Cyclist in middle of road?

[trikkster101]

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]

Are they rude or just dehydrated into irritability?

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

Now that is funny

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]

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]

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.

 

[scooterbug44]

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]

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

 

[Matt J]

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

Reminds me of a Frasier quote: Spandex isn't supposed to billow.

 

[bluemtnrunner]

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]

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]

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.