Cobb targets cyclists (Cobb County, Georgia)

Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 1/23/07 | CRAIG SCHNEIDER

[GeorgiaDawg32]

With its flat surface, wide shoulders and lack of parked cars, Columns Drive near Marietta draws dozens of cyclists on a nice day, including many who use the somewhat remote road as their training track, riding lap after lap up and down the 2 1/2 mile street.

But angry residents who live along the road in upwards of million-dollar homes say the cyclists whip along the street three or more abreast, cutting off cars, robbing the roadway and scaring people even as they step out to check their mailbox.

[Dark Skies]

I now live in a small town where stop sign are at the end of every street. Since there is little traffic, I come to a crawl and cross if there is no traffic. I have been biking hard for 20+ years and have never had a problem with motorists except on Nantucket where stressed out housewifes from Boston literally scream at bikers on the road.

[San Jacinto]

Some cyclists exceed the speed limit of 25 mph, sidle up to cars and "thump" on the car to get it out of their way, residents say.

How does that old line go?

...."Somebody did that to my car once.....ONCE!"

[Dark Skies]

I must have misunderstood your post to me about having motorcycles parade on my street. I thought it was some kind of threat.

[Investment Biker]

Thanks I will keep that in mind. It seems to me that there are two issues here. One is congestion. Crowded conditions can make any road unsafe whether for the cyclist, walker, or motorist. This I surmise is the partial reason behind the lets drive them away ordinance. What it really show is the lack of decent bicycling areas in communities. Perhaps this community needs to address that issue.

The second issue is one of outsiders lessening the peace and quiet of a community (million dollar homes mean they have political influence). This means they attempt to drive them out. But the roadway is a public place for use by all. There are no easy answers without more bicycle facilities.

[Kimmers]

The other morning I was going to work and it was still dark out. I saw these odd light coming toward me in the other lane and it was a group of bicyclist's on a very curvy narrow road....It was good they had the lights but still we drivers aren't used to them yet, I just think that is dangerous.

I always give bikes a lot of room because I never know what could happen. It is too bad in our area I see more rude bikers rather than safe. This is one motorists that will never knowingly put them in harms way.

[Dark Skies]

Columns Drive also leads to a National Forest parking lot and on weekends and end of each day there's plenty of auto traffic from outside the neighborhood. The are also many runners along that street. People that buy on Columns Drive know, despite the million dollar price range, that they are buying in an avid exercise area.

When I was riding there, several homeowners had signs in their yards inviting runners and cyclist to use their water faucets. Sounds like the Crabbyappletons have now moved in.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

So,, I'm the 20th car in line behind a biker. Finally, after about 20 minutes of going 11 mph, I get by the guy. Traffic comes to a standstill at a red light. Biker passes everybody on the right, blows through the light, and the whole rigamarole starts over. PITA!
I ride in the Valley Park, on a bike trail.

[Dark Skies]

So,, I'm the 20th car in line behind a biker. Finally, after about 20 minutes of going 11 mph, I get by the guy. Traffic comes to a standstill at a red light. Biker passes everybody on the right, blows through the light, and the whole rigamarole starts over.

Certainly sounds "bogus" to me.

[HIDEK6]

While I agree that the Silver Comet is OFF ROAD. I can still chose to spend my vacation money where cyclist are accepted. That leaves Atlanta off the list for now.

So will you take AirTran out of town, or are you boycotting them, too?

[elkfersupper]

...."Somebody did that to my car once.....ONCE!"

Sounds like those cyclists need a refresher course on the lug nut count right of way rule.

Whoever has the most lug nuts has the right of way.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

BWAAA!

[Dark Skies]

lol

[cyclotic]

Let's see the traffic laws of every state in the union. Don't make boneheaded comments you can't back up.

[Minn]

with the spandex

I’ve often wondered what it is about a certain stretchy, moisture wicking fabric that turns otherwise decent people into petty little twerps at the mere sight of another person wearing it. It’s functional people. Those people aren’t wearing tight stretchy shorts to look cool or irritate you. They provide padding, moisture control and coolness. You don't have to be a talented athlete to benefit. Any fat slob can have a more comfortable ride in cycling shorts than a pair of Zubas. I’m sorry the sight of a pair of shorts bothers you all so much. On second thought, I’m not sorry at all. If you are offended, or somehow annoyed, by stretchy shorts, go bite yourself!

[Kimmers]

No traffic, no stopping, no problem IMO

I live in area with narrow sometimes curvy roads with no shoulders. I have seen cyclists blow through stop signs, weaving in and out of stopped traffic. It can be a dangerous.

I give bikes a lot of room because I do no know what is going to happen besides bad judgment on someones part, a blown tire or bad pavement. Car vs cyclist the cyclist would lose and I don't want that ever happening.

Biking is a great form of exercise and I do not mind sharing the road, I just ask that all of us pay attention.

[Dark Skies]

BTW, I know a lot of bikers you'd like just fine. Some in their 70's.

I keep motorists on my side by waving and being extra courteous...seems to work here in the South.

[Gorzaloon]

I bike a lot myself, but I want to shove a stick in the spokes of the ^ssholes who ride three abreast and block traffic. It's not the mountain-bikers or hippy-types who are the problem either, it's the Lance-Armstrong-wannabe jerkoffs in sponsor-festooned spandex from head to toe.

The very ones who sneer at me because sometimes I forget to put the Spandex Costume on. That's five more minutes riding after work by skipping the BS. But I cycle because I want to, wheras the costume snobs are doing it from some script.

On my trail rides, few care. At commuting times, the trails are far more pleasant than trying to mix it up with the daily Lemming Death March. MOOOooo, gotta get the kids to soccer &etc.

Years ago, I noted a fascinating shift of viewpoint: I would commute home from work in my cage, and be angry with the 2+ abreast cyclists on my two lane road.

Then, I would get on my bike, and be angry at the cagers I had to dodge on the same road, on the way to my trails.

Funny how that works.

[Silicon Cowboy]

I don't agree with thier approach...

I commute by bicycle, about 30 miles a day, five days a week out here in California.

In California, we have all the same rules for cyclist and motorists. Cyclists are expected to stay as far to the right as is safe but if nec., we can go down the center of the lane or use the left turn lane.

We are supposed to, of course, also obey all of the same signals and signs as motorists...

Things that drive me nuts...

Everything they are compaining about in this article. If I ever encountered one of these yahoos.. I'd knock them off their bikes. You just do NOT go down the road two, three, or more abreast.. you do not tap on cars, yell at pedestrians that have the right of way, etc...

I also can't stand it when a fellow cyclist runs a stop sign.. it is no wonder we have such a bad rep. I read folks the riot act every time I see it happen.

On the other side of the coin.. drivers, I don't appreciate the "see how close I can get to the cyclist without actually hitting him" game... or the "lets honk and see if he falls off his bike" game. That's why I carry RR spikes.. to fling if nec.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

when I'm going by someone on a bike, I do give a small "honk" on the horn when I'm about 50 feet behind and ready to pass..just to let them know I'm there and not to do anything stupid like pull out in front of me..I then pass in the opposite LANE and get as far away from them as possible, just in case they DO do something stupid..

[landorepub]

If it doesn't have an engine or a license plate, stay the h3ll off the road. I see the same crap here in Florida with the cycling clubs who think their above all. "Oh, look at us in our beautiful biking outfits. We don't care if you need to get somewhere soon, after all, we have just as much right to this road as you do." I normally just blow my horn until they move....