Driving behind cyclists...

[Perplexed]

First, let me make it clear I do NOT begrudge cyclists - those on bicycles - their right to use the same roads on which I drive. Well, besides those roads restricted to motor vehicles such as the freeways. Also, I ride a bicycle for exercise (but I'm nowhere near the league of those who ride hundreds of miles in a weekend) though I stick to the bike trails and lanes. That having been said...

The ongoing thread about cycling out to western OK had me thinking about when my dad lived off Highway 97 north of Sand Springs. A number of times while driving out to visit him, I've gotten stuck behind scores of cyclists pedaling up the hills from town. Anyone who's driven out that way knows that beyond the golf course, there are few opportunities to pass someone safely. So I sit behind the cyclists - some of whom ride abreast - and putter along slowly, waiting for either a rare chance to pass them or for them to turn off the highway onto another road. I've seen as many as a dozen vehicles gather behind the cyclists, awaiting the same developments.

It makes me wonder - sure, cyclists can use any public road they want where they're not prohibited by law... but does that mean they should? While organizing rides, do the cyclists consider the effects they have on following traffic? Is any effort made to select routes with wide shoulders, such as I did with Highway 51 west of Stillwater when I lived there? I'm sure cyclists do try to be considerate, but driving for miles at 15 mph behind a bunch of them on Highway 97 does leave me wondering.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

 

[_CY_]

former high mileage cyclist here ... have logged in tens of thousands of miles on public roads.

believe me those that value their lives chose roads to ride on that doesn't include scenarios like described above.

most dangerous thing about cycling is danger of getting struck by a car or truck. it aggravates me to no end to see cyclist ride main roads, when a parallel side street with no traffic and next to zero danger of getting killed is available.

sure the cyclist may have the right of way.... but who cares when you are dead!

however... there are times when NO safe roads are available, when getting from point A to B. When I rode from Colo Springs to Tulsa... we had no choice but to ride through roads that was available. shoulder or no shoulder on side of road with semi's blasting by at 70+ mph. not fun...

anytime cars are backing up with no safe way to past..... DANGER!!
I'll abort and hop off the road ... but that's me ... others don't realize the danger they are in. something simple as a mirror sticking out can kill.

 

[Larry Morgan]

I would be worried if I was a cyclist. Not all people are as even tempered as the OP on subjects like this. If you see a line of cars backed up behind you, chances are one of them is fuming mad with road rage about it. That just exponentially increases the odds of them doing something reckless. (That's one of those words where I don't understand the origin. To me, it sounds like a GOOD thing to be. The root word anf modifier makes it sound like it mean to be without a wreck. Oh well...)

Edit: Nevermind, I had to look it up. "Reck" means to have concern, care, or regard for. Interesting how that "W" makes all the difference. Yay English!

 

[Boehlertaught]

Welcome to the never ending issue... I've been riding since 1983; oddly still somewhat able to maintain a good pace for long distance rides. Well, that's my story anyway. Regardless of the legal issues of who can ride/drive where...and how. IMO, the courtesy and safety issues need to be mixed sometimes. For cyclist there are at least two general groups; i.e. the I have the right to be here and it's MY lane of traffic when I'm on it so I'll ride like I want too. And the, I know I have the right to be here and I know I can't keep up with the normal traffic flow so I'll be courteous and ride as close to the roads edge as possible.
For the cars, there seems to be the I'll share the road and be patient folks and the screw those annoying bicycle folks.
Getting serious though, I've meet many hundreds of cyclist in 27 years of riding and most of them are mindless & brainless when it comes to getting out of the way. Riding single file when a vehicle approaches from the rear simply does not enter their minds. The person riding in the back of the pack is supposed to keep an eye out for cars and yell "car back" when a car approaches. If the pace line is longer than 2-4 riders the "car back" signal is to be repeated up the pace line to the front. SERIOUSLY!! Simply do this and get to the side of the road...single file. I don't care if the law says you can ride two-up. Whew! Glad I got that out. I would say that any rider on an open two-lane rode is used to cars passing close by. So, if the pace line is single file you can pass on a narrow road like Hwy 97 north of Sand Sprigs...road that road many times.
Now for the cars...don't be a jerk and ride as close to the roads edge even when oncomming traffic is not present. You folks know what I mean. I have heard folks that boast about this. Why would anyone risk putting someone in danger?
Certainly, ride on the trails when you can but of course you can't do this when riding county two-lane roads.
Have fun and be safe

 

[SGTLT]

nothing happens in this state if a moterest hits and kills a cyclist, so why should they care if they hit somebody?

 

[6shooter]

I wish they would put in bike lanes, sure would help on both sides. Other states do it and cars are not permited except to make a turn.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[MaddSkillz]

I ride as close to the right as possible when I'm alone... Some would argue that this is more dangerous as passing vehicles pass at a higher rate of speed thus any miscalculation in distance from the rider or from any oncoming traffic are multiplied... But I do what I think is best.

When I'm riding with my team or a big group, we always do the best we can to give cars enough room to pass us safely. Whether that means we need to go single-file or simply get shoulder to shoulder (this typically depends on the size of the road), we do what we feel is necessary.

When we're in a vehicle or on the saddle it's best to always remember that the road is to be shared by all of us. A little common courtesy goes a long way on both sides. It's not about arriving to your destination as quickly as possible, but as safely as possible. Both for yourself and everyone else out there.

 

[bettingpython]

Cyclists and Motorists in the Tulsa area have a huge chip on their shoulder when it comes each other more than I have ever seen or heard of in any other place.

 

[Clean Harry]

What I don't like is some cyclists who don't ride to the right of the raod, but right down the center lane. I passes one the other day who had on a chartruse colored vest with "3 Feet Please" on the back. There was a break-down lane but no - he had to ride right down the center of the driving lane.

 

[SGTLT]

maby because he has every right to that lane just like you.