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Cyclist in middle of road?

florida girl avatar
Beach Fanatic
5,976 views
What's up with cyclists riding in the middle of the traffic lane? Aren't the bike paths good enough? This morning the car in front of me tried to past this cyclist, but the guy moved toward the center and wouldn't let him pass!
Hwy 30a coming into Watercolor. Very annoying! :bang:

Replies

45
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#27
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. :idontno:



Two wrongs do not make it right.

Nope. I just think it's funny how people are quick to point out how cyclists don't obey traffic law but seem to overlook drivers who do. I would have gotten irritated if a cyclist rode down the center line or would not let a car pass. I ride the the white line as much as possible. But even then some motorists are rude and all to save maybe 10 to 30 seconds on their trip. According to state law, cyclists have just as much right to be on the road as motorists so take a deep breath and accept it.
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#28
Nope. I just think it's funny how people are quick to point out how cyclists don't obey traffic law but seem to overlook drivers who do. I would have gotten irritated if a cyclist rode down the center line or would not let a car pass. I ride the the white line as much as possible. But even then some motorists are rude and all to save maybe 10 to 30 seconds on their trip. According to state law, cyclists have just as much right to be on the road as motorists so take a deep breath and accept it.

Agree, I dislike the bad drivers equally as much as the bad cyclists. As a former Driver's Ed teacher it is a major pet peeve.

And my last trip I did experience some of those drivers you described and they were very impatient with my driving the speed limit along 30-A.

Luckily I did not encounter any rude cyclists, we have plenty here though. :bang:
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#29
Luckily I did not encounter any rude cyclists, we have plenty here though. :bang:

Are they rude or just dehydrated into irritability? :biggrin:

God love 'em for trying to bike in Memphis weather. :eek:
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#30
Are they rude or just dehydrated into irritability? :biggrin:

God love 'em for trying to bike in Memphis weather. :eek:

That actually made me laugh, maybe that is the problem, they are sweating so hard they can not see those stop signs. :floor:
Beach Lover
#31
it really gets me upset when bikers are going with the flow of traffic but think they are too cool to be on the bike path so they risk their lives in the street.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#32
Are they rude or just dehydrated into irritability? :biggrin:

God love 'em for trying to bike in Memphis weather. :eek:

Now that is funny :lol:

it really gets me upset when bikers are going with the flow of traffic but think they are too cool to be on the bike path so they risk their lives in the street.

http://sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=12971&highlight=bicyclist <--- You'll love this thread
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#33
I have been properly edumacated by Sowal into knowing that not all bikers like to ride on the bike path.

However, the ever increasing number of folks who choose to ride in the road are becoming a safety issue - both to themselves and cars on the road. I've seen and had several near misses with head-on collisions from cars swerving into the other lane to get around bikers.

IMO the best solution would be to have a 3' shoulder on both sides of the road the length of 30-A.
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#34
SB, I've stopped swerving, the only time a car should be passing a cyclist, pedestrian, or other car is if it is safe. Making anyone swerve off the road is not safe driving. If they're in the big of a hurry then a head on collision is going to ruin their day. I have some dings that need replacing in the front of my truck anyway. :biggrin:
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#35
No, OTHER drivers are swerving around the bikers and endangering folks because they are so focused on passing the biker they aren't looking for oncoming traffic!

I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll never be anywhere in time, and enjoy the highly comical road bikers - many of whom have no idea just how silly they look! ;-)
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#36
I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll never be anywhere in time, and enjoy the highly comical road bikers - many of whom have no idea just how silly they look! ;-)

:angry: Hey! I make those goofy shorts look good :cool:
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#37
No, OTHER drivers are swerving around the bikers and endangering folks because they are so focused on passing the biker they aren't looking for oncoming traffic!

I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll never be anywhere in time, and enjoy the highly comical road bikers - many of whom have no idea just how silly they look! ;-)

:angry: Hey! I make those goofy shorts look good :cool:

Reminds me of a Frasier quote: Spandex isn't supposed to billow.
bluemtnrunner avatar
Beach Fanatic
#38
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...


There has to be a give and take here from both sides. As a cyclist and a driver on 30A I'm frustrated by both sides. It is not a matter of cyclists thinking they are too good for the bike path. If you are trying to get in a hard ride, there is no way to get it done if you have to stop every 4 miles to cross the road and stay on the path as it zig zags all over 30A, avoid the cars pulling off of side streets right into your legs, families on cruisers, strollers, walkers, dogs, and beach goers. (A fast cyclist could wind up hurting someone and themselves on the path) Not to mention the dangers of the wooden bridges and pot holes blowing out a tire.

As a driver I appreciate the cyclists who use their mirrors and hand signals to help me know that the see me and it is safe to pass them I don't mind slowing down from 35 to 20 for a quarter of mile to keep a cyclist, myself, and other drivers safe.
Maybe it was the experience at 15 of being first on the scene of a hit and run where a classmate had his knee severed from his leg that has made me think about how important it is to share the road
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#39
It isn't so much the spandex (which is hilarious) as them pedaling w/ their knees sticking so far out the sides of the bike. :rofl:
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#40
There has to be a give and take here from both sides. As a cyclist and a driver on 30A I'm frustrated by both sides. It is not a matter of cyclists thinking they are too good for the bike path. If you are trying to get in a hard ride, there is no way to get it done if you have to stop every 4 miles to cross the road and stay on the path as it zig zags all over 30A, avoid the cars pulling off of side streets right into your legs, families on cruisers, strollers, walkers, dogs, and beach goers. (A fast cyclist could wind up hurting someone and themselves on the path) Not to mention the dangers of the wooden bridges and pot holes blowing out a tire.

As a driver I appreciate the cyclists who use their mirrors and hand signals to help me know that the see me and it is safe to pass them I don't mind slowing down from 35 to 20 for a quarter of mile to keep a cyclist, myself, and other drivers safe.
Maybe it was the experience at 15 of being first on the scene of a hit and run where a classmate had his knee severed from his leg that has made me think about how important it is to share the road

Excellent post. :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#41
:angry: Hey! I make those goofy shorts look good :cool:


RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#42

JFunn probably has some......
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and I will hunt her down like a dog if she post them :angry:
Minnie avatar
Beach Fanatic
#43
You tease :floor:
bluemtnrunner avatar
Beach Fanatic
#44
Just no male cyclists in red shorts. That is never a good picture.
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#45
Just no male cyclists in red shorts. That is never a good picture.

I totally agree, white and light blue are much better. Red hides too much. :biggrin:

And thus ended spandex shorts on 30A.
Angelrlc avatar
Beach Lover
#46
On my way to work every morning I usually have to go around at least 3 cyclist. But what got me the other day was just after the 3 way stop sign a family going the opposite direction on my side of the road. The dad was in the middle of the street. I had to get into the other lane and the dad looked at me like I was not supposed to be in their way...grrrr

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