Beach cyclists rally to mourn loss, push for safety

Cyclists have just as much right to be on the road, as cars do.

This is the address to, what says about the minimum speed limit in Virginia: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/enforce/stspdlaw/vaspeed.htm

The general attitude of motorists, towards cyclists is, one of disdain. Motorists never think of the possibility, that, not only is a cyclist exercising, they are commuting at the same time.

I would love to see a vehicle pass me, causing their engine to blow and, forcing them to stop. Then, As I pass them, I laugh in their face.

I have been listening to both sides and here are the facts: Bicyclist in this area disobey every single violation to the rules of the road period. Please do not make matter's worst by insulting the intelligence of thousands of Motorist that have had to danger themselves because bicyclist FORCE hundreds of cars to snarl traffic, FORCE thousands of motorist into going over the yellow lines even on curves. How many of us have witnessed Bicyclist not even in a single file, but arrogantly riding 3,4,or 5 abreast in the middle of the road? Bicyclist act as if they do not just share the road, they own it! Take a trip down Sandbridge road, or Indian River Road some morning and just watch how they will endanger every single motorist traveling the road! Their attitude is I have a right to do this so all you thousands of vehicles, TOO BAD! They choose to take up a very dangerous hobby and a hobby that endangers us all, then they start the usual whining when tragedy strikes! "It is always the cars fault"! If they think they have a right to endanger us all, they it is time to make a new change and get rid of the Bikers!
JWB

If the comments here are any reflection of the average Hampton Roads driver maybe the city of Virginia Beach should require drivers who want to use Shore Drive to attend a Bicycle Awareness class and pass an exam to obtain a special permit.

Revenues generated could be used to hire more police to get some of the self-professed drivers who are ill-equipped to legally share the road fined and removed for everyone's safety.

I've never been inconvienced by a cyclist, nor do I get upset when I see them sandwich themselves between traffic to get up to the red light. I give them lots of room on the road because I know debris or a pothole can take a bike down. I drive an suv and I ride a bicycle, however since I moved to the Hampton Roads area eight years ago, I don't ride my bike as much as I would like to, because I'm generally the only bike on the road, and that makes me almost invisible to the driver. After reading the comments here, I can see why. This is not a bike friendly area at all. Many of the anti-bike folks are simply ill informed of the law and inpatient. A scary thought. Bikes and cars could actually share the road safely if the driver were more patient. I've lived in towns where this occurred daily, however due the the overwhelming ignorance here toward the cyclist, I say, bike lanes, bike lanes, bike lanes bike lanes.

Anyone who would question the legality of riding a bike on the road is a complete fool! I ride on these roads on a regular basis. Its never ceases to amaze the number of people who get behind the wheel of a two ton vehicle and drive about without noticing a bike in front of them. They are too busy on a cell phone, drinking coffee, or otherwise not paying attention to the task at hand. I travel in the morning at 25 MPH in the SCHOOL ZONES on Great Neck, and have upset drivers passing me! I am doing the speed limit! Hampton Roads needs to catch up with the rest of the civilized world and establish safe bike lanes and understand common courtesy while they drive around in thier giant oversized SUV's.

As for the lack of charges brought against the driver in the accident, I have to wonder, why? If this driver had struck and killed a motorcycle rider, or the driver of a Fiat, or a pickup truck, or a school bus, that driver would be in hot water. Why is it any different for a bike driver who was legally on the road?

You asked, What business do bicycles have being on roads with 35 and higher speed limits?"

When I was a young Sailor, stationed on a ship in Norfolk, I lived out by Military Circle Mall. I didn't have a vehicle, so I road my bike back and forth to the base almost every day. I would challenge you to find a route from Point-A to Point-B where the speed limit doesn't go above 25.

For the most part, the cyclists we're talking about here are not out there for recreation, they are choosing to use the bicycle as their primary mode of transportation. By doing so, they are putting "one less car" on the road, and possibly even speeding up the commute of the car drivers.

I'm sure that if there were safe, low-speed routes these cyclists could use to get where they're going, they would use them. But the fact remains that a 35 MPH speed limit is the "max" a vehicle should be going on that road, not the "minimum." If a bicycle is legally travelling on a road, we must give them the same courtesy we would to another car -- Just pretend its Grandma driving her Buick at 20 miles per hour, and when it is legal for you to pass, do so.

As for the lack of charges brought against the driv

I don't get it. I recently read that a housing developement in Hampton received approval to allow golf carts to drive around their community. One of the caveats for approval was the speed limit could not be over 25 miles per hour. This article states that bike riders are subject to the same rules as cars. What about driving the speed limit? What business do bicycles have being on roads with 35 and higher speed limits? Why is this lawful?

"That doesn't really mean you're any healthier than the overweight guy."

That's just silly. Credibility lost. College athlete? Funny. Defies science, but funny.

I think bike riders should obey the laws and clean up their own driving before they critize me. Usually when I see a bike rider on a street, I brace because I have no idea what they will do next.

You want new revenue....make the riders have a license to ride a bike and register that. If there's as many a the letter writers imply, it would bring in $$$BILLIONS$$.

Missyonshoredrive should get a day job. She spends too much time writing to people who have no effect or really care about this problem. Only our glorious politicians can do anything we're complaining about.

If the nearly universal right of passage of learning how to drive a motor vehicle was preceded by learning to be a vehicle via a bicycle, our adult population would be much more comfortable with other adults on bikes. As things are now there is nearly no shared experience, and the encounters are rare and unexpected. Most drivers are looking out for other car-sized objects, and really don't "see" anything smaller. If they had been on a bicycle as an adult, they would have a far greater chance of expecting and recognizing a rider. Before impact.

Have an impact of your own, and promote "Pre-Driver's Ed" using bicycles.

Meanwhile, we ride for our lives, and the quality of your kids lives, too!

Drivers of motor vehicles have come to take far too much for granted the privilege of tossing around a ton or more metal cage in which they are protected against much of their own stupidity. A motor vehicle easily fits the definition of a deadly weapon, and all that is missing is the intention to harm to make a crime in any other situation. Aim a bicycle at an SUV, and who's going to get hurt? A close call by the SUV is functionally equivalent to, and should be legally equivalent to 'brandishing a weapon', where intent need not be present for a criminal act to have occurred. IMHO.

No decision has been made to file charges? Are you kidding me? Alcohol or speed may have not been a factor, but what about cell phone use, or reading the paper, I've seen it all.
If the driver was paying attention, there's no way this could have happened. Either way, the driver deserves to go to jail for a LONG time.

I should add; credibility and a bit more than 'cosmetic fitness' as you called it.

I don't get that from his comment. He could have just as easily been talking about two runners. His point was do something! And don't get mad in the meantime at those who are doing something.
I remember when all I did was run. I saw the cycling packs and thought I was working so much harder than they were. Now that I also cycle I realize how wrong I was; it is just as good a workout as running if not better.
Many folks on the roads are triathletes and bike, run and swim. There are quite a few cyclists in this area who have completed full Ironman races. I guess they have some credibility too..

I work in the hospital and there are way too many occurrences we find out about from various people that the drivers of automobiles are not paying enough attention and make mistakes that injure cyclists on the open road. Sometimes they make a turn in front of a fellow cyclist, don't give enough space, etc. Yes, there are times that cyclists cause accidents as well, and I agree that cyclists must obey traffic laws and stay to the right side of the lane, but moreover drivers need to be more attentive to what's going on around them. I'm a fellow cyclist and I cannot count the number of times I've seen drivers not giving enough room and driving very erratic around cyclists on the road. I've also heard people say cyclists don't belong on the road, cyclists get in our way, they are a nuisance, etc. There needs to be a major change in the attitudes of our fellow drivers. They must change in order for things to get better for all. We need the city to give support to the cycling community because we have a LEGAL RIGHT to be on the road, and there are a large number of cyclists in the area. We are not going away, we are here to stay!! Share the road!!

So, b/c cyclists look so trim, that's why they're entitled? C'mon. Again, this whole elitist/ego thing really shows why cyclists get bad names. I'm a runner, and I can't tell you how many times I've been run off residential roads by "peleton packs." One lady actually doubled back to give me a lecture on how I'm infringing on their "turf."

I'm glad you can ride 50+ miles on a bike, good for you. And yes, I am not a fan of today's society in terms of weight and health. But most of those out there who think they're "training" and are "athletes" are not. So quit thinking you're entitled to something greater b/c you have "cosmetic fitness" as I like to call it. That doesn't really mean you're any healthier than the overweight guy. BTW, I'm a former college athlete (D-I) so I do have some credibility here.

I was on Great Neck road today when traffic slowed near Cox high school. As I got closer I saw it was a cyclist. I slowed to about 25 mph changed lanes when I could and went around him. Took all of about 3 minutes total. Come on people

Those that can, do, those that can't, or won't, also think that the music's too loud, or claim they look silly when they dance, so they don't; probably don't hold hands with their significant other or go to the park on a Sunday afternoon with their family or friends to enjoy the outdoors together.....saw an earlier comment about being a 'Lance wannabe', yes I do!! Why not? Is Lance not a good role model? Taxing cyclists for bike lanes? I pay taxes, do I not get a say in how they're used? I go out of my way to stay away from vehicular traffic when I'm riding because I know you're going to do a lot more damage to me than I could ever inflict with my 17 pound bike, am I really that scary and intimidating? I see daily tie-ups in traffic for hours every day because of our fellow motorists, when was the last time a bicycle held you up for more than a minute or two? Is your schedule really that tight? Some townships in Europe don't allow vehicular traffic; cleanest, healthiest happiest people you'll ever meet, and yes, maybe I will move there......

I tell you, these car drivers think they own the road exclusively. They're impatient and arrogant. Many would rather drive a 100 yards than walk. They run red lights, they speed, they roll threw stop signs, they drink and drive they brake so may laws we actually law enforcement personnel just to keep and eye on them called traffic cops and highway troopers and they kept very busy. They even have their own category of anger while driving called "Road Rage." They make the sky sometimes change color with their exhaust. Their vehicle carcasses litter the land scape and oils seeping into the ground. They cause enough accidents every years killing and maiming untold thousands and thousands of men, women, and children to include other drivers, motorcyclist and bicyclist. Why do we even allow them on the rood?