Don’t Get Me Started – The Best Way To Piss Off A Cyclist? Criticize ‘Em (Op-Ed By Thomas Antkow)

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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.