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I agree totally. I have come up on cars so many times on 150... and what people forget is that cars have to follow the rules of the road too, even if you are just passing a bike you still have to pass on dotted lines where there aren't curves and where there is plenty of visibility. On those curvy roads, it's not that the driver is wreckless, but if you are going 55-60 miles an hour and you come up on someone on a curve, it's hard to slow down in time to avoid hitting the bikers. I know in Rockingham county there aren't a lot of places to go bike riding. In fact, there are always people in Ruffin biking, but that particular group is usually pretty good about moving over and the cars know to look for them. I just think that it's dangerous to be on the roads at that speed, there's no way of knowing in advance before you come up on a biker, especially on curvy roads.

Weren't bikes restricted from Bryan Blvd due to safety? And that road has a huge paved shoulder. County roads should be no different.

In response to "share the road". I have a hard time finding justification from a bicyclist who does not pay taxes, insurance, tags or registration on their 2 wheeled bicycle like I HAVE to do my vehicle. I drive a Dodge truck, live in Davidson Co. and there are no shoulders on the narrow roads where I live, yet I have to "share" constantly with bicycles that jut out 2 & 3 wide when they hear me coming or ride in the middle of my lane and hold up traffic 20 cars deep in 5 o'clock traffic - that is an accident waiting to happen. As a driver I have been harrassed, yelled at and been given the finger by those I have to "share" the road with because my big tax paying truck is in their way! They have roads designed for bicyclists, that is fine just stay off the roads that are NOT designed to "share" with multiple moving objects. Signs that say no or low shoulder should be a good indication if you are not aware, this covers about 80% of Northern Davidson Co. The hazard has become such a point of topic that no longer do we sit at the local diner and talk about the economy we talk about the bicyclists that we have to deal with on our little country back roads that were not designed to share in this way to begin with. By the way the argument only applies to bicycles, I drive a Motorcycle also and guess what? I have to pay the same fees as is required on my truck, so why shouldn't I complain?

What Rooster says is unfortunately true. My cousin was nearly killed by a rude person on Tobaccoville Road in Forsyth County years ago because the person did not like my cousin riding on the road in front of him. He pulled in front of my cousin and slammed on the brakes. My cousin now lives in Atlanta where he bikes everyday to work downtown with zero issues.

I am very overweight and would love to bike more in Reidsville since it is so small, but the more I read about folks being hit while biking (the prof's at UNCG and Elon come to mind) the less I see it as a viable form of exercise.

Which is too bad because I have a nice bike but I only use it about twice a week to ride to the YMCA.

I could bike to work and 80 percent of my errands, but I am not willing to risk it.

As sustainability becomes more of an issue, we are going to need to start sharing the roads more with our cyclists friends.

Well said. I've seen the issue discussed in other areas of the state and I'm still amazed that some motorists believe the road is theirs and theirs alone. I have friends who ride who have suffered through experiences similar to rooster's; the level of moronic behavior exhibited by some "adults" knows no lower bounds.

This is different because farmers are not out for a recreational ride on their tractor. They utilize rural roads, not highways, to access one part of their farm from another as part of THEIR JOB. They only travel short distances (a couple miles at most) not long rides like bikes. I would expect even a tractor is faster than a bike at top speed on flat roads. And, many times I have seen farmers pull over and let traffic pass.

Good point, Mr. Sykes. Our county is FINALLY getting people who actually WANT to come for a visit, however brief. Many of the bikes these folks are riding are worth more than the old truck in my driveway, and these riders will probably want to stop along the way for lunch or at least Gatorade. Some might find they enjoy their time in Rockingham County so much that they'll even buy property and increase our tax base and maybe decrease the average age of our aging workforce!

It's very short-sighted on the part of Sam Page and our other naysaying neighbors to discourage some much-needed positive attention in our county. Cyclists as a demographic have a fair amount of expendable cash that I welcome them to spend here!

Cyclists, while you're in Rockingham County, be sure to enjoy Madison's wonderful and friendly coffeehouse right downtown! (I don't own it, but I live here and welcome any and all cyclists and other friendly visitors.)

Good idea mrcleanswife! Bike insurance! that may be the answer, the park and trails is another good idea. yet another idea is a stay-n-place rack,to hold the back tire off the ground, that way they can get in their own driveway, yard or inside and not be a danger to anyone, except maybe theirself, they won't have to wear those tight speed-oohhhssss

It is far better for large groups of cyclists to bunch up three wide then to stretch out single file on country roads. If they are strung out it takes three times as long to get around them as when bunched. The roads are too narrow for lane sharing so the overtaking vehicle needs to change lanes regardless of how many abreast the cyclists are riding.

Now getting "flipped off" by cyclists you ostensibly passed safely probably means you didn't actually pass them safely. This state requires a minimum of two feet clearance when passing, that's measured from the most outlying part of the vehicle to the most outlying part of the other vehicle which on a bicycle is often the cyclist themselves. Bear in mind, NC is behind most states in their passing requirements, most states require three feet. That said, even passing at three feet, if the speed differential is great enough, is not enough space, particularly with vehicles with non-aerodynamic front ends. All vehicles have a bow wake in the air and blocky vehicles are particularly bad in this case. When overtaking, where you are required by law to exercise due care to pass safely regardless of the actual passing margin, you should either slow down to minimize bow wake or change lanes completely.

Thank you! Well said! As with all discussions, both sides have merrit and blame.

Wonderfully stated. As a resident of one of the rural Guilford County areas, I cringe when I come upon large groups of cyclists riding in clusters six abreast. I enjoy road cycling myself, and my younger son is quite involved in the sport. I drive my car reasonably, and I generally have the patience to wait for the opportunity to pass safely. But I know that many people are not so inclined. In the end, a 150 lb. cyclist on a 20 pound bike isn't much of a match against a 150 lb. driver of a 3,000 pound automobile. To cyclists: just exercise common sense and courtesy especially on 55 mph roads in a curvy configuration where cars are likely to come upon you from behind very quickly. To car drivers: bicycle riders do have a right to use the roads...that's the law. There may be some cyclists who will unwisely ride several abreast, but don't lump them in with those who don't. I want my 16-year-old to come back from his solo rides alive.

DexterG, well said. Both sides do need to courteous. I want to share the road until I come across a group of bikers riding 3 wide and could care less if I have to ride behind them for several minutes at their speed. I want to share the road but I also have to get to my destination. I'm usuallly not traveling in my automobile on a pleasure cruise. The real solution is to have our roads to include bike lanes to allow bikers safe access to roads and at the same time minimize the risk.