Fifty Plus (50+) - Why would anyone ride on a busy road?

I read threads where cyclists are fighting with cars on busy roads, cars get backed up, riders get buzzed and cussed at. To me that doesn't sound like fun. I ride for fun and enjoyment. I personally won't ride on a road if there is too much traffic.
Why would anyone do that?

Because if I didn't I couldn't ride - I have to climb on busy roads to get where I need to go. Not as fun as out in the country, but it's how I get to ride.

Sometimes there's just no getting around it, whether in the heart of downtown, or the road up Mount Evans.

When I ride into Springfield from our place -we're about 8 miles north of town- the only road that crosses the Sangamon River near us is IL Route 29. Fortunately it has a wide paved shoulder now. The greatest problems along there are blown tires that land on the shoulder and/or road kill. There is a county road that crosses the river but it is much further west and would triple the riding distance.

So far when commuting to work I have not had any problems along 29. The most important thing to me is to be seen. I always wear a bright shirt or vest and use lights front and rear depending on the time of year.

The Sangamon Valley Trail, which just opened west of town will eventually cross the river over the old B & O RR bridge, about 2 miles west of our house. The plans are being worked on now, but the funding of the construction is anyone's guess!

Here you go:

http://picture-book.com/files/userimages/189u/flying-bicycle.jpg

We live at the foothills so we either drive down on weekends to the trail where we can get in 60 traffic free miles or we ride up into the hills and mountains on lightly traveled roads. Sometimes we may only see 10 cars. I used to ride in town at night to avoid traffic but lately, the traffic seems to be heavy even at night. :(

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Our trail is 60 miles round trip. Not the skater, stroller, dog walker, jogger mess many make trails out to be. If I can get 60 miles in but have to slow down for 10 seconds 3 times during my ride for a jogger, doesn't bother me at all.


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I ride on the freeway emergency lane so cars don't get backed up.

We live in a society where people are second class citizens. Sad state...

Simple need. I've ridden on the edge of a freeway for very short distance as there was no alternative.

I read threads where cyclists are fighting with cars on busy roads, cars get backed up, riders get buzzed and cussed at. To me that doesn't sound like fun. I ride for fun and enjoyment. I personally won't ride on a road if there is too much traffic.
Why would anyone do that?
I have no choice but to ride in the lane when leaving the house, or coming back to the house. The road is 6 lanes, posted 55 MPH, no shoulder, and if the CHP sees you on the narrow sidewalk, they will stop you, tell you no riding on the sidewalk in the County area. One side of the hill is 8% grade, and the other side is 7%, so if your going up hill you are going way slower than traffic, the road is not straight, and they placed those nice planters as a center divider with tall plants to limit visibility even more. CHP does not enforce the speed limit, just riding on the sidewalk due to complaints, so traffic is really going 60-70 MPH. I hate riding there, don't want to be the next bug splat on someone else's windshield.

My bike is my transportation. If I need to go somewhere, and a busy road is the only feasible route, then I'll be riding on it. I'd prefer not to deal with so much traffic, but sometimes there isn't another option.

I read threads where cyclists are fighting with cars on busy roads, cars get backed up, riders get buzzed and cussed at. To me that doesn't sound like fun. I ride for fun and enjoyment. I personally won't ride on a road if there is too much traffic.
Why would anyone do that?

Why would anyone not? I live in not-very-big city, but it part of a larger conurbation. There are about 1.2 million people living within a 10 mile radius of my house. I ride everywhere. It's no problem. Occasionally drivers are idiots, but it's occasional. And the dangers are vastly overstated. Cycling is very safe, even on highways.

I spent several weeks riding in Canada and the States earlier this year. I was amazed at how little traffic there was on most of your highways, compared with what I'm used to in the UK. HTFU.

:roflmao2: To get to the other side

I read threads where cyclists are fighting with cars on busy roads, cars get backed up, riders get buzzed and cussed at. To me that doesn't sound like fun. I ride for fun and enjoyment. I personally won't ride on a road if there is too much traffic.
Why would anyone do that?

Because that's where some of us live, obviously.

There is a difference between not having a choice and having a choice. Sometimes there is no way around it. BUT, if there is, common sense should kick in.
Earlier this year I was driving into Little Rock from the west. Traffic backed up in my lane. After awhile I found out why. Guy on bicycle riding in right hand lane. He had plenty of other routes to ride on. But he chose to ride down Hy 10/Cantrell and back up traffic. Wanted to stop car, drag him off bike and deliver swift kick to rear end. Because that was what he was. A Horse's rear-end!

To get to work. If your attitude/technique is right it's safe and even fun.

Why would anyone do that?

To get to the other side........ of town.


I grew up riding major streets in Florida. So I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to traffic.

There is a difference between not having a choice and having a choice. Sometimes there is no way around it. BUT, if there is, common sense should kick in.
Earlier this year I was driving into Little Rock from the west. Traffic backed up in my lane. After awhile I found out why. Guy on bicycle riding in right hand lane. He had plenty of other routes to ride on. But he chose to ride down Hy 10/Cantrell and back up traffic. Wanted to stop car, drag him off bike and deliver swift kick to rear end. Because that was what he was. A Horse's rear-end!

There's room enough on Cantrell for both cars and bikes. I can't judge about his riding.

What other routes would he have to ride on? The bike path? Markham? 12th Street? Asher? 65th Street? Baseline? None of those are especially close by, nor would they get the cyclist to his probable destination of Hillcrest. Any alternatives require miles of hills. I think I sense a bit of gasoline-fume-induced road-rage.

Some of you must have a different definition of "freeway" from mine. Where I grew up, freeway = interstate, and that's not legal, regardless of what part of it you're on.

To get to work. If you ride in a city, pretty much all the roads are busy. Often, you'll be the one passing the cars :).

He had plenty of other routes to ride on.
As do the cars, plain and simple.

We have a few busy roads round here and most of them have a cycle "Friendly" lined off section- or a separate bike path. On my 30 mile trip from work to home there are bike lanes on the roads in Brighton on the busy main road out of town. Or there would be if cars were not parked on it to save shoppers from walking too far. Then on the busy A27 there is a separate bike path alongside the road---So why Do I see the odd idiot cyclist riding on this busy section of road in Rush Hour? Beats me.

Then a bit further on and still on the busy A27 the road narrows- still a laned off area for cyclists but then it suddenly stops. No sidewalk- narrow section of road and a curve in the road. Rarely see cycles here except for serious riders in single file and eyes in the back of their head. And it is like that for 10 miles or so.

Britain is getting more Cycle conscious and bike lanes and separate tracks are springing up all over- but sometimes necessity means you have to fight with the traffic.

I've never seen a cycle lane/path following the same route as a road that i wanted to use in preference to the road, even in busy conditions.

In Los Angeles swimming with the sharks is just part of it all...;)

Some of you must have a different definition of "freeway" from mine. Where I grew up, freeway = interstate, and that's not legal, regardless of what part of it you're on.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Continuous misconstruing of the facts and too many "Urban legends" on this issue.

In many, many parts of the country traveling by bicycle on interstates (i.e., I-25) is entirely legal. There are hundreds of miles of bicycle-allowed freeway lanes, including about 100+ in Colorado.

Simply stated, if there is no other decent way to get from point A to point B, then freeway travel by bicycle is allowed. In much of the remote west, the Freeway (interstate) is the only decent way (or in some instances, the ONLY way).

I.e., Pueblo to Trinidad in CO.

Britain is getting more Cycle conscious and bike lanes and separate tracks are springing up all over- but sometimes necessity means you have to fight with the traffic.

I don't fight with the traffic, I am traffic. Separate infrastructure is very nice, but mostly it doesn't exist. And cycling, even on busy arterial roads, which I do regularly, is a very safe activity.

Some of you must have a different definition of "freeway" from mine. Where I grew up, freeway = interstate, and that's not legal, regardless of what part of it you're on.

If you're in a state adjacent to the Mississippi River or east of them then they seem to be mostly illegal to ride on.

Around here Interstates are legal except in or around big cities, where negotiating an exit every mile or so would be a pain in the butt anyways.

I ride on busy roads because it's the quickest, and most direct route. Just like I would drive on busy roads, if it's the quickest, and most direct route.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Continuous misconstruing of the facts and too many "Urban legends" on this issue.

In many, many parts of the country traveling by bicycle on interstates (i.e., I-25) is entirely legal. There are hundreds of miles of bicycle-allowed freeway lanes, including about 100+ in Colorado.

Simply stated, if there is no other decent way to get from point A to point B, then freeway travel by bicycle is allowed. In much of the remote west, the Freeway (interstate) is the only decent way (or in some instances, the ONLY way).

I.e., Pueblo to Trinidad in CO.

Just before reading your post, I remembered seeing some sections of mountain interstate in CO where it was allowed. But nowhere in the states where I've lived - IN and IL.

Some people here must not travel and live in rural areas. First of all "freeways" are not necessarily interstates. Most larger cities have more freeways that they do interstates routes around town. Second, I would have to drive a long way to avoid traffic. I ride when and where I can.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Continuous misconstruing of the facts and too many "Urban legends" on this issue.

In many, many parts of the country traveling by bicycle on interstates (i.e., I-25) is entirely legal. There are hundreds of miles of bicycle-allowed freeway lanes, including about 100+ in Colorado.

Simply stated, if there is no other decent way to get from point A to point B, then freeway travel by bicycle is allowed. In much of the remote west, the Freeway (interstate) is the only decent way (or in some instances, the ONLY way).

I.e., Pueblo to Trinidad in CO.

Bicycles are not allowed on Interstate highways in Georgia. Not that I would want to ride on the Interstate even if it was allowed.

I am a big proponent of finding alternate backroad routes where I live, but sometimes you just have to get out there amongst them.

I ride on a lot of roads that wouldn't be so busy if people would drive the quickest route to their destination, but there seems to be a tradition in Pennsylvania of taking "shortcuts" even if they take longer. So then they drive illegal speeds and run stop signs to make up the difference. There is one road I ride on that has a 25 mph speed limit and is parallel to a limited access highway with a 55mph speed limit. To get to this road, you have to drive on another road through a nice little town that also has a 25mph speed limit. These speed limits are widely ignored. People probably wonder why I ride on these busy roads, while I'm wondering why they are wasting their time and not driving down the roads that would get them to their destination more quickly, safely, and without breaking the law. I really find it difficult to be too upset with myself for "slowing them down" on these roads.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Continuous misconstruing of the facts and too many "Urban legends" on this issue.

In many, many parts of the country traveling by bicycle on interstates (i.e., I-25) is entirely legal. There are hundreds of miles of bicycle-allowed freeway lanes, including about 100+ in Colorado.
.


Most of us in the east just assume it is illegal even though there are exceptions even here: According to the Interstate highway faq http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/faq.htm#question15 most states do not allow it:

Why are bicycles prohibited from using the Interstate shoulders?

Each State establishes the operating rules that determine which vehicles are allowed on the Interstate highways under their jurisdiction. Most States do not allow bicyclists on the Interstate shoulders, but bicycle use is permitted in some States, particularly in the west where there is less traffic and where good alternative routes may not exist for bicycles. Determining if bicycle access should be permitted is done only after careful study and consideration of how bicyclists and motor vehicle traffic can safely negotiate on- and off-ramps. The safety of all roadway users must be considered. In some Interstate highways, mainly in urban areas, have been built with bicycle paths.

In PA applications can be made to get authorization to use the interstates. The only one I know of is the I-79 bridge over the Ohio River but I'm sure there are others.

Section 3511. Pedalcycles prohibited on freeways.
(a) General rule.-- No person shall ride a pedalcycle on a freeway.

(b) Exceptions.
(1) On State-designed freeways, pedalcycles may be authorized under the following limitations:

(i) The pedalcycler is 16 years of age or older and is accompanied by a pedalcycler 18 years of age or older.

(ii) A written request for review of the freeway route based on the potential unavailability of a reasonable alternate route is made to the department.

(iii) The department determines that no reasonable alternate route exists.

(iv) The department publishes a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin authorizing pedalcycle access to the freeway. The notice shall constitute approval for the persons authorized under subparagraph (i) to ride a pedalcycle on the State-designated freeway.

(d) Operation on shoulder.- - If the department authorizes pedalcycle access to a freeway, the pedalcycle shall be operated upon the shoulder of that freeway whenever practicable.

Comment: Bicycles may be permitted on freeways in Pennsylvania with permission of the Department. The applicant must submit a written request (form) to the Department for review. In addition, Section 3511(d) requires the bicycle to be ridden on the shoulder of the freeway.

I read threads where cyclists are fighting with cars on busy roads, cars get backed up, riders get buzzed and cussed at. To me that doesn't sound like fun. I ride for fun and enjoyment. I personally won't ride on a road if there is too much traffic.
Why would anyone do that?

Because there is no path to get to the grocery store or work or the library without riding on busy roads. I ride for fun and enjoyment and utility and commuting.

I can understand that somebody commuting on a bike or using it for transportation has to ride where ever they need to go regardless of road conditions or traffic. But I can't understand why somebody would ride on narrow roads with high traffic for recreation.

Where I live the roads are narrow with no shoulder, and have curves and hills where it is unsafe to pass another car for miles. It used to be a farming area with little traffic but now all the farms are housing developments and the traffic is really heavy, but they have not improved the roads. I would love to be able to ride from the house (and on rare occasions I will during mid day low traffic conditions for a short distance) but I feel it is just too dangerous for recreational riding and mostly truck by bike to a better location to ride.

What I can't understand is why recreational riders would choose to ride on these roads. Particularly groups of riders. An individual rider you may be able to get around in a reasonable distance (half mile or so), but a group you may be behind for a considerable distance. Most of my neighbors have unkind comments about bicyclists, and while I'm sympathetic to individual riders I put the group riders on these roads in the same class as the group runners on the MUP.

Jim

I put the group riders on these roads in the same class as the group runners on the MUP.

Jim

Sounds like the same thing motorists say about bicycles on the streets...

MUP = Multi Use Path.

Daredevilism or desperation, otherwise one would take a safer route. Wouldn't one?

To get to the MUP asap, where my odds of survival are much greater.

But I see young ironmen on expensive road bikes doing 40 on the local speedways from time to time, I'm just not one of em. It takes some stainless steel cajones to do that here.

For some it's an agenda statement.

Some of you must have a different definition of "freeway" from mine. Where I grew up, freeway = interstate, and that's not legal, regardless of what part of it you're on.
Depends on the state. I had some friends planning a trip across South Dakota a few years ago, and they called the SD state DOT about the legality of riding on the interstate. The DOT's response was, "It's legal, but not recommended."

In their case they rode for a short distance on the interstate because to find an alternate route meant adding more than 50 miles to their trip. Roads get pretty sparse in western SD.

Why would anyone ride on a busy road?


In Los Angeles swimming with the sharks is just part of it all...;)
Here in Boston I occasionally ride a notorious winding, narrow and shoulderless, dangerous auto commuter road called the Jamaicaway for bragging rights (but only in the reverse commuting direction before 6:00 AM when it's empty.)

What I can't understand is why recreational riders would choose to ride on these roads. Particularly groups of riders. An individual rider you may be able to get around in a reasonable distance (half mile or so), but a group you may be behind for a considerable distance. Most of my neighbors have unkind comments about bicyclists, and while I'm sympathetic to individual riders I put the group riders on these roads in the same class as the group runners on the MUP.
Jim

These are my thoughts, here. I mostly ride low-traffic, rural roads. There are certain higher-traffic, no-shoulder roads that I want to go on but very rarely do. When I get to those roads I'm kind of like a dog that wants to go there but is afraid to. There are routes I would love to take but I don't for fear of having numerous cars whizzing by in close proximity at high speeds. Cyclists come up from St. Louis and do it all the time but I won't.

Bikes are allowed on freeways in California (http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/faq/faq67.htm).

'Of the more than 4,000 miles of freeways in California, about 1,000 miles are open to bicyclists. These open sections are usually in rural areas where there is no alternate route. California Vehicle Code (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.html/veh_table_of_contents.html) Section 21960 says Caltrans and local agencies may prohibit bicyclists from traveling on freeways under their jurisdiction and that they must erect signs stating the prohibition. There are no signs permitting bicyclists on freeways. When a bicyclist is legally traveling on a freeway, he/she may be directed off the freeway at the next off-ramp by a sign that says "Bicycles Must Exit." The freeway will be posted at the next on-ramp with a sign that says "Bicycles Prohibited."'

I have ridden my bike on the I-5 freeway when the Camp Pendleton marine base was closed to cyclists. I prefer to ride through the base, but if it's not open there is no other route north and I have to take the freeway.

Wrong, wrong, wrong

Continuous misconstruing of the facts and too many "Urban legends" on this issue.

In many, many parts of the country traveling by bicycle on interstates (i.e., I-25) is entirely legal. There are hundreds of miles of bicycle-allowed freeway lanes, including about 100+ in Colorado.

Simply stated, if there is no other decent way to get from point A to point B, then freeway travel by bicycle is allowed. In much of the remote west, the Freeway (interstate) is the only decent way (or in some instances, the ONLY way).

I.e., Pueblo to Trinidad in CO.

Pueblo clear down to Santa Fe, for the most part. I-25 over Raton Pass between Trinidad, Co and Raton, NM is one of my old commute routes. :eek:

Some of you must have a different definition of "freeway" from mine. Where I grew up, freeway = interstate, and that's not legal, regardless of what part of it you're on.

Actually, if it is the only available route, it frequently is legal. The Southern California coastal bike route takes onto Interstate 101 for awhile. Legal and safe.

I have ridden my bike on the I-5 freeway when the Camp Pendleton marine base was closed to cyclists. I prefer to ride through the base, but if it's not open there is no other route north and I have to take the freeway.

I just went through Pendleton a couple of weeks ago. The folks I rode with said that it really fast when you have to ride I-5, because the traffic breeze sucks you along like a peloton draft.

This desire of many posters here to castigate people who ride differently than they do really cracks me up. There is a wide rangle of riding styles. Some ride fast, some ride slow. Some ride in traffic, some do not. Some ride in pacelines, some do not. Questioning why someone would choose to ride in traffic, like we are idiotic to do so, is ludicrous. It's our right. We know how to do so safely (often times more safely than those who choose not to exercise that right) and with little to no interference with other traffic. Spend some time on the commuter forum, and you'll get a reasonable understanding of the safest way to ride in traffic. If you are one of those who don't ride in traffic a lot, It is likely not the style you think it is.

This desire of many posters here to castigate people who ride differently than they do really cracks me up. There is a wide rangle of riding styles. Some ride fast, some ride slow. Some ride in traffic, some do not. Some ride in pacelines, some do not. Questioning why someone would choose to ride in traffic, like we are idiotic to do so, is ludicrous. It's our right. We know how to do so safely (often times more safely than those who choose not to exercise that right) and with little to no interference with other traffic. Spend some time on the commuter forum, and you'll get a reasonable understanding of the safest way to ride in traffic. If you are one of those who don't ride in traffic a lot, It is likely not the style you think it is.

I've been reading along thinking this exact thing. Seems in every hobby I've ever had there are those who think their way of doing it is the only legitimate way/reason.

This desire of many posters here to castigate people who ride differently than they do really cracks me up. There is a wide rangle of riding styles. Some ride fast, some ride slow. Some ride in traffic, some do not. Some ride in pacelines, some do not. Questioning why someone would choose to ride in traffic, like we are idiotic to do so, is ludicrous. It's our right. We know how to do so safely (often times more safely than those who choose not to exercise that right) and with little to no interference with other traffic. Spend some time on the commuter forum, and you'll get a reasonable understanding of the safest way to ride in traffic. If you are one of those who don't ride in traffic a lot, It is likely not the style you think it is.

Very well said. Ignorance breeds fear.

Interstate 101


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