[dailykoder]

We should all just look out for each other. Mostly follow the rules, but don't let common sense go abroad.

There are so many cyclists in berlin that just go in front of all the cars at a red light, even it's just one car in front of them. I know that this car can accelerate way faster than me and drives way faster, why would I want to block it and make the driver mad?

Yes, if the road is congested I might pass the cars too, because I realize I am faster, but everything else just doesn't make sense to me.

[petre]

Bike boxes are made for a reason: so that the motorists see the bike in front of them and don't hit it during a right turn.

[kqr]

I agree -- bike boxes are quite miraculous. They're the one instance where paint actually is infrastructure, and I use them any time I can just to show other cyclists that they are allowed to.

But to add some nuance to the argument: bike boxes are an improvement over filtering up on the side of the road. Doing what (I assume) GP did and taking the lane behind waiting cars is about as safe, because any other cars coming up from behind ought to see you as they roll up to you, being that you are in front of them and not to the side. (And they're already paying forward attention thanks to the car ahead of you.)

[dailykoder]

That's true. There are too many different cases, that's why I am saying common sense. If there is a bike box, go ahead and use it. If there is none, then be prepared to not be seen by the car. Traffic is just complex.

PS: In my experience, if there is a bike box, then there is also often a separate bike lane. I was mainly speaking about roads where there is no real bike lane. If there is one, then most things just work out fine.

[petre]

One only needs to be in the bike box until the traffic light turns green, then one could steer towards the margin and let the cars pass.

[matsemann]

"We should all look out for each other" is unfortunately often code for "cyclists should yield at all times and have a sixth sense to avoid getting killed by impatient or distracted drivers".

I was biking in the cycle lane the other day, going straight. A car came up next to me, and suddenly turned right to get off the road. I got the tingles just before and suspected it, so I managed to break and avoid being right hooked.

I shared the video online, and most comments I've gotten is how I should've been more careful (I was, hence no accident..), how I should have avoided the car's blind spot (the driver pulled up and put me there, and should've known I was there..) and lots and lots of comments about how I just should be a team player and let the car pass.

Everyone used the "we should all look out for each other" to victim blame me..

[getwiththeprog]

Big people (cars) should look out for the little people (bicycles).

[dailykoder]

>"cyclists should yield at all times and have a sixth sense to avoid getting killed by impatient or distracted drivers".

And that is literally true. Yes, cars should be more careful, but it's a fact that it's easy to overlook a cyclist. As my motorcycle instructor said during our first theory lesson: "So you are all here because you have suicidal tendencies, right?". And he was right. And it's even more true with cyclists. No one says that this is a good thing tho.

[cycomanic]

That's why laws like in Denmark and the Netherlands (not 100% sure if it's both countries) are needed. Cars are automatically at fault (not always 100% though) when there is an with a cyclist or pedestrian as it is expected that the "stronger" person has to take more responsibility.

[fmbb]

Motorcyclists and bicyclists do not face the same dangers in traffic. I don’t see the relation to the extreme fatality of motorcycling.

[kqr]

> And it's even more true with cyclists.

I'm fairly sure the average cyclist has a longer healthy lifespan than both the average motorcyclist and carist.