Cyclists riding along Ronald Reagan: please be careful! (Austin, Liberty: construction, high school)

[torero]

The segment of Ronald Regan north of Hwy 29 seems to be quite popular among cyclists. There is a broad shoulder and low traffic, so I understand the appeal. As a driver, though, I do not understand this: Why do so many cyclists choose to ride on this shoulder, hugging the dividing line? Cars and trucks are zooming past mere inches away at 70mph. I see this everyday! Did I say the shoulder was quite broad? I guess it is somewhat understandable, when they are riding two abreast. But why would someone riding alone choose to ride so close to traffic? Baffling. If it were me, I would ride as FAR away from traffic as I could! Is it just carelessness? Or is this some kind of misguided assertiveness? I understand that pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers, but in this age of distracted drivers, this is plainly reckless. It is just a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

[Trainwreck20]

Well, my guess is that it is due to the debris on the shoulder. Most shoulders are very 'clean' near the roadway and very 'dirty' near the outer edge....

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by torero

The segment of Ronald Regan north of Hwy 29 seems to be quite popular among cyclists. There is a broad shoulder and low traffic, so I understand the appeal. As a driver, though, I do not understand this: Why do so many cyclists choose to ride on this shoulder, hugging the dividing line? Cars and trucks are zooming past mere inches away at 70mph. I see this everyday! Did I say the shoulder was quite broad? I guess it is somewhat understandable, when they are riding two abreast. But why would someone riding alone choose to ride so close to traffic? Baffling. If it were me, I would ride as FAR away from traffic as I could! Is it just carelessness? Or is this some kind of misguided assertiveness? I understand that pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers, but in this age of distracted drivers, this is plainly reckless. It is just a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

As someone who does NOT go north of 29 on a bike(on Ronald Reagan), I'll offer this explanation: Parmer and Ronald Reagan are notoriously trashy along the shoulder and the debris only gets worse as one moves farther to the right(edge). The 60-70+ mph traffic does a decent job of blowing the junk a few feet to the right of the 'fog line'; but not very far. I ride as far off the fog line as is practicable based on the condition of the shoulder.

I don't know any cyclists who 'asserts' themselves physically into 60+mph traffic...especially along Parmer/RR where the bubbas in their diesel pickups are known to perform that delightful 'blast the exhaust at the cyclist' routine.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by torero

The segment of Ronald Regan north of Hwy 29 seems to be quite popular among cyclists. There is a broad shoulder and low traffic, so I understand the appeal. As a driver, though, I do not understand this: Why do so many cyclists choose to ride on this shoulder, hugging the dividing line? Cars and trucks are zooming past mere inches away at 70mph. I see this everyday! Did I say the shoulder was quite broad? I guess it is somewhat understandable, when they are riding two abreast. But why would someone riding alone choose to ride so close to traffic? Baffling. If it were me, I would ride as FAR away from traffic as I could! Is it just carelessness? Or is this some kind of misguided assertiveness? I understand that pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers, but in this age of distracted drivers, this is plainly reckless. It is just a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

Usually it's because there's a bunch of trash and crap on the shoulder. And overgrown grass/brush.

[verybadgnome]

Yes, usually debris for a wide shoulder like that. For bike lanes it is usually debris, trash cans, and parked cars that steer me towards the road.......and of course preparing to make a left turn.

Those Parmer shoulders are wide enough for two abreast with a nice buffer to the street if I recall.

[LiveUrban]

Tires on road bikes can easily get flat tires from sharp objects and debris that gets blown into the shoulder.

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by torero

The segment of Ronald Regan north of Hwy 29 seems to be quite popular among cyclists. There is a broad shoulder and low traffic, so I understand the appeal. As a driver, though, I do not understand this: Why do so many cyclists choose to ride on this shoulder, hugging the dividing line? Cars and trucks are zooming past mere inches away at 70mph. I see this everyday! Did I say the shoulder was quite broad? I guess it is somewhat understandable, when they are riding two abreast. But why would someone riding alone choose to ride so close to traffic? Baffling. If it were me, I would ride as FAR away from traffic as I could! Is it just carelessness? Or is this some kind of misguided assertiveness? I understand that pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers, but in this age of distracted drivers, this is plainly reckless. It is just a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

Is this in Austin?

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by torero

The segment of Ronald Regan north of Hwy 29 seems to be quite popular among cyclists. There is a broad shoulder and low traffic, so I understand the appeal. As a driver, though, I do not understand this: Why do so many cyclists choose to ride on this shoulder, hugging the dividing line? Cars and trucks are zooming past mere inches away at 70mph. I see this everyday! Did I say the shoulder was quite broad? I guess it is somewhat understandable, when they are riding two abreast. But why would someone riding alone choose to ride so close to traffic? Baffling. If it were me, I would ride as FAR away from traffic as I could! Is it just carelessness? Or is this some kind of misguided assertiveness? I understand that pedestrians and cyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers, but in this age of distracted drivers, this is plainly reckless. It is just a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs.

Are you trying to seemed concerned for the well-being of cyclists? You're not doing a great job.

[10scoachrick]

Did an informal 'study' today on my ride from Avery Ranch to Parkside @ Mayfield Ranch. Again, this is NOT north of 29, but the road conditions are similar(although the construction traffic north of 29 certainly is lighter than that along Ronald Reagan from 1431 up a few miles).

It appears that the highway speeds of larger vehicles(among other things) will only blow debris such as pea sized gravel and broken glass a foot or two off the fog line. The intersecting roads with 40 mph speed limits have sand and small rock debris just a few inches off the fog line. I'm sure there are many other factors at play; but I do wish TXDOT would run the sweeper trucks along those stretches a bit more often. Generally speaking, the shoulders in this general area are quite wide and in very good shape and quite conducive to bicycle traffic....although, I am glad I took the 29er with the knobby tires rather than my road bike with the skinny 110psi rubber (better workout, I reckon )

[jlloyd87]

I just have to say, I went to high school in Liberty Hill (just west of the intersection being referenced) and I can't believe to see mention of hwy 29 on here. That area must be growing like crazy!