JReedEsq

I challnged you to show me where I was disrespectful. You can't do it, so you resort to name calling. You've proven my point perfectly. PHQ.

I say 5-7 seconds, because I'm literally talking about 5-7 seconds! WTF! We're talking about putting someone's life at risk because someone can't wait a few seconds to pass and that's snarky? Somehow that's in the same league as someone who says "they deserve" to get things thrown at them, or someone who refers to cyclists as "douches"? I'm sorry, but I don't plan to be a victim, and I won't stop until I make sure someone who treats me that way is no longer HCP eligible. I guess your the kind of guy who'd help carry your flat-screen out for someone robbing your house? Hate to be rude right?

I challenge you to show me where I've been disrespctful to anyone other than those inciting violence and lawlessness. I've stated over and over I don't advocate bolcking the road, I've encouraged understanding, and I've only stated I will not be a helpless victim. How is that disrespectful?

You must not have read any of my posts. There of lots of times when there isn't sufficient space to pass. Instead of risking being forced off the road by some jackhole trying to sqeeze by, the cyclist has to take up a little bit of space and let drivers pass when there isn't oncoming traffic. The fact that you blame the cyclist is absolutely disgusting.

I've spent way too much time responding to this thread in the last few days. My last post probably told you guys more about cycling than you are interested in knowing. However, I feel it sometimes helps if people know more about things they aren't informed of. Like, for instance that people may be riding a certain way to go faster, not just to chat or try to block the road. I'm really amazed at some of the responses on this thread. While most drivers are courteous to cyclists, I'm not at all surprised that there are cowardly a-holes out there that advocate throwing things. What is surprising, is that some people think that if they don't understand someone's hobby, and that hobby makes them scared or uncomfortable, then we need the government to tax and regulate it. Please, do us all a favor and stay out of politics.

The law actually adresses this. They really shouldn't be riding more than two abreast. Most serious "Tour de France wannabes" plan rides on rural, low traffic roads to minimize any impact on traffic. FYI, most of the time they are are probably riding in a "paceline." This is when two lines of riders constantly rotate so that no one rider is constantly in the wind. Used properly, this technique actually increases the average speed of the group considerably (bringing them closer to the average speed of traffic). They shouldn't have to be more than two abreast to do this. As a matter of fact, the narrower the group, the more they are shielded from cross-winds. If it's really causing you a problem you could always call your local LE office and technically the riders could be ticketed for riding more than two abreast. I'd like to think you've got something better to do with your time than to worry about people getting traffic tickets. Kind of reminds me of old folks lobbying for more speed bumps in their neighborhood. I have to admit though, it certainly is a better response than some of the others in this thread.

Thanks, Oh Shoot. I needed someone to remind me there are some reasonable folks here.

I'll be glad to give you my ID. You'll know exactly who I am when I sue your ass anyway. How many times do I have to say I don't advocate blocking the road? You are the one who is advocating a crime. The ignorance on this board is astounding.

Hey JAB, You are absolutely wrong to assume someone should have to stop and pull over to allow you to pass. Stay to the right, yes, stop, no. You're right the world revolves around you and no one should ever do anything that might cause you an inconvienence. My question is this what do you do when someone writes a check in front of you at the grocery store? As for characterizing cyclists, I raced for more than 10 years, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say I probably know a few more than you. Maybe Mav is right that you should lobby for change if this issue is such a big deal to you. How about more bike lanes? I'd hate to cause you to lose 5 seconds of your life.

1. No one said a cyclist should block you just that you should wait until it's safe to pass. 2. I've never advocated a cyclist taking up a lane unnecessarily, but it it's an issue of causing you a delay verses risking their life by waiting on you to pass, then you should wait, period. 3. If you read the statute I posted above, cyclists do have an obligation to stay to the right and allow you to pass when there is enough room to do so. They don't have an obligation to get off the road, however. 4. What I call rude is referring to someone you don't know as a "dope", What the hell gives you the right to insult someone you don't know? 5. I've got no problem with 4x4s. I own one, and I've driven it off road. I've got no problem with 4x4s. If you were allowed to bring it to the trails at Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge, I'm sure you'll end up upside down or in a lake. At Norris Watershed, 4x4s are allowed on the "fire roads" that mountain bikers use to acess the trails. You know what? They go really freakin slow. What do we do? We wait until we can pass safely and go around them. Never once have I had the urge to throw things, cuss, or say they shouldn't be allowed there.

This is very true. Unfortunately, some people misunderstand this as someone intentional blocking. Another misunderstanding is that cyclists want to ride on busy two-lanes. Most serious cyclists prefer rural, low traffic routes. They may have to ride mile or two on a busy highway in order to connect two otherwise low traffic roads. The cyclist might do a 40-60 mile loop with only one mile on a high-traffic area... Trust me it's not fun to have traffic buzz you at high speed but sometimes there are no alternative routes. Only a novice or someone who's lost his way would intentionally choose to block traffic if they have another option.

In short; Same rules, Same rights: 55-8-172. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles — Penalty. — (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title, except as to special regulations in §§ 55-8-171 — 55-8-177, and except as to those provisions of this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title that by their nature can have no application. ( A violation of subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 72; T.C.A., § 59-873; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]

Here is the Tennessee statute regulating where a cyclist is to be in a lane: 55-8-175. Riding on roadways and bicycle paths — Penalty. — (a) (1) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations: (A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; ( When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or © When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, “substandard width lane†means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. (2) This subsection (a) does not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control. ( (1) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane. (2) Subdivision ((1) does not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. © (1) This subsection © shall be known and may be cited as the “Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007.†(2) The operator of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3¢) and shall maintain the clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. (d) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 75; T.C.A., § 59-876; Acts 1985, ch. 138, § 5; 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1995, ch. 140, §§ 5, 6; 2007, ch. 81, § 1.]

No and No. Haven't we covered this? If you throw something at me I'm getting your plates, a description of your vehicle and we'll have our day in Court. It is an assault period. *Edit: It is your right to yell and/or honk. But not throw things.

If you read any of my earlier posts, you'll see that I don't think it's ok to intentionally block traffic. Of course that's a rude thing to do. Here's the thing though; sometimes drivers don't realize there may be glass, debris or a rumble strip that creates a safety hazard for the cyclist that you aren't aware of. Second, you probably don't throw bottles at other people who irritate you on the road, so why should you say "they deserve it", just because they are on a bike?

Sorry Jason. It seems some of the other folks here were implying that cyclists shouldn't be on the road and I attributed that feeling to you. I do hope that some of the other posts have explained why greenways and especially sidewalks aren't always the best place for cyclists. For some reason there are people out there who feel they have the right to threaten, harrass, intimidate or assault people because they wear funny clothes or cause an inconvienence. I can definitely be reasoned with, and I try to see both sides of issues, but I've just never been the type of person who responds well to intimidation. It's especially ironic for someone to say that cyclists are on a power trip when the accuser is only big and bad when they are in a car and can convienently drive off.

Are you actually on a public forum encouraging an assault? That's mighty tough of you. Takes a lot of courage to throw something at someone and then drive off like an ignorant coward.

I've carried a G26 when riding alone, overall it's a much better gun (than any pocket .380), but the weight is bothersome on faster rides.

Naah I just carry pepper spray for dogs. Just so happens my pepper spray is a .380. If you're ever in a bike shop have a look at the jerseys. Most of them have three large pockets across the lower back. A .380 is for running or cycling IMHO. The rest of the time I carry a gun.

Careful now. Someone might just shoot back...

This is the cycling equivilant of saying I'm going to OC at the movie theater, I don't give a rat's a$$ what you think about it, it's my constitutional right and I won't conceal even if the manager asks me politely. In either situation it's annoying and a lot of good people can be cast in a bad light based on a few jackholes.

Thanks Mav. Is that really so hard? What people sometimes don't get is that doing anything other than waiting on a safe time to pass could put a cyclists life in danger. I don't have any problem with people who don't like cyclists. I have a serious problem with people who put my life in danger.

This is truth. As an experienced cyclist you wouldn't believe how many times I've complained to my wife when driving that someone has poor form and is all over the place. At times I've joked about stopping to inflate their tires, lube their chain, and discuss why their bike fit is all wrong.

I'll gladly scoot over when it is safe for me to do so. Trust me, I can feel you breathing down my neck, and I'd love to waive you around if I'm sure no one is coming from the other direction. If some drivers could accept the fact that we're actually not out there just to ruin their day, perhaps they wouldn't harbor so much animosity. See I really am a friendly guy. Just a right to exist is all I'm after...

That's true. But the roads would be a little safer if people would leave a safe distance to cyclists. Cyclists do need to follow the rules of the road like everyone else, but I can't tell you how many times some one has "buzzed" me and yelled at me for no reason whatsoever. I had a situation about 5 years ago with a guy who almost hit me and then proceeded to pull over and threaten me because he says his wife was almost in an accident with a cyclist a few days before and he wanted me to explain it or he would kick my ass. I told him I would be more than happy to call KPD so he can try to make a report about the other cyclist. Otherwise, he could get the hell out of my face and stop threatening me. He left....