Share the road…

We have quite a few “SHARE THE ROAD” signs out here in West Marin. There seems to be some confusion as to who that sign is directed. Is it a request for cars to share the road with cyclists or is it a request for cyclists to share the road with cars? Hopefully, it is seen as a request to both users of the road. However, it seems that many cyclists see it as their right to take the road and then cars have to figure out how to share the road with a group of cyclists riding two-abreast down a narrow road.

The sign above is on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. as is winds through Inverness. This is one of the rare spots in West Marin where there is a fairly substantial shoulder for cyclists to ride on. Most sections of road out here gives about a foot or less to the right of the fog line. Single file is hard enough for both cars and cyclists to share the road when combined with on-coming traffic. Riding two-abreast becomes just plain rude on sections of road like this – especially when the cyclists don’t or won’t revert to single-file when cars/trucks come up on them.

I’ve been wanting to write this for about a year. A recent post by Dave Moulton gave me the kick in the butt to put this up. About a year ago, a customer of mine came in and asked me what it is about cyclists that make them think they can take up the whole road and block traffic. Now this particular gentleman is in his 70’s, rides his bike on the roads here for exercise, so he understands what it is like to be a cyclist on the road here. He came in on that particular day and asked me that question. I knew exactly what he was referring to. He told me as he was driving along a section of road where there was no more than one foot of road way to the right of the fog line, a group of cyclists were all riding 2 abreast, effectively blocking the road to cars coming up on them. Pretty rude actions. And actions that I just can’t comprehend. Knowingly blocking traffic where you have the opportunity to be courteous, move into single-file and let cars pass. The act of being courteous is a noble act and a powerful act.

Riding two abreast on country roads is fine as long as you aren’t holding up a line of traffic, letting drivers steam behind the wheel. Riding with your buddies and chatting it up while riding is great fun as long as your aren’t an impediment to traffic behind you. Why knowingly make drivers get angry at cyclists? When I’m driving and cyclists block me and aren’t courteous enough to allow room for me to pass safely, I get mad, thinking to myself, “what are they thinking?”