Stuart Byham: Use bike trails not roads

My thanks to Daniel deB. Richter for hanging up his bike (“Fearful of drivers, I’m off my bike,” Nov. 27 Point of View).

Perhaps those of us who endure packs of rude, self-absorbed, oblivious cyclists threatening traffic on roads not designed for bicycles will drive with a bit less fear. Many of the roads on which these cyclists ride have two lanes with double yellow lines, curves and hills.

Passing the bicycle is dangerous, especially when the riders insist on riding in the middle of the lane. Crossing the double yellow lines is also illegal.

My wife is often reluctant to drive in our part of Raleigh on the weekends for fear of these posturing pelotons.

My tax dollars help pay for biking trails suitable for Richter to indulge his passion for latex shorts and expensive bicycles while not endangering me or others who merely want to use the roads for the intended purpose of vehicular traffic.

I can assure him my neighbors and I will not drive our cars in packs down the middle of the bike paths; he need not fear riding his bicycle there. Vehicles use the roads, pedestrians the sidewalks, and bicyclists the bike paths.

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Stuart Byham: Use bike trails not roads."