Originally Posted by
cyccommute
What? Does Europe only have single lane roads? Funny, with only a few exceptions, most places I've been to in Europe have lanes that are about as wide as American roads, i.e. about a 3.5m lane (11 feet for the metrically challenged). Bicyclists tend to ride on the outside of the lane as well. That puts on oncoming cyclist about 7m (22+ feet) away from you. You'd kind of have to shout obscenities (yes, your word is an obscenity that violates Forum rules) at other cyclists.
It's okay because the locals probably just consider you to be an inconsiderate...and possibly crazy...Yank.
Actually, I was thinking more of the cyclepaths (without roads) common the continent (where I almost never rode on a road) and one-way streets, which are very common in the UK. This thread really isn't about me, so why bring it up, only to insult me?
Also, just because something translates as an obscenity in a different language/culture doesn't mean that it is. The most obvious example is the c-word (cXXX) in British / Australian English is somewhat endearing compared to the same word in US English. I'd put Arschloch (German) on a similar level to Pain in the ass (US English) even though that's not it's direct translation.