[GeorgiaDawg32]

I have nothing against cyclists, but using a street in a subdivision as a personal training area isn't right..

[Ben Mugged]

When they ride in large groups they also tend to ignore traffic laws (like stop signs).

[sopwith]

THUMP THUMP

[em2vn]

If the cops impound one TREK bike the problem will solve itself.

[lesser_satan]

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.

[Kimmers]

I am also willing to share the road with cyclists but in my area cyclists are road hogs that disobey the rules of the road and they haven't seen a stop sign they don't blow through.

My hats off to those few that obey the rules!!!!

[AnAmericanMother]

Wow, if they're complaining up on Columns Drive (which is flat as a table and quite wide), then we CERTAINLY need to raise some sand in Vinings.

The Atlanta Bicycle Club has a regular weekend ride down the main drag in Vinings -- a hilly, curvy, narrow 2 lane blacktop with no shoulders, a narrow sidewalk right on the curb with no grassy verge, and blind driveways and side roads every 1-200 yards.

There may be as many as 50-75 cyclists on a nice sunny day -- and they completely ignore the rules of the road, riding 5 or 6 abreast, not signalling, gliding through stop signs, etc.

I came over a blind hill to find that the cyclists were riding so many abreast that the guy on the end had drifted over into my lane of traffic. He came within a couple of feet of becoming a hood ornament, but I was going slow because I'd seen some leaders and was able to swerve and stop.

Then of course he shot me the bird. He ought to have been thankful to be alive, the idiot.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I am an avid cyclist and generally ride about 120 miles per week. Also, I participate in group, planned cycling events. The Georgia law is always provided, and additional courtesies and rules are stated. The vast majority of cyclists follow the Georgia laws, which require riding on to the far right of a highway, stopping at stop signs/red lights, and respecting pedestrians and other cars. We generally try to ride where car/truck traffic is light.

On the other hand, most motorists are polite to cyclists, but many motorists drive talking on cell phones, or are inattentive to cyclists. Frankly, I ride very defensively. On several occasions, I have gone off a road because I see a driver in my rear view mirror that scares me. If a car hits me at 60 mph, I am probably toast.

On balance, cyclists are probably more defensive and polite than most motorists. Unfortunately, it sounds like some of these bike riders were in the minority. By the way, if you want good health, loose weight and heart rate (mine is 45), take up cycling.

[cyclotic]

Why not?

This law is insane and will never pass muster. Cyclists have as much right to the road as others.

Also, I'd love to see cyclists doing 30, 40 and 50mph. My best ever is 40, down a huge hill with a big tailwind. Maintaining more than 25 cruising in a pack is difficult.

Also, if the people are concerned about getting hit while at their mailbox, try looking before you walk into the street. Cyclists don't want to hit them as much as they don't want to get hit.

[Old Professer]

Especially if the wind disturbs my prize Irises.

[DUMBGRUNT]

"along the road in upwards of million-dollar homes "

So it would be OK in a less expensive neighborhood?

"They'll go 30, 40, 50 miles per hour down Columns Drive."

Wow! I can make it well in to the thirty's on occasion, but 40 or 50? Must be some elite riders!

[grjr21]

robbing the roadway


I say no way .
Where are they gonna put it ?
Do those spandex suits even have pockets ?

[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!"

[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.

[Be Free]

When I used to live in Marietta, I was an avid runner. Someone mentioned the park at the end of Columns Drive (Johnson's Ferry Rd. marks the other end); my run would start at the southern entrance of the park and, on some days, I'd go all the way to Johnson's Ferry Rd., then turn around and head back to the parking lot (about 8 miles round-trip).

If I recall correctly, there were no stop signs along Columns Drive. Also, there are no crossing streets: Columns Drive nearly dead-straight, and about east-west; to the south-side of the road are some polo fields and the Chattahoochee River; to the north side are 2 "back" entrances into Atlanta Country Club.

Unless things have changed dramatically since I moved away in 1994, the only traffic that would be on this road would be traffic headed for ACC, or traffic headed to the east entrance of the park. So, opportunities for encounters with bikers should be limited at best (perhaps leading to its popularity with bikers?), and if they're pacing along at 30+ mph, should not be impeding traffic at all (excepting those that wish to blow down the road well in excess of the posted limit.

My guess is there's arrogance on both parts (bikers and drivers); the former due to the aggressive/dangerous drivers , and the latter due to their being inconvenienced as they might have their journey delayed 30 seconds or so.

[Melas]

Will they try to ban joggers next?

[Sensei Ern]

Here in DC, the cyclists have convinced the government to block off Rock Creek Parkway at Certain times, and especially on weekends. Rock Creek Parkway is one fo the major arteries leading out of DC into Maryland, but it is very scenic, and the cyclists want it for themselves.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

They come by my shop 3 and 4 abreast and blow right through the stop sign every time.God help you if you get behind a pack of them because there is no chance to pass and no other way around them. Tacks anyone?

[LukeL]

Where I live there is an abundance of bike paths and yet people still have to ride on a highwayt with a 50MPH speed limit two wide.

Also this topic gives me time to complain about parents who take their infants on bike rides, espeically in those enclosed buggies.