Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - How do you feel about bicycles on the road?

ergdork · 02-01-2005, 01:57 PM

I'm a psuedo-cyclist, have a brother and a cousing who are both pro-level racers. I'm also a commuter. I think the biggest problem most drivers (including myself) have with cyclists is when they are riding in areas where they don't have the skill to ride. Riding in/near traffic is not easy and isn't necessarily for Joe Sixpack on a leisure ride. I've certainly watched cyclists pass me in my car and see them wiggling very unsteadily through traffic. Or even worse, a family on a leisure ride down a steep windy road (routes 1 and 92 in and out of Half Moon Bay, CA come to mind) backing up traffic for a quarter mile. Scares me.

I guess my basic opinion is that it falls down to the simple concept of respect. Drivers need to respect cyclists and give the plenty of space to be safe, but at the same time cyclists need to respect those cars around them and yield when they are obstructing. As a parallel, I believe there is a law in CA that says a car that is slowing more than 5 cars behind it must pull over. The same should be true for cyclists. It doesn't really matter what your vehicle is. Be safe, courteous, respectful and aware of your own abilities. Drivers need to keep eyes open for all smaller vehicles - ie a compact car if you are an SUV, or a bike, or a motorcycle for everyone!

I've certainly been disrespectful from both sides and feel bad about both. Share the road!

02-01-2005, 01:57 PM	#25 (permalink)
ergdork Tilted	I'm a psuedo-cyclist, have a brother and a cousing who are both pro-level racers. I'm also a commuter. I think the biggest problem most drivers (including myself) have with cyclists is when they are riding in areas where they don't have the skill to ride. Riding in/near traffic is not easy and isn't necessarily for Joe Sixpack on a leisure ride. I've certainly watched cyclists pass me in my car and see them wiggling very unsteadily through traffic. Or even worse, a family on a leisure ride down a steep windy road (routes 1 and 92 in and out of Half Moon Bay, CA come to mind) backing up traffic for a quarter mile. Scares me. I guess my basic opinion is that it falls down to the simple concept of respect. Drivers need to respect cyclists and give the plenty of space to be safe, but at the same time cyclists need to respect those cars around them and yield when they are obstructing. As a parallel, I believe there is a law in CA that says a car that is slowing more than 5 cars behind it must pull over. The same should be true for cyclists. It doesn't really matter what your vehicle is. Be safe, courteous, respectful and aware of your own abilities. Drivers need to keep eyes open for all smaller vehicles - ie a compact car if you are an SUV, or a bike, or a motorcycle for everyone! I've certainly been disrespectful from both sides and feel bad about both. Share the road!