Just to Be Clear

Cyclists who don't observe traffic laws, as the ones Hadrian has described in Columbia, are doubly bad. Not only are they stupidly risking their own necks against vehicular traffic, they put the rest of us at risk by annoying drivers. So I'm at least as upset about them as you are. But a lot of motorists seem to believe that all cyclists should get off the roads in general and stick to sidewalks and trails. In defense of us law-abiding ones, I'd like to share somthing from the Kansas License Renewal Handbook that I read while getting my license renewed yesterday:

Motorists in Kansas should expect to encounter bicyclists on all state and local roadways except for the Interstate system where bicyclists are prohibited or where prohibited by local ordinance. Please be considerate of bicyclists who have rights to the roadway. Expect bicyclists to be two feet from the right edge of the roadway or curb. When passing a bicyclist use extreme caution and pass four feet to the left of the bicyclist.

As an operator of a bicycle, the cyclist is expected to obey all traffic laws and regulations on the streets, roads, and highways of the State. However, whether the bicyclist is operating lawfully or not, give the rider the benefit of the doubt. As a motorist you should realize that the bicyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as you. Mutual respect for one another will aid in smooth, traffic flow. (page 28)