Originally Posted by
lynnlee
Hello,
I'm new here and am not a cyclist, but have concerns about the safety of cyclists who frequent the roads around my home and, frankly, myself (as a motorist).
I understand that there's safety in numbers. But is it unreasonable to ask that they ride in car-length groups? With at least two-car-spaces in between?
In my opinion, if there are going to be groups of cyclists on the road it needs to be an organized event. Cars should have detours provided or notice.
Thank you for reading. And I appreciate any constructive feedback.
Lynnlee
I use a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation. I ride to work very early in the morning because at least where I live, later in the day there are large groups of motorists, who clog the roads and become irate with one another, and drive dangerously - do you notice this in your area too? Do you ever wish that more of these motorists would leave their cars at home and ride a bicycle instead? - Safety is a major concern, and surely our streets become safer each time someone moves from driving a car to riding a bicycle.
I do sympathize with the fact that in your car you are capable of driving much faster than I am capable of propelling myself on the bicycle, and that you may feel that you are being delayed when there is a slower vehicle in front of you, but I wonder if you get this same angst when you are delayed by large groups of motorists on the road.
I do agree that groups of cyclists should travel in platoons, making it easier for a motorist to leapfrog the groups, but also realize, that as a motorist, you must wait to pass until it is safe to do so - I don't know how many times abuse is rained down upon me, and my life is endangered because I ride in such a way as to prevent a motorist from passing me in a place where it is unsafe to do so.