Grown men on bicycles should be considered targets OK, since it was brought up..... With all the bicycle trails in the area why do bicyclists feel that they have to ride on the public roads? Yes, I know they are public, and I should give you the right of way, etc. But seriously, ya'll have to be the most inconsiderate bunch of folks in the world. There is no way in heck I'd get on the road and hold up traffic if my car was only capable of 25 MPH max. Why dontcha go find a nice bike trail like one of the gazillion dollar ones that nobody uses and get the heck off the 55mph roads ?!?!? The thing that really cracks me up is that it is usually some super twisty, 55mph, 2 lane backroad that has NO shoulder, low visibility around corners, and like 10-20 of yall scatter out on it within 200 yards.
Where are all the bicycle trails that you are talking about? If you can tell me where these trails are in Clayton, Garner, and Cleveland area, I would love to know. And, where are all these supposed riders on all those twisty roads? I never see them out there! Just curious!
I have ridden on the greenways in Raleigh. They are off road and only require a short trip on streets to get from one to another. I moved here 12 years ago and quickly learned that riding a bike in Johnston county was a foreign thing to alot of the natives. After having beer bottles, trash and insults thrown at me it just wasn't worth dealing with the ignorant people. Lake Johnson on Avent Ferry Rd in Raleigh is a good trail, 3.5 miles.
I saw 3 on Barber Mill Rd. yesterday. With all the traffic around here now, I would be scared to death to try to ride a bike on any of these roads!!
Under the law, a bicycle is guarenteed the same rights to public roadw as ones using a motor vehicle. Bicycle and Bikeway Act of 1974 If you ask me, it is people such as yourself which comprise the "inconsiderate bunch of folks" because of your ignorance to the laws and your mindset that something should not happen because you are inconvenienced for a brief moment in life.
Then I believe that bicycle riders should pay the same tax as motor vehicle and license your bike to ride on the public roads.
LEGEND PARK City Road - ball field - Legend Park Mountain Bike Trial. The entrance to the trail is behind the outfield fence. Approximately eight miles of trails are available,offering spectacular scenery and challenges to both beginners and advanced riders. Just completed is an elevated skills area where beginners and advancedriders can practice. Beginner rides are held throughout the year. For more information and a map visit trianglemtb.com or call 553-5777 CLAYTON COMMUNITY PARK 1075 Amelia Church Road 42-acres, three ball fields, 1/2 mile paved trail, unpaved wetlands trail, six tennis courts, two sand volleyball courts, two playground areas, eight bocce courts, outdoor amphitheater, wildlife viewing area. Planned facilities include trails, community center, and multi-purpose play fields. Bocce equipment is available for use at the Parks & Recreation office. If you would like more information or would like to be part of the development of this park, contact the Parks & Recreation. http://www.townofclaytonnc.org/pdfs/currentprflyer.pdf Sorry, don't know much about Wake Co facilities ...and pardon my horn. :twisted:
How about people who walk in the road or cross the road? Should they have to pay a tax for that also?
Bicyclist and pedestrians pay property and sales taxes and I've never seen a road that had to be repaved from too much bike traffic.
In 1974 when the law was written, some people probably rode to get to work, etc. and cars were FAR slower. I currently have in the garage a Suzuki TS175 and used to have a Kawasaki KE 100. Both of which had Lights, horn, turn signals, plates, etc. Despite being 100% legal, you know why I never rode them more than a block or two? Because I am considerate of people in cars that can go faster than the max 45mph that these bikes could do.My bikes can reach 45MPH in 3-4 seconds, and maintain that speed for as long as the gas is in the tank.I hate to quote Spock, but "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" So now that you have 2 places to ride thanks to nsanemom22 I guess I wont be seeing you on the roads? Probably not, because you think the world should revolve around you your hobby. Just do me a favor and put a sign on your girlie tight spandex that says "place bumper here"
Tried to avoid this thread since I gave up my bikes last year but the statement of cars getting faster, do you realize that the cars are much tamer these days then back then? Also the question was regarding road bikes and only the 1/2 mile track is appropriate for them. 15 years ago I used to ride 20 miles a day 4 days a week and a 1/2 mile track is not going to make it. I biked the streets around the New Philadelphia/Dover area of Ohio and only had one incident with an idiot.
You answered your own question/statement. The streets of Philly and Dover arent highways. They are city streets of 35 mph, maybe 45 max with a nice sidewalk, shoulder, etc for you to get out of the way. TO WHICH I HAVE NO PROBLEM. Its the little 2 lane 55 mph backroad highways that bikes tend to migrate to, that they shouldnt be on. In addition, you stated that you were traveling to work. You probably did not have 25 other bicyclists going to work with you @ the same time congesting the road you were on. Tell ya what, I love football, so lets start a game in the middle of a crosswalk in downtown Raleigh. Since we are pedestrians, we'd get the right of way right ? As far as cars being faster, safer, etc I probably should have clarified that. Todays DRIVERS tend to travel much faster than "yesterday" due to superior cars. Cars in 74 were buckets of crap compared to cars today (I prefer and drive older cars due to the cost and ease of maintenance). But any 16 year old in a new GTO, Dodge Hemi truck, Mustang cobra, etc can embarass an older car with ease.
It's apparent that both you and nsanemom22 do not understand the difference between a road bike and a mountain bike. If you did you would understand that both of the places she listed are for mountain bikes. That is just plain sad! What amounts to less than a 30 second inconvenience to you becomes more of a death threat than understanding. Does that make you feel like an adult?
FWIW, I ride out here all the time and am very considerate of the traffic. I try not to hold cars up much and move to the side of the road and motion cars by when it's clear to p*** me. I've found that for the most part, drivers out here are very considerate of cyclist and I've only had one "car rage" incident this year, where a couple of kids in a truck tried to run me into a ditch because I delayed them about 30 seconds. One of the reasons cyclists ride out here is because there isn't that much traffic. I try to avoid 1010, Old Stage and 50 (And avoid 42 at all costs) but sometimes you can't help it and have to travel short distances on them. If there was somewhere off road to ride a road bike, I would give it a try. There is the Capital Area Greenway in Raleigh which goes from Crabtree to New Bern Ave and is about 30 miles round trip. Parts of it aren't in very good shape tho and about half of it was closed due to flood damage from all the raiin we had back in the early summer. I think it's all reopened now but I haven't been out there to try it. Granted if you get some jack*** cyclists that ride 3 or 4 wide with no regard for anyone else on the road, it can be frustrating for motorsists (Myself included and I'm a cyclist) but most of the people I ride with are considerate of other vehicles on the road. Jay P.S. Please dont run me over
The wheels under the bus go round & round, round & round..... Actually I do know the difference. I own both ;P I used to mountain bike quite a bit OFFROAD. The road bike I have my wife uses sometimes around the neighborhood. I ***umed you were biking for excercise and not for transportation since you were trying to contact other cyclists. To which the type of cycling doesnt matter. For road biking you might have to drive a car to a path then ride ;P Its up to you to do the research, its your hobby. http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/maps/maps_urban.html The 30 seconds is not important, as I stated it is inconsiderated of "road bikers" to clog traffic. Just like I dont clog traffic with my hobbies. Tell ya what, once you do get a group ride together let me know, I can break out one of my trail bikes and ride with ya. Its like the joke where the bear is chasing the hunters and one says to the other "I dont have to outrun the bear, I just gotta outrun you." As far as a "death threat" gimme a break.I am trying to do a public service by informing you that "road biking" is dangerous and inconsiderate. Now you know the facts and you can make the educated choice. I just hope that this is once I dont have to say "I told ya so."
