‘Jerk’ bicyclists are a bigger danger than cars, Roadshow reader says

Q: Since you’ve covered cyclists a lot lately, can I comment on the nightmare that is being a cyclist dealing with others on bikes who are a constant danger to everyone by riding on sidewalks, riding against traffic, riding too fast on their “electric bikes” (which are really mopeds), and running stop signs and red lights?

As a daily bike commuter, these jerks are a bigger danger to me than cars. I was almost in a head-on collision with one of these “salmon” recently. They expect us law-abiding cyclists to be the ones who swerve into traffic to avoid them. No amount of arrows and signs seem to convince these road hazards to behave.

We have a fantastic cycling infrastructure in the Bay Area, but these dimwits ruin my ride daily. Can anything be done? This behavior by a driver would end up with a suspended license or an impound. That should happen to bikes, too.

Sarah Schumm

A: I understand your perspective, and it’s a valuable one to hear. There’s not a lot that can be done in the short term, but if the number of people commuting by bicycle continues to increase, penalties could become tougher.

Q: I am recently retired and starting to drive to other states. I wonder about common driving rules in other states, like carpool lanes and turning right at a red light. Is there an easy way to find these rules?

Katherine Kinney Quandt

A: Laws are similar in many states, but there can be important differences. To understand the laws for states you’ll visit, check their driver’s manuals. This website links to traffic law information for each state: https://www.findlaw.com/traffic/traffic-tickets/state-traffic-laws.html.

Q: When traveling long distances, I use cruise control. I am in the retired age group and my knee starts hurting if I fix my foot on the accelerator for a long time. I usually drive the speed limit for safety and reduced gas consumption.

A reader from Concord complained about drivers like me who drive in the middle or left lane. On two-lane highways, I usually drive in the right lane, except to pass slower vehicles. On three-lane or wider roads, I usually drive in the middle lane because there is too much braking and accelerating with the in-and-out traffic in the far right lane.

I don’t speed up to 80 mph to pass slower vehicles, even though many people drive this fast. I am sure that I am temporarily seen as a roadblock in the “fast lane.”

Janet Hoffman, Campbell

A: It’s good to hear your thoughts on this. And it’s good that after you’re done passing, you move back to the right.

Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at [email protected].