Cyclists -- Why do you hog the road even with a large shoulder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why? So that we can follow along behind them at 4.5 mph and admire their $4,100 bike that is in no way commensurate with their fitness level.

Seriously, sir, why DO you have a carbon fiber Stradalli if that's all the power you can muster? Just in case IronMan changes its entry criteria, you'll be ready? Why? Why???

? What "entry criteria?"

I actually did Ironman (Mont Tremblant) last weekend. The only "criteria" was having the funds to pay the race entry fee. They don't require you to show any proof of experience or ability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a driver and a cyclist. I see asshole cyclists and I see asshole drivers. I consider it a wash.

Same here, and I'm both too. I always bike in the shoulder where practicable, but as others have noted, there's often tons of debris in the shoulder. I've rarely encountered asshole drivers even here in NYC but I don't look like a "biker". I don't own any Lycra and go pretty slowly. I probably look too inexperienced to be biking in the city so people treat me gently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.

But you only follow the rules of the road when they are convenient to you.

This is my issue with cyclists. I was at a 3-way stop yesterday with traffic coming from all directions. Cyclist blew right through the intersection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.

And obligations. Don't forget your obligations that accompany your rights, including the obligation to move to the right when you are traveling below the speed limit and allow traffic to pass so that you are not impeding traffic.

[Anonymous]

I think the verdict is unanimous for the most part. Cyclists who don't pull over are jerks. I am sure one of these days a driver with a serious case of road rage will take a few out...if it hasn't been done already. Hopefully this will teach them a lesson.

[Anonymous]

I have another pet peeve re bicycles on the tow path near Great Falls in MD. On weekends when foot traffic is extremely high, there are some people on bikes who act as though they own the pathway. They ride at extremely high speeds endangering the walking traffic. I think bikes should not be allowed on weekends as my 7 year old daughter almost got hit last weekend by someone who was riding like he was going to an emergency.

[Anonymous]

As I said, I am entitled to the road. Why should I ride on the shoulder, where there's usually more debris? I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.


The question to you is how will you deal with an angry driver who is willing to knock you off your bike? Even if you are right you have a higher chance of being "dead" right. Which is still dead. Personally, I think bikers feel that they are victims but, they don't see how they terrorize folks who are walking on sidewalks or on multi-purpose roads.

BTW, I am a biker, a driver and a walker so I can see from all sides. Bikers who do not slow down or announce themselves are my biggest pet peeves. Drivers who text or talk on the cell phone, ignore the signs ( no turn on red) and are aggressive towards bikers and walkers are also very annoying! I suppose walkers are the least likely to be annoying!

[Anonymous]

http://www.waba.org/blog/2010/09/changes-to-maryland-cycling-laws-effective-oct-1/

1. Three Foot Passing

Maryland law now requires motorists to “pass safely at a distance of not less than three feet” when overtaking a cyclist unless: (a) the cyclist is not riding on the right or in the bike lane/shoulder as required by § 21-1205, or (b) the roadway is too narrow to allow three feet. Previously, it was widely assumed that the duty to pass safely meant three feet, but the new law clarifies that it does mean three feet in some situations and does not mean three feet in others. With this law, it becomes more important to “take the lane” whenever it is too narrow to safely share side-by-side, because otherwise you do not have the legal right to the 3-foot buffer.

You can see from this advise posted by a local cyclist association that cyclists apparently "take the road" for safety reasons. However, that means if you are on a road with no shoulder and without 3 feet to pass, cyclists have the right to "take the road" for as long as they want. Sad reality. I will just keep annoying them with my horn honking. Can't be pleasant for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I said, I am entitled to the road. Why should I ride on the shoulder, where there's usually more debris? I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.


The question to you is how will you deal with an angry driver who is willing to knock you off your bike? Even if you are right you have a higher chance of being "dead" right. Which is still dead. Personally, I think bikers feel that they are victims but, they don't see how they terrorize folks who are walking on sidewalks or on multi-purpose roads.

BTW, I am a biker, a driver and a walker so I can see from all sides. Bikers who do not slow down or announce themselves are my biggest pet peeves. Drivers who text or talk on the cell phone, ignore the signs ( no turn on red) and are aggressive towards bikers and walkers are also very annoying! I suppose walkers are the least likely to be annoying!

But if the shoulder IS safe, why don't you ride it? And if it is not safe, why don't you pull to the right, near the white line, so that drivers can pass you in a 25 mph zone when you are only going 10 mph. Why do you behave in a fashion that is annoying to drivers? Do you enjoy having a car riding your bumper waiting to pass? If that's what you consider an enjoyable ride, then by all means have fun.

Before I moved to this area, I used to be an avid cyclist and gave it up because of the animosity of drivers towards cyclists. This was not an issue where I originally lived. But here, the cyclists behave like jerks and consequently drivers have little patience with them. I decided to hang up the bike (literally) because it was not worth risking my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.waba.org/blog/2010/09/changes-to-maryland-cycling-laws-effective-oct-1/

1. Three Foot Passing

Maryland law now requires motorists to “pass safely at a distance of not less than three feet” when overtaking a cyclist unless: (a) the cyclist is not riding on the right or in the bike lane/shoulder as required by § 21-1205, or (b) the roadway is too narrow to allow three feet. Previously, it was widely assumed that the duty to pass safely meant three feet, but the new law clarifies that it does mean three feet in some situations and does not mean three feet in others. With this law, it becomes more important to “take the lane” whenever it is too narrow to safely share side-by-side, because otherwise you do not have the legal right to the 3-foot buffer.

You can see from this advise posted by a local cyclist association that cyclists apparently "take the road" for safety reasons. However, that means if you are on a road with no shoulder and without 3 feet to pass, cyclists have the right to "take the road" for as long as they want. Sad reality. I will just keep annoying them with my horn honking. Can't be pleasant for them.

That is a partial interpretation - - you still don't have the right to travel at 10 miles per hour and impede a long line of traffic behind you indefinitely-- you see how ridiculous that would be, right? As soon as it is safe, you have an obligation to move over and let cars pass - - that section is for when there is no safe place for you to move over to allow 3 feet for the cars to pass.

[Anonymous]

I don't know where this pull to the right nonsense is coming from

Cyclists have a right to the road just like cars

I blow through stopsigns and treat traffic lights like yields but I always check first. I used to obey all traffic laws but in DC no bikers actually wait at red lights or come to a full and complete stop at a 4 way stop so I joined the local customs.

It does amaze me watching some bikers blow through without looking. Thats asking for a serious accident.

I love the bike lanes in DC. Its tough riding in downtown I tend to avoid it if at all possible. Sometimes there is no choice and its pretty dangerous. I have a right to be on the road.

[Anonymous]

oh and I'll add I stay to the right if its one lane and tend to ride in the center if there are multiple lanes mainly for my own protection

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As I said, I am entitled to the road. Why should I ride on the shoulder, where there's usually more debris? I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.


The question to you is how will you deal with an angry driver who is willing to knock you off your bike? Even if you are right you have a higher chance of being "dead" right. Which is still dead. Personally, I think bikers feel that they are victims but, they don't see how they terrorize folks who are walking on sidewalks or on multi-purpose roads.

BTW, I am a biker, a driver and a walker so I can see from all sides. Bikers who do not slow down or announce themselves are my biggest pet peeves. Drivers who text or talk on the cell phone, ignore the signs ( no turn on red) and are aggressive towards bikers and walkers are also very annoying! I suppose walkers are the least likely to be annoying!

But if the shoulder IS safe, why don't you ride it? And if it is not safe, why don't you pull to the right, near the white line, so that drivers can pass you in a 25 mph zone when you are only going 10 mph. Why do you behave in a fashion that is annoying to drivers? Do you enjoy having a car riding your bumper waiting to pass? If that's what you consider an enjoyable ride, then by all means have fun.

Before I moved to this area, I used to be an avid cyclist and gave it up because of the animosity of drivers towards cyclists. This was not an issue where I originally lived. But here, the cyclists behave like jerks and consequently drivers have little patience with them. I decided to hang up the bike (literally) because it was not worth risking my life.

There are unsafe things to see as a cyclist that I don't see as a driver. For instance, I cannot go over inlets to gutters where the grooves are parallel to the road or else my wheel will get stuck- they are that wide. And on some roads they are at least two feet past the shoulder. I did not recognize that as a driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because I have the same right to the road as you. Deal with it.

But you only follow the rules of the road when they are convenient to you.

+1000. How about the cyclists who zip up between the 2 lanes of cars stopped at a light? Like they have a special bike lane in the middle. And then half the time, they'll go through the red light. I almost think some bike riders deserve to get hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know where this pull to the right nonsense is coming from

Cyclists have a right to the road just like cars

I blow through stopsigns and treat traffic lights like yields but I always check first. I used to obey all traffic laws but in DC no bikers actually wait at red lights or come to a full and complete stop at a 4 way stop so I joined the local customs.

It does amaze me watching some bikers blow through without looking. Thats asking for a serious accident.

I love the bike lanes in DC. Its tough riding in downtown I tend to avoid it if at all possible. Sometimes there is no choice and its pretty dangerous. I have a right to be on the road.

If you don't follow the rules of the road, then you don't have the right to the road like other cars.