Originally Posted by
LittleBigMan
Doesn't anyone ever notice that they, as a cyclist, have to face a vast majority of motorists (including friends and family) that believe that riding a bicycle on the road in a vehicular fashion, as if one actually has legal right to, is not normal?
If it were normal, why do we need special facilities?
I support the desires of cyclists who want bicycle facilities to separate them from motor traffic, just as I want them to support my desire to be recognized as a road user of equal importance with motorists. But probably everyone in these discussions has at one time or another voiced their concern about the inequality that exists in American society between cyclists and motorists.
I agree with the gist of your statement while at the same time see a great deal of gray area, which is often ignored in order to simplify these issues into purely black and white.
The problem is that while we could conceivably survey the
opinions of many motorists and perhaps support your statement that most automobile road users see bicycles on the road riding in a vehicular fashion as not normal the actual on road
behavior of most drivers in most circumstances may not support this contention.
Though I often commute on a bike path into Boston I am a consistent road rider for longer bike transport and recreation and some commutes. At those times I ride in what I would classify as a vehicular fashion and am subject to roughly the same amount of aggressive driving and road rage as I do when driving a car. The danger is only amplified by the increased vulnerability of a cyclist over someone encased in the closed environment of a car. But for the most part, while I
do tend to choose my routes carefully to avoid potential conflicts, I am treated with roughly the same respect as a motorist.
While driver behavior is a factor I find road design, traffic volume, road conditions and number of intersections to be more of a factor for the need for bike facilities.