I think riding bikes is fun and great exercise. At one time in my youth getting a Schwinn
10 speed was the greatest gift possible. It allowed me transportation to and from wherever I wanted to go within a 10 mile or so radius of my house. It was freedom for a 12 year old.
I still like to ride, my wife and I both like to ride around the roads around our home. That
being said, something has got to give about the Tour de France wannabes riding
all over my area roads. Not all, but a large portion ride right in the middle
of the road knowing faster cars going the posted speed limit would like to get
by, yet they refuse to move over. I know bikes legally have the same rights as
other vehicles, but at some point common sense and the common good have to be
considered.
99% of the bicycle riders are riding for pleasure or exercise. In my state (Tennessee),
they pay no tag fee and require no license, yet they have the right of way and
full lane use on most roads. My point is bicycles make up less than 1% of all
traffic and all other vehicles are inconvenienced by their slow speed and in
many cases refusal to move over to allow passing, and also pay no driver’s
license fee or tag fee. Why is less than 1% of all traffic, that pays nothing
toward road taxes, and main purpose for being on the roads only exercise given
priority over the 99% traveling to work, shop, or making deliveries?
If you want to ride your bike, that’s great, please show some decency and manners by at
least making a token effort to move to the right and allow faster moving
vehicles to pass. And maybe it’s time for states to require some type of fees
like motorized vehicles pay.