I have lost only one bike because of theft. When I was a kid, my yellow bike with coaster brakes was stolen. I recovered the bike a day or two later, though, after my brother spotted a boy riding it in a nearby schoolyard. As an adult I have not had even one bike taken from me. Given how common bike theft is, I feel I have been lucky.
Here are ways you can lessen the likelihood of your bike being stolen:
Lock your bike in an area that has lots of pedestrian traffic. Thieves prefer to work away from public view; a bike left alone in an isolated area is far more likely to be taken than a bike left in a busy area. Keep in mind, though, that locking your bike in a busy area is no guarantee against theft. Many cyclists can tell of times they have had bikes stolen from racks on busy streets. The thieves in these instances must have been cutting through locks while pedestrians walked right past! These pedestrians were either oblivious to what was going on or were consciously ignoring the thief.
Use two locks on your bike. Having two locks makes it a hassle for thieves to take your bike, especially when they see other bikes nearby that have only a single lock. I don't use two locks every time I lock my bike - I'll use one lock if I am only going to be dashing into a store for a few moments - but if I am going to be away from my bike for more than a few minutes, I'll use two locks.
Lock your frame and both wheels! I can't count how many times I have seen a front wheel locked to a bike rack, the remainder of the bike gone. Remember, stolen bikes are often "chopped up" by thieves. A thief will happily and quickly remove the rest of the bike if only the front wheel is locked; the stolen bike (minus the front wheel) will then be disassembled, the constituent parts used to create new bikes.
Spend the money to get a good-quality lock. While any lock will stymie a thief looking for a quick getaway on an unlocked bike, only a better-quality lock will provide any deterrence against an experienced thief. I use a U-type lock and a chain lock. I slide the U-lock through my bike so that it secures the frame and rear tire; I use the chain lock for the front tire and (again) the frame. While even the best locks can be defeated, the more difficult you make it for thieves, the better off you will be.
Consider leaving an expensive bike at home if you're going to have to leave it out of sight for even a short period of time. The more expensive or new looking your bike is, the more likely it will be stolen. Some cyclists paint the frames of their bikes in an effort to hide the make of the bike, but I'm not sure how well this idea works. Whenever I see a bike with a repainted frame, I immediately suspect that the bike is expensive. And likely, most thieves have the same thought. In any case, they will usually be able to identify what make a bike is even if its logos are painted over. My bike is well-used and definitely looks that way. It has chipped paint and patches of rust; the seat is covered in duct tape. I feel like my bike is much less likely to be stolen than the expensive-looking bike locked next to it.
Take panniers, lights, and any other easily removed accessories with you once you have locked your bike. I would also consider taking your seat if it is attached with a quick release mechanism. And certainly take your helmet with you.
Good luck. Taking steps to protect your bike makes cycling a little less convenient. Unfortunately, theft of bikes is rampant. We have to take these precautions.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Keeping Safe in Winter
People are often reluctant to cycle in the winter. The cold and snow can cause some to relegate their bikes to the garage until spring. My previous post had some tips on how to keep warm while cycling in the winter; in this post, I will deal with some safety considerations.
The greatest winter-related danger to cyclists is ice. Look out, especially, for days in which the temperature dips from above to below freezing. On such days, the roads can be blanketed in ice, and often this ice is of the hard-to-see variety known as "dark ice." Nothing will bring you crashing to the ground faster than trying to turn or stop on ice. My recommendation is to not cycle at all in these conditions. If you must travel when the roads are icy, choose another type of transportation. It is far too dangerous and difficult to cycle on icy roads.
You probably won't be off your bike for long, though. Traffic and road salt will quickly remove the bulk of any newly created ice. Usually you can cycle again after a day or so has gone by following a cold snap. But always be vigilant. Dark ice can exist at any time, even long after it was created. You have to be on the lookout for ice every day in the winter.
Snow, while a lesser danger than ice, is still a concern. Obviously, when the snow gets to a certain depth, cycling can be near to impossible. I remember once making the mistake of trying to cycle a nature trail in the spring. The weather had been mild for weeks and the roads were completely clear of snow and ice. I assumed that the nature trail, which wended through valleys, would likewise be clear. When I got to the trail, however, it turned out to be still under quite a lot of snow and slush. What was to have been a regular ride for me turned into an exercise in endurance as I slogged my way along. As tiring as the ride was, though, I actually enjoyed the challenge of cycling through the snow and slush; staying upright and moving forward took a lot of concentration and was mentally engaging. However, riding through deep snow on a trail is one thing and riding through deep snow on roads is quite another; you just won't be quick or agile enough to safely share the roads with cars in those conditions. Again, some days you really should leave your bike in the garage.
It is reasonable, however, to cycle on hard-packed snow. During a snowy winter (which we haven't had for a while in Toronto...) you may sometimes find yourself having to negotiate stretches of hard-packed snow while cycling on side streets or when going through parks. While cycling on this kind of snow is certainly not as dangerous as cycling on ice, it is still easy enough to have a wipeout. Before you cycle on streets with hard-packed snow for the first time, try going to a park to practise. This is an important skill to develop, and with practice you will quickly develop your "snow legs." As long as you keep your bike moving at a steady pace and don't try to turn too quickly, you should be able to stay upright. The trick is to not go too fast.
A piece of equipment advice: opt for wide, knobbly tires in the winter. These are a big advantage when you are on snow or ice. Thin, racing-type tires are not a good idea in the winter.
The greatest winter-related danger to cyclists is ice. Look out, especially, for days in which the temperature dips from above to below freezing. On such days, the roads can be blanketed in ice, and often this ice is of the hard-to-see variety known as "dark ice." Nothing will bring you crashing to the ground faster than trying to turn or stop on ice. My recommendation is to not cycle at all in these conditions. If you must travel when the roads are icy, choose another type of transportation. It is far too dangerous and difficult to cycle on icy roads.
You probably won't be off your bike for long, though. Traffic and road salt will quickly remove the bulk of any newly created ice. Usually you can cycle again after a day or so has gone by following a cold snap. But always be vigilant. Dark ice can exist at any time, even long after it was created. You have to be on the lookout for ice every day in the winter.
Snow, while a lesser danger than ice, is still a concern. Obviously, when the snow gets to a certain depth, cycling can be near to impossible. I remember once making the mistake of trying to cycle a nature trail in the spring. The weather had been mild for weeks and the roads were completely clear of snow and ice. I assumed that the nature trail, which wended through valleys, would likewise be clear. When I got to the trail, however, it turned out to be still under quite a lot of snow and slush. What was to have been a regular ride for me turned into an exercise in endurance as I slogged my way along. As tiring as the ride was, though, I actually enjoyed the challenge of cycling through the snow and slush; staying upright and moving forward took a lot of concentration and was mentally engaging. However, riding through deep snow on a trail is one thing and riding through deep snow on roads is quite another; you just won't be quick or agile enough to safely share the roads with cars in those conditions. Again, some days you really should leave your bike in the garage.
It is reasonable, however, to cycle on hard-packed snow. During a snowy winter (which we haven't had for a while in Toronto...) you may sometimes find yourself having to negotiate stretches of hard-packed snow while cycling on side streets or when going through parks. While cycling on this kind of snow is certainly not as dangerous as cycling on ice, it is still easy enough to have a wipeout. Before you cycle on streets with hard-packed snow for the first time, try going to a park to practise. This is an important skill to develop, and with practice you will quickly develop your "snow legs." As long as you keep your bike moving at a steady pace and don't try to turn too quickly, you should be able to stay upright. The trick is to not go too fast.
A piece of equipment advice: opt for wide, knobbly tires in the winter. These are a big advantage when you are on snow or ice. Thin, racing-type tires are not a good idea in the winter.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Keeping Warm in Winter
When fall turns to winter, many cyclists, not wanting to cycle in the cold, put their bikes in the garage until spring. But cycling need not be just a seasonal activity. Here are a few tips on how to keep warm.
First off, remember that you will generate a fair amount of heat by exercising. When I was a kid, I had a morning paper route that I had to start before sunrise. I remember the chill I felt on winter mornings as I left the warmth of my house to walk in the cold, often the kind of cold that made the snow crunch and my nostrils stick together. But despite the cold, by the time I had finished my route, I often found myself undoing my coat to cool down. The same effect will occur when you cycle in the winter. Provided you are properly dressed and are exerting yourself, you will soon be warm enough.
On really cold days I make sure that under everything, I am wearing a T-shirt and long johns. You might not think that a mere T-shirt would make much of a difference, but having one more layer between you and the frigid air really helps to keep you warm. Above the T-shirt, wear a thicker shirt (made of flannel, say), a warm sweater and a winter coat. This should see you through even the coldest trip.
Wear thick socks. Winter-weight wool socks are a good option. With the wool socks, lightweight winter boots or even just hiking shoes should be enough to keep your feet warm. I definitely wouldn't recommend wearing large, heavy-duty winter boots, though. These boots make it very awkward to pedal.
Warm gloves are a must. Make sure the gloves you buy are wind-resistant and are rated for at least -10 degrees Celsius. You need not purchase expensive bike gloves, however. For years I wore a pair of thin gloves inside a larger pair of regular winter gloves. Even on a -15 degree day, my hands remained toasty warm. (Unfortunately, I lost those gloves on the subway...) And make sure your gloves aren't too snug; the air around your hands acts as insulation and will warm up.
(If your are biking year-round, you will probably also want a second, lighter-weight pair of gloves; I find that my hands get uncomfortably hot if I am wearing my heavy-duty gloves on days that aren't at least 5 degrees or colder.)
I wear a scarf, but in addition, I wear a thin Lycra tube around my neck. You will be able to find these tubes in most bike shops. They are great at keeping your neck warm and at keeping the wind from going down your coat. On colder days you can pull the tube up over your chin to keep the lower part of your head warm. And during cool fall days, it can be worn over your head to keep the wind from your ears.
Wear a toque! I find that a bike helmet provides a measure of warmth, and the combination of helmet and toque is usually enough to keep your head quite warm. Make sure the toque covers your ears.
All of this still leaves your face uncovered, but I find that having my face get a bit cold generally isn't a problem if the rest of my body is warm. Some cyclists wear a balaclava, though.
First off, remember that you will generate a fair amount of heat by exercising. When I was a kid, I had a morning paper route that I had to start before sunrise. I remember the chill I felt on winter mornings as I left the warmth of my house to walk in the cold, often the kind of cold that made the snow crunch and my nostrils stick together. But despite the cold, by the time I had finished my route, I often found myself undoing my coat to cool down. The same effect will occur when you cycle in the winter. Provided you are properly dressed and are exerting yourself, you will soon be warm enough.
On really cold days I make sure that under everything, I am wearing a T-shirt and long johns. You might not think that a mere T-shirt would make much of a difference, but having one more layer between you and the frigid air really helps to keep you warm. Above the T-shirt, wear a thicker shirt (made of flannel, say), a warm sweater and a winter coat. This should see you through even the coldest trip.
Wear thick socks. Winter-weight wool socks are a good option. With the wool socks, lightweight winter boots or even just hiking shoes should be enough to keep your feet warm. I definitely wouldn't recommend wearing large, heavy-duty winter boots, though. These boots make it very awkward to pedal.
Warm gloves are a must. Make sure the gloves you buy are wind-resistant and are rated for at least -10 degrees Celsius. You need not purchase expensive bike gloves, however. For years I wore a pair of thin gloves inside a larger pair of regular winter gloves. Even on a -15 degree day, my hands remained toasty warm. (Unfortunately, I lost those gloves on the subway...) And make sure your gloves aren't too snug; the air around your hands acts as insulation and will warm up.
(If your are biking year-round, you will probably also want a second, lighter-weight pair of gloves; I find that my hands get uncomfortably hot if I am wearing my heavy-duty gloves on days that aren't at least 5 degrees or colder.)
I wear a scarf, but in addition, I wear a thin Lycra tube around my neck. You will be able to find these tubes in most bike shops. They are great at keeping your neck warm and at keeping the wind from going down your coat. On colder days you can pull the tube up over your chin to keep the lower part of your head warm. And during cool fall days, it can be worn over your head to keep the wind from your ears.
Wear a toque! I find that a bike helmet provides a measure of warmth, and the combination of helmet and toque is usually enough to keep your head quite warm. Make sure the toque covers your ears.
All of this still leaves your face uncovered, but I find that having my face get a bit cold generally isn't a problem if the rest of my body is warm. Some cyclists wear a balaclava, though.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Great Outdoors
Many of us spend the bulk of our time enclosed by buildings and cars. A great benefit of cycling is that it gets us outside.
When I am cycling I enjoy seeing the sky and the far distances. Even within the confines of my city, I can see down the length of a busy street or up to whatever of the sky can be seen between the building tops. Being outside imparts a feeling of freedom and escape, of expanded horizons. In a car or building I feel disconnected from my surroundings, seeing and hearing the world through panes of glass.
It is refreshing to be away from temperature-controlled air. Spending some time cycling outside, where the temperature isn't always 21 degrees, is a good way to add diversity of experience to your day. Also, it is good to breathe the relatively cleaner outside air rather than the stale, canned air we spend so much time in. Remember that when you are indoors, you are usually exposed to higher levels of pollutants than when you are outside, even in cities.
Another benefit of cycling can be exposure to the sun. Consider yourself lucky if you are able to go riding on a sunny day. Apart from triggering the production of vitamin D, with all its reputed health benefits, a little sun can do wonders for your mood. (Of course there is such a thing as too much sun. Always cover up or use sunscreen if you feel your skin is burning.)
I love being outside when the weather is pleasant, but I also enjoy cycling in the winter. If I'm dressed appropriately, except for on the frostiest of days, the cold will be bearable. I always feel quite warm after I have been cycling for a few minutes and have built up some body heat. And if I am feeling the chill, I know that my ride will soon end and I'll be able to get inside.
So, get outside on your bike; your mind and body will thank you.
When I am cycling I enjoy seeing the sky and the far distances. Even within the confines of my city, I can see down the length of a busy street or up to whatever of the sky can be seen between the building tops. Being outside imparts a feeling of freedom and escape, of expanded horizons. In a car or building I feel disconnected from my surroundings, seeing and hearing the world through panes of glass.
It is refreshing to be away from temperature-controlled air. Spending some time cycling outside, where the temperature isn't always 21 degrees, is a good way to add diversity of experience to your day. Also, it is good to breathe the relatively cleaner outside air rather than the stale, canned air we spend so much time in. Remember that when you are indoors, you are usually exposed to higher levels of pollutants than when you are outside, even in cities.
Another benefit of cycling can be exposure to the sun. Consider yourself lucky if you are able to go riding on a sunny day. Apart from triggering the production of vitamin D, with all its reputed health benefits, a little sun can do wonders for your mood. (Of course there is such a thing as too much sun. Always cover up or use sunscreen if you feel your skin is burning.)
I love being outside when the weather is pleasant, but I also enjoy cycling in the winter. If I'm dressed appropriately, except for on the frostiest of days, the cold will be bearable. I always feel quite warm after I have been cycling for a few minutes and have built up some body heat. And if I am feeling the chill, I know that my ride will soon end and I'll be able to get inside.
So, get outside on your bike; your mind and body will thank you.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Right-Turning Cars
Often, cyclists will blithely ride past a driver who is signalling a right turn. These cyclists should be aware that collisions in which cyclists are cut off by right-turning drivers are a common occurrence. If you are cycling toward an intersection, you should pay particular attention to the lead car; if the driver is signalling right, you should slow down or stop and let the car make its turn!
I think cyclists should put themselves in the place of drivers making right turns at busy intersections. When I drive, I often find right turns trickier than left turns. Consider: When I'm making a left, the field of view that I have to be concerned with is actually quite small: just a pie slice ahead and to my left; when I'm making a right, the field of view I have to take in is almost a complete circle. Depending on whether the light ahead is green or red, I have to worry about cars either crossing my path or making lefts into the lane I am intending to drive into. At all times, I have to be aware of pedestrians. Aside from watching for pedestrians crossing at the proper time, I also have to consider that some pedestrians might jaywalk. For that matter, I also have to watch out for drivers trying to be the last to slip through on a very stale yellow, or even a fresh red light. Also, I have to watch for any bikes coming up behind me. They can be tricky to see. Sometimes a glance in the rear-view mirror will not show a cyclist who happens to be in my blind spot at the moment I check the mirror. A shoulder check is necessary.
Perhaps what makes right turns trickiest for drivers is the element of time. All the above factors have to be visually taken in in a fast-sweeping arc of attention, and all the changing information has to be processed, with a decision to turn arrived at within a few seconds. Quite daunting, actually! No wonder cyclists are so often cut off by right-turning drivers.
Remember, a cyclist will always come out on the losing end of any bike-car collision. Don't take any unnecessary chances!
I think cyclists should put themselves in the place of drivers making right turns at busy intersections. When I drive, I often find right turns trickier than left turns. Consider: When I'm making a left, the field of view that I have to be concerned with is actually quite small: just a pie slice ahead and to my left; when I'm making a right, the field of view I have to take in is almost a complete circle. Depending on whether the light ahead is green or red, I have to worry about cars either crossing my path or making lefts into the lane I am intending to drive into. At all times, I have to be aware of pedestrians. Aside from watching for pedestrians crossing at the proper time, I also have to consider that some pedestrians might jaywalk. For that matter, I also have to watch out for drivers trying to be the last to slip through on a very stale yellow, or even a fresh red light. Also, I have to watch for any bikes coming up behind me. They can be tricky to see. Sometimes a glance in the rear-view mirror will not show a cyclist who happens to be in my blind spot at the moment I check the mirror. A shoulder check is necessary.
Perhaps what makes right turns trickiest for drivers is the element of time. All the above factors have to be visually taken in in a fast-sweeping arc of attention, and all the changing information has to be processed, with a decision to turn arrived at within a few seconds. Quite daunting, actually! No wonder cyclists are so often cut off by right-turning drivers.
Remember, a cyclist will always come out on the losing end of any bike-car collision. Don't take any unnecessary chances!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Don't Be Invisible
I'll always remember an incident that occurred late one night, many years ago. I was heading south on Sherbourne Street and was planning on making a right at Bloor Street. The sky was fully dark, and a heavy rain was falling. The bright street lights were reflected in the wet roads and sidewalks. As I approached Bloor, I signalled right, did a shoulder check, and made my turn, seemingly without incident - or so I thought. After a few moments, I was surprised by an angry cyclist pounding on my passenger-side window. I can only assume that I had cut him off when I had made my right turn.
At first I was mortified. I could have badly injured the cyclist or even killed him! However, as I watched him bike away, I noticed a couple of things that made me feel considerably less guilty: He was dressed entirely in dark or black clothes (as I recall, he was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans), and more importantly, he had no lights on his bike. Now, I'm normally a very careful driver, and I always check over my shoulder before making turns. I'm sure I didn't see the cyclist because, with the light conditions as they were, he would have been almost impossible to see. I wish that I had had a chance to speak to this cyclist that night; I would have told him that he was actually lucky to be alive, and that it was not at all surprising that I had accidentally cut him off.
Every time I ride my bike at night, I am amazed at how often I see cyclists wearing dark clothing and not using lights. Those who do this are playing with their lives! Why be camouflaged? My philosophy is that cyclists should be unmissable at night.
Here are some recommendations:
Bikes should always be equipped with very bright front and back lights. These lights need to be bright, or they are next to useless. I set my lights to flash because they are much more noticeable this way. I recommend using rechargeable batteries for bike lights; even though these batteries are initially more expensive, over time they pay for themselves many times over. And with rechargeable batteries, it costs nothing to swap them out often, thus assuring that the lights are always at full strength. I also recommend wearing a bike vest or jacket; these come with very effective reflecting strips that are much more powerful than the reflectors that are put on bikes at the factory.
Even more than when cycling in the day, cyclists at night should never assume that drivers see them. It is up to cyclists to ensure that they are seen.
At first I was mortified. I could have badly injured the cyclist or even killed him! However, as I watched him bike away, I noticed a couple of things that made me feel considerably less guilty: He was dressed entirely in dark or black clothes (as I recall, he was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans), and more importantly, he had no lights on his bike. Now, I'm normally a very careful driver, and I always check over my shoulder before making turns. I'm sure I didn't see the cyclist because, with the light conditions as they were, he would have been almost impossible to see. I wish that I had had a chance to speak to this cyclist that night; I would have told him that he was actually lucky to be alive, and that it was not at all surprising that I had accidentally cut him off.
Every time I ride my bike at night, I am amazed at how often I see cyclists wearing dark clothing and not using lights. Those who do this are playing with their lives! Why be camouflaged? My philosophy is that cyclists should be unmissable at night.
Here are some recommendations:
Bikes should always be equipped with very bright front and back lights. These lights need to be bright, or they are next to useless. I set my lights to flash because they are much more noticeable this way. I recommend using rechargeable batteries for bike lights; even though these batteries are initially more expensive, over time they pay for themselves many times over. And with rechargeable batteries, it costs nothing to swap them out often, thus assuring that the lights are always at full strength. I also recommend wearing a bike vest or jacket; these come with very effective reflecting strips that are much more powerful than the reflectors that are put on bikes at the factory.
Even more than when cycling in the day, cyclists at night should never assume that drivers see them. It is up to cyclists to ensure that they are seen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sharing the Roads
The other day in a bookstore, I overheard a woman complaining about a cyclist who had just run a red light. In doing so, this cyclist had cut in front of the woman's path, nearly causing a collision.This woman had a legitimate complaint, obviously, and she had every right to be annoyed. Unfortunately, her complaint is one that can be made all too often by motorists.
After I left the bookstore, I witnessed several more examples of reckless cycling occur within the five minutes it took to walk to my bike and unlock it. Three cyclists in a row blew through a red light as though it weren't there. And more seriously, a seemingly crazed cyclist cut off a motorist as they were both proceeding down the road. The driver was in the left lane, and the cyclist in the right. The cyclist, seeing her way blocked by a parked van, abruptly swerved into the left lane, thereby cutting off the driver. The cyclist hadn't even signalled the lane change, and the driver had to brake and even move a bit out of his lane to avoid hitting the cyclist. After this, the driver rightfully honked; whereupon the cyclist had the temerity to tell him off and give him the finger!
The two biggest problems that I see on a regular basis are running red lights and reckless cycling. I am amazed at how often I see cyclists brazenly ride through red lights. I don't know why these cyclists think the rules of the road don't apply to them. What are motorists to think, seeing cyclists run red lights so often? I believe that this is a major contributor to the stress between the two camps. It is galling to see it happen over and over; it is like these cyclists are thumbing their noses at everyone who is waiting for a green light. As a cyclist, I am perhaps more annoyed by it than are motorists, because I know that it will only confirm some motorists' dim view of cyclists. Many drivers feel that cyclists should not even be on the roads, period; running red lights only confirms them in this opinion.
As for reckless cycling, I find it to mostly be a problem in the downtown of my city (Toronto). Often, these reckless cyclists are bike couriers. They veer wildly all over the road, swerving between temporarily stopped cars as if on an obstacle course. This is incredibly dangerous behaviour, but for many couriers, traffic rules are something to be ignored.
Cyclists shouldn't give motorists good reasons for their animosity. No wonder motorists are miffed! Who likes to see people flout rules that you follow? If cyclists are going to share the roads with motorists, cyclists will have to share the rules as well.
After I left the bookstore, I witnessed several more examples of reckless cycling occur within the five minutes it took to walk to my bike and unlock it. Three cyclists in a row blew through a red light as though it weren't there. And more seriously, a seemingly crazed cyclist cut off a motorist as they were both proceeding down the road. The driver was in the left lane, and the cyclist in the right. The cyclist, seeing her way blocked by a parked van, abruptly swerved into the left lane, thereby cutting off the driver. The cyclist hadn't even signalled the lane change, and the driver had to brake and even move a bit out of his lane to avoid hitting the cyclist. After this, the driver rightfully honked; whereupon the cyclist had the temerity to tell him off and give him the finger!
The two biggest problems that I see on a regular basis are running red lights and reckless cycling. I am amazed at how often I see cyclists brazenly ride through red lights. I don't know why these cyclists think the rules of the road don't apply to them. What are motorists to think, seeing cyclists run red lights so often? I believe that this is a major contributor to the stress between the two camps. It is galling to see it happen over and over; it is like these cyclists are thumbing their noses at everyone who is waiting for a green light. As a cyclist, I am perhaps more annoyed by it than are motorists, because I know that it will only confirm some motorists' dim view of cyclists. Many drivers feel that cyclists should not even be on the roads, period; running red lights only confirms them in this opinion.
As for reckless cycling, I find it to mostly be a problem in the downtown of my city (Toronto). Often, these reckless cyclists are bike couriers. They veer wildly all over the road, swerving between temporarily stopped cars as if on an obstacle course. This is incredibly dangerous behaviour, but for many couriers, traffic rules are something to be ignored.
Cyclists shouldn't give motorists good reasons for their animosity. No wonder motorists are miffed! Who likes to see people flout rules that you follow? If cyclists are going to share the roads with motorists, cyclists will have to share the rules as well.
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