Drivers in Northern Virginia are insane.

I moved out of the DMV four years ago and now live in a very large North American city with a vibrant cycling culture. We have bike lanes and recreational cyclists have clubs that ride together for safety, often with support vehicles and motorcycles.

Within the past month three people from our cycling community have been killed by hit and run drivers. In the comments in the news stories it’s terrible to read the comments about how they deserved it, etc.

One response I read this morning really summarized who is the danger: drivers. There are more drunk drivers on the road than cyclists, more drivers paying attention to their phones than the traffic than cyclists hogging the lane , and more drivers exceeding the posted speed limit than cyclists not wearing helmets.

Drivers need to be responsible, slow down and pay attention to the road.

Anonymous wrote:Driving home down Old Dominion Road around 5:30pm yesterday and a single cyclist who couldn't do a decent speed had a line of probably 25-30 cars backed up behind it because the traffic on the opposing side was too heavy to allow the vehicles behind the cyclist to pass safely.

This is why many people hate cyclists. One person caused 50+ other people (because many cars had multiple passengers) time and headache. And the fact that cyclists don't give a $#!, because its ALL about them, is why people hate them.

Whoever was at the front of the line should have ridden their wheel until they got to the side

Anonymous wrote:I live on a busy but narrow, winding and hilly road. When groups of bikers are on the road it’s insane because it’s a no passing road and they ride two abreast so there is no way to pass. The road is in crappy condition too and dangerous for bikers. We have great paved bike paths all around us.

OMG you're totally missing the point. As you note, the road is dangerous for bikers. They're riding two abreast because they KNOW it would be dangerous if you pass them, there isn't room/visibility, and they KNOW if they ride in a single file, you'll do it anyway.

Obviously, if this is happening a lot, the paved bike paths don't go where they need to go. So they're on the road, just like you. They have just as much right to use the road as you do. Try and exercise some patience like a grownup.

If I use my bike as my primary firm of transportation does that make me a “cyclist?”

I will move my group to single file when I hear you behind me. Then we’ll move ba I to two abreast. 😊

Anonymous wrote:Riding two abreast is for safety and visibility. We’re happy to single file it if you ask politely.

-said NO cyclist, ever.

Riding two abreast is for safety and visibility. We’re happy to single file it if you ask politely.

Anonymous wrote:It is really fun to pass a cyclist and then slow down to 5 mph. It is amazing how quickly they start yelling obscenities at you!!

I'm totally going to do this.

Sharing the road is one thing. Sharing goes both ways - give ample space to allow vehicles to safely pass you. Riding 2 abreast because you can, is just an ahole move.

Cyclists are the worse, on road or trail. I'm so fed up with the MAMILs with blinking lights or high beams in the early morning. I want to wear a headlight and turn it on to some obnoxious blinking blinding strobe light just as I see a cyclist approaching.