disrespectful cyclists...

Originally Posted by kdelong

I am getting close to being an older cyclist and I hope I don't fall into this catagory. I have noticed that the most inconsiderate cyclists that I encounter tend to be the older ones. I usually don't have much trouble with the younger ones. If they seem inconsiderate, it is usually because they don't realize that I am there (quiet bike). The older ones that seem inconsiderate tend to beleive highly in "respect your elders and let them do whatever the hell they want to do!" Now this is not every older cyclist, and there are some downright inconsiderate younger ones, but most of the inconsiderate ones that I encounter tend to be the older cyclists.

Originally Posted by mongooseboy

Ok, I know most of us on here keep out of the way of normal road traffic (cars...), but today I surely wished i had it in me to run people over. On the way home from my girlfriends house, after a nice long bike ride on the canal pathway , I encountered a whole group of cyclists, mostly older cyclists out pedaling for fun (nothing serious looking). Noticing they almost all had mirrors and helmets I thought, good they will move over to the right and I can get by them no problems.

WRONG

Most all of them, after seeing me in their mirrors or turning their head and looking at me, even after flashing my highbeams quick (thought it would let them know I was there), would swerve out into MY lane. Not just a few feet, I mean almost all the way to the yellow line. They were even passing eachother while i was trying to get around them all. Now im a very considerate person, I do what I can because Im a cyclist too, but this was outrageous. They KNEW I was there, and yet didnt follow NY state law, and keep to the right. One cyclist doing this isnt that bad, but a whole group (there was about 10 maybe more) kinda irritated me... Like I previously stated, sometimes I just wish I wasnt as courteous as I am. But I dont need a criminal record either, I love my freedom here in America!

Sorry for the rant, but I was really really dissapointed to see people that were obviously cyclists (not just people riding bikes) act so DUMB.

Of course they probably thought I was just a typical mid-20s guy tryin to speed around them, but I was just trying to get around them before one decided to swerve out in front of me.

OK, Im done...anyone else encounter this???

Originally Posted by e0richt

how many lanes did the road have? was it a no passing zone (i.e. double center line)? was it a busy road?

It could be that they were trying to take the lane because it wasn't safe to pass due to a minimal shoulder or that another car was coming...

Originally Posted by mongooseboy

2 lanes (opposing directions), no passing for most of it (curvy section) and yes, other cars were coming as well towards us. while there wasnt much shoulder, they were all they way out at least halfway into my lane. I have no problems riding on such road conditions and staying out of the way of other vehicles. There was NO reason they had to take up half my lane and not even try to give me room.

Oh well, ill probably never encounter something like that again. Had it been a charity ride, i wouldnt have had a problem either, but these were just a few people out taking up the backroads ignoring state traffic laws...

Originally Posted by e0richt

well, I know in jersey that there are exceptions to the "ride to the right as far as practicable", but even if that were the case, riders are not supposed to ride more than two abreast. the question is whether there was enough room to allow you, an oncoming car and the cyclists at the same time... if not then they should take the lane and you have to wait to get around, at least here in jersey... if there were a few cars backed up behind them then they should pull over and stop to let them through before getting back into the road...

Originally Posted by DrunkenBiker

I live in New Jersey and I would never take up the lane no matter what the law says. If the shoulder is too small to pass or, as usual, has an obstacle then I stop and wait till traffic is clear and then continue on.

Better to slow up or stop than get plowed under by some putz in a 50 ton SUV that is driving, talking on a cell phone, eating and pulling on his pud all at the same time.

Originally Posted by DrunkenBiker

I live in New Jersey and I would never take up the lane no matter what the law says. If the shoulder is too small to pass or, as usual, has an obstacle then I stop and wait till traffic is clear and then continue on.

Better to slow up or stop than get plowed under by some putz in a 50 ton SUV that is driving, talking on a cell phone, eating and pulling on his pud all at the same time.

Originally Posted by Lonnie Utah

When I encounter a "group" like this I use it as an educational opportunity for my fellow cyclists. I gently remind folk that to get respect you have to give respect. I think it also helps that I have 4 bike racks on the top of my car....

Originally Posted by e0richt

actually, if you never "take the lane" then how do you handle an intersection?... I find that in order to NOT get run over from right or left hooks, you have to be in the lane. not even mentioning the fact that a good share of drivers don't really pay attention to whats happening on the shoulder of a road... I guess the alternative is to stop all the time (that also causes confusion for motorists by the way...)