I suspect that some wonder why all the animus and disdain many automobile drivers harbor for bicycle riders. Previously I have written posts on this subject and today witnessed more fuel for the fire. Driving on a relative narrow two-lane road, with bicycle paths on both sides, we approached two bicycle riders. This should not have been a problem except that one of the riders was hugging the dividing line between the bicycle path and the driving lane. To provide the required distance cars are to allow we had to move into the oncoming lane. Thankfully there was no opposing traffic but I think the point is that the bicycle riders should share the responsibility when it comes to maintaining the prescribed separation. Am I wrong?

Fast forward fifteen or twenty minutes. At a busy semaphore controlled intersection, those from the area know it well – Palisades and Shea, with not one but two “No Turn On Red” signs; two bicycle riders approached the intersection and blazed through the red light without even slowing down! Remember two “No Turn On Red” signs. Any question who would be found at fault in the event of an accident?

Were these isolated instances it would be one thing but unfortunately incidents like the above are daily occurrences. Some, and I realize not all, bicycle riders demand all of the rights of the road, and the right-of-way, but abjectly refuse to obey the law. When was the last time you saw law enforcement pull over a bicyclist? Given that I suspect the miscreants have a feeling of immunity.

So, what’s the answer? I suspect that it has to come either from within the bicycling community or, in the alternative, from law enforcement enforcing the laws in the same way they do with automobile drivers. Unfortunately, or maybe it’s fortunately, I am not going to hold my breath.