Let me start by introducing myself. I live in a rural area outside of a fair-sized city (Cincinnati, OH) where there are miles and miles of two-lane blacktop roads with narrow to non-existant shoulders. Of course I've been driving a car for 40 or so years. For the last several years I've taken up walking (mostly on these same roads) for exercise, and recently, since I've pretty well reached the "benefit-limit" of how far and how fast I can walk in the time I have available, I've taken up bicycling.
I think this "curriculum vitae" lets me speak with some authority on this "bicycle advocacy" issue from all sides. Here are my views.
First, from the bicyclists' point of view, I understand and fully support the concept that a bicycle is a legal vehicle and has as much legal rights on the road as any motorized vehicle.
As a walker, I have been nearly run down by bicycles approaching quickly and silently from behind. Let me tell you, it gives you quite a start!
As a car driver, I see major problems with the way some bicyclists conduct themselves. Let me explain. Out here where I live, there are quite a few "slow moving" vehicles - farm trucks, tractors pulling implements or trailers, ATV's riding from one part of the farm to another, people riding horses, etc. In absolutely every case, the drivers of these slow moving vehicles, when they detect a car behind them waiting for an opportunity to pass, will do what they can to assist the driver in his passing. They slow down and move to the right, pull off the road, or where that's not possible, will look ahead and when the oncoming lane is clear will wave the car by. On the other hand, as a car driver, I try to give due consideration to these other road users by slowing down as I pass, giving them plenty of clearance, and in the case of horses slowing to a "creep speed" so that I don't startle the horse and cause him to throw the rider.
Bicyclists, on the other hand, often display some highly "anti-social" behavior. First, they often ride in large groups, and their group gets spread out over a long stretch of road. Bicyclists almost never "give way" as do other operators of slow-moving vehicles.
Consider that the driver of car likely is going somewhere, as opposed to most bicyclists who are out there for reasons of exercise or recreation (commuters excepted, of course) - he's going to a doctor's appointment, or a job interview, or to work, or to the airport ot catch a flight, or pick his kid up from ball practice or some school activity, whatever. He knows that it's going to take him a certain amount of time to make the trip, and he plans to leave in adequate time to make it on time. Then low and behold he coms up on a gaggle of bike riders going 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, on a two lane blacktop road, and the bicyclists are occupying the lane for as far ahead that the driver can see. No way he can safely pass, and the bicyclists won't stop or move over to let him safely pass.
I see lots of posts on this forum where bicyclists complain about "road rage" and talk about bicyclists' rights. I don't see many threads about other road users' rights.
Look, I was nearly run over by some guy in a Dodge pickup on Sunday when he passed me with about two inches clearance between my left handlebar end and the side of his truck, and there was a whole clear oncoming lane for him to use when he passed. I'm really on the bicyclists' side in this argument. But just like the roads go two ways, so do the rights of road users.
My suggestion is that a little courtesy will probably be returned in kind.
When riding in a group, don't take up as much road as a freight train. Maybe keep together in smaller groups of two or three riders with some clear road in between. When cars are behind you and obviously wanting to pass, give 'em a break - pull over and take a drink from that water bottle, and let 'em by.
When riding, and other vehicle traffic comes up from behind, at least make a show of looking over your shoulder to let the other driver know that you know he's there. One of the scary things about passing a bicyclist in your is wondering if the bike is going to drift over or turn in front of you as you pass - you wonder if the bicyclist knows you're there.
I can probably go on and on, but I'm out of time. Probably gonna get flamed big time anyway. But I think a little cooperation will go a long way.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Well .. this is a Bike forum afterall .. Go on a car forum and post something like "Darn those annoying cyclists getting in my way" and I'm sure you will get a lot of support of such comments on other forums
KeatonR
I know what you're getting at. I generally try to be courteous to drivers, with the general hope that my good will might influence their behavior down the road, literally. Also, from a more selfish standpoint, I ride defensively. Often that means I don't take the lane, for example, and ride a stretch of sidewalk instead.
JeniCincinnati
We have a right to the road as does any other vehicle. If a horse and carriage wants to move over for a passing vehicle, it's up to them. Here in Ohio we have the right to ride two abreast and take the lane when needed. Recently, the Cincinnati Cycle Club awarded 10 scholarships to their members to become League of American Bicyclists Certified Training Instructors. We will be hosting Road I classes for all interested cyclists. This course is wonderful even for the seasoned veteran with 20+ years of experience. Everyone in my training class, came away with information they hadn't previously known.
Yes, there is a group of us that take a whole lane on Rt 50 Thursday evenings but the average speed of the peleton is around 30+. It's not a social ride, it's a training ride. Same with one of the Saturday morning rides where we meet at Lunken, cross over the Purple People Bridge and hammer out Rt 8 to Alexandria KY and back. I averaged 18.8 for 90+ miles. Again, training.
You mention that we should get out of the way for those trying to get Timmy to baseball practice, or picking up Aunt Loraine from the airport but what about us that are training on the roads? Are we supposed to give up our training so the motorists can get around us when it's convienent for them? I can't imagine we "hold them up" for more than 30 seconds....
Just my opinion, and everyone's got one. :-)
Jeni
AGGRO
Can anyone actually imagine pulling over and stopping EVERY time a car came up from behind? Your shoes would wear out faster than your tires. When I know there is road construction and it's probably going to be there EVERY time I take the road...........I leave early. Pretty simple.
sauerwald
The bulk of my miles are commuting miles (I have a 30mile RT commute), through a combination of roads much like the OP describes for Ohio, and some urban cycling. One place where I would take exception is that it seems to me that when a motorist comes upon any of the mentioned slow moving vehicles - tractors, garbage trucks, etc they tend to slow and then pass when it is safe to do so. For some reason when a motorist comes up on a cyclist, they rarely will do this, if there is no oncoming traffic, they will maintain speed and pass, with anywhere from 2" to 10' or clearance. There is something in the motorists head which causes him to immediately feel that he needs to pass a cyclist when he sees one. On this mornings commute I was approaching an intersection where there was a red light. I generally take the lane here to avoid right hooks since quite a bit of the traffic does turn right at this intersection. I was in the center of the right lane, and costing to a stop behind the line of vehicles waiting at the light when a Pepsi truck pulls up along side me, with 2" clearance, in such a manner that he was blocking both lanes. Would he have done the same to a tractor? I don't think so.
If a car does come up behind me and wants to pass, I move right and make it easy to pass as soon as I feel that it is safe to do so. I believe that most cyclists behave this way. There are certain places where I have little tolerance for impatient motorists - and that includes those parts of the road where I am travelling at or above the speed limit, and the motorists think that is not fast enough.
I also feel that although there is an equal right to use the road for all users, there is a disparity in the consequences of dangerous behaviour. If I am hit by a motorist, I may leave a dent in his hood, and it is liable to cost me my life, as a result, our risk calculations may not be the same - as a motorist, please respect actions that I am taking give me a greater chance of arriving alive, even if it means that you might arrive at your destination a few seconds later than you had hoped.
An argument was made that cyclists should be treated differently if they are recreational users rather than people going about their business. Does this mean that RVs have different rights or rules vs cars- what about sports cars vs trucks? If a woman is driving an Escalade to her hairdressing appointment, since 90% of that vehicle is irrelevant to her use of it, does that mean that she only deserves 10% of the rights of someone more fully utilizing their vehicle?
Cyclists are one of the lowest impact users of the road system - rejoice when you see a cyclist on the road because he is making for less traffic, and overall you will get to your destination faster because of him, don't worry about the fact that you have to wait 10 or 15 seconds until you find a place where it is safe to pass.
Keith99
As a walker, I have been nearly run down by bicycles approaching quickly and silently from behind. Let me tell you, it gives you quite a start
Are these cyclists riding against traffic or were you walking with traffic? If the latter then the problem is what you were doing.
nelson249
The OP, to some degree, has a case in his plea for more respect for others. Riders cycling in large groups can often make it difficult for other road users to go about their business and there often can be an anti-social mood that can develop in large packs of cyclists especially after a member of said pack has had a negative experience with a JAM. Then the JAM sees another cyclist riding solo (like me) and decides to put me in my place because of the behaviour of other cyclists. And so the cycle (no pun intended) continues.... This is part of the reason why I have never joined a cycling club or even want to ride in large groups.
pj7
Are these cyclists riding against traffic or were you walking with traffic? If the latter then the problem is what you were doing.
Rural Cinci has lots of bike paths and extra wide sidewalks that this can happen on. He never said outright that he was walking on these exact roads when this happened. As well, it is not illegal in Ohio to walk with traffic.
I'm just saying...
As a bicycle commuter and a motorist (ex-motorist actually) I see exactly where this fellah is coming from, and putting semantics aside, I agree with him and have stated pretty much his argument in previous threads, though it usually falls upon zealot ears.
caloso
I get tired of the premise that drivers have somewhere important to go while cyclists are merely out for a joyride. I ride to work, to the doctor's office, to pick up my kids, to the store, wherever. And I budget my time to allow for a delay, but a motorist can't?
Moreover, so what if I'm out for nothing more than to enjoy the ride? Unless you're driving an emergency vehicle, you're going to have a hard argument that your ride is more important than mine.
Scout!
How nice to hear a fresh perspective. I don't agree with it, but I appreciate the sincerity. It's a nice contrast to the usual unproductive bickering in Advocacy and Safety.
I disagree with the following quite reasonable statement:
My suggestion is that a little courtesy will probably be returned in kind.
It may be true that 95% of drivers are happy to cooperate, but the problem is that 5% are not. One's riding style must keep one safe from the one driver in twenty who will not be reasonable. That means taking enough of the lane that all drivers are obliged to move over, rather than trying to squeeze along side.
If all drivers where courteous, cyclists would be more cooperative. When you see cyclists taking more of the road than seems necessary, realize that their behavior is a rational response to the danger posed by a minority of automobiles drivers.
For the sake of context, I'll point out that most of my riding is urban and I have no experience with group rides. Also, I'm almost always riding for the sake of getting somewhere I need to be.
zeytoun
Are you sure you're not related to the guy who started the Riding Safely Around Horses thread?
flipped4bikes
I get tired of the premise that drivers have somewhere important to go while cyclists are merely out for a joyride. I ride to work, to the doctor's office, to pick up my kids, to the store, wherever. And I budget my time to allow for a delay, but a motorist can't?
Moreover, so what if I'm out for nothing more than to enjoy the ride? Unless you're driving an emergency vehicle, you're going to have a hard argument that your ride is more important than mine.
+1.
TGroleau
Rural Cinci has lots of bike paths and extra wide sidewalks that this can happen on. He never said outright that he was walking on these exact roads when this happened.
The OP does say that is walking is "mostly" on the narrow roads with no shoulders. He also mentions a truck passing him within inches of his LEFT shoulder. The guy is definitely walking on the wrong side of the road. Pedestrians on the wrong side of the road are one of my pet peeves whether I'm riding or driving.
And yes, I DO walk quite a bit on narrow, two-lane roads since my wife and I are currently training to walk a half-marathon and there are precious few sidewalks or MUPS in our area.
Back to the OP's point - I'm pretty sure that bikes fall under "slow moving vehicle" rules in Wisconsin. If you get several cars backed up behind you and there's no place to pass (lots of hills and turns) you are supposed to pull off as soon as safe and let them by. If he drives in an area where lots of bikers block up roads in groups and don't let cars by I think he has a legitimate beef.
Tom
Niles H.
...I think a little cooperation will go a long way.
I absolutely agree.
***
But there are many types of people in the world. Some drivers (most) are nice; some are horrible -- there is quite a spectrum. And the same is true of cyclists.
I have, on a few occasions, accidentally fallen in with critical mass rides in SF, and with some other similar situations.
What many people fail to grasp about these situations (and about the cyclists' behaviors) is the factor of power that the cyclists feel.
Instead of being cowed and afraid and obliging -- jumping when they (drivers) say jump, and so on -- the tables are temporarily turned. It is an outlet for some pent-up resentment (resentment about being treated like lower, weaker, subservient forms of life).
Revolts of slaves, of workers, and of other oppressed and abused people are analogous.
Cyclists sometimes feel like rats, riding on the outskirts of road facilities. Marginalized. Beaten down. Sneered at. Thrown at. Yelled at. Despised. Cursed at. Honked and roared at. Abused. Neglected. 'Tolerated' or barely tolerated. The rodents of the human world. (Some books have actually hit upon this analogy; and anyone who rides a lot, esp. in urban areas, knows about these feelings.)
So for some cyclists, it feels good to reverse the tide a bit.
bigbadwimp
I'm rather surprised at the responses to the OP. It reminds me of some of the rationale behind those who support critical mass. It seems to me that some cyclists are saying that it's okay to act aggressively towards all drivers as a response to a few. I do see differences, though; where Critical Mass comes off more as a reaction to "injustices" they recieve from cars you guys seem to be acting out of an idea of self-preservation.
It may be true that 95% of drivers are happy to cooperate, but the problem is that 5% are not. One's riding style must keep one safe from the one driver in twenty who will not be reasonable. That means taking enough of the lane that all drivers are obliged to move over, rather than trying to squeeze along side.
This statement makes me worried that we're going to withhold courtesies because of the actions of 5%. And this is what the OP is worried about, I believe. If we can slowly but steadily win the respect of more and more drivers then our cause is furthered in the long run (as opposed to the short-term that I think we get too caught up in). Winning respect obviously isn't going to happen with that 5% so I believe we need to treat EVERY driver with respect (afterall, you don't know who that 5% is going to be until they've already violated your rights/ safety.)
I don't want to see us reacting the way CMers would and therefore weaken our cause. On the other hand, I full-heartedly agree that cyclists need to ride defensively in favor of their safety. But I think too often we are looking for the drivers to do wrong and it becomes a sort of self-fullfilling prophecy.
When I was doing work on our car I only had first and second gear one night. My top speed was around 30 or so. When I was driving back to my house along back roads I would continuously pull over everytime I saw headlghts approaching in my rear view mirror. I did not simply hold my lane because I was a car, I wanted to show some courtesies to those who were simply moving (legally) faster than I was. Why should I hold up traffic just because I had a right to the road?
DISCLAIMER: I ride rural and urban roads and I have ridden in critical mass once. Once was all I needed.
zeytoun
DISCLAIMER: I ride rural and urban roads and I have ridden in critical mass once. Once was all I needed.
That's fine. I ride and support *peaceful CM behavior. And I agree that we could use more courtesy on the road.
bigbadwimp
I wasn't so much disgusted with my critical mass ride as I was feeling sorry for the participants that it wasn't the best way to win support for themselves. I think CM could be a great thing if people changed their motives a bit.
maddyfish
Jenincincinnati--I've seen DEPLORABLE behavior from large groups of cyclists on rt.8 in ky., exactly the type of behavior the OP listed. A huge group of bikes occupying the whole lane going 15-18 mph in a 55. Too big a group to pass. They make no attempt at allowing other vehicles to pass. I ride bikes and it irrates me. A little give on the bike side of the arguement might be helpful.
Buglady
What many people fail to grasp about these situations (and about the cyclists' behaviors) is the factor of power that the cyclists feel.
There's also the social-psychology factor of diffusion of responsibility; the "mob mentality" is a very real thing. When people are in a large group they are much more likely to go along with actions that (as individuals) they normally would deplore.
Bikepacker67
Consider that the driver of car likely is going somewhere, as opposed to most bicyclists who are out there for reasons of exercise or recreation...
Nonsense.
Plenty of people drive around in their cars just to drive around, and many cyclists (myself included) use their bicycle to run errands, get to work, GO SOMEWHERE.
Bikepacker67
when a motorist comes upon any of the mentioned slow moving vehicles - tractors, garbage trucks, etc they tend to slow and then pass when it is safe to do so. For some reason when a motorist comes up on a cyclist, they rarely will do this.
It's not some reason. It's because a cyclist poses no threat to their safety-caged azzes.
wheel
Well as I stated before reduce the speed limit.
The motorist is the only person requesting to go fast, and have very little concern or regard towards any other form of transportation whether it be funding, usage, or safety. The only thing you got is a majority who impacts the rest of us in a negative fashion.
CommuterRun
Cyclists that buzz pedestrians are JACs, just as much as JAMs that buzz cyclists.
I pull over to the right if the design of the road gives me the pavement, and if I determine that it is safe for me to do so. If both of these criteria are not met, then it is safer for the cyclist to hold their line and remain predictable. Under certain circumstances the motor vehicle driver will have to slow to the cyclist's speed until it is safe to pass, but it is very egotistical and selfish for anyone to get on any road with any vehicle expecting to not have to slow for others.
In group cycling, each individual bicycle is a vehicle unto itself. Some states allow for two abreast, but if there is a group in your area that is riding as you describe, then it sounds like a local law-enforcement problem. Unless there are that many cyclists that are riding as individuals. Then it's not a problem except in the heads of few people that don't know how to budget their time. If a motorist can't leave early enough to arrive at the desired destination on time, this is not a cyclist problem.
If you are getting close passes, you are most likely riding too far to the right in the lane. Shifting further left in the lane and holding your line while being passed will help mitigate, but not eliminate, close passing, will keep you from getting squeezed off the road by successively passing motor vehicles and gives you an escape route to your right in case you need it because of a JAM.
It is completely ridiculous for a cyclist to pull off the road and stop for every passing motorist. I don't pull off the road in my car when being passed, and I'd just about bet money you don't either. Why then, would I do this on a bike? Absurd.
Consider that the driver of car likely is going somewhere, as opposed to most bicyclists who are out there for reasons of exercise or recreation (commuters excepted, of course) - he's going to a doctor's appointment, or a job interview, or to work, or to the airport ot catch a flight, or pick his kid up from ball practice or some school activity, whatever. He knows that it's going to take him a certain amount of time to make the trip, and he plans to leave in adequate time to make it on time. Then low and behold he coms up on a gaggle of bike riders going 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, on a two lane blacktop road, and the bicyclists are occupying the lane for as far ahead that the driver can see. No way he can safely pass, and the bicyclists won't stop or move over to let him safely pass.
Even with the disclaimer about commuters, this rings of total BS.
How on Earth are motorists going to know where I'm going and why when they see me on one of my bikes?
Are you trying to say no one drives a car with no destination and purpose, just because they perceive pleasure in driving?
As a matter of fact, all my cycling is utility cycling. I'm not on a bike without a destination and purpose, so what makes a motorist's little errand more special than mine?
A: Nothing. Not one thing. People that can't budget their time are not my problem. If I can leave early enough to get there on time, regardless if I take the car or a bike, then so can they.
From what I've seen over the years, as both a cyclist and a driver, is that motorists cause the vast majority of delays.
One thing I do agree with you on is that there is room on the road for motor vehicles and bicycles. It's the egotistical, selfish, impatient people that mess it up, and that comes from both user groups.
Niles H.
...My suggestion is that a little courtesy will probably be returned in kind.....
It's most often true, and it is a better approach, in most cases at least.
Part of the reason for some of the anti-social behavior is that some people in the cycling world have advocated this kind of behavior. It seems, in part at least, to be a reaction to feeling marginalized. The idea is to claim your rights and claim the road.
Not very courteous, I agree. Someone who spent a career in the field of psychology and counseling said that one of the most concise, effective, and valuable approaches, in many human relationships, is simply to 'be nice to one another.'
I agree that this goes a long way -- and it has some good will and decency that are often missing in, or ignored by, some of the other approaches.
***
What will bring about more of this sort of behavior?
I suppose more discussion, more actual practice of it, and a natural spreading of these ideas and behaviors, as more people are exposed to them....
tpelle
The OP does say that is walking is "mostly" on the narrow roads with no shoulders. He also mentions a truck passing him within inches of his LEFT shoulder. The guy is definitely walking on the wrong side of the road. Pedestrians on the wrong side of the road are one of my pet peeves whether I'm riding or driving.
And yes, I DO walk quite a bit on narrow, two-lane roads since my wife and I are currently training to walk a half-marathon and there are precious few sidewalks or MUPS in our area.
Back to the OP's point - I'm pretty sure that bikes fall under "slow moving vehicle" rules in Wisconsin. If you get several cars backed up behind you and there's no place to pass (lots of hills and turns) you are supposed to pull off as soon as safe and let them by. If he drives in an area where lots of bikers block up roads in groups and don't let cars by I think he has a legitimate beef.
Tom
I had the truck pass within inches of my left HANDLEBAR, which naturally infers that I was on my bike.
In particular where I've had bikes come up behind me is when I was walking on sidewalks, where, if the bicyclist had been obeying the traffic laws, he shouldn't have been riding.
All I'm trying to say here is that, yes, bicyclists have an EQUAL right to the road, and should rightfully expect that motor vehicles cooperate with them. The other side of the same coin says that bicyclists should be expected to give other vehicles cooperation.
chipcom
Trouble is, a lot of cyclists are nothing but cagers on bikes...no patience, always in a hurry, don't think about nothing but themselves and have no courtesy or respect for others.
But oh well, gotta deal with the world as it is. Welcome to BF, I hope you find riding much more enjoyable than walking or driving.
TGroleau
I had the truck pass within inches of my left HANDLEBAR, which naturally infers that I was on my bike.
In particular where I've had bikes come up behind me is when I was walking on sidewalks, where, if the bicyclist had been obeying the traffic laws, he shouldn't have been riding.
Oops. I really thought you said "shoulder", I should have re-read your post. Thanks for setting me straight and please accept my apology.
As for bikes on sidewalks, I'm amazed how much of that I see. With the weather getting warmer and gas prices getting higher, I'm seeing more bikers on my commute and nearly half of them are on the sidewalk. Where do people learn this?
Tom
CB HI
I would like to know how many people here have actually missed doctor appointments, missed airplane flights, were an hour late picking Johnny up from baseball practice, etc. (after leaving at a reasonable time to arrive at their destination).
How about you tpelle (OP), how many appointments have you honestly missed?
I have never missed an appointment because of a cyclist slowing me down. The most a cyclist have ever delayed me has been up to 20 seconds. All the times I have missed appointments and have been significantly delayed, has been when idiot motorist smashed into each other.
zeytoun
You have appointments in Hawaii???
CB HI
Yea, and there are so few of them here - real rare, so when you get an appointment, you don't want to give it up just because someone decides to play bumper cars.;)
chipcom
I would like to know how many people here have actually missed doctor appointments, missed airplane flights, were an hour late picking Johnny up from baseball practice, etc. (after leaving at a reasonable time to arrive at their destination).
How about you tpelle (OP), how many appointments have you honestly missed?
I have never missed an appointment because of a cyclist slowing me down. The most a cyclist have ever delayed me has been up to 20 seconds. All the times I have missed appointments and have been significantly delayed, has been when idiot motorist smashed into each other.
+1
never been delayed by a cyclist...always delayed by motorists.
atbman
The OP does say that is walking is "mostly" on the narrow roads with no shoulders. He also mentions a truck passing him within inches of his LEFT shoulder. The guy is definitely walking on the wrong side of the road. Pedestrians on the wrong side of the road are one of my pet peeves whether I'm riding or driving.
Tom
Look, I was nearly run over by some guy in a Dodge pickup on Sunday when he passed me with about two inches clearance between my left handlebar end and the side of his truck, and there was a whole clear oncoming lane for him to use when he passed. I'm really on the bicyclists' side in this argument. But just like the roads go two ways, so do the rights of road users.
.
TG - please read what the OP originally wrote? Unless, of course, he's referring to his handlebar moustache
atbman
Sorry TG - should have read the whole post before jumping in
Daily Commute
If slowing down and waiting to pass a group of cyclists makes you late to something, you waited to long to leave. Your poor planning is not the cyclists' fault.
Also, when driving recently, I got stuck behind a tractor on a winding country road. A line of cars followed the guy for miles before we could get around him. That's just part of driving on country roads. If you lack the patience for that kind of thing, you don't belong behind the wheel.
I get tired of the premise that drivers have somewhere important to go while cyclists are merely out for a joyride. I ride to work, to the doctor's office, to pick up my kids, to the store, wherever. And I budget my time to allow for a delay, but a motorist can't?
Moreover, so what if I'm out for nothing more than to enjoy the ride? Unless you're driving an emergency vehicle, you're going to have a hard argument that your ride is more important than mine.
+1. Your time isn't any more important than my time. Cars slow me down a lot when I ride in urban traffic. Sometimes I slow them down. That's just part of being in traffic.
Can anyone actually imagine pulling over and stopping EVERY time a car came up from behind? Your shoes would wear out faster than your tires. When I know there is road construction and it's probably going to be there EVERY time I take the road...........I leave early. Pretty simple.
I am less likely to move over in heavy traffic because I'd never get back in traffic. If we stopped everytime someone wanted to pass, we'd never get anywhere.
Bottom line, any time you travel somewhere by whatever means, plan to be slowed down by other traffic from time to time.
Mr. Underbridge
If slowing down and waiting to pass a group of cyclists makes you late to something, you waited to long to leave. Your poor planning is not the cyclists' fault.
Depends how long you were stuck behind them. If you're in a 55 zone and they're averaging 18, and the group is so long you can't pass, that can slow you down quite a bit. If you're behind them for your whole trip, that would triple the time it takes to get there.
In any event, it's simply not courteous to ride in a massive group and back traffic up for miles. Cyclists get pissed when motorists do things like turning right in front of them, parking in bike lanes, buzzing them, etc., but then defend rude behavior on their own part. I simply can't understand the hypocrisy. I'm kind of like the OP; I bike, I drive, I run, I walk, etc. Best thing we can all do to get along is stay out of each others' way and accomodate each other. And the old 'they don't help me' is BS; if we act that way, we're worse than them. Getting revenge on the next motorist you encounter based on what the last one did is a bit of the old 'kick the dog' syndrome. In this example, there's no reason the group couldn't break into groups to accomodate the occasional vehicle, or go single-file for a while to let vehicles pass.
When I ride, I try to take less packed routes with lower speed limits by choice. It's safer and more pleasant for everyone. I do what I can to avoid impeding traffic. Everybody's happy.
Not to mention which, being a good ambassador is simply good advocacy. Piss off the wrong motorists and they'll end up at council meetings and get minimum speed requirements set on roads like that, or get bikes banned. Motorists do outnumber cyclists; the only advantage cyclists have is as a vocal minority. If we make the majority just as vocal and angry, no good comes of it.
CB HI
Mr. Underbridge,
Name the last time you saw traffic backed up 3 miles behind a cyclist, as your post implies.
Also, how many appointments have you honestly missed because you were behind a cyclist for mile after mile after mile? It just does not happen. I call BS on the premise that you and tpelle (OP) put forward.
tpelle (OP), we are still waiting for the answer to how many appointments have you honestly missed?
Bikepacker67
Mr Underbridge?
Wait... what lives under bridges?
Daily Commute
Riding in a long single file would be very dangerous. To pass safely, cars still must enter the lane of oncoming traffic, so it doesn't facilite safe passing. In fact, it makes safe passing more difficult because passing cars must find a larger gap to pass a longer line of cyclists. Single file riding also encourages unsafe passing--cars trying to squeeze by without moving far enough over.
Riding in smaller groups can also slow cars down more. It forces multiple passes.
Mr. Underbridge, you should really answer the question--what is the longest time you've gotten stuck behind a group of cyclists? When driving, I got stuck behind a tractor for several miles recently (along witha long line of cars). I just assumed that the delay was just part of driving on country roads.
chipcom
I remember this one time, at band camp, when I was on track to achieve my personal best time driving from the dorm to McDonalds, when some cyclist appeared in front of me and forced me to slow down for a couple of seconds as oncoming traffic cleared, allowing me to pass. I missed beating my personal best by, you guessed it, 2 seconds! I couldn't even eat my second Big Mac, I was so devastated.