Today I saw something that made me cringe, close my eyes and pray that nothing happens, and on top of that only reinforced my fear of going on an actual ride (which sadly haven't done) more than just commuting for one mile each way.

Seen a girl under 16 years of age, or at least appeared to be a child, on what it looked like a pink/barbie bike going on the shoulder the wrong way on a four lane highway.

I don't know what everyone's feelings are on riding facing traffic, I think you have to be pretty crazy to do so, just last week I had this discussion with someone who was telling me about their health ailments that were bothering him, diabetes and such, and how complicated it was for him to exercise, I suggested cycling and we got on the same argument that I present to you today.

His words were : "Well, I have been an insurance adjuster for thirty years and have never heard of someone riding (a bike) on the road, at night or going with traffic."



No matter how many arguments I bring up that would bring light into how, in my opinion it is unsafe, most people I know still believe that it is safer than going with the traffic, but those same people have not ridden a bicycle for at least 30 years or more.

Tell me that this is not a predominant belief, say it isn't so.

Perhaps she and/or her parents haven't been informed educated that she would be safer riding with traffic as well as other rules of the road.

It sounds like you were arguing with an idiot, which is always a bad idea, because nobody can then tell which one is the idiot.

I saw her grandfathers yesterday.

I'm thinking of two old sayings:

"Never argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience".

"Some minds are like cement. All mixed up and permanently set".

Social Cow, it's likely that your 16 year old was taught to do this by well-meaning, but very mis-informed parents, or some other authority figure. Scout leader, etc. Why some people insist on doing this remains a mystery, and probably always will be. They adamantly insist they are safer, even though cycling advocacy organizations, including the MA bicycle coalition, try to tell them that this is simply not the case. Explained on their website.

It's probably best to simply not say anything. Just do what you can to avoid such people.

The idiot Tri-Fecta: Riding against traffic, at night with no lights, and either no helmet, or helmet dangling from handlebars. Had anyone figured this out?

I don't think it's a big mystery why people do this or are errantly taught to do so. Pedestrians walk against traffic so they can see it, and many people view riding a bike as an extension of being a pedestrian rather than being a vehicle, so it feels natural or like the right thing to do. This is probably especially true if they're riding really slowly. Education can cure most of it, but no remedy works for everything.

There is little denying that wrong way cyclists are putting themselves at much greater risk for collisions. Amazingly, even while taking on this added risk they still somehow usually manage to get to their destination unharmed. It kind of shows how safe cycling properly really can be.

Well why do you even bother with an opinion of an uninformed person that did not ride a bike in 30 years? That alone would make it clear to me that they probably don't have any understanding whatsoever what is safe and what is unsafe to do when riding a bike. His statement are just short of idiotic, because if he isn't into cycling, he doesn't know anything about it, and then he goes into some twisted logic concluding that you are in the wrong on the subject you know a lot about, and not he who knows nothing? Don't waste your time with such uninformed ignorant people who conceive themselves to be an imaginary expert on things they don't know first thing about. No wonder they say stupid things and believe they are right

I'm actually trying to figure out the salmon and/or ninjas that ride wearing helmets... priorities seem... backwards.

That's right. Helmets make you immune and safe.

Riding against traffic on a shoulder or sidewalk may be slightly more dangerous than riding the right way, but I don't think it's really on a 'cringe and close your eyes' type action. What does get me is doing so in the road, especially at night in a rural area without streetlights.

My one dislike about salmon riders is when they suddenly appear from behind a parked vehicle, with the shorter closing distance time, it makes for some rather quick instinctive evasive maneuvers.

I used to ride a bunch back in the day and I always did it correctly. However, I have recently started riding again and I have seriously thought about riding against traffic so I can see the idiot playing with their cell phone before they hit me instead of being surprised by a rear assault. If it weren't for so many people texting and playing games on their cell phone I wouldn't be so concerned.

When I encounter Salmon, I stay to the right and force them to pass me on my left. Since they can see the cars so much better, they can enjoy travelling closer to the flow of opposing traffic.

I hate to see adults riding against traffic. But a small child on a 20 inch bike is another matter. They really are pedestrians on wheels--probably not moving more than 5 or 6 mph--and pedestrians are supposed to travel facing traffic.

I would waive that when the salmon was a 9 year old girl on a pink Barbie bike. we all have to look out for the young folks.

Good point. There is one I see on evening rides, in the vicinity of Newton Highlands (MA) She wears a safety vest, but has no lights, or helmet. I have not noticed reflectors. Guess the safety vest cures all.

It's amazing how some people seem to live in a bubble. How could anyone possibly not see people riding on the road, with traffic or at night? Riders do it all the time.

Move.

If he followed your advice he might end up with no one to talk to.

There are credible sources, more credible than him in the eyes of the average random person, to point to who will tell you not to ride against traffic.

Beyond local law there's: https://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/p...yweb/index.htm

Get a mirror instead.

Do you mean? to the point of not riding at all?

I have seen something like that before. I wanted to chase the guy down and, set him straight. I just had an appointment to go to.

Riding against the traffic is insane!!!!

I totally agree with you.

1. You can't save them all.

2. Ever lived in a neighborhood where it is a sport to drive up behind a cyclist riding the "right" way and knock his/her brains out with a baseball bat from the passenger seat? If you ever did, you would have better understanding of why some people ride against traffic.

3. And then there are the idiots who want to "see the car that kills them". Never thought of a mirror? That's why they call them idiots.

4. Thanks to long lines at the grocery and Social Security running out, I am happy that people smoke, ride against traffic, base jump, etc. Think of them as Population Control Volunteers.

I don't see what the big deal is. If they are on the shoulder, like the girl in the OP, it doesn't matter what direction they are going in. They are not interfacing with auto traffic at all. It becomes trickier at intersections or if there are cyclists coming the "correct" way, but as long as they don't force anyone out into the lane, then...who cares?

You're completely missing the point.

What if a car breaks down and moves into the shoulder (not expecting anyone to be coming in the same direction)? What if a car goes off course onto the shoulder? The combined speed of car and bike add up quickly you know. And you haven't even begun to think over properly what might happen at intersections. (it's not 'who cares')

I'm not saying it's optimal, but for kids, i don't think it's the end of the world. Kids ride slowly and are in that sense like pedestrians. They also tend to cross intersections in the crosswalk like pedestrians anyway, and are legally allowed to proceed on the sidewalk as well in many jurisdictions.