Last summer driving down Beechwood. Probably 30 cars doin’ 15 mph. After about 20+ blocks, I finally passed the lone biker. At the next red light, he passed all the cars on the right, and crashed the light. Another 20+ blocks and I got past him again. As he came up to pass me on the right, at the next stop light, I opened the passenger door, and told him if he tried to pass me again, I was gonna knock him into the next week. He retreated, only to call the cops on me. I got pulled over, and was told of the complaint. I informed the officer about the guy’s riding habits, and was told. “I hear this constantly on this road. Sorry to have bothered you. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
I believe every word of that. Every now and then I’ll be driving in my car and come upon a couple of bikers riding abreast in the middle of my lane having a chat and making no effort to move to single file. I’m a cyclist and it pisses the hell out of me. Usually, I’ll yell at them as I go by. I make a constant effort while riding to obey the rules and be considerate of drivers. The problem is that the small minority of cyclists who are jerks make riding more difficult and dangerous for those of us who are not.
I'm out there to ride, not to get in the way of drivers. If I see that a car at a cross street waiting on me I will get out of the saddle and sprint. It may only gain them couple of seconds, but good will is involved. When a driver shows me courtesy I wave to thank them.
Perhaps I am fortunate. I drive and ride in an area where both the drivers and riders almost all behave very well. I have never seen any of the bad rider and bad driver behavior described here. I am sure it happens, but I have not experienced it. And that included a commute to work on a road w/ about 6" of shoulder to the right of the white. Heck, I had people who would honk hello because they were used to seeing me.
Sounds to me like too many liberals ride bikes...