this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2026
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Toyota, Progressive Insurance, and a data analytics firm are now being accused of collecting detailed personal driving information without proper consent

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[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 38 points 1 day ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (3 children)

Another reminder why I chose to own a bicycle.

I used to dream to have a car, but the more I grew up, the more I realize just how fucking hard it is to have one, especially paperwork and driving demands more situational awareness, of not just the space around the car but also other vehicles on the road.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 38 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Not an option for many of us. Even in the city, where I've gotten around on bicycle for years and years with no car before, it was a hostile environment, and motorists hate bicyclists with a passion. I didn't ride in the street either like in the lane holding up traffic either. But many would go out of their way to hit you, including police. I was too quick for them though.

[–] Buffalobuffalo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

As we learned in Minnesota, vaguely gesturing your car in someone's direction is grounds for summary execution without investigation. Things are different for bicyclists now.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 3 points 1 day ago

You pointed that bike at that agent. Clearly you are an antifa death squad. Or I'm sorry three star antifa general involved in terror plots on american greatness, likely out of your freedom hatred. Something something transexuals woke radical left you had it coming! /s

This is such a bad precedent because it's on video, there is no question as to the truth of the matter. The agent engineered the situation, used his phone hand to touch the car as it was moving to make it appear like he was hit, and they cynically used that to claim so, despite frame by frame analysis that gives lie to all of their story.

Their cheerleaders supporting this, pretending to believe the lie, or god forbid believing it, because they think they don't like the executed, are fools. Federal agents should not be summarily executing anyone on the street without cause then slandering their victims to justify it afterwards. That is something everyone agreed on not long ago. A good share of conservatives might still agree, but just believe the execution was self defense, but too many don't, and relish the others getting targeted as if they will forever remain safe from being labelled an other. As if when they achieve absolute power they won't shrink the old boy clubs.

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I rode my bike in the a smaller city for nearly a decade regularly just fine. The one time I was hit by a car, luckily barely, I was on foot.

To me, here at least, when I left the small city,that's where it gets wild. When the place has no pedestrians, and it's all cars only, with really limited side walks. Those are the scary places to ride.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yeah in the country it's a different beast entirely. Riding on the shoulder of highways and county roads. I do the left side so I can see the cars coming at me and get out of the way. Going with traffic on the shoulder is madness and trusting everyone to see you and not hit you, yet half the population thinks that's the way it should be done.

But good luck getting anywhere in the country right now on a bike. There are snowbanks piled up, little shoulder is left off of main highways, you would have to ride in the road, switching back and forth left to right to avoid incoming cars, or stop and pull yourself into the snowbank. It's just not possible for me here. Half the year it's just not possible in much of the north.

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I've always been more comfortable riding with traffic, and I don't understand how it feels safer going opposite. But I'm not a rule enforcer, do what's best for you. Anywhere without common walkers/public transport too. Its not just like, "the country". Suburbs and strip malls.

I've also ridden in winter, in New England. It's baby thought thinking you can't. No bad weather, just bad dress, and you warm up quick.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 7 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I'm saying on the shoulder of a highway, not in the lane. Riding on the right hand side means constantly looking back over your shoulder, and trusting cars to have seen you and not decided to bust onto the shoulder. It's madness, and it's a misunderstanding that leads some people to think you are supposed to, experts have made it clear it's safer to see traffic coming at you in such situations so you can get out of the way.

And ha, no, you can't ride your bike where I am right now as I explained. There is no shoulder, you are in the lane, lanes covered in packed down snow. Baby thinking is a rather insulting way to respond to a situation you clearly do not understand. Riding in the lane with cars going 55 mph or faster on ice and snow cannot be done here right now, snowplows leave 4 or a 5 feet of snowbank off the road, something someone from new england should know, city boy.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I got a laugh out of that "baby thought" jab. I've lived where it wasn't safe to walk by the roads during winter, much less cycle there. With no bike lane or even a road shoulder to speak of and a foot or more of snow, you end up with two choices: cycle in a snow bank or hope traffic isn't coming when you end up horizontal in the road.

[–] Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So do nothing. Don't fight for better infrastructures, just stay car centric. I love paying thousands of dollars a year to get to work/shops/friends. Wah wah.

I've ridden these roads in winter. I've done it from necessity. Yeah it's scary at first. No, not all places it's possible, yes, it could be done more if not for your preference for comfort. Wahhh "I can't and nothing can change this". Fucking hell. I'm a down vote queen today eh? Y'all need to watch some "just not bikes" and maybe help change perceptions.

Or stay in your comfy car. I don't care. I'm literally in the position where I can't get a job because I don't have a car, or a bike, or public transport, and a kid with mad appointments right now. And I'm extra spicy about it. I miss being free on my bike and marking open availability on job apps. I'm spicy okay? Down vote away. I uses to ride 7 miles in winter, snow, sleet, ice, to be at work for 6 am. Then seven miles home, 6 days a week. Two years. It can be done. Its not fun no, but its not like, the most difficult thing either. Y'all just used to comfort. I'm used to poverty. It's fucking fine.

I don't know what your issues today or in general are, but don't take them out on me. That you had to make so many assumptions about me to air your many assumptive grievances should be your hint that I'm not your problem.

[–] brooke592@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

I saw someone riding a bike the other day on the road and feared for his safety.

[–] Melvin_Ferd@lemmy.world -3 points 1 day ago

I couldn't do that to my ancestors