[Jeff Higgins]

I have no trouble whatsoever with cyclists who truly "share the road" as they so often espouse. Hell, I was a very active, enthusiastic cyclist from my early teen years in the mid 1970's until the early 2000's. I'm actually picking it up again (after a full hip replacement) and really enjoying it. I am now sticking to either dedicated bike trails, or at least roadways with dedicated, marked off lanes for bicycles. I try to avoid roads on which I must share a lane with motor vehicles. Not always possible, but I do try to minimize it.

I guess where the real animosity towards cyclists lies is mainly with the ass holes who simply cannot, will not, follow the rules and show some common courtesy. We are "blessed" with one such group locally. Granted, they are not the only ones (unfortunately), but they appear to be out there quite often, and are readily identified by their matching all black attire with bright orange helmets. This group can be found out on my favorite local roads on any weekend morning. There are at least 30 of them, riding three abreast, blocking the entire lane, and steadfastly refusing to stick to the right hand part of the lane to allow cars to pass. Washington's law requires cyclists to ride no more than two abreast, and to stay as far to the right as possible. These guys refuse to do that, and can often be seen with literally dozens of motor vehicles stuck behind them.

If anyone is "waiting for the cycling community to 'handle it'", you are going to be waiting an awfully long time. They were doing this in the '70's when I started riding, and it's only gotten worse today. Reading cycling forums and blogs leaves the distinct impression that many feel entitled to behave in this manner, and really seem to relish pissing off motorists. To the point of bragging about it to one another... So, no, the cycling community is never going to "police itself".