would be perfectly safe to single file on the 2' shoulder on the right of the white line.  Most recent willful jerk cyclist behavior - weekend before last.  Double wide across the whole width of the lane.

So cyclists have to respect traffic laws but then they also have to yield to cars behind them? As far as I know, here at least, a vehicle in front of you has the right of way.

I think this is one of those things where you may have the legal right to ride 4 wide in the middle of a road, but it is a dick move to do so when you could easily go single file for a minute in the bike lane an not be an inconvenience to motorists.

On a blind curve, no room to safely ride and allow a motorist to pass? Take control of the whole lane and do what you have to.

In a car, its a jerk move to putter along at 10 MPH holding up traffic.  Its also a jerk move to putter along in the left lane at 63 in the 70 zone south of Olympia when heading to Portland.  In fact, here in the Soviet of Washington, it is illegal to delay 5 vehicles and illegal to "camp" in the left lane.

Now, what kind of society do you want?  One where people are aware of others and are not inconveniencing them, or one where people don't give a shit about how much they impose on others?

To be frank, I'll take the first over the 2nd.  Don't be a dick to others and they'll be less likely to be a dick to you.  And that means single file to the right of the white line whenever possible.

I was just pointing out that there's a double standard. I am not arguing that blocking the road is the right thing to do.

Even municipalities don't know how to handle cyclists. We have biking lanes built into the lane here and sometimes the route is really stupid at intersections. Like the road continues straight but then the bike lane will hug the road right and cross IN FRONT of a turning lane. Like WTF, I' am just gonna continue straight instead of risking being run over, thanks!

Other places, the bike lane will transform into a bike path and then at an intersection it suddenly ceases to exist and transforms into a sidewalk without a bike lane or even a transition. So what do I do now, am I expected to ride on the sidewalk or should I now magically be on the road again?

[acroy]

Do you bike and commute in Dallas TX?  I interviewed there last month for a great job, and the prospective employer set us up with a realtor to drive my wife and I around the next day. I was very disappointed in what I perceived to be a lack a bicycling infrastructure in Dallas.  Actually factored heavily in our decision not to move there.

I'm in Denton, a college town 'burb to the north of Dallas.
In general, DFW sucks for cyclists. It's slowly getting better, but it's still terrible. The only way to get around safely is finding sneaky ways through neighborhoods & side streets. There are generally no bike lanes or other provisions for cyclists.

[Laserjet3051]

Before you peg me as a troll, I should state that this story is 100% true.

Many years ago, while road biking through a very remote region of the Florida everglades, I was caught in a typical "highway hypnosis" pattern and was focused straight down on the spinning of my front tire, not really looking ahead of me like I should have.  Then all of a sudden, BUMPPPPP. I ran over something big that almost knocked me over. Naturally, I stopped to regain my bearings, and decided to turn around and see what I had run over. Now mind you, this is a remote area, with nothing but wilderness swamp on both sides of the road for many miles in both directions, with little to no vehicular traffic, ZERO pedestrians, and no evidence of human civilization anywhere. Strange to find, that what I ran over was in fact a large dildo. How did it get there? And under what circumstances, would someone have cast it, presumably out their moving car window? Not in its original wrapping, certainly, well worn as far as I could discern, my imagination went wild, as I continued to pedal down this wilderness road over the ensuing few hours.