Why do bicyclists ride in a group and clog up 1/2 lane of traffic? Do they comprehend how ANGRY drivers get?

Question

Especially when on a road where passing them is impossible due to hills or curves. WHY do they think it's okay to slow traffic to a crawl for miles on end? The ones who are all dressed alike apparently training for something are the worst. They won't get over for anything, even with a line of traffic 30 cars long (no, I am not exaggerating!) being stuck behind them for over 45 minutes (again - not exaggerating)!

Answer 1

In addition to what has already been stated, in some states, such as the one I live in, bicycles are considered a motorized vehicle; subsequently, they have every right to be on the road as cars and trucks and should be treated as another vehicle on the road. In the same respect, cyclists also should be obeying the same traffic laws that apply to cars and trucks, i.e., stopping at red lights, stopping at stop signs, etc.

Answer 2

I'm a cyclist and I understand exactly where you're coming from.

The reality is, not every road is suitable for cycling. Some roads are ok for one or two riders, but not for a pack. And no matter what riders say, a pack of more than a few people will always block the road.

The answers above reflect a very dangerous attitude that's common in cycling in the US, that "we're special so we can block the road"

I say dangerous for 2 reasons: 1) the obvious road rage problem, but 2) the less obvious problem that drivers outnumber cyclists and they also vote. Where I live a number of cities are banning bikes from roads because of the problem that the questioner describes.

My attitude is, follow the golden rule - I don't like being stuck in traffic behind some slow-moving igmo, so I'm not going to intentionally and knowingly do that to somebody else. And I don't participate in group rides that use those kinds of roads.

Fellow cyclists, you need to wise up - this recent boom in road cycling will come to a nasty legislative halt if we don't practice self-restraint.

Don't believe me? Study the history of the sport. Britain banned groups on its roads for many years. The US came very close to a complete federal nationwide ban back around the turn of the century during the first bike boom. It could happen to you.

Answer 3

I've been riding on the shoulder when I've had both an oncoming car, and one trying to pass from behind and the car from behind decides it needs to squeeze between both myself and the oncoming car. This is just a stupid recipie for an accident involving ANY of us at the hands of one stupid person. This happens MANY, MANY times and I quite frankly am not ready to get hit or run into the ditch by someone who isn't patient enough to wait 12 seconds.

Now, when there is oncoming traffic or a blind corner I will move far enough into the lane to keep someone from passing, for ALL of our safety (for the record, I'm a firefighter and EMT ), and then move over to the shoulder to let people pass when it's clear. Simple courtesy.

I know, and understand, that there are cyclist that won't move over or extend this courtesy. That is too bad. To me they share the same "I'm more important than you" attitude as the beligerant SUV driver. It's the same whether you're a driver, cyclist, pedestrian, what have you - there are considerate people, and there are the self-important ones with no patience.

Answer 4

To play the Devil's advocate, I will agree with your post. A lot of cyclists have a hard time discerning the good bicycling roads from the bad ones. Bicycling should be done on the backroads, and in designated bicycling lanes. When it's necessary to ride on a busy street, the bicyclist should be ready to pull over and walk, or ride on a sidewalk if necessary. It's terribly annoying when someone is riding down a major highway on a bike, because it's....

1) Dangerous to the bicyclist, and to automobiles.
2) Inefficient in terms of traffic congestion.
3) Rude.

As a cyclist, I can tell you that biking is a lot more fun when done in groups. You can go a LOT faster by drafting off of other cyclists. So, that's why people ride in groups.

But to ignore cars, and the disruption one might be causing to them is inconsiderate.

Answer 5

what are you complaining about? You are sitting on your a** in a motorized vehicle which is capable of going much faster than any bicycle. So you will get to where you are going soon enough.

If they ride in groups - training or not - maybe it affords them some protection from people like yourself who would otherwise seemingly do their best to run a lone cyclist off the rode.

Don't believe me? Then get off your a**, get on a bike and go out there and see what its like. Then you can get back to me and tell me how many time you get clipped by passing motorists!!! Tell me how difficult it is to hold your line when you are being forced off the road!!! Tell me how many times people try to cut you off/knock you over!!! How many people pull into your lane when you have right of way and almost cause you to take a tumble over their vehicle!!! How many times you have to squueeze down thebreaks for opening doors!!!

Afterwards you may not get so excited about a group of cyclist slowing traffic. And maybe, just maybe you will become more aware of cyclists when you are driving and maybe you will be more considerate.

Bottom line: If motorists treated cyclists with any respect there might be fewer problems.

Now you know how angry cyclists can get.

Answer 6

To some extent I can agree with your post. The problem is that ALL cyclists get blamed for the actions of a few cyclists. The group I ride with runs single file and rarely two abreast and then it is only on multi-lane roads that we might run two lines. As a counter question, why is it that motorists buzz two feet away from a rider that is less than a foot from the curb when they have two full lanes to go around the cyclist?

Answer 7

You should probably educate yourself better on cycling laws. In most cities, cyclists are allowed to use as much of the lane as they need to proceed safely. I understand that your perspective is different when you're driving: You can't see the same obstacles a cyclist can, the obstacles that can puncture tires or cause them to lose control.

Most importantly, remember that cyclists don't impede traffic: They ARE traffic.

Bottom line, if you're getting angry because someone is riding within the letter of the law, that's your problem. Your alternatives are to find a different route, lobby your local government to build bike lanes, or lobby for a change to your cycling laws.

Answer 8

A cyclist has every bit as much right to be on the road as a motor vehicle, and has no obligation to go at the speed limit. They can ride as many abreast as they like can ride out into the road, as most really bad cycle accidents are caused by stupid drivers opening the doors of their parked cars into passing cyclists.

If you had ever cycled, you would realise how important it is that cyclists are given the same rights as everyone else. Our planet is covered in pollution and we are running out of fossil fuel and still people don't realise that the people on the bikes are the ones doing the right thing!

You will find that cyclists ride in groups for safety, as most drivers don't look out for lone cyclists.

Answer 9

Apart from the fact they are not causing much pollution why are you so angry? If you really need to pass you will be able to , screaming at them will only make them pissed off as well. You could always try an 'excuse me please, I need to pass' or dont you want to wind your windows down, heat or AC may 'escape'. you could try joining a cycling club. You may understand why they do this then, and maybe you'll not only get fitter but less angry as well
I dont cycle but I'm pretty laid back about people who do and give them as much time and space as I can.

Answer 10

It is a juingle out there for us cyclist, we just ask for the same consideration that is offered to other vehicles, cars , motorcycles. Cars should be able to pass safely.