This wasn’t the post I planned to write today, but after yesterday’s bike ride, it was definitely on my mind.
Yesterday, I went out for a group bike ride, nothing too strenuous, just a nice hilly trip through Columbia, MD. We’re out on the roads, obviously, but usually drivers are pretty good.
Yesterday was unusual. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
On a hilly, windy, two lane road with a double yellow line down the middle, a large truck came up behind us. We were on the side of the road, but there wasn’t much of a shoulder. This truck driver decided that he wasn’t waiting, he was going to pass. So he began to leapfrog bikers. And then a car came careening at him from the other direction. He immediately jerked the wheel to the right, narrowly missing two cyclists. Did he care? Nope. Just kept on leapfrogging.
A bit later, a guy driving a convertible pulled a similar stunt.
Normally, I get done with a ride and feel pretty good. Shaky and tired, but good.
Yesterday, I was just mad.
I know some people don’t agree that cyclists belong on the road. But until the law changes, cyclists have every right to be there. So let’s keep it safe. Waiting a few extra minutes won’t kill anyone.
I like your last line “Waiting a few extra minutes won’t kill anyone.” However a driver in a hurry just might kill someone, as we’ve seen recently. Really sad.
Stay safe my friend!!
Diana Kurcfeld recently posted…Seriously people, slow down
Yikes – how scary.
Since you’re both a cyclist and a runner, can you tell me what you think about these groups sharing paths? Charlie and I almost get mown down by cyclists – especially when we’re running through a section that has signs saying “walk your bike” that are completely ignored – and it makes me mad. (He’s not in the way, by the way; he’s much better now anyway plus when there’s a cyclist coming from either direction I make sure I’m between Charlie and the cyclist.)
What are the rules for this? Because I’m tired of having to come to a full stop on the side of narrow paths just so cyclists don’t have to slow down.
(I’m sure you’re more respectful, by the way!)
Betsy recently posted…Travel Tuesdays: The Norfolk Coast
Oh, I would agree that there are cyclists who don’t follow the rules as well. I just about got mowed down today in a crosswalk by a cyclist making a turn.
If there is a sign that says walk your bike – clearly the cyclist is in the wrong if he or she is riding.
In terms of sharing paths, they should definitely slow down and be careful, but if someone has to leave the path, in my opinion, as a cyclist and a runner, it should be the person on foot.
That’s part of the reason I rarely cycle on paths. I get tired of slowing down and I know that I should, so I try to bike on less trafficked roads.