On Friday, July 13, 2012 6:42:52 PM UTC-7, Cyclintom wrote:
In a group ride it isn’t unusual to see people aged from 18 to 75 and having fun together. What other exercises could you say that for?

Because of all the changes in cycling we have to start looking at the law and the cyclist perhaps with the idea of updating the laws to meet modern conditions.

The law demands that cyclists ride on the street and not on sidewalks and that they ride to the far right of the road at all times.

There are a number of problems with such laws. For instance, there are plenty of places such as around schools and colleges where there is heavy auto traffic at times while foot traffic might be at a minimum. These roads could also be very narrow and perhaps with many one way roads that make it difficult for students to get where they’re trying to go.

So it is normal for students in these conditions to ride on the sidewalks.. Just as it is normal for younger children to ride on sidewalks because they do not understand how to judge traffic flow and it is dangerous for them to be in traffic.

Now most police are well aware of these conditions and as long as people are being careful they do not enforce the laws on the books. But there remains the fact that they could enforce them and cite people if they wanted to..

Also consider the group ride where riders are on wide roads with minimal traffic and so are riding two abreast and taking up an entire lane. They do this for a number of reasons. Of course there is the companionship of conversations but these group riding methods have practicality as well.

For instance, street sweepers tend to throw a lot of broken glass onto the right side of the roads. Bicycle tires are very sensitive to puncture. Holes, cracks in the road and most especially road debris such as glass shards and wire particles can cause a flat of a $100 tire. Bicyclists carry means to repair such flats but it is a good deal of work so cyclists tend to watch for all of the above dangers. Since they are on the right side of the road the only way to dodge these things is to turn out into the roadway.

For reasons entirely beyond me, on a many lanes road, when cyclists are riding to the far right a lot or motorists will take the right lane of the road. Many roads have sufficient room for this dodging but it can startle some drivers if a cyclist suddenly veers out from the side of the roadway.

Also when riding to the far right cars approaching from side roads are often unaware of these cyclists. So they will occasionally pull part way into the intersection to get a better view of traffic and then they are in the path of the cyclists who now might have to dodge into passing traffic or come to a stop.

If groups are riding in a traffic lane, two abreast, the outside rider is much easier seen to intersecting traffic as well as putting the group out of the glass. And taking an entire lane they have more room to dodge potholes, cracks etc. that are becoming more and more prevalent as cities are in financial binds and delay resurfacing roads.

And it forces light traffic out to more outside lanes where it is difficult for them to trap the riders in between them and intersecting traffic.

Again, most police officers are well aware of this reasoning (since many of them cycle themselves for fitness) but the fact remains that on a bad day most of the group if not all could be cited.

Cyclists in general will obey the laws to the letter on narrow or heavily trafficked roads. And those with bike lanes, which are typically, too narrow for two abreast riding.

What I’m suggesting is that the laws need to be updated so that the real actions of cyclists are taken into account as well instead of only the convenience of automobile drivers. There’s definitely a time for a change.

Wes, I thought I made it clear that we are a hilly region with very steep hills. Climbing is slow but coming down can be VERY fast and you absolutely need the traction of a racing tire. Why else do you suppose they make such tires?