Why does such a high percentage of road cyclists enjoy getting in the way of traffic and slowing everyone down.?

Legally, bikes are treated as vehicles; and vehicles are supposed to be operated in the road, specifically in a traffic lane following the same direction as other traffic. It's technically illegal to operate a bike in the shoulder. Riding on a sidewalk has several problems: 1. it's dangerous to pedestrians 2. intersections become more dangerous for cyclists 3. while a few laws imply it's OK to ride there, see the part about being treated as a vehicle. Only children riding at pedestrian speeds should be on a sidewalk. Bike lanes are often even worse than sidewalks; the white line does nothing to prevent cars from hitting them anyway, and the lanes themselves are usually nothing more than obstacle-strewn gutters.

Bottom line: the traffic lane is the correct, and safest place for bicylists to ride.

Peter Gore Seer,

The Sheer Volume Of Trafic Is Creating A Hightway Threw Hell, Which Puts Bikes On The Pavment Which Kills Pedestrians, And Creating Bad Cycling Who Do Not Follow The Hightway Code Bazar. And The New Invisible Policing For Profit As Hit Saftey Sad New Britain Under The Laws Of The Sea, Piracey On The Roads.

Looking back over your previous postings this seems to be an ongoing theme for you. No, cyclists do not enjoy being in the way of impatient and ignorant motorists. They are usually in the road because the surface and conditions on the so called "bike lanes" are substandard. The ones you see that have no issues are probably riding on sections of bike lanes that are in good condition. If you see a cyclist riding out on the road where there are bike lanes, slow down, really slow down so that you can take a look at the area where the cyclists are "supposed" to be. Maybe, just maybe you will understand why the cyclists are not riding there

I have been a motorist for over 50 years. My father who was a very good driver taught me that it was my responsibility to respect slower moving vehicles in front of me. Has that changed without me knowing about it?

In the UK we have shared cycle paths. These are wider pavements that pedestrians also use. This is good, but not always. I had a pedestrian tell me off for riding on the path, standing right under the shared path sign. Duh. Also, cycle lanes tend to be at the side of the road, where all of the junk from the road ends up, as well as having to navigate Iron works. Other lanes that I have ridden on have such obstacles as freshly cut thorns from hedges, low laying branches, roots, pot holes, ice etc. No the gritters do not do the cycle lanes. So when I ride on the road, it is for a reason. Another problem with urban cycle paths is that you have to stop and look both ways every time you come to a junction. If I were on the road, I would not have that issue and other traffic would have to deal with me as a vehicle.

OK legal definition time. The car, in the UK is officially designated as a carriage. This came in during the early 20th century as some bloke named Benze had a breakthrough in his garden shed. Here is the thing. Cycles are also legally designated as carriages and have been so since the mid 19th century. So we were here first.

Now for the slowing you down bit. I have driven commercially, running my own diary and visiting companies. I would always allow extra time to get to the client, to allow for road works etc. Its called planning. Perhaps you should try it. If you left earlier you would not get so stressed.

But here is the real rub. I cycle, keep fit and help to keep my heart in good condition. You get stressed and angry. Bad news. I am going to outlive you. So rant all you want, but the last laugh will not be yours.

When driving at higher speeds certain things in your side view become less noticeable. There could be dangers in these cycling lanes that you are unaware of. The cyclist who uses this route regularly may be going around them and plan to get back into the cycling lane when it's safe to do so.

I personally use safe areas of cycling lanes and less busy streets when those options are available. I have a GPS system for bicycles on my motorized bike. However not all cyclist are like me. Just like motorist have different driving philosophies so do cyclist. They also have certain legal rights. It's just a fact of life so deal with it and learn to not get stressed out over cyclist not using cycling lanes.

1) I am NOT holding up traffic. I AM TRAFFIC! http://iamtraffic.org/ Do you not also have to slow down & maybe even stop for a school bus or public transportation bus? Ever been on a two lane road in the country driving along at 55 mph & come up on an Amish horse & buggy plodding along at maybe 5 mph? Or a farm tractor moving slowly from field-to-field? How about those horse drawn carriages in larger cities for tourists & lovers? All the aforementioned VEHICLES are a lot larger & a LOT harder to see around & pass compared to a bicycle.

2) Every state I'm aware of states a cyclist may get OUT of the bike lane due to a road hazard. Examples would be a pothole, broken glass & various other road debris. Or in the pic below...a MISSING SEWER GRATE, which is not safe to cross with a road bike anyway.

3) Many times bike lanes are either sub-standard (too narrow) - not up to the minimum 5 foot width as dictated by the Federal Highway Administration, too close to parked cars or filled with debris. Would you drive your own car right next to parked cars less than 3 feet away? What if some fool doesn't look before opening the driver's side door? In the case of a car...just some bent metal & broken glass. In the case of the cyclist...serious injury & possible DEATH. It happens all the time. Every year I hear or read about cyclists DYING after bouncing off a car door - being thrown back out into the traffic lane - and being RUN OVER by the next passing vehicle.

The safest way for a cyclist to ride is to be SEEN. And I do that by riding smack dab down the middle of any narrow lane (14 feet wide or less). Too many times a motorist with 'tunnel vision' will pass a cyclist on the left & then IMMEDIATELY make a right turn DEAD across the path of the cyclist. This is known as the dreaded "right hook". And again...people have DIED this way. Bike lanes for the most part are a DEATH TRAP. Bicyclist Belong in the Traffic Lane https://www.facebook.com/BicyclistsBelongInTheTraf...

I've been getting around on 2 wheels now for about 10 years (or more) without a single major incident or collision. Can you say the same thing? YouTube video from about 11 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

I can bet that you are overinterpreting things.

Cyclists DON’T wake up in the morning thinking ”I think I’ll go out and hold up traffic for awhile”.

What they’re doing is exercising, both their LEGAL right to be on the roads and themselves.

And sometimes that means you have to slow down for a few seconds.

Just as If you caught up to an Amish buggy, a farm tractor or any other slow-moving vehicle.

And how do you know that the first group had no isssues? Passable doesn’t guarantee enjoyable.

So cool down, drop the victim act. Let them do their thing, wait for a safe moment to overtake.

If you can’t afford that delay, then it’s YOU who’ve planned your trip wrong.

Public roads means they’re open to the public. You don’t get to choose who to share it with. Slowing down and showing consideration to slower traffic is a natural thing.

It will only ruin your day If you choose to let it.

Try to stay out of the way. That's my style.