# To the bicyclist who called me a road hog: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 16, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563 "2003-11-16T16:59:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/1 "2003-11-16T16:59:50Z")
Get bent, lady. You have no right to yell at me because: 1. I live on this bloody road and I need to be here, 2. I was not only driving on my side of the street, but 3. I was in a Volkswagen Golf, for fuck’s sake, and 4. I am always, **always** respectful of cyclists and others. There are tons of joggers, walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists here, probably because it’s very pretty. It’s a tiny little street with a 20 mile per hour speed limit, which I obey out of respect for those with whom I’m sharing the road. On the larger roads nearby, when there are cyclists in my lane, I move out into the other lane to pass them, giving them waaaaaaay more room than they need. You, on the other hand, were riding your bike down the **center** of the road, alongside your buddy. If anybody was in the wrong, you were. So step the fuck off. p.s. And wear a helmet. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/2 "2003-11-16T17:05:53Z")
Prolly a Snowbird. Next time, run 'em down, but Windex the grill and hood within 45 minutes before it sets. It takes FOREVER getting squished Snowbird off your car after an hour. Trust me on this. ---
**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/3 "2003-11-16T17:17:21Z")
UncleBill…are you my dad? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/4 "2003-11-16T17:19:59Z")
Well, she sounds a lot smarter than the bicyclist who was jiving down the center of my winding, two-lane 45 mph country road, whilst enjoying cool tunes on his _headphones_. ---
**Author:** ![collinsc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@collinsc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/collinsc)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/5 "2003-11-16T17:21:37Z")
Just FYI, im most places cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast. Dont let this chick give the rest of us a bad name. No helmet = no respect in my book. I guess I do need to respond to points #3 and #4 though. 1. It doesnt matter what youre driving. It could be a shopping cart and the cyclist will be more injured than you in a collision. I realize that you said this to point out you were driving a small car. 2. The other person does not know this. Yelling at drivers is idiotic, I should know, I’ve been chased down a few times because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/6 "2003-11-16T19:10:23Z")
Hmm, I’m pretty sure that in my location\* the only time it’s ok for two to ride abreast is when you wouldn’t be obstructing traffic. In other words, if there’s any significant amount of traffic on the roads, go single file. That’s just being polite, in my book. \*Georgia, USA ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/7 "2003-11-16T19:13:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by collinsc \* > \*\*Just FYI, im most places cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast. \*\* Cite? It’s been awhile since I had to learn the rules for bicyclists, so I could be wrong. But my recollection is that while riding in traffic lanes, we are supposed to stay as far to the right as is reasonably practicable. Even if the law somewhere lets us ride two abreast in a traffic lane, it strikes me as a pretty damn stupid thing to do, for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![collinsc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f6c823/32.png) [@collinsc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/collinsc)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/8 "2003-11-16T19:49:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*Cite? > Even if the law somewhere lets us ride two abreast in a traffic lane, it strikes me as a pretty damn stupid thing to do, for the most part. \*\* I didnt say it was smart. > **[Nopeimmat bonukset netissä - Polkaise päiväsi käyntiin suosituimmilla...](http://www.bicyclealliance.org/)** > > Polkaise päiväsi käyntiin suosituimmilla casinoilla ja bonuksilla! RCW 46.61.770 Riding upon roadways and bicycle paths. … (2) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. That is for Washington at least. Look up the info for your state here: [http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/](http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/) ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/9 "2003-11-16T23:19:32Z")
You’re right, **collinsc**. She and her friend did have the right to ride two abreast. From the cite you provided, Florida bicycle law states that: > [@](#): > > Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane. And: > [@](#): > > Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway… This woman **was** impeding traffic because she was in the center of the two-lane road, not near the right-hand curb. The road is narrow enough that normally, I would drive directly down the center. Naturally, not wanting to kill this bimbo, I moved as far to the side as possible. I would have presumed that a cyclist, not wanting to be run down, would make room, too, rather than staying in the center of the street and yelling insults through my open window. ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/10 "2003-11-16T23:29:51Z")
“was impeding traffic” Not if she was moving with traffic, depends on her speed. If she is moving with traffic, it is her lane and her space (course my experience is with motorcycles). Either way, get over it, no blood was spilled and nobidy died. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/11 "2003-11-16T23:38:00Z")
I don’t recall the OP referring to the cyclist a biddy. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/12 "2003-11-16T23:47:21Z")
**collinsc** - let’s get the entire statute out there: > [@](#): > > RCW 46.61.770 Riding upon roadways and bicycle paths. > _(1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe_ except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway or highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may use the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists. \*(2) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast \* except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. So it looks like bicycle riders in the state of Washington may ride two abreast _if they are not impeding traffic_ by doing so; otherwise, they must ride as far to the right as is safe. Considering that speed limits tend to be 25 mph even in residential neighborhoods, and higher elsewhere, and considering that 25 mph is a pretty difficult speed for most bicyclists to maintain for very long, it would be a rare pair of bicyclists who would have the right under this statute to ride abreast while sharing a road with a car. For most of us, this statute means: you can ride two abreast on roads when there are no cars present. (Italics in the statute added by me.) ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/13 "2003-11-17T03:08:18Z")
I’ve been a cyclist for years. I was a competition cyclist and I was quite successful at a representative level. Just in regards to the cyclist in the OP, how’d you know she was “bi”? I know, I know - a very poor pun. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/14 "2003-11-17T07:24:18Z")
She actually called you a “road hog”? I haven’t heard that one since the old Mr. Magoo cartoons. That might explain why she was in the middle of the road, though. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/15 "2003-11-17T12:13:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Matchka \* > \*\*UncleBill…are you my dad? \*\* I’m not sure. Where was your mother 9 months before your birthday? ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/16 "2003-11-17T14:27:48Z")
I’m always amazed at how some cyclists seem to believe that their indignation will protect them. Yeah, you may have the legal right to bike down the center of the lane, but doing so dramatically increases the chance you’re going to get hit. Cut through intersections? Gonna get hit. Weave in and out of traffic without signalling? Probably gonna get hit. As a carefree youth, I was hit twice by cars while cycling. (You’d think I would’ve learned my lesson the first time.) Since then, I’ve paid a lot more attention to the traffic around me. It bothers me that some many people don’t. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/17 "2003-11-17T14:31:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by county \* > “was impeding traffic” > > Not if she was moving with traffic, depends on her speed. If she is moving with traffic, it is her lane and her space (course my experience is with motorcycles). Except that **vix** was the traffic in question. As I understand the encounter, the cyclist was not keeping pace with **vix** , and was impeding **vix**. Therefore, she needed to be riding as far right as was safe. Instead, she was yelling at **vix** because **vix** was inconveniencing her by trying to proceed down the street in a car. > [@](#): > > Either way, get over it, no blood was spilled and nobidy died. No one should post to the Pit if no blood was spilled and nobody died? Didn’t know that was a forum rule. Guess you must be our latest Junior Mod. ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/18 "2003-11-17T14:56:30Z")
Two abreast: the yellow Toronto bike cops do it all the time. And once one was _standing_ in the bike lane, causing me to swerve into traffic. Well, no one said they were smart … > [@](#): > > you may have the legal right to bike down the center of the lane, but doing so dramatically increases the chance you’re going to get hit Hm. I don’t know what to think about this. When I lived in Bristol (where most roads had only two lanes) everyone biked down the centre of the lane and it terrified me just to see them. I stayed timidly by the curb (kerb?), and was nearly hit quite regularly, because drivers didn’t see me. At least the crazy cyclists in the middle of the road were seen by everyone. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/19 "2003-11-17T17:59:35Z")
“road hog” What the Hell? I think if that’s the best insult you can come up with, its best to keep quiet. Road Hog, yeesh. . . 😉 ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563/20 "2003-11-17T18:27:44Z")
What pisses me off is how cyclists can have two different set of rules depending on their situation. Now, I know it’s not all cyclists, but damn, it annoys the hell out of me when I see them ride their bikes on the sidewalk. Sidewalks are for pedestrians. The only time a bike should be on a sidewalk is if you’re wheeling it. Then there are the cyclists who ride on the road, but think road rules don’t apply to them. You have to stop at the fucking stop sign, you jackass! Unless you get off the bike to wheel it across the crosswalk, YOU’RE A FUCKING VEHICLE! These situations, combined with cyclists who complain that I don’t share the road when I’m driving, well, drives me nuts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-bicyclist-who-called-me-a-road-hog/213563.md?page=2)