Quote:
Originally Posted by bryanphoto
I've been yelled at by other riders in groups for stopping at stop signs. I don't care if the guy in front of me yells "clear," I'm supposed to stop like any other vehicle. Unfortunately I have been pressured into running stop signs along with the group in many cases. I think it would be nice if the law recognized a paceline as one entity, so the leader has to stop, but then the group can roll through if it's safe- but I have no idea how that could be worded or enforced, so I'm sure it's just not realistic.
I have been left behind by the group on rides because everyone else ran a red light and I obeyed the law. I have yelled "car back" repeatedly in groups and seen no reaction from the cyclists ahead, even though it was clear for the car behind to pass, plenty of sight distance. Some cyclists feel that since they have the right to take the lane they should do it all the time. I only take the lane when it makes me safer- approaching intersections, blind hills and curves, fast downhills, etc.
Until it becomes the norm on group rides to obey traffic laws and share the road respectfully with cars, new cyclists will continue to learn bad habits. When you start riding with the groups, you start learning the unspoken "rules" of the paceline. Sometimes it's positive reinforcement, sometimes it's negative. My problem is that from what I've seen, sometimes it is also teaching unsafe or illegal riding.
I think that the Peloton Project is doing really good work, establishing a dialog with local law enforcement and promoting good riding habits in the cycling community.
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I know I am quoting a lot above but Bryan has posted some good observations about group rides. I ride in the North East and specifically in Connecticut. We have no straight roads. Very hilly roads with many curves. I my self have had to learn when to take over the lane and when not to in order to ensure my safety. When a car passes on a hill or a curve, the rider is the one that will pay the price if a car is coming because they have no problem pulling their car back into the lane and hitting you or putting you into the ditch. We also have many back roads that are just terrible in on the right hand side and it leaves us no choice but to ride more in the center or B portion of the lane as some call it.
Most group rides are from 5 to 20 riders. We don’t see the real large group rides as some have posted here are apart of. Yet 10 riders in our area will make it difficult for a motorist to pass even in a safe area due to the width of the roads if we are not single file. Depending on the riders of our group, we have people that are good about single filling up when car back is called and then there are those that do not. Depending on other riders these riders will get a talking to and will be asked to leave the group if they can’t follow some of basic bicycling rules. I my self do not come to a complete stop at the stop sign when there are no cars in sight. If there is any chance of a car being at the intersection I always stop and in traffic light situations always stop at reds and yellows unless I am in the intersection at the time of a change from green to yellow. Although motorist break the laws almost every time they (and we ) go out in their vehicles it only takes one of us to make all of look bad because when we break the law that is absolutely unacceptable even though most motorist and being hypocrites when pointing the finger at us.
Education needs to start in grade school and high school. Teaching kids the right way to ride a bike on the road will go a long way to creating an acceptable society because as they move into high school and start working towards getting their license to drive their understanding of the laws will help in the long run as long as they are educated again during high school.
Knowledge is power.
02-08-2010, 08:01 AM
