Advocacy & Safety - Why are YOU comfortable cycling in traffic?

Whether you call yourself an effective cyclist, a vehicular cyclist, an integrated cyclist, or just Joejack, Galen, Al, Stephen, Bruce, Marcus or Chephy, etc., you know who you are. You are comfortable riding in traffic. You look at Al's clips on youtube, and don't see any "environment" problems that need to be addressed (except maybe removing the bike lanes). To you, it looks like a great commute.

You have the skills, knowledge, attitude and intelligence to be able to ride a bike comfortably and safely in just about any traffic conditions over a reasonable distance. You do fine controlling lanes when you need to, sharing lanes when it's safe and reasonable, positioning yourself to be conspicuous and predictable at intersections and their approaches, etc. etc. You don't have a need or a particularly strong desire for segregated or separated bicycling facilities, except perhaps in a few special circumstances (like for a shortcut, or to avoid riding on a freeway shoulder, or to facilitate "family cycling" in a park). In fact, in many situations you oppose such facilities, because you know how they can interfere with your ability to ride vehiculary/integrated in traffic, or at least make your approach less understood by drivers, and less likely to be adopted by other cyclists.

Why? Why are you like this, and so many other cyclists are not? Why are YOU comfortable cycling in traffic? Why are you able to recognize that facilities often create more problems for cyclists than they solve, while others seem to be blind to this?

Is it skills? What skills do you have that others do not? Is it knowledge? What knowledge do you have that others do not? Is it attitude? Why is your attitude any different? Is it intelligence? Can you just think more clearly and objectively than others? Or is it something else? If so, what is it that makes YOU comfortable cycling in traffic that so many others either refuse to do, or seek to avoid as much as possible?

I'll check back in a few days to see how everyone responds.

Hey, I'm Bruce........ how did you know I was comfortable in traffic???? :p



Must be that big brother spying on me again!!!

I think just like driving a car takes time and practice to get comfortable with so does riding in traffic. A white line should not give you a false sense of security, its only a line. I think my comfort is traffic comes from a number of things common sense, aggressiveness, thinking about where I can put myself to best be seen and yet stay out of the way.

I am not comfortable in traffic.

I try to give myself enough time that I am not rushed and have to take risks.
I have many more near misses on unfamiliar rides so I try to be more careful.
I try to wear visible cloths.
I read 'effective cycling' but think it is dated in a world where drivers use cell phones.

Why? Why are you like this, and so many other cyclists are not?
I devoted some time studying cycling, and just decided not to take risks anymore. It may be that as I got older I realized my reaction time and effectiveness are declining.

I'm never 'comfortable' in traffic. Am I a broken-down, paranoid, weeping mess? Not usually. I ride as predictably as I can, take the lane when needed, use signals, etc. And I try to stay as alert as possible.

:roflmao:

I came to bicycling from a large-displacement motorcycle background. Thousands of miles on two wheels taught me where to ride in the lane, how to anticipate conflicts and how to avoid them.

Motorcycles are just bikes with motors that have a higher top speed. Descending a winding road at 40 MPH on a motorcycle or a bicycle presents the same challenge. Obviously motorcycles can maintain the same speed as cars but other than that, the things you need to know as far as being seen and acknowledged and intersection positioning are identical. You just can't afford to get whacked by a car on either vehicle, in fact I would say motorcycles are more danger than bicycles expressly due to their ability to travel faster which invokes shorter reaction times to execute an emergency maneuver and will make any collision that much more serious.

I just don't understand some of the fear of motorists I see displayed here. The driver that wishes to intimidate or becomes frustrated behind you is not going to hit you as proven by noisebeam's 'honk' video. It's all bark and no bite. Somebody blows their horn at you, just wave and keep on going.

And if you think my only riding environment is fast club training or solo rides out in the country, your wrong. I go shopping on my ancient mountain-bike now set up with panniers wearing street cloths and no helmet. On the way back from the store I must climb a steep hill in the granny cog if I am heavily laden so my speed is about 4 MPH. Nobody bothers me. They just go around. I even ride through a traffic circle that for some reason people have a problem with even in cars. I love traffic circles! You just blend right in and keep going.

Cuz I was riding a bike in traffic since before puberty and both driving cars and riding motorcycles soon afterward? I'm with Galen when he says he doesn't understand the fear - the vast majority of people are all bark and no bite...and those that do bite will bite you if you are on a bike, on foot, in another car or anywhere within their reach. You can't go through life being worried about things with odds similar to winning the super lotto. When your number is up, your number is up...don't matter if you are on a bike in traffic or on a path, wearing a helmet or not, in a car, in your house, in a bunker secured by duct tape and plastic.

You can't go through life being worried about things with odds similar to winning the super lotto.
:beer:

That may be the biggest difference - people who worry and hang-wring about highly unlikely odds, and those of us who do what we can about what we can control, and don't worry about the unlikely rest of it.

You can't go through life being worried about things with odds similar to winning the super lotto.
Yeah, but winning the super lotto and getting hit by a car feel a bit different. ;)

I'm invincible. Once I reached the point where I couldn't count the number of times a car hit me on both hands, I gave up being scared of getting hurt.

Hey, I'm Bruce........ how did you know I was comfortable in traffic???? :p



Must be that big brother spying on me again!!!
Nah. Helmet Head knows all. And he knows the right answer to his rhetorical questions too. So make sure to give it unless you want to debate with the Wind(bag)mill

Yeah, but winning the super lotto and getting hit by a car feel a bit different. ;)

True dat. ;)

I just don't understand some of the fear of motorists I see displayed here. The driver that wishes to intimidate or becomes frustrated behind you is not going to hit you as proven by noisebeam's 'honk' video. It's all bark and no bite. Why are people afraid of saying the wrong thing in public? Of being ridiculed? Of being shouted at? Of giving public presentations? Sometimes even of talking to strangers! Certainly they're not going to get killed, and yet they're afraid. They are uncomfortable in a conflict of any kind, or even in a situation which could potentially lead to conflict, or even just to their disapproval by others. And it's not just teenagers who suffer from this sort of thing... to some extent almost everyone does.

I think that in case of those familiar with stats on cycling danger, the fear of traffic is often that, greatly amplified by the actual risk of getting killed/injured by cars or outraged drivers (which is small in most cases, but infinitely bigger than the zero risk of getting killed because you forgot the text of your public presentation). (Of course to those who are no familiar with the subject, the actual risk may appear insanely large as well.)

Cuz I was riding a bike in traffic since before puberty and both driving cars and riding motorcycles soon afterward? I'm with Galen when he says he doesn't understand the fear - the vast majority of people are all bark and no bite...and those that do bite will bite you if you are on a bike, on foot, in another car or anywhere within their reach. You can't go through life being worried about things with odds similar to winning the super lotto. When your number is up, your number is up...don't matter if you are on a bike in traffic or on a path, wearing a helmet or not, in a car, in your house, in a bunker secured by duct tape and plastic.


With chip on this one. I have been riding in traffic since I was 10 and am just comfortable doing it. As a teenager I did the invincible teenager thing - drafted off of dumptrucks up to 70+ kmph, flew past rows of stopped cars etc etc so compared to THAT, normal everyday riding in traffic is tame, even if there are more cars there now.

The main thing that makes me comfortable besides experience is just being relaxed and alert. Occasionally, you get a scare, but tell me, do you not get them driving too? I find being relaxed and paying attention do the trick for me:)

the vast majority of people are all bark and no bite...and those that do bite will bite you if you are on a bike, on foot, in another car or anywhere within their reach.

Not true, almost. It is subjective to the area in which you live & ride.

For example, in Des Moines I would say the vast minority is all bark & no bite, but in sioux City it is the opposite. I have encoutered plenty of drivers in Des Moines who will, if given the chance, run your ass off the road while you're riding. But you get behind the wheel of a car & you're one of them. In Sioux City the vast majority are all bark & no bite. In the little town my dad & step mom live in, just south east of Des Moines, the people are neither bark or bite in the least.

The way you make it sound it is no matter where a cyclist lives & rides.

I guess I am because of experience, I'm used to it regardless of where I ride. Been doing it since I was 15. I ride the same, as a VC, on all roadways, no matter the amount of traffic.

I am comfortable in traffic because I have done it enough to realize I benefit greatly from the excersize, I am merely doing something that others are doing, just in a different way, and I have decided it is a battle I want to fight. At first I was a bit of a sheepish rider but with practice I have grown more VC as some may put it, not that I am the icon of VC by any means as I do not mind a good bike lane if available.

I am comfortable with the exception of extremely busy urban boulevards, where the lane is narrow with no shoulder wide enough for both a car and bike. That, situation, I do all I can to avoid.

I'm comfortable because:
1. I know what I should be doing in pretty much every set of traffic/road circumstances I find myself in
2. I've learnt enough about other road users' behaviour to be able to forecast, in the vast majority of conditions, what they are going to do next
3. I keep a very sharp eye out for the exceptions
4. I co-operate with other road users and make myintentions clear
5. I don't believe I know everything in every possible combination of circumstances (see 3 above) and I know that I am, after all, mortal
6. mmphteen years experience shows me that the very great majority of other road users will co-operate
with me, especially in the light of (4)
7. I find it fun pretty much every ride
8. I avoid going out in the 70-100mph gales we've been having today in the UK

I'm comfortable but always alert to traffic. I try to be predictable as possible, including taking the whole lane when needed, like at intersections. I avoid blindspots as much as possible, I want to be seen. And obeying all traffic laws. I found using my ears is almost as valuable as using my eyes.

And I never assume what a car will do. I assume what it CAN do.

I do it for a living, being afraid isnt even a consideration, I have more important things to deal with usually.

Pedestrians are more problematic than cars, at least cars are relatively predictable and not very maneuverable compared to a bike, peds on the other hand do all sorts of stupid sheot without even looking.

As far as skills, im sure someone with lots of experience riding will be more comfortable riding than a newbie. Some people cant chew gum and walk at the same time, so they cant ride for crap either, I can see traffic being a problem for people like that. Some of it probably just guts and hutzpah, some people lack those traits as well.

I never had a problem riding in Northern California in traffic, moderate or heavy. There are some areas around Greenville NC that I might think twice about before riding.

What keeps off the main roads around there is that the PD stopped two cyclists on one of those streets and told them they couldn't ride it. If I can't count on the police to do the right thing, or know that bikes have the right to ride the street, it isn't a place I want to ride.

The way you make it sound it is no matter where a cyclist lives & rides.

Cuz it is. I'm a bit, uh, well-travelled. Everywhere I've been, including a few war zones, the vast majority of people would rather not hurt or kill someone if they can avoid it. Of course that can change in a heartbeat if someone ticks them off through actions or attitude.

Has anyone ever noticed that some people just seem to bring out the worst in others, like they have an aura or something that says 'screw with me, please'?

There are some areas around Greenville NC that I might think twice about before riding.


Newark and some other parts of Joisey have always given me the willies. I don't even like driving there.

Newark and some other parts of Joisey have always given me the willies. I don't even like driving there.

I don't like driving in Greenville.

I shudder just thinking about Raleigh, riding or driving. Raleigh has to have one of the worse designed road systems in the US.

Why are YOU comfortable cycling in traffic? Why are you able to recognize that facilities often create more problems for cyclists than they solve, while others seem to be blind to this?[/i]

As most other vehicular cyclists have said, I'm comfortable because I studied the issues and learned how to ride vehicularly, I've been doing it for a long time, and it's usually not a problem.

Watching clueless motorists routinely right hooking clueless cyclists in bike lanes makes it perfectly clear that facilities can cause more problems than they solve. That said, it is perfectly possible to engineer a bike lane I feel comfortable using, but most of them don't come close and good bike lanes seem pretty much like WOLs with paint, to me.

I also think it's important to recognize that where we ride *does* make a difference. Those of us who ride where we have most of the rights of other road users, where the police mostly know that and are unlikely to hassle cyclists, where motorists are used to seeing in us in the traffic lanes and sharing them with us, clearly have a distinct advantage over our fellow bicyclists trying to ride in, umm... less enlightened locales.

I am comfortable cycling in light or slow moving traffic.(25-35 mph) I will not get out on the 4-6 lane arterials where traffic is moving at 45-55 + MPH. it just seems too dangerous to me. there is a lot of comfort in being surrounded by a metal box (car/truck) when you are in traffic. it makes you seem more safe. and in some ways you are. if a car hits another car, both parties can walk away. if a car hits a bicycle, very likely the cyclist will not walk away. I think it may be a situation where some people have a higher threshold of acceptance for cycling in heavy and fast traffic than others. I will tell you that when I DID try cycling the 4-6 lane arterial that I normally drive on, it was not pleasant for me. I felt "naked" out there. like I shouldn't be there on my little ol' bike with all the cars whizzing by. I felt stupid, and too slow.... so now I go with my quiet route of neighborhood streets and I love it. there is traffic, but damn little of it. and that suits me just fine.

I think just like driving a car takes time and practice to get comfortable with so does riding in traffic. A white line should not give you a false sense of security, its only a line. I think my comfort is traffic comes from a number of things common sense, aggressiveness, thinking about where I can put myself to best be seen and yet stay out of the way.

Could part of your comfort also come from living in Oregon where even at the state level they actively support cycling? Could the inclusion of such little things like Hiway 101 having a nice 4+ foot bike lane down it's entire length mean anything? How about the really cool signals for tunnels that allow you to stop auto traffic while you go through... Could any of these things be contributing to "comfort?"

:beer:

That may be the biggest difference - people who worry and hang-wring about highly unlikely odds, and those of us who do what we can about what we can control, and don't worry about the unlikely rest of it.

What if you have already won the lottery, twice?

Cuz it is. I'm a bit, uh, well-travelled. Everywhere I've been, including a few war zones, the vast majority of people would rather not hurt or kill someone if they can avoid it. Of course that can change in a heartbeat if someone ticks them off through actions or attitude.

Has anyone ever noticed that some people just seem to bring out the worst in others, like they have an aura or something that says 'screw with me, please'?

we oughta dig up some video of what its like in countries that have very large populous cities with NO traffic rules or signals, people get around just fine, and tend to have less accidents from what ive read

somebody on the roadie or SS/FG forum posted a video of somewhere in vietnam I think, it was like that, ride at your own risk and no rules, people did just fine and ALL sorts of vehicles on the road tightly together, horses pulling carts, bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, trucks, cars, all of it

What if you have already won the lottery, twice?

Then you're my new best friend. :D

OK one commonality that is coming out of this thread is that the majority of folks that are comfortable in traffic, have been riding "forever."

That's all well and good... I have been riding since I was 10 also. Plenty comfortable.

Now on to play devils' advocate here and pose the question. What about those utility cyclists that no doubt are not writing to BF, have never heard of "cycling advocacy," and probably don't own a helmet... Like the 5 or 6 I saw today (to the 2 "experienced" cyclists I saw)... what do they think? We are not going to see any responses from them here, so already this little Q&A is biased toward folks that have very specific interests in cycling. But it doesn't even touch the majority of cyclists out there... the regular utility cyclists.

What do those sidewalk and timid curb huggers think about the OP's question?

Then you're my new best friend. :D
:beer: :beer: :beer:

What do those sidewalk and timid curb huggers think about the OP's question?

I don't know what they think, or even if they think about these things at all. However, the OP's question was directed at those of us who cycle comfortably in traffic, not for those other folks.

Nothing risked is nothing gained or how that statement goes a person is going to die anyway why try to preserve ones self for that moment when one can be out having fun

OK one commonality that is coming out of this thread is that the majority of folks that are comfortable in traffic, have been riding "forever."

That's all well and good... I have been riding since I was 10 also. Plenty comfortable.

Now on to play devils' advocate here and pose the question. What about those utility cyclists that no doubt are not writing to BF, have never heard of "cycling advocacy," and probably don't own a helmet... Like the 5 or 6 I saw today (to the 2 "experienced" cyclists I saw)... what do they think? We are not going to see any responses from them here, so already this little Q&A is biased toward folks that have very specific interests in cycling. But it doesn't even touch the majority of cyclists out there... the regular utility cyclists.

What do those sidewalk and timid curb huggers think about the OP's question?

Well if they are sidewalk riders and curb huggers, it 'might' be a safe bet to assume they are not comfy riding on the roadway in traffic. I don't see the helmet as an issue, I don't wear a helmet, nor the 'advocacy' thing, because until I found BF I was pretty ignorant of anything outside of my various local environments. ;)

We of course agree that these folks ARE the vast majority of cyclists, especially if you include the recreational MUP riders who avoid the street like the plague. I think most of us also knew a long time ago that any polls here in BF are obviously not a good representation of the general cycling population. ;)

OK one commonality that is coming out of this thread is that the majority of folks that are comfortable in traffic, have been riding "forever."

That's all well and good... I have been riding since I was 10 also. Plenty comfortable.

Now on to play devils' advocate here and pose the question. What about those utility cyclists that no doubt are not writing to BF, have never heard of "cycling advocacy," and probably don't own a helmet... Like the 5 or 6 I saw today (to the 2 "experienced" cyclists I saw)... what do they think? We are not going to see any responses from them here, so already this little Q&A is biased toward folks that have very specific interests in cycling. But it doesn't even touch the majority of cyclists out there... the regular utility cyclists.

What do those sidewalk and timid curb huggers think about the OP's question?

Hard to say really. Most of the riders of the kind you are describing - if I take your meaning rightly - seem to do just fine tootling along in traffic, taking what space they need and generally getting along fine.

Correct me if I am wrong, but you don't refer to "mom and pop" after supper riders as utility, correct? I have noticed that people who ride casually and rarely seem much more nervous about traffic. **many of these people do not seem to be using the bike as regular transport - but that is hard to tell accurately** (edit)

In casual observation, I have noticed that experience seems to be the determining factor for any cyclist - be they the after supper riders, utility cyclists who ride all the time and not drive, or the "racer" crowd.

As an aside:

It depends on where you live whether or not the majority of cyclists are "regular utility cyclists." In some places, I am sure they are, in others? no.

Around here, you get a mix.

I have seen the regular utility cyclist (whatever that means - I assume it refers to people who ride for transport vs drive for transport) ride everything from 4000 dollar race bikes to department store bikes and everything in between to commute on (I have used both my siggy bikes to run into town for work - 25 to 30 km each way). I assume they are commuting since most sport riders don't go on rides loaded with bags or knapsacks. Some days, the utility cyclist (defined by supposed action, not gear) is the majority of what I see, but not always.

Other days, the vast overwhelming majority of what you see bike wise are sport / race riders kitted out in full race gear riding expensive race bikes. I am talking about 37 out of 42 bikes I saw on the way home (a high number of bikes that day, but not proportionally out of whack) from work one day.

You are right though, the question is biased. However, that is ok. It is not being asked of the public at large, but is being asked of the very very few people who read bf and belong to the mildly insane little subculture known as the ass forum...

I'm comfortable but always alert to traffic. I try to be predictable as possible, including taking the whole lane when needed, like at intersections. I avoid blindspots as much as possible, I want to be seen. And obeying all traffic laws. I found using my ears is almost as valuable as using my eyes.

And I never assume what a car will do. I assume what it CAN do.

+1

I'm lucky that I don't ride in traffic all that much, but when I do, I find it--call me crazy--invigorating.

OK one commonality that is coming out of this thread is that the majority of folks that are comfortable in traffic, have been riding "forever."

While I've rode a bike at times between the ages of 9 (when I first learned to ride, late bloomer :)) until now at age 28, I would only say that I've cycled vehicularly for about 1.5 years (of the 3 years I've been riding regularly since rediscovering cycling). I've had various periods of riding before then but had more of a stay out of the way as much as possible style. The first was near the end of grade school when I got my first geared bike and could finally tackle all of the hills in the area. That lasted until after my freshman year of high school, nicely coinciding with getting a license to drive. After that, I had a period during college when I commuted off and on (steadily for 6 months at one point) and rode some for fitness as well. Much of that experience did little to make me comfortable in traffic as I generally either stayed out of the way or avoided roads where I'd be in the way.

Having said all that, the reasons why I am comfortable cycling in traffic are a combination of knowing my rights as a vehicle and having experience cycling in various levels of traffic in different areas. No specific road or town has proven to be any significant amount better or worse for cycling (traffic levels of some roads can sometimes make a difference but it seems to all even out). Knowing this and knowing that riding in a way that mimics the style other drivers expect to see of a vehicle (not necessarily a cyclist) yet takes advantage of the size and manueveraility of my bike, I'm confident to take on any road as doing the previously mentioned actions has allowed me to cycle on roads that I never dreamed possible before with ease.

As was mentioned earlier too, I am not afraid of the common conflicts that result from using the public roadways. The conflicts that I experience are the same as the conflicts I've experienced while driving, the only difference being that it's easier to control the situation on a bike (probably because it's so much more personal). I find the interaction with others enjoyable for the most part as well.

However, the OP's question was directed at those of us who cycle comfortably in traffic, not for those other folks.
Not exactly. The "question" was worded to get the "appropriate" response and directed at the people who are likely to provide it; those who agree with the OP's premise about the relationship of some vaguely defined special cycling technique and their "comfort in traffic." Responses to HH's questions are also filtered by previous polls and "questions." The track record has shown many BFers that providing the "wrong" response to an HH "question" will subject them to the browbeating "Wall of Words" from the OP.

As was mentioned earlier too, I am not afraid of the common conflicts that result from using the public roadways. The conflicts that I experience are the same as the conflicts I've experienced while driving, the only difference being that it's easier to control the situation on a bike (probably because it's so much more personal). I find the interaction with others enjoyable for the most part as well.

I think the fact that we know we can get splatted like a bug in any confrontation with a 2000lb+ MV helps our attitude when dealing with those conflicts too. ;)

I'm comfortable, because even the biggest ******* in the biggest Tahoe is still too chicken **** to go all the way to murder. Most people aren't willing to go all the way, so they can pass close all they want, because I'm still riding and they aren't gonna do **** about it.

Well if they are sidewalk riders and curb huggers, it 'might' be a safe bet to assume they are not comfy riding on the roadway in traffic. I don't see the helmet as an issue, I don't wear a helmet, nor the 'advocacy' thing, because until I found BF I was pretty ignorant of anything outside of my various local environments. ;)

We of course agree that these folks ARE the vast majority of cyclists, especially if you include the recreational MUP riders who avoid the street like the plague. I think most of us also knew a long time ago that any polls here in BF are obviously not a good representation of the general cycling population. ;)

Actually the helment is not an "issue" but was chosen simply because I rarely see helmets on the sidewalk and curbhugging students and others that are regularly "commuting" from A to B. I usually see helmets on high milage cyclists. Chip, your choice is yours.

I'm comfortable, because even the biggest ******* in the biggest Tahoe is still too chicken **** to go all the way to murder. Most people aren't willing to go all the way, so they can pass close all they want, because I'm still riding and they aren't gonna do **** about it.

Funny that you and some others assume that the biggest ******* is the biggest problem.

How about just regular everyday drivers distracted by cellphones?

The "*******" are the ones most likely to honk... meaning "they saw you."

... the OP's question was directed at those of us who cycle comfortably in traffic, not for those other folks.

actually the OP's question was directed at those who are comfortable in traffic but who also-



don't have a need or a particularly strong desire for segregated or separated bicycling facilities, except perhaps in a few special circumstances (like for a shortcut, or to avoid riding on a freeway shoulder, or to facilitate "family cycling" in a park). In fact, in many situations you oppose such facilities, because you know how they can interfere with your ability to ride vehiculary/integrated in traffic...

for those of us who are comfortable cycling in traffic but also support well designed cycling facilities, some of which are separated or segregated, the OP was not interested in our opinion as to why we support such facilities nor why we are comfortable cycling in traffic. And I would venture a guess that there are quite a few of us out there.

for those of us who are comfortable cycling in traffic but also support well designed cycling facilities, some of which are separated or segregated, the OP was not interested in our opinion as to why we support such facilities nor why we are comfortable cycling in traffic. And I would venture a guess that there are quite a few of us out there.

Well, not all questions/threads/discussions can address cyclists of every kind and stripe, seek every conceivable opinion, etc.

I believe that you are correct that the OP did not ask for responses from facilities-seeking cyclists. Why is that a problem? Couldn't you (should you be interested) just start a thread, construct the question *you* want to ask and address it to the respondents *you* want to engage?

for those of us who are comfortable cycling in traffic but also support well designed cycling facilities, some of which are separated or segregated, the OP was not interested in our opinion as to why we support such facilities nor why we are comfortable cycling in traffic. And I would venture a guess that there are quite a few of us out there.

You can count me as of those.

As a kid we didn't have sidewalks.
I want people to see me.
I don't trust other people with my life.
Fear keeps me alert.
How many times can you say well if was ridding over there I would have been hit?

I believe that you are correct that the OP did not ask for responses from facilities-seeking cyclists. Why is that a problem?


I merely stated a clarification of the OP's post. I made no value judgement on it and did not necessarily see it as a "problem". I was making the clarification because the implication would otherwise be that all cyclists who are comfortable cycling in traffic oppose cycling facilities and that statement is patently untrue.