Quote:
Originally Posted by dhdallas
I will attempt to rebut some of the dubious replies.
Horns startle cyclists: yes they do, if you wait until you are right behind them and then lay on a long blast. I am talking about a quick beep when you are 100' or so behind.
The Villages will sound like the taxi horn bedlam of NYC: C'mon really? If there was bumper to bumper carts and bikes, then yes it would.
Cyclists don't like car horns: Correct! We do not need to have cars beeping at us because we are on a highway and expect cars to be roaring by as we hug the berm.
Cyclists need to stay to the right and not hog the middle of the path: I do not ride in the middle but always stay in the right lane however, I am not going to hug the edge. It is a MULTI-MODAL path and cyclists, runners, and walkers have every right to use all of their lane just as the carts do (BUT to move over to let faster carts, bikes, runners, etc. to pass).
Cyclists giving you the finger: There are rude cyclists just as there are rude individuals everywhere. At the risk of receiving hate mail I will bet that every cyclist that flipped you off was riding a road bike as in a bicycle with drop bars and was wearing Lycra shorts and a garish looking cycling jersey plastered with logos. The rest of us older non-competitive recreational POLITE cyclists appreciate a simple beep from a reasonable distance and don't wave our middle fingers about.
Cyclists should have mirrors: Should walkers have mirrors? Joggers? I do have a mirror but as fast as these cart drivers come up on you, its easy to miss seeing them until the last second. I am sure anyone driving a car has had a car suddenly appear on their tail seemingly out of nowhere.
Cyclists should be able to hear even with wind noise: Have you ever ridden a bike, especially on a windy day? You can only hear if you turn your head sideways. Add to that we are not youngsters anymore and many of us have mild hearing issues. Plus electric carts are silent.
The Villages is supposed to be Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Judging from some of the intolerant and thoughtless replies, I am not so sure!
I once saw a bumper sticker that stated a good philosophy to live by. It read: Life is short. Don't be a dick!
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You confuse disagreement with disagreeable. The fact that I think you are wrong does not, by itself, make me a dick. Even amongst bicyclists, you seem to be in the minority on this idea of honking.
Your reaction to being disagreed with, even among your fellow bicyclists may qualify you for the honor.