The Other Bikers…Piss Me Off

Saturday, January 20th, 2007 at 10:06 pm by angrybob

I witnessed something very interesting today.  We have a new road that just opened a couple months ago that is an excellent bypass between two parts of my city.  This is possible because its under massive expansion right now and the construction / infrastructure is not all continuous. 

Anyway, this new road is about two miles long with a 35mph speed limit with very limited side access.  Nonetheless, it saves a lot of time to get around and I use it often.  Oh yeah, from end to end its a double yellow, no passing zone with no sodewalks and square curbing on both sides.

I saw two bicyclists heading towards me in the opposing lane with a truck behind them.  I saw the truck pull out and easliy get around them as the bikes were probably going about 10-15 mph (its a guess).  Immediately after the truck gets around them and back into his lane, a nice red and blue rack of light were flashing at him.  The car behind the truck was a well-marked police SUV.  How the guy didn’t see the cop right behind him is unknown…and a little at fault.  A dumb risk to take no doubt if in fact the cop was seen.

I know the law, but c’mon.  Is the truck really supposed to go 10 friggin’ mph for two miles?  This is why I do not like bicyclists on the roads.  They were built for motorized vehicles.  Remember this saying?  SPEED DOESN’T KILL, VARIATION IN SPEED KILLS.  These guys on bicycles, no matter how tight their little riding pants are, cannot go fast enough not to disrupt traffic.  There should be certain roads (like this one) with limited options where bicycles are not allowed. 

My area of Arizona has all kinds of roads with dedicated, well-groomed bike paths.  Essentially hogging the and bringing traffic to an idle has to piss just more than me off.

I can only hope that the guy in the truck was a smooth talker and got out with a warning.  I can also hope that there is enough construction debris to cause a flat tire or two for that thin rubber…not wishing harm, but an inconvenience enough to have them re-route next time.

Heh - I may have to patrol the streets with my super-soaker.

7 Comments

Roads were not built specificaly for motorized vehicles. Also, don’t forget that EVERYBODY’S tax dollars go into building roads. Bicycle lanes on more roads would be a better answer. This article makes you sound very selfish and near sighted.

Comment by Really | January 21st, 2007 5:43 am | Permalink

You failed to mention if they were riding single file or abreast. This would have some effect on my opinion of the situation.
This is a regular debate on the TWO (Two Wheels Only) email list. The roads near this Motorcycle Resort in the North Georgia mountains are very popular with bicyclists also.
Personally, when I bicycle I try to use backroads with minimal traffic. We always ride single file in respect to motorized traffic, even though the law permits two abreast.

Comment by mcstanger | January 21st, 2007 9:27 am | Permalink

mcstanger - A couple things:

They were riding two abreast with a minimal shoulder. When the truck passed, he had to get in my lane almost 100%.

This was around noon or so. My wife rides a road bike and competes (for fun) in triatholons. They meet up on Sunday mornings at 6:30am for minimal traffic and plan their routes predominantly on areas that have bike paths.

I have been to and stayed at T.W.O. many, many times when I lived in Michigan. I think there is a big difference betwen the back roads / mountain roads (GA 180, GA 60) that you mention and the city streets that have a lot of traffic and are double yellow.

It was stupid for the truck to pass with a cop knowingly (hopefully) behind him. That said, I think I would have had some dort of road rage cruising around 10-15 mph captively for a couple miles.

Sure - more bike paths are the answer. If they are not installed with pre-existing roads, I would like to see a minimum speed posted right below the Speed Limit. That too would mediate the variation in speed.

Comment by angrybob | January 21st, 2007 1:57 pm | Permalink

Roads are predominantly funded through fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, and more recently home builders. By this strategy, bicycles do not fund the roads.

Regardless, I think fair is fair. If bicycles want to use the roads, then they should follow the traffic ordinances. This includes no lane splitting when traffic is stopped at a traffic light. This includes no lane sharing (riding abreast) in a single lane. This also includes stopping at red lights and stop signs.

Its a two way street. I think bike paths everywhere would be ideal. But since most roads are already here and without them, I think a minimum speed limit on areas with mostly double yellow or restrcted access would be the best solution.

I’m pissed because I have sympathy for the guy who got busted passing the bicycles. Its no different than having someone going 55mph in thr fast lane when the speed limit is 75mph (like here in AZ) and other lanes are not available. It might be legal, but its dangerous, inconsiderate, and for the most part not necessary.

Comment by angrybob | January 21st, 2007 2:07 pm | Permalink

[…] Original post by angrybob […]

Comment by The Other Bikers…Piss Me Off at motociclisti.ro - Motorcycle News | February 2nd, 2007 12:57 am | Permalink

Even if the bikes were in a single file the truck driver would probably have broken the law. You can’t pass a vehicle in a single traffic lane unless lane splitting is allowed.

In most states bicycles have as much right of way as any other vehicles. Right or wrong, that’s the law. And bicyclists can (and SHOULD) be ticketed for breaking the law, just like any other vehicle.

My suggestion would be to contact the local traffic authority and recommend that the stretch of road be signed “No pedestrians or bicycles” or something to that effect. Bicycles aren’t allowed on interstates, and this stretch sounds like another place they shouldn’t be.

Comment by Andy Gallien | February 13th, 2007 2:34 pm | Permalink

Roads were NOT made for vehicles, there were roads WAY before a car was even concieved of. Bikes are just as justified to be on the roads as cars. As for fuel and registration fees paying for most of the road, that is probably true but how much damage does a bike do to it?

In Georgia bicyclists are allowed to ride two abreast, much like motorcycles. But you, and they are not allowed to share lanes with other vehicles.

As for a minimum speed. That would be basically impossible because if there is a SINGLE turn off it would not be useable.

Granted the cyclists should have moved out of the way, but they might not have had the time to get out of the way.

And sometimes you have to ride on well traveled roads, to get to where you are going. Or to get to less traveled roads. I used to commute by bicycle and I HAD to go on some large roads. And if this road is convient for you, it probably is for them also.

Comment by Anonymous | March 1st, 2007 2:29 pm | Permalink

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