Bicycle Rant

[llowry61]

Not much gets under my skin, but the last 4 or 5 times I have driven into New Albany the roads have been clogged with bicycles. What is it with these guys. I live east of Columbus Ohio and there are roving bands of spandex wearing 2 wheeled terrorists on the secondary roads I drive on. Clogs, helmets and 0 regard for motorists. To top it off there is a bicycle path that is a couple of hundred miles long right nearby. I am sick and tired of having to weave my way around them as they ride 3 wide drafting one another with no regard to vehicles at all. Anyone else run it to this issue ? I have had it with them. One of these days they are either going to cause a crash because someone has to go into the oncoming lane on a double yellow line to avoid them or they are going to get hit by a driver who is not paying attention as they come around a curve up over a hill. It is really bad. Roads are for vehicles not a bunch of bored housewives, Dr.'s and Lawyers who think they own the planet.

Rant complete.

 

[billwill]

A visit to the bourbon cabinet is a fun thing to do sometimes. Riding a bike is fun also, but before visiting the cabinet. Be safe out there.

 

[pawngal]

I know the feeling, the county here has miles and miles of hard surface bike paths, one of which goes past my house. But a certain percent seem think the busy street is better. I give them the fickle finger.

 

[llowry61]

A visit to the bourbon cabinet is a fun thing to do sometimes. Riding a bike is fun also, but before visiting the cabinet. Be safe out there.

I am not a bourbon drinker, but the frosty beer is tasting good right now after cutting the grass. Still using a push mower to get my exercise. A different kind of fun, but gets the heart pumping after a 1/3 of an acre with a hillside.

 

[DeathGrip]

There was a riding club down south of me. They took to having private support vehicles blocking lights at intersections. I'm sure they didn't have the authority to block off traffic.

Missing a long light was irritating for sure. I'd rather wait for a flock of turtles.

 

[rubiranch]

thump thump

 

[Onomea]

Shotgun has the responsibility to open the door and clip ‘em if riding abreast. (Single file is ignored. Zero points for clipping. Best avoid: Generally frowned upon in polite company.)

If three abreast and well clipped, taking out three at a go, double points accrue = 6. Two abreast gets ya three.

Various variations are possible, but most points by the time you get home wins.

Like that.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Hey!!!! Watch it, watch it...I ride a bicycle....A adult bicycle...one of those three wheel types...I guarantee you will not want to see me riding it wearing some of those SPANDEX britches...And I ride it on the paved road, cause to pedal it on anything other than a paved road I'd never be able to pedal it.

Now as far as having a toddy either before or after my ride...Sounds like what the Dr. would order, (instead of all this other medicine I have to take)

Can;t afford to get my blood pressure too high.. don't you know.


WuzzFuzz

 

[LVSteve]

There was a riding club down south of me. They took to having support vehicles blocking lights at intersections with private vehicles. I'm sure they didn't have the authority to block off traffic.

Missing a long light was irritating for sure. I'd rather wait for a flock of turtles.

Aah yes, the feeling that two wheeled groups (motorized and not) have rights over the rest of us. Yeah, "That's special!"

Had a former coworker complain that a riding buddy got creamed going over the hood of a car that "pulled out". He mentioned the cross streets, so I said, "Oh, isn't that a 4-way stop? Your buddy must really be able to accelerate to do that much damage from a standing start". I got the stink eye and the subject was changed. I saw the penny drop in the eyes of others who had been listening.

 

[hsguy]

Bicycles are the new toilet paper and there are a lot of inexperienced riders on the road. 'The new toilet paper:' Bikes fly off shelves, overwhelming shops - CNN

 

[hittman77]

Roads are for vehicles

Know your state laws.

In IL (and across the river in MO too I believe) bicycles are vehicles with the same rights - and obligations - as motorized vehicles.

The illogical and to me dangerous part of IL law is that the bicycles are required to ride WITH traffic; not against it. I'm a lifelong motorcyclist but think if I were into peddling a bike, I'd want to see whats coming at me.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I live not far from the OP's area. In 1986, about 5 miles north of the area the OP is talking about, a cyclist crossed a double line to pass a pack of about 60. He head-oned into a Vega. He totaled the Vega, the Vega totaled him. Life flight was there when I drove my tractor by. 3 Delaware County Sherriff's deputies were passing out court appearances to the entire pack! So they could explain to a judge why the had an illegale race on a public street. (Harlem Road) When I was still living in Columbus and remodeling my farm house, this pack of ingrates would park in my yard and do timed laps around the block (4 to 6 miles depending which block) the would drink from my garden hose, then just leave it running!

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

My problem is not that they block faster moving motorized vehicles. They have the same right to the road as anybody else in every state I'm aware of.

My problem is the arrogant little snots will preach about their road rights but totally ignore all the traffic laws they are supposed to obey like everybody else. For me that's mostly Stop signs, which they blow through.

 

[Farmer17]

It's amazing how lazy most Americans are, they get mad if someone on a bike delays them a few seconds on their trip to the convenience store to buy potato chips and soda pop. They probably get so mad because they're over weight and their lack of activity and poor diet has their blood pressure skyrocketing and if they just got off couch and jumped on a bike and got to doing a little cardio out in the fresh air they might be amazed at how much better and happier they felt.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Why doesn't everyone think the way I do? What a nice obnoxious and boring world that would be!

 

[wood714]

They put in a 10 foot wide bike/walking path next to the road behind my house. I highlighted it in yellow. Most people out riding for exercise or transportation use it. It's probably at least 20 miles long...it goes way down US1 also.

The spandex group with the goofy helmets, and riding shoes insist on riding on the road. Just a matter of time till someone runs over one, or hits another car head on avoiding one.

I was riding my bicycle around my subdivision for exercise in the winter. When it got hot, I peddle this one in the comfort of my air conditioned home. Actually pretty cool, I can talk on the phone, read or watch TV while getting some exercise.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Know your state laws.

In IL (and across the river in MO too I believe) bicycles are vehicles with the same rights - and obligations - as motorized vehicles.

The illogical and to me dangerous part of IL law is that the bicycles are required to ride WITH traffic; not against it. I'm a lifelong motorcyclist but think if I were into peddling a bike, I'd want to see whats coming at me.

Just because it’s the legal thing to do doesn’t make it the right thing to do.
It may be legal but a two ton vehicle can make a mark on a thirty lb bike. Safety common sense should dictate to go single file.

 

[steveno]

if you like bicycles you will like Amsterdam. I have never before or since seen so many bicycles in my life

 

[Rudi]

Stupid punks. They must have not seen anyone get run over yet, all act like they are trucks. Don't follow any laws, pay any taxes, just me me me! I just pray that I don't plank one.

 

[llowry61]

I live not far from the OP's area. In 1986, about 5 miles north of the area the OP is talking about, a cyclist crossed a double line to pass a pack of about 60. He head-oned into a Vega. He totaled the Vega, the Vega totaled him. Life flight was there when I drove my tractor by. 3 Delaware County Sherriff's deputies were passing out court appearances to the entire pack! So they could explain to a judge why the had an illegale race on a public street. (Harlem Road) When I was still living in Columbus and remodeling my farm house, this pack of ingrates would park in my yard and do timed laps around the block (4 to 6 miles depending which block) the would drink from my garden hose, then just leave it running!

Ivan

I was wondering if you would weigh in because of your proximity to me. I am talking about old 161 and Morse road east between NA and Alexandria. It is getting bad. I know exactly where you are in Harlem township. I played golf for many year at Royal American Links, but now play at New Albany links. I have done some goose hunting at the intersection of Miller Paul and Fancher road. Had some really good hunts there.

We should meet up for a beer sometime.

 

[Absalom]

The illogical and to me dangerous part of IL law is that the bicycles are required to ride WITH traffic; not against it. I'm a lifelong motorcyclist but think if I were into peddling a bike, I'd want to see whats coming at me.

Believe it or not, riding with traffic is how the whole world does it.

I’ve grown up in the saddle elsewhere. I’ve biked to school from 2nd grade through an MA.

As a kid I also survived being hit from behind going about 10mph by a car that was going about 30mph. The remaining speed differential of about 20mph still resulted in a spectacular flight backward over the car with a landing, fortunately not head-first, in the ditch, and moderate injuries. Had the collision occurred opposing, and thus adding our speeds to 40mph, I might not be here.

I’ve considered the American habit of riding opposing the traffic ill-advised and unsafe ever since I saw it the first time almost 40 years ago. Riding along a shoulder or a curb, seeing a car coming provides a bicyclist with no actionable information that would justify the added risk. The only exception might be if you’re so far out in the boonies that the appearance of a car as such would count as a surprise. But that’s not where the car-bike safety conflicts occur.

 

[llowry61]

It's amazing how lazy most Americans are, they get mad if someone on a bike delays them a few seconds on their trip to the convenience store to buy potato chips and soda pop. They probably get so mad because they're over weight and their lack of activity and poor diet has their blood pressure skyrocketing and if they just got off couch and jumped on a bike and got to doing a little cardio out in the fresh air they might be amazed at how much better and happier they felt.

I think there are 3 additional unrelated rant threads in this response.

1. How lazy americans are
2. How little they like to be inconvenienced by having to wait
3. How doing a little cardio might do the population some good

Personally, I have no issue with any of them, but I am concerned about bicyclists who have little or no respect for others on the road.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Bicyclists cry because they don’t get any respect. In these parts at least twice a year one of them gets run over. And most of the time it’s their fault. They think they are exempt from the rules of the road. We’re supposed to guess at what they’re going to do next.

Many roads have been narrowed to accommodate them. And there are many miles of bike paths available. I don’t get their mentality.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

During my 24 years as a cop I learned that bicyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as any other vehicle, and after a couple of dozen auto-bicycle collisions I can say that every single one was caused by the bicycle rider.

Over the past 10 years or so the City of Pueblo has developed miles and miles of designated bicycle lanes on the public streets, a process that always results in the loss of vehicle lanes. The only thing you will never see is a bicycle operated within the bicycle lanes! They will ride in the vehicle lanes, they will ride on the sidewalks, but none of them will ever ride in the bike lanes! I actually wrote a tongue-in-cheek letter to the editor of the local paper, purporting to have seen a bicycle being operated in one of the bike lanes. Only explanation I find plausible is that some local politico's daughter or son-in-law needed a job so they decided to create the new "bike lane czar" position.

We have a standing joke here in Pueblo:

Why should you never run over a bicycle in Pueblo?

Answer: It could be your bicycle.

 

[CH4]

Iam a motorist and avid cyclist. There are plenty of jackasses on both sides of this debate. Nevertheless, given the choice between riding on a busy road or nice MUT, I’ll take the MUT. Cyclists don’t like rude cyclists as much as motorist don’t like rude motorists.

p.s. similar and reoccurring discussion over on the bicycle forum where everyone is talking about rude motorists.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I live on a state hiway going over the Sierras. 8600 ft. at top. Our ex governor decieded to make a bike path the whole way. So during summer I see some bikers pedaling as fast as they can with saddle bags, sleeping bags, tents, etc. going up hill. Holding up traffic, red in the face & determinded looks on their faces. Guess I'm just an old guy venting.

 

[RobertJ.]

Shotgun has the responsibility to open the door and clip ‘em if riding abreast. (Single file is ignored. Zero points for clipping. Best avoid: Generally frowned upon in polite company.)

If three abreast and well clipped, taking out three at a go, double points accrue = 6. Two abreast gets ya three.

Various variations are possible, but most points by the time you get home wins.

Like that.

Ten points for nailing one with an empty beer bottle, but it must be a local micro-brew.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Ten points for nailing one with an empty beer bottle, but it must be a local micro-brew.

And that right there is why I long ago stopped riding bicycles in the USA. Even though I rode single file and as far right as possible, I was often targeted somehow if road riding during the daytime, often with thrown bottles or swerving cars.
Somehow, this type of aggression never happened to me while road riding in Europe.

 

[Kurusu]

You would blow a fuse in Portugal.

Bycicle riders have very protective laws. It is legal for them to travel side by side on the road. True that all the groups I found doing that, in low traffic roads, change to a single file when they notice traffic coming from behind so the cars can pass them.

The use of bycicles have been greatly encouraged by the Government.

I don't ride a bycicle since my teens. I live on the top of a hill.

 

[RobertJ.]

And that right there is why I long ago stopped riding bicycles in the USA.

Well, I certainly hope you know I was only having a little fun. I actually ride a bike myself. I was just adding to member Onomea's game. He lives in Portland, where bicyclists are out of control.