Roads: Who has the right to them?

I was cruising down Lakeshore this weekend on my bike, happily chatting away, when some dunderhead blazed past me with a gust of wind, a honking of his horn, and use of at least 95 percent of the roadway.

Later on my ride, some kids on bikes came head-on into my lane, weaving to and fro and chattering away about Pokemon, no doubt, but certainly not concerned by my fast approach.

These episodes are no different than any other day I see drivers and cyclists “sharing” the road. I would like to assume that the small population of dimwits that drive aggressively or ride with the reckless disregard of cycling bandits does not represent the entire population.

But I’m not sure.

Recently in the Vortex of Complain-But-Don’t-Change also known as “social media,” I witnessed a fruitless, uninformed discussion on who had more of a right to the roads: Cyclists or drivers? Taxpayers or welfare recipients? People with bigger cars or people observing their rights?

I was particularly amazed at how little both sides actually knew about the laws of driving and cycling, considering that one requires a license and the other is rather vulnerable to getting squashed.

Also interesting is the dynamic of drivers versus cyclists. Each seems to be in their own camp of right, pointing fingers, making sweeping generalizations, and generally arguing about anything but the facts. While perhaps reminisce of today’s political climate, it is certainly not conducive to safe riding or driving.

So for all of us, here’s a little primer on the reality of roads, bikes, cars, operators and users thereof, and how not to be a jerk:

• Everyone has a right to the roads. In fact, we all have an equal right to the road because the roads have been built by us, for us.

In the state of Idaho they are paid for by fuel taxes, vehicle registration and licensing, property taxes, and federal funding. It doesn’t matter how big your car is, how fast you ride your bike, or how much land you have — you “own” as much of the road as anyone else.

• There are laws and regulations in place for all users of the roads so that we may operate our vehicles of choice, man- or motor-powered, safely on those roadways. As cyclists and drivers, we are all responsible to inform ourselves of what those are and to adhere to them with due diligence.

• In the state of Idaho, cyclists are allowed to roll stop signs. Drivers: please stop getting so upset with us about exercising this right. Getting off and on our bikes interrupts the flow of traffic, which is why we have this law — it benefits everyone. If you want to partake in this perk, ride a bike.

• Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast on roads that are not highways. This means drivers must wait for a safe place to pass them. Please stop honking at my ample rear end. Just like with other slow-moving traffic, if cyclists have five or more vehicles behind them, they are obliged to pull over and allow them to safely pass. Please be patient. We’re pedaling as fast as we can.

• Roads and sidewalks are not parkour courses. Drivers expect cyclists to know and follow the rules as well. Cyclists need to set an example by doing so. Just because your bike fits between those cars, can launch off the sidewalk, or rally the wrong way down a one way street, does not mean that it is appropriate. Just because you can wait until five cars line up to pull over doesn’t mean that it is nice.

Before you head out to drive or ride again, take a moment to read Idaho’s Title 49:714-724 and learn how cars and bikes are supposed to share this great resource safely. And seriously, stop honking.

Ammi Midstokke can be reached at www.twobirdsnutrition.com.