So you think Pittsburghers are hostile toward bicyclists?

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by tclifton

The real issue is that cyclists cannot keep up with normal traffic flow and they slow everyone down (except when they're pedaling through stop signs and red lights).

I would have no problem whatsoever paying extra taxes to fund cycle only paths/lanes.

But bicycles on modern roads are anachronistic and don't belong on the same paths as motor vehicles.

Many people share your opinion, but the law does not. So if you're stuck behind a cyclist and you can't safely pass, tough luck. Not much different than being stuck behind a slow driver really.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

So if you're stuck behind a cyclist and you can't safely pass, tough luck.

That doesn't even bother me. I can slow down for a minute when I have to. But yesterday the a-hole behind me was steaming when we had to slow down to a few mph until we got over the blind hill. I was waiting for a head on to happen right next to me. He didn't actually try to go around the two of us that had already lined up behind the cyclist, but he did honk his horn. I guess he thought the cyclist should stop, or perhaps he didn't see the bicycle because of the minivan in front of me. It was VERY slow because of the hill, to be sure. But I knew it wouldn't delay me more than a minute. Can feel like an eternity I guess....

[airwave09]

Originally Posted by greg42

That doesn't even bother me. I can slow down for a minute when I have to. But yesterday the a-hole behind me was steaming when we had to slow down to a few mph until we got over the blind hill. I was waiting for a head on to happen right next to me. He didn't actually try to go around the two of us that had already lined up behind the cyclist, but he did honk his horn. I guess he thought the cyclist should stop, or perhaps he didn't see the bicycle because of the minivan in front of me. It was VERY slow because of the hill, to be sure. But I knew it wouldn't delay me more than a minute. Can feel like an eternity I guess....

Moral of the story... people are impatient aholes.

[audiojan]

Originally Posted by LIRefugee

I had assumed so, but I looked into the matter last year and it turns out that in Pennsylvania, it IS legal for a bicyclists to ride on a sidewalk, but only outside of commercial areas. Therefore a bicyclist could bike on the sidewalk down Howe Street in Shadyside but not down Walnut between Aiken and Negley. I do not know how commercial district is defined.

You're only partially correct. Yes, you can ride on the sidewalk, but in most townships, the speed limit is "safe operating speed", which is usually around 8-10mph. On a road bike, you can without much effort go 15mph and if you're an avid cyclist, 20-25mph is fairly normal. So yes, you can ride on the sidewalk, but you can't really RIDE on the sidewalk...