Road Biking Question.

[mrdoright0405]

I ride my bike alot on the county rouads around my neighborhood. I ride with the traffic, but I often see people riding on against traffic. I also see people stop along side of the road if they see a car coming. I keep riding with the traffic. It clearly states in the Alabama Drivers Lics Manual that bicyclist and Peds have the right of way. Why do people ride on the wrong of the road? And do you get over or stop when you see or hear a car coming?

[Phiber]

Because they don't know what they're doing. Many people where I live still think it's law to ride opposing traffic. DUMB! Hah, but that's what they taught us in elementry school.

[John E]

I have had this debate with a many wrong-siders, who simply fail to comprehend the concept of lawful vehicular cycling. In fact, if there is a bike lane, a wide shoulder, or a sidewalk, I prefer to walk or jog on the RIGHT side of the road, instead of facing/opposing traffic, to increase my chance of being seen at intersections. Right-turning motorists look LEFT for traffic conflicts, and often do not look right at all.

[tinman831]

i've always been taught to ride WITH traffic but jog/run against traffic. Youre supposed to run against traffic so you can see ahead of time cars that are turning.

[Lufty]

Riding against traffic...I see it every day, and I still don't understand it. Today, while crossing an intersection, some dumb ass is comming right for me in a undersized MTB. I actually had to STOP to avoid a colision or veer into auto traffic...and did I yell at this person, who looked at me like I WAS the moron. Yes.
DMV should post signs about this, as well as using sidewalks..which is another matter.

[Pat]

I ride my bike alot on the county rouads around my neighborhood. I ride with the traffic, but I often see people riding on against traffic. I also see people stop along side of the road if they see a car coming. I keep riding with the traffic. It clearly states in the Alabama Drivers Lics Manual that bicyclist and Peds have the right of way. Why do people ride on the wrong of the road? And do you get over or stop when you see or hear a car coming?

Keep riding with the traffic.

Riding against the traffic is dangerous. People do this because they are still in the pedestrian mind set. They are afraid of the traffic and feel safer if they can see it.

The problems with this are too numerous to cover. The whole point of traffic laws is so people can come into a situation and know who has the right of way and what everyone is supposed to do. A wrong way cyclist is a wild card and no one (not even the cyclist) knows what he is going to do.

A major problem with this style of riding is motorists are not looking for it. Example: A motorist is turning right from a driveway. He checks to the right and does not see the oncoming wrongway cyclist because they guy is out of the field of view because he is hugging the curb. The motorist checks left. Clear. He goes right into the wrong way cyclist.

Another problem with wrong way cycling is that because it is by definition a violation of the traffic laws, if a wrong way cyclist gets hit, it is almost impossible for the motorist to be "at fault". So wrong way cyclists can pretty much forget about collecting damages from anyone. They better have good insurance, they will need it.

[Diggy18]

Man it's bad enough getting buzzed when you're riding with traffic. Having cars coming head on straight at me would be nerve racking! No wonder they stop and pull over when a car comes!

[Ebbtide]

People do this because they are still in the pedestrian mind set. They are afraid of the traffic and feel safer if they can see it.

Usually, I feel these people qualify as pedestrian traffic. Sub 10mph and just trying to get somewhere. I think riding with traffic at that pace is dangerous. Speed differentials, visibility, and maneuverability are all effect in the favor of the auto.

[John E]

The scariest aspect of the wrong-way cyclist topic is that, about 3-4 years ago, a legislator in Montana actually proposed a law requiring cyclists to ride the wrong way outside of urban areas, i.e., presumably on narrow 2-lane country roads. Fortunately, cycling activists in Missoula, with nationwide support from cycling advocates, managed to get the bill tabled before it ever reached broader discussion. However, this shows how clueless and/or anti-cycling some lawmakers can be.