Share the road; bikes have the right to be there

You may not like what you're about to read, especially for those of you who cringe or get angry every time you drive by a bicyclist in the road. But please read on as I make my case.

For many Southwest Florida residents and visitors who go for a bike ride it means meandering through suburban or gated neighborhoods or driving to a park where bikes are unloaded from cars in order to ride the trails and paths. In many cases, if there are not bikepaths or sidewalks, the perception is that it's not really an option to ride, except in very calm traffic conditions - or in a pinch. But thinking that way is limiting, especially for those wanting to use bicycles for practical purposes such as trips to the store or commuting to work. It also seriously constrains your fitness riding potential.

The remedy is, of course, to ride where bikes are intended to be used - on the road. Believe it or not, cyclists who act and are treated as other road users fare best, both statistically and practically.

"It's too dangerous." "It's not legal."

"I don't feel like I belong there."

I've heard all those comments and then some. But the fact is that those who bicycle on sidepaths are much more likely to be involved in a crash or mishap than those cycling on-road, following traffic rules and laws. The reason is because there are so many potential hazards to deal with on a sidepath, including other users, but primarily as a result of motorists routinely failing to stop prior to crosswalks - marked or unmarked - thus too often coming into conflict with those in their path.

Think about your own driving behavior. Do you always look right prior to turning right? Probably not. Why not? Because any threat to someone in a 3,000-pound vehicle is coming from the left not the right. That would be another 3,000-pound vehicle, of course.

And do you generally stop at the STOP sign and corresponding STOP bar painted on the road? Likely not, since the same principle applies and because you can't always see what's coming down the road due to visual barriers. So you stop at the edge of the road and not before the crosswalk, as you should.

My point is that most bicyclists - except the very young, the woefully inexperienced, those with certain disabilities and limitations, and when road conditions are exceptionally hazardous - should make the road their first choice. As more and more of us do so drivers will finally become aware of our right to be there and learn to accept our presence. Yes, we'll still hear calls to "get on the sidewalk," or worse, but eventually the Southwest Florida cycling environment will improve.

With budget constraints and transportation priority choices facing governments it's hard to imagine that there'll ever be enough money to create a complete network of sidepaths. Even if that were to happen, cyclists will still need to deal with motorists who don't stop where they should at each driveway and side road, still be hindered by poorly maintained and designed sidepath facilities, and we'll remain a hazard to the intended users of sidepaths - pedestrians.

Like I said in the introduction, you may not like what your read. But if we really want to expand our transportation options we must make the most of our public roadways. They are, after all, intended to be used to move people not only cars and trucks.

- Dan Moser is League Cycling Instructor/Trainer and a former Bike/ Ped Coordinator who cycles regularly for transportation, recreation, and fitness. He may be contacted at moserdeleon@ juno.com or (239) 334-6417.