Riding on the shoulder is not safe for the cyclist. This seems like a residential area- the more people commuting via bike in these areas (like the guy pictured), the better.
A win-win solution would be if the city turned the shoulder into a proper bike lane. Looks like it needs to be repaved anyway.
But I’m not really arguing that. I ride this stretch of road and have confirmed that the road is indeed smoother, but I disagree that it’s safer. I take the shoulder on this stretch the whole time unless there is a parked car–which there sometimes is.
I don’t know why this cyclist opted for the lane of traffic. And perhaps I shouldn’t have asked the question of why, it has detracted from my point: riding in the road (even while legal) seems to make you more hated by drivers. This is coming from anecdotes from friends and family with whom I’ve argued this point ad nauseam.
It absolutely needs to be converted to avoid this exact situation.
Because if you’re off to the side, some drivers think it’s safe to pass close, even when there are cars coming in the other direction. If you’re trying to toe the white line, and as a car passes you, you notice a huge piece of metal on the line, you have no where to go but to swerve off into the gutter, but what if there’s something in the gutter too, or a pothole, or you hit the ridges wrong, or there’s a sudden change in elevation. What if you get into that gutter and cars take over the whole lane and you can’t get back into it (or you have to push a car off to get into it. It’s just safer to take the lane and let the cars pass when it’s truly safe for all involved.
Yes but non-cyclists are very badly positioned to judge where riding is safe for a cyclist from the vantage point of their cars. If they’re inclined to hate cyclists for riding in the road they will do so regardless of whether it’s safer or not.
This is why your argument is flawed. This rider might have unnecessarily antagonized you but it is not why (some) non-cyclists hate cyclists. Can you not see the difference?
Merely existin makes many motorists hate cyclists, not our job to care about anything but safety
^ yes, totally correct.
Gutter = white line on many occasions.
Agree, as per the screen shot I posted you are in there peripheral vision, you need to be where they are looking and going, which is normally primary position.
Take Primary position when
the road narrows
at traffic lights
roundabouts
well before making lane changes
or many other reasons.
This is a great resource on how to ride safely and avoid the hazards of the roadway. I’d recommend a review for anyone who agrees with OP.
Bicycle Safety: How to Not Get Hit by Cars
That is the crux of the issue.
Per Zackery’s/TR’s request I need to address the point specifically. As others have already stated:
If this is something that occurs often and causes enough frustration to you, might be worth the energy to write to (or visit) the city council/mayor/etc and raise the issue of repaving and adding a bike lane on this street. See if it’s in the works. May be something a local bike advocacy group is already pushing for.
Try not to get too mad at the cyclists. They really don’t have a better alternative.
People hating cyclists because said people are ignorant about safety and road use laws isn’t a reason for us to change our behavior.
Kind of hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like a residential street with possible street parking? He’s also pretty close to the right side of the road and the painted lines indicate. I’d say that’s 100% ideal lane choice for the cyclist.
In my opinion, it’s always far less sketchy to take a little bit more lane than too little lane. It forces cars to actually go around you rather than just buzz you.
Agree with all of these. We all need to chill and share the road.
However… The title and main point of the OP was “non-cyclists don’t like you.” This is also absolutely valid and why road rage occurs. Personally I side on the side of the cyclist (as does the law) but that doesn’t stop people (non-cyclists who hate cyclists) in cars start raging. Personally I would be as far right as possible… not because I have to but because I don’t trust the people driving behind me.
As for the road quality… that shoulder is better than the best roads here in CA. If it is too rough I would ride a mountain bike. My life and safety is priority.
I know it is an unpopular opinion but I would be as far right as possible. And yes… things like this is why NON-cyclists hate us.
Idk man, I find that folks get equally as mad at my on my bicycle as they do when I’m riding my motorcycle or driving my car on the road. Heck, I’ve even seen drivers get mad at crosswalks.
I think there’s just something about being behind the wheel of a two ton hunk of steel that causes many folks to turn into raging lunatics.
We happen to think drivers hate cyclists, but that’s because we are cyclists. In reality, drivers just hate everybody else on the road.
My favorite is when I put on my turn signal while driving to move lanes and the other driver, who I would be switching lanes in front of, decides that’s the perfect time to stomp on the gas pedal.
Hey! Hey!! Hey!!!
You take that back, mister!
Ok, that’s fair. However, it’s ignorant to not be aware of how you’re perceived. There’s a reason why roadies are viewed as arrogant snobs
Thanks for posting this. I realize that there’s a bounty of information suggesting that riding in the center of the lane is most safe. I’ll consider it. However, one has to put a lot of faith in the driver(s) behind. Obviously if no shoulder is available it probably is the safest option.
As established, the rider in question is breaking no laws. They don’t need to modify their legal behavior to align with the perceptions of passing drivers (some of whom do not know the applicable laws). This is not arrogance.
Some roadies are snobs…try taking a picture of the non-drive side of your Claris-equipped bike and those snobs will let you know their character. Who cares? 
I don’t want to paint with too broad of a brush but I think there’s truth in this for some people. Getting stuck in traffic or commuting does not bring out the best in some folks (myself included!!)
Roadies are not arrogant snobs, human beings are arrogant snobs.
