“It’s gotten so bad that even motorists who try to adhere to the bikers’ aggressive and downright reckless tactics are verbally accosted and threatened with violence.”

“Dear PoPville,

I have noticed a marked uptick in aggressive bike commuters over the past year or so. I walk from the Columbia Heights area down to downtown as part of my normal commute. Recently, more and more bikers are not obeying stop signs or traffic lights and I have witnessed multiple first person and third person close collisions with bikers due to the fact that they are not obeying proper traffic laws. Furthermore, generally their response is one of consternation, often times screaming profanities at the innocent pedestrians (with small children around).

It’s gotten so bad that even motorists who try to adhere to the bikers’ aggressive and downright reckless tactics are verbally accosted and threatened with violence. Just this morning, I observed a motorist yield to a red headed male on a bike. The motorist then signaled their intent to turn. The biker then sped up trying to pass the car and nearly collided with the vehicle. The vehicle was driving cautiously and stopped according, yet the biker cut off the vehicle and then aggressively yelled “F&ck You” at the motorist.

If expected safety is desired then many of these bicycle commuters need to follow the established laws or be prosecuted accordingly as a motorist would.

The bicycle commuters need to stop at stop signs and traffic lights and reduce the risk they pose to pedestrians as a motorist would or accept the consequences. Commuting by bicycle does not render one special and immune to the law, they need to respect the law and take responsibility for the safety of others around them.”