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Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.
Submitted by Thomas Antkow –
I recently read an article in the Blount County Daily Times by the “Doctor” Joe Black. I respect Doctor Black and usually read every article that he pens with great interest. However, his views on cycling and “sharing the road” with motorists is not only infuriating, but arrogant. Of course, cyclists can legally share the limited space available in parks and on roadways in Tennessee. However, is it practical and involve common sense?
When I resided in Colorado, the bastion of the cycling world in the late great Mountain West, I was involved with a committee sponsored by CDOT. The goal was to explore how to distribute grant funds to educate participants how to “share the roads” with the citizenry. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The result regarding bikes and motor vehicles? Paint “sharrows” or stencils on roadways commonly frequented by cyclists warning motorist that they must share the road with two wheeled, non-motorized” vehicles. Typical example of tax money well spent. The only problem was in most cases; cyclists insist that because they have a legal right as a “vehicle” to do so that they obviously possess the right to co-occupy any and all possible roadways WHERE A BICYCLE AND IT’S RIDER FIT. Parks, mountain roads, pedestrian venues and mountain trails et al. The circumstances didn’t matter. We gas guzzlers were mandated to share and grant cyclists courteous passage regardless of the circumstances. Space be damned.
Let’s be frank. In the article Doctor Black rightfully honored the passing and tragic death of fellow cyclist Ms. Frey recently in Maryville Tennessee purportedly by a hit and run driver. The crash happened when Ms. Frey, an avid cyclist, was peddling on a two-lane road and was allegedly struck by a motorist. There were apparently no witnesses. Ms. Frey was discovered in a roadside ditch. As a matter of fact. This particular road has no curbs or paved shoulders. Very common in east Tennessee. The question is. Was it avoidable?
If memory serves. Some obvious facts about east Tennessee roadways. Cyclists legally must ride with the flow of traffic. Therefore, they are at a disadvantage even with helmet or rearview mirrors (which many do not possess) operating with their backs to vehicles approaching from behind. Motorists have difficulty judging distances on the right side of their vehicles. (that’s why God invented vehicle curb feelers in the 1950’s).
A long spring attached to the right fender making a scraping sound when making contact with the curb. Kind of like a red-tipped cane for blind pedestrians. Most roadways or paths where cyclists demand respect for sharing space, are where there is lack of space to share. The good doctor observes “there are laws governing bicycles on public roads (stay to the right, double line only, pull off if traffic is backed up behind you)”. Really?
Travel Old Niles Ferry or Montvale Road or most rural roadways in Tennessee sometime. There are rarely any places to pull over. Drivers must break the law by crossing the double yellow line, and RISK DEATH FROM A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING DRIVER to even approach anything resembling the speed limit. The answer. Restrict cyclists from roadways with less than (3) feet of available paved shoulder. Mandate that cyclists approaching pedestrians or dog walkers on paths in parks from behind communicate with a simple “on your left” to avoid startling pets or folks with hearing issues from being injured by cyclist arrogance. My wife was injured by a selfish cyclist while on a stroll just walking our dog on a pedestrian path in a local park. Share means share. Not get out of my way.
6 Responses
Cyclists are the worst people you will ever encounter. Fact.
Wow, JUST WOW!!!! The narcissistic entitlement of auto drivers… Why are you so triggered by cyclists? Is it the realization of just how lazy you are? Or, is it envy, the fact you can’t lift your leg over the bar, let alone pedal two feet without going into cardiac arrest?
The fact that you are so inconvenienced by a cyclist SHARING the road speaks more to your shortcomings than a momentary slowing down.
As a former road cyclist from California, a place I’ve come to detest, at least they valued the lives of cyclists and provided demarcated lanes for cyclists. If there weren’t such lanes, at least most drivers shared the road.
For such a welcoming and friendly state TN purports to be, I’ve never seen more passive-aggressive road rage aimed at cyclists. Granted, TN doesn’t provide designated bike lanes, and the roads are measurably narrower, but the attitude that it’s open season on cyclists is outright insanity!!
I value my life and will never ride on a TN road knowing that entitled TN drivers are willing to kill you to make a point.
But yeah, knock yourself out with your childish, and ultimately, childish “how to piss off a cyclist” rant…
Wow, JUST WOW!!!! The narcissistic entitlement of cyclists… Your claim that the attitude is that “…it’s open season on cyclists is outright insanity”. Your posting shows why people typically refer to cyclists as arrogant a-holes. You place the blame completely on the auto drivers admitting no blame for the cyclist. Granted there are some auto drivers that can’t drive even without a cyclist on the road too. That also goes for some cyclist too. When the two or one meet…. the cyclist will lose because of physics not intent. You seem to ignore the fact that cyclists believe they should and have complete ownership of the road simply because they are on a bike. I’ve had a cyclist I was passing carefully/slowly with half the lane between us suddenly swerve toward me to avoid something he thought he saw and didn’t want to run over he said when I stopped and asked why he moved so close to me. I have stories of 10 or more cyclists riding multiple abreast swerving out to pass other two or three cyclists at a time. Yeah, is that responsible!?!? They totally disregarded the fact they were on a country road that had more blind curve sections than straight they were of course, entitled cyclists after all, and they own the road too don’t you know.
My theory is…. a-holes are going to be a-holes no matter whether they are dealing with a cyclist or a motorcycle or a truck/car. The same is true for the a-hole cyclist. A ~10-pound cycle versus a ~3000-pound+ vehicle. Guesss who wins…. Welcome to reality and get off your high bicycle and smell your hypocrisy…. I hope you wake up and realize soon enough to find out which one you are and/or which one is coming up behind you…………
Momentary slowing down is a joke. The inconsiderates don’t care how long/bad they impede traffic.
I understand those in cars can and some are A holes!
How rich! This coming from the same people who don’t need a registration be insured pay a road usage tax and zero safety equipment like lights or turn signals?
I’am not the smartest person but, before y’all preach to those of us who PAY to drive our roads and abide by the laws, y’all should start a “Cyclists driver ed” class and teach cyclists how to ride.
1. STOP at ALL STOP signs 2. Wait y’all’s turn at ALL intersections. 3. Use hand signals to inform those behind ya WHAT y’all’s intentions are. 4. Have respect for others. 5. Give cars the right away.
Insults and name calling? Tells me y’all haven’t nothing to say, no way to improve what is already a danger to both cars and cyclists. Open a real conversation without calling 99% of us names!! In todays world I call that “Democrat”! I thank y’all God bless
When you’re impeding traffic, you’re not doing others any favors. If a road isn’t conducive to bike traffic but you demand to use it for that, you deserve whatever befalls you.