Bicycles on road

[hemi14]

Should bicycles be allowed on public roads? I find them an annoyance and hazard. If it's ok to ride an unlicensed bicycle on the road, I should be able to ride my lawn tractor, quad, golf cart etc. Thoughts?

[Jeff95TA]

Wait, so I'm not supposed to be driving my lawn tractor to work down Rt. 51? Oops.

[sutyak]

I don't mind them, but I also have many friends that are avid and competitive cyclists.
Sidewalks are not appropriate for cyclists. 20mph+ has no business wizzing past pedestrians, so yes they need to be on the street.

[TooFast98Cobra]

I like when they are riding on the main roads parallel to the montour trail that is 100ft next to them. Better watch those kids tow mirrors when pulling their ghost trailers lol

[roush08]

I'm leaning towards being of the opinion if you're on a public road - whatever your mode of transportation is - it needs to be registered. If you can / need to register it you're welcome to "share" the road. Private roads / throughways that's your property and your business but if you're on a public road - everyone else has to abide by registration rules and regulations so why should pedal bikes be any different.

[Martin0660]

Mixed emotions for me ... like everything, there are abusers and problems.

7/10 times, we indeed "share" the road, both go about our business and live happy. But there are those "hardcore" bike people that don't share and feel they have a right of way ... hold up traffic flow by riding on a busy street block half the lane. Then when we get to a traffic light, instead of staying in the lane they was holding up, move to the shoulder and go on through, only to have that knot they created catch up to them and start it all over again.

At some level, I agree if you are going to use anything on public roads it should be registered in some way, and have a number so you can be reported / held accountable like we can with license plates.

[Dan B.]

Do Amish have their buggies regsitered? That's a bigger problem in my area than bicyclists.

[Stangman701]

I don't ride much anymore, but I did a lot back in the day before I was old enough to drive. Seems like the roads are a lot less safe nowadays with all the extra distractions we have while driving. More tech in the cars, and of course phones. I don't know if there's any way you could or should restrict biking on roads, but it would be nice if there was some way to make it safer.

I do feel like if there's a sidewalk that's where bikes should be. No reason for them to be on the road if there's a sidewalk available.

[hemi14]

That's where I am too. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable riding a bike with all the idiot, distracted drivers on the road. I'm thinking registration and proof of insurance would create a more level playing field. And make a little money for the state. They are broke you know.Just not enough revenue.

[somethingclever]

I don't mind them, but I also have many friends that are avid and competitive cyclists.
Sidewalks are not appropriate for cyclists. 20mph+ has no business wizzing past pedestrians, so yes they need to be on the street.

The avg mph delta between car and bike is more than 20mph.

Unsafe on sidewalk for pedestrians is unsafe on road for bicyclists.

Should not be on road IMO.

[yeahloh95]

I still ride but not as much as I used to , I am not for reg I don't see the point I am powering it not an engine , my delta is a lot less than these slower riders in town , with traffic these days I have been sticking to the rails to trails . amish are a problem out my way too, they ride side by side over the white line

[SlowSix]

As a occasional cyclist - I can see it from both sides.

I personally don't like to ride on busy roads but sometimes that is your only option to go where you are trying to go.

If there is a sidewalk I will typically ride on that.
From the standpoint of a road bicycle - some of those guys don't ride on the rails to trails deal as they are often loose pack gravel - which on a road bike can wash you out and put you down.