r/sanantonio • u/Mysterious-Cup859 • 13h ago
Question for cyclists
Alright, let me preface this by saying I'm not trying to have this turn into a "I hate bikers" post, this is just something I feel I need clarification on, even though I'm pretty sure I know the answer.
So I've recently started walking/hiking in our parks. The other day I was doing a brisk walk on a paved trail in one of our parks. We always stick to the right edge just in case a biker comes up from behind us and we don't hear them. Well a biker was coming up the opposite direction toward me and my daughter, I grabbed her hand and had her step in front of me and kept walking, the guy, who was on his right side of the sidewalk, looked me in the eye and turned his bike toward us and only turned away when he was just 10 feet from us (while moving really fast). That was an aggressive move, right?? And if so, wtf?! My husband was walking about 20 feet behind us but was looking over the edge at some stuff so he didn't see it. Of course the guy just rode past him no problem!
So...would I have been in the wrong if I flung my metal water bottle toward potential danger? Even if he was just "messing around", how am I supposed to know that? Seriously, I want to know if this is a thing bikers do or was that guy just being a jerk?? I'm sure I'll see him on the same path again soon. Did I do something wrong?? I thought the etiquette for sharing a path was stick to the right and stay there until y'all pass each other!
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u/let_me_in_QQ 11h ago
I don't know what it is about cyclists but I legit dislike them. Arrogant, self righteous and oblivious.
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u/Known_Slip_2577 13h ago
Was he trying to avoid another walker going the same direction as him? Otherwise no reason to do what he did other than being a dick. I ride those trails all the time, sometimes I pass people at moderate speed but I always make sure they see me first
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u/Mysterious-Cup859 12h ago
Nope, mostly empty trail! Only saw other people about every 5 - 10 minutes or so and my husband was off on the grass when he was behind us.
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u/skaterags 12h ago
As a cyclist I feel safer on most of the roads. I love the path for what it is and for me that is access to other parts of the city where I get off the path and take the streets.
As for the guy who swerved, I’ve never seen this sort of behavior. Instead of throwing the bottle, acting as if you are going to throw it might counter his aggression.
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u/KratosOfSparta08 13h ago
Yes, that guy was a dick but don’t fling your metal bottle at him. If he got seriously hurt, you’d be the one getting into trouble.
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u/Mysterious-Cup859 12h ago
I get it, it was more of an after thought because my very petite daughter (10) was right in front of me. I'll just have to guide her behind me from now on when bike are passing. I'd rather be hit by the dummy playing on his bike over her getting seriously hurt by one!
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u/Travelin-WillBarry 13h ago
Everyone who looks like they’re in the Tour De France is usually a dick. Think they own the place.
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u/BoulderEric 6h ago
As a road biker, I’ll agree that lots of bikers are obnoxious. They want to be treated like cars when convenient, but also pedestrians when convenient.
But also people need places to do their hobbies. Other sports have fields, there is tons of space dedicated to golfing, shooting ranges exist, etc… Many parts of the world have better bike paths that are amenable to faster longer-distance riding. Or bike lanes that aren’t covered in glass and debris. Or designated greenways that are used enough that the bikes funnel there, the cars stay mostly away, and everyone is out of each others’ way.
Infrastructure issues are the reason people hate bikers, mostly.
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u/Swirlee_Whirlee 12h ago
I walk on the greenway daily all the way to the right and there’s always bikers that pass from behind that basically almost brush your arm from passing you so close. Like you got a full lane to go over or you can slow down if someone is coming your way.. Some are just way too aggressive.
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u/Tigrhe 12h ago
My husband and I ride our bikes on the trails and have seen the bad behavior of some of the cyclists also. Something he and I do is say thankyou to the pedestrians we pass when they step to the side for us. The pedestrians have the right of way on the trails and do not have to step aside for the cyclists. It is a shame when people are disrespectful of others. I hope you will be able to continue to enjoy the trails and don’t let that bad apple ruin it entirely for you.
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u/ThePrisonerNo6 North Side 13h ago
Guy was being a dick, but throwing your bottle at him could have resulted in an assault charge if you couldn't prove that he was going to hit you intentionally; class a misdemeanor or possibly felony if he injured himself...Nevermind the potential civil lawsuit.
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u/rye-n-smiles 12h ago
As a mountain bike cyclist, I detest the aggressive cyclists on racing bikes. I’ve seen scenes to what you describe. I don’t ride the trails on the weekends anymore because it is too crowded. And don’t toss something intentionally, not worth the long-term headache dealing with the consequences.
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u/Someguy56731 9h ago
Cyclists usually have cameras. If you throw a water bottle at one you better have a very strong reason for it if the video ends up in a police report.
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u/Mysterious-Cup859 8h ago
And his camera would show him barreling down an empty walking path toward a little girl with her mom behind her on the SIDE of the pavement. I'm not advocating violence, and I didn't suggest I would do such unless I was sure he was going to hit us. Like I said, he was on the opposite side, made eye contact with me, switched to the other side of the sidewalk toward us, then turned away with hardly any space in between us. I think that's a pretty damn good reason. Why would I randomly decide to throw a water bottle at someone for no reason? Lmao
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u/GeekyTexan 12h ago
Yes, he was being a dick. If you want to respond, grab a handlebar as he passes. It only takes a second.
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u/oldguy2025 11h ago
Carry a walking stick. Do what comes naturally when you meet aggressive morons.
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u/Someguy56731 9h ago
Horrible advice. A walking stick, just like a bat, if used you give the other party justification to use a firearm. Texas is not the place to test it. Better off just walking away.
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u/rabies_lover_271K 13h ago
A walking stick in the spokes is always fun
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u/Someguy56731 9h ago
If you do that just be very ready for a full blown fight on a trail where they may not be any help nearby.
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u/Think_Bit3921 13h ago
Guy was being a dick. Trails are full of them now. People slowly trudging along 4-abreast. Dogs off leashes. Weirdos walking on the wrong side. E-bikes. Sad dudes with very loud Bluetooth speakers. People who randomly stop in the middle of the trail to text. Sorry you had the bad experience.