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I’m pretty hard on cars—for good reason—but I still believe that pedestrians and cyclists have vital responsibilities. So let’s balance the scales.

Years ago, I read an article in a motorcycling magazine that really stuck with me.

It had a recurring theme—”You’re calling the wrong person an asshole.” And it related to the often-legal, sometimes-not-so-much, things motorcyclists do that put them in inherent danger, while also making it very difficult for road-users to accommodate them.

Things like riding your motorcycle in vehicle blind spots, etcetera.

You can also see stuff like this on semi-trucks—you know, stickers like “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.”

It’s not illegal to drive a “normal distance” behind an 18-wheeler… but it’s not advised. They’re often doing their best, and working with a set of challenges that it’d be nice if you accommodated, dear driver.

That kinda stuff.

Which takes us to things that pedestrians and cyclists do that sometimes are, sometimes are not, legal… but frankly don’t make things easier on anyone.

In short, if you find yourself yelling at drivers in any of these situations—you might be calling the wrong person an asshole.

• Cyclists: if you see a car with its turn signal on, then choose to pass that car on the same side—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Pedestrians: If you stride boldly into traffic from behind vision-obscured areas an expect traffic to know you’re coming—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Cyclists: If you bomb across a crosswalk without braking, dismounting or giving oncoming traffic any opportunity to slow—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Pedestrians: If you can’t look up from your phone when entering a roadway—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Cyclists: If you overtake vehicles from behind, exceeding speed limits and/or passing on double-solids—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Pedestrians: If you choose to jaywalk—something I don’t believe should be a crime—but expect drivers to immediately accommodate you, even to their own danger, you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.
• Cyclists: If you’re riding at a sustained 45-degree angle off a vehicle’s passenger-side C-pillar, they can’t see you—you’re about to call the wrong person an asshole.
• Pedestrians: Even on a crosswalk, if you won’t allow the laws of physics to be applied against the inertia of a moving vehicle—it can’t stop on a dime—you’re calling the wrong person an asshole.

But ultimately, and all of this aside, if you drive a motor vehicle and you don’t believe that road safety for all users is your primary concern, function and responsibility—you are an asshole.