Cyclist in middle of road?

Well, the bike paths aren't really safe for the die-hard cyclists, the guys/gals going 20-30 mph. They're always out on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

As long as they follow the rules of the road, they are fine there, but IMO they should hug the right 1/3 of the roadway for easy passing. Those that don't are asking for trouble.

If there was any kind of paved shoulder on the road, it would be one thing. But there's the line, and it drops off. There is just not enough room for safety in my opinion. Particularly when traffic is coming the opposite direction. I've been surprised my mirrors haven't swiped someone!

The cyclist can be ticketed too...

I guess the bike lane on the west end of 30A doesn't continue the entire length?

This is from the Florida Bicycle Association website:

"State Law says you must ride as far to the right as practicable. It does NOT say as far to the right as possible. Practicable means capable of being done within the means and circumstances present.
A cyclist should maintain no less than 2 feet of clearance from the edge of usable pavement to have room to maneuver around obstructions and to be more visible to crossing traffic.
When a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to share safely, the cyclist is entitled to the use of the entire lane. Within this lane, the cyclist usually rides on the right half to facilitate visibility for overtaking motorists, but should ride far enough left to discourage motorists from trying to squeeze past within the lane." http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/bikelaw.html#ftrexplained

I guess the bike lane on the west end of 30A doesn't continue the entire length?

This is from the Florida Bicycle Association website:

"State Law says you must ride as far to the right as practicable. It does NOT say as far to the right as possible. Practicable means capable of being done within the means and circumstances present.
A cyclist should maintain no less than 2 feet of clearance from the edge of usable pavement to have room to maneuver around obstructions and to be more visible to crossing traffic.
When a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to share safely, the cyclist is entitled to the use of the entire lane. Within this lane, the cyclist usually rides on the right half to facilitate visibility for overtaking motorists, but should ride far enough left to discourage motorists from trying to squeeze past within the lane." http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/bikelaw.html#ftrexplained

It doesn't. The last time I was down there some butt munch blew at me while I was in the bike lane. I asked him to pull over so we could discuss the finer points of the FL State Road codes but he declined

Going into Watercolor, the road narrows greatly, with 4 inch concrete curbing, making it very scary for anyone to attempt to pass a cyclist.

It's insanity for a cyclist to attempt Watercolor, Seaside in the roadway, IMO. If I was nuts and attempted, I'd be cycling in the middle of the lane so no one could pass and hit me with their mirror.

You will find me in the center of the lane as I pass through Seaside and WaterColor. You need to be in the center of the lane while in Seaside just so you can have a better chance of not having people walk out in front of you.

D?j? vu. We've hashed this out several times, for example on the thread http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=12971&highlight=bicyclist .

D?j? vu. We've hashed this out several times, for example on the thread http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=12971&highlight=bicyclist .

I just went and re-read a few pages on that thread.

It never gets old!

I've never understood why someone would do that and basically risk their life in the meantime.

Last night (I know, it was busy), I got stuck behind something like 20 people on foot and on bikes in the middle of the road in watercolor. I was going less than 5 mph and they did.not.care. So, I try to make it obvious that I want to pass them and some of them get over to the side (mainly the walkers, hello... there's a sidewalk!! that's what it's there for!), but about half the bikers refuse to get to one side. They were weaving all over the road on both sides. I was having a heart attack, terrified that I was going to inadvertently hit someone. I was less than amused.

Didnt they realize the "parade" ended hours earlier? I just wish they all realized how much money the taxpayers of Walton County paid for the bike lane they refuse to use.

I've never understood why someone would do that and basically risk their life in the meantime.

Last night (I know, it was busy), I got stuck behind something like 20 people on foot and on bikes in the middle of the road in watercolor. I was going less than 5 mph and they did.not.care. So, I try to make it obvious that I want to pass them and some of them get over to the side (mainly the walkers, hello... there's a sidewalk!! that's what it's there for!), but about half the bikers refuse to get to one side. They were weaving all over the road on both sides. I was having a heart attack, terrified that I was going to inadvertently hit someone. I was less than amused.

Wow! How much longer did it take you to get where you were going? Did you miss anything by the time of you arrival. Had things greatly changed? Did the ice cream melt, milk spoil, cake overcook, Deadliest Catch go off, tub overflow, grocery store close, beach close, or miss the sunset .

Didnt they realize the "parade" ended hours earlier? I just wish they all realized how much money the taxpayers of Walton County paid for the bike lane they refuse to use.

I would say their dollars paid a good chunk of that path and some may even be property owners (Not locals but property owners... I know there is a difference ;-))

You must have been trying to take the Publix shortcut. You will quickly learn that it isn't a shortcut in the summer for the reasons you mention. You can blow the horn a few times, but be ready to get the finger from the adults.

I've never understood why someone would do that and basically risk their life in the meantime.

Last night (I know, it was busy), I got stuck behind something like 20 people on foot and on bikes in the middle of the road in watercolor. I was going less than 5 mph and they did.not.care. So, I try to make it obvious that I want to pass them and some of them get over to the side (mainly the walkers, hello... there's a sidewalk!! that's what it's there for!), but about half the bikers refuse to get to one side. They were weaving all over the road on both sides. I was having a heart attack, terrified that I was going to inadvertently hit someone. I was less than amused.

IMO....total oblivian to ones surroundings and what their actions are causing is what boils the pot. Yes..it may take a few minutes longer...but it's the "me" attitude..."I'm on vacation"...."I can do what I want" that irks most.

IMO....total oblivian to ones surroundings and what their actions are causing is what boils the pot. Yes..it may take a few minutes longer...but it's the "me" attitude..."I'm on vacation"...."I can do what I want" that irks most.

Yeah, that's the big part... it was really, really unsafe. It was a "that car won't hit me because I'm on vacation" mentality. I would have had to park and just stop and wait 15 minutes for them to run their course or turn around and go the other way.

I have no problem allowing cyclist the use of the road, if they will abide by the rules that cars must use.

What burns me to a crisp is they will ride in the lane just as a car would until you reach a stop sign and then they want to slip past everyone waiting and blow the stop sign. :angry:

What burns me to a crisp is they will ride in the lane just as a car would until you reach a stop sign and then they want to slip past everyone waiting and blow the stop sign. :angry:

Yup...I'm a former hardcore road cyclist, and that used to burn even me. The stupid actions of a few result in a negative attitude towards cyclists as a whole regardless of how responsible he or she may be...

It would be great if drivers obeyed all the rules of the road too. I wonder how many people driving down 30A are over .08 BAC, drive over 25 35 or 45 mph speed posted, come to rolling stops, pass over when there is a double line, or drive out on Grayton without a permit

It would be great if drivers obeyed all the rules of the road too. I wonder how many people driving down 30A are over .08 BAC, drive over 25 35 or 45 mph speed posted, come to rolling stops, pass over when there is a double line, or drive out on Grayton without a permit

or drive side by side so a cyclist cannot pass....................

It would be great if drivers obeyed all the rules of the road too. I wonder how many people driving down 30A are over .08 BAC, drive over 25 35 or 45 mph speed posted, come to rolling stops, pass over when there is a double line, or drive out on Grayton without a permit

Excellent point!

It would be great if drivers obeyed all the rules of the road too. I wonder how many people driving down 30A are over .08 BAC, drive over 25 35 or 45 mph speed posted, come to rolling stops, pass over when there is a double line, or drive out on Grayton without a permit

You are right it would be great if drivers did obey the rules of the road, I do. Not sure though what stating there are bad drivers on 30-A has to do with bad habits of cyclists on 30-A. Bad car drivers bother me as much as bad cyclists.

Surely you are not saying because some people are not good drivers it makes it ok for cyclists to be bad drivers too.



Two wrongs do not make it right.

Cyclists on the road don't bother me as much as some of the recreational idiots out there. Driving thru Seaside yesterday a guy came roaring out of the Pensacola pavilion on his bike, didn't look, didn't stop, and didn't even pause. He just flew across the road like he was the last man on earth. If I had been going slightly faster or left the house a minute earlier he would be plastered on the hood of my truck.

Didnt they realize the "parade" ended hours earlier? I just wish they all realized how much money the taxpayers of Walton County paid for the bike lane they refuse to use.

I think that the cost was born by the citizens of the State of Florida if memory serves me correctly.