We live in a suburban area that's pretty idyllic, at least in a family sense, not very far from a middle school and motorized scooters and "pocket bikes" (tiny little motorcycles that do about 30mph) are all the rage among middle-high schoolers. Most of them are so broad-beamed that I'm thinking as I ride by that the last thing they need is something motorized hauling their unfit-12-to-15-year-old bodies around, not to mention the noise and pollution. Point being that I don't begrudge anyone who has the good sense or desire to ride around on their bikes - on the contrary, I admire the fact that they are making an effort, regardless of their level of fitness. Too many people these days don't make any kind of effort and belittling whatever efforts they do make doesn't encourage them to continue down a road (literal and figurative) that most will agree benefits everyone in some way.

Regarding stopping, as I ride by whether someone is walking their bike or stopped, I always slow down and ask them if they need anything. Even if it's just a cell phone to call someone to pick them up, it's no skin off my back and it's just the right thing to do.

lol - how many of you haven't done something like this!? Ego and competitive nature are terrible things...