Okay, I was out riding with my husband headed to the Silver Comet Trail (multi-use paved trail in Metro Atlanta). We were riding on the street and slowing down at a traffic light to turn right onto the trail. The traffic light was green for us (so obviously red for those on the trail), when two roadies come speeding off the trail looking left and right... one of them spots us when he's more than halfway across the road and yells "Thanks for the warning!"

Do you see anything but sarcasm in that comment? It sure sounded like sarcasm. Why do I need to warn this guy that I'm going to make a right turn at a green light when he just whizzed through the stop light on the trail?? I swear if I wasn't a small woman, I'd have been sorely tempted to slap the bejeezus out of his smart mouth.

I have to admit that I've started to check both directions and pass through an intersection if there isn't traffic coming, but I don't expect traffic (cars or bikes) to stop just because I have arrived (especially when they have the legal right of way).

Am I over-reacting? What do you do when you cross paths with morons? Are you one of them?

Thanks for the space to vent.

Roadchick,

I'm new to the Silver Comet too (heading out there Saturday though!) and I think that guy was insane! Clearly, it's not your job to look out for him - it's his responsibility to ride safely - especially running a red light!

Can I vent too? I was riding near the Silver Lake area in Brookhaven. There's one section that I ride that is a one-way street. I like it 'cause there is very little traffic. There were some cars parked on the right, so I ride down the middle of the street, knowing that no one is behind me (and the speed limit is 15 mph, so I'm riding as fast as any cars would be) and far enough out from the left so that if there are oncoming pedestrians around a blind bend, I won't run into them. Suddenly, a group of 5 or 6 cyclists come shooting around the corner - going the wrong way on a one-way street! What's up with that?!?!!! I'm new, but I thought that so uncool! They scramble, I swerve, and for some stupid reason, I'm the one who shouts out "Sorry!" They never said a word...

I know Atlanta has horrible drivers - I was hoping for more from the bikers!

Don't get me started on this thread :p Cyclists are just like other groups of drivers: some obey traffic laws and are courteous; other do what they want to and don't think of others. On the trail as on the road, bike defensibly.

You should have warned him.

You should have warned him that if he keeps that up, he might not live very long.

Mo-rons. Not worth letting them spoil a good mood.

Mo-rons. Not worth letting them spoil a good mood.

They're everywhere ... on bikes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs .. even walking ... Some even breed and make more of their kind. :p

They're everywhere ... on bikes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs

I also have a generally low opinion of the populace of Atlanta's streets. I suspect it has something to do with the lack of trees downtown.

Oh well, screw em.

Am I over-reacting? What do you do when you cross paths with morons? Are you one of them?


There are so many morons around here that I fail to get overly excited by them anymore. You're better off just letting natural selection take care of them and just concentrating on enjoying your ride. If what they did really bothers you, just call the cops and let them take care of it. Trying to educate morons by any means is just a complete waste of time.

You should have warned him.

You should have warned him that if he keeps that up, he might not live very long.

Damn straight! I'm sure I've said it before elsewhere, but I'll repeat it anyway: I have seen more stupid and selfish behavior demonstrated by "cyclists" on our local path than I ever see when sharing the road with motorists. It used to drive me nuts but I've become relatively sanguine about it now. The best response I've come up with is "Roll on, Fred!".

The pedestrians who use the path are by comparison very well behaved.

Maybe a "Share the path" campaign is needed? We could use "Don't ride like a motorist" as a slogan.

I often have to yell, "Share the lane" to joggers sprawling two or three abreast across an entire bike lane.

I think our path rules work just fine:
-No numeric speed limit;
-Pedestrians must allow cyclists to pass safely;
-Cyclists must yield to pedestrians
-Everyone must stay single file when others are around;

http://www.columbusrecparks.com/outdoors_rec_centers/trails_directory/trail_rules.asp

That means that pedestrians are supposed to stay out of the way to the right, but I have to yield to them, even if they are breaking a rule.

Like 3cannondales, I hate cyclists who go the wrong way on one-way streets. There is a little trafficked but narrow one-way street (more of an alley, actually) near a heavily used path. There are only two ways to get to the path--the one-way street or a street that has nasty bricks for about 100 feet. A lot of cyclists by-pass the bricks by going the wrong way on the one-way street. The problem is, there is only about a 3' wide part of the alley that is smooth, and it is on the left as you go in the correct direction. I have started to refuse to yield to cyclists going the wrong way. I hope they put a cop there to issue tickets.

That said, I think some pedestrians will not be satisfied until cyclists are banned from the bike paths. It is not pleasant to have bikes whiz past you, even at 10-15 mph. When I want to go for a walk, I NEVER use the bike path for that reason. Just like cyclists who don't like fast moving cars should stay off country roads, pedestrians who don't like fast (but safe) moving cyclists should stay of "multi-use" paths.

Edit: I should have said that the roadies were being idiots. It's one thing to rush into traffic risking your own safety, it's another to be nasty to others on or near the trail.

. . . Trying to educate morons by any means is just a complete waste of time.

That reminds me of the saying: Never try to teach a pig to sing. It frustrates you and irritates the pig.

I was at a 4 way stop in a shopping center. the two cars on left and right went it was my turn and a lady in a truck turning left. she floors it and flips me off with a **** eating grin on her face.
how stupid is that.

Okay, I was out riding with my husband headed to the Silver Comet Trail (multi-use paved trail in Metro Atlanta). We were riding on the street and slowing down at a traffic light to turn right onto the trail. The traffic light was green for us (so obviously red for those on the trail), when two roadies come speeding off the trail looking left and right... one of them spots us when he's more than halfway across the road and yells "Thanks for the warning!"

Do you see anything but sarcasm in that comment? It sure sounded like sarcasm. Why do I need to warn this guy that I'm going to make a right turn at a green light when he just whizzed through the stop light on the trail?? I swear if I wasn't a small woman, I'd have been sorely tempted to slap the bejeezus out of his smart mouth.

I have to admit that I've started to check both directions and pass through an intersection if there isn't traffic coming, but I don't expect traffic (cars or bikes) to stop just because I have arrived (especially when they have the legal right of way).

Am I over-reacting? What do you do when you cross paths with morons? Are you one of them?

Thanks for the space to vent.

First off, I agree with the general sentiment here that the other rider was just a jackass. Second of all, I rode the Silver Comet Trail for the first time last weekend and thought it was great! I live in Peachtree City, so the only bummer for me is that I have to drive 30 miles to get there. Most of the people on the trail seemed to be pretty courteous though, and had good path etiquette. If you see me on the trail say hi! (Big guy, 6'2", 245, green helmet, usually with white sleeveless shirt and black shorts, old silver Peugot road bike!)

By the way, anyone that lives close by, I'd love to get a riding partner!


Matt

They're everywhere ... on bikes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs .. even walking ... Some even breed and make more of their kind. :p
Don't get me started, being reproductive seems to be what they are best at. Seems the most interesting people I know are single.

roadchick,

My family and I typically go to Dallas Chamber of Comerce, or Rambo, and travel West. There are fewer idiots, and fewer road crossings. Your observations are pretty much correct. The idiot ratio on the SCT is quite high.