I wasn't surprised the "Share the Road" post got a lot of cyclists hot under their jerseys. They're a passionate lot, devoted, demanding of themselves and others. I wrote from the viewpoint of a local and a driver. They wrote back as citizens of the biking world. (And for a moment of amusement to avid cyclists everywhere, here's a shot of my own un-glam bike, a stolid REI bomber I use to ride around the Cove.)

The replies to the post had a cycle of their own - first the flamers, then those who respectfully agreed and disagreed. The former were, well, educational - new words, new spellings, new anatomical possibilities. Who knew? The latter are worth sharing.

Will Campbell (who, by the way, has a great photo gallery on flickr.com) responded to the post on his own blog, [sic]. He's with me - to a point.

But then she has to go letting “the thousands of cars speeding by” off the hook so easily while demanding that the “arrogant” cyclists get the hell out of their careless ways. Even more aggravating is the fact that she expects large groups of riders to somehow stay as far right as possible. At all times.

All I’m saying is two wheels or four wheels we all have a responsibility, and to kissoff the “slow Sunday driving days” and accept that PCH is a de-facto “freeway” for cars to play on and for bikes to cower from may very well be the reality, but that doesn’t make it right. And definitely it’s not right to expect a crowd of bikes to get as far right, as that fails to take into account that there might not be much right to ride on.

There's more, and it's worth reading.

Ditto for Pat Veesart, whose thoughtful note is excerpted here and runs in full after the jump.

Bicyclists often ride on or near the white line at edge of a bike lane because bike lanes are often littered with rocks, broken glass, and other debris. The law allows cyclists to make decisions about where it is safe to ride. If a cyclist feels the need to be in the travel lane - maybe because he or she does not feel safe riding next to parked cars (where one might get a car door in the face); or maybe because they are working their way over to make a left-hand turn or; or possibly because there is a drainage grate coming up that must be avoided - then motorists can just be patient for a moment. I can assure you that the cyclist will be wanting to get out of harm's way just as fast as he or she possibly can.

So thanks to everyone who took the time to write, and who rides a bike here in Southern California, despite the risks.

Oh! And I appreciate the offers to join you for a ride, but that kind of cycling is out of my league. (Seriously - did you look at my bike?) But if you're stopping at Deidrich's or John's Garden or even a Starbuck's while riding though Malibu sometime, let me know.

From Pat Veesart:

Veronique,

As somebody who rides a bike to work daily, and as somebody with some background in bicycle advocacy, I was a little perturbed by your short piece on bicyclists in Malibu. I am not at all surprised that you are hearing from frustrated bicyclists. My job often takes me to Malibu and I generally enjoy your column as a means of learning a bit more about a town that I will never live in, but find my myself involved with never-the-less.

PCH is not a freeway. It is state highway with cross streets, traffic lights, driveways, sidewalks (in some places), and lots and lots and lots of people going to the beach. There is no reason why pedestrians, bicyclists, or kids on skateboards should suffer or be exposed to great physical harm because of the stunningly rude and self-centered driving habits of the average Malibu-area resident. And yet, somehow, their rude behavior is the fault of bicyclists?

Oh, I know that cyclists break the law too. I see people riding on sidewalks, against traffic, blowing through stop signs and traffic lights, etc. I have even broken the law myself a time or two (or three or four). Of course I see many, many more motorists daily breaking the law, simply because of sheer numbers. There are humans on bikes and humans in cars. You might have noticed how fallible humans are.

Bicyclists often ride on or near the white line at edge of a bike lane because bike lanes are often littered with rocks, broken glass, and other debris. The law allows cyclists to make decisions about where it is safe to ride. If a cyclist feels the need to be in the travel lane - maybe because he or she does not feel safe riding next to parked cars (where one might get a car door in the face); or maybe because they are working their way over to make a left-hand turn or; or possibly because there is a drainage grate coming up that must be avoided - then motorists can just be patient for a moment. I can assure you that the cyclist will be wanting to get out of harm's way just as fast as he or she possibly can.

Almost daily I take my life in my hands riding a bike in traffic. I have been shoved out of bike lanes, clipped by drivers with flaming hair, honked at, cursed at, cut off, and generally reviled because I dare to use the street that is supposed to be shared public space. Nowhere is it written that automobiles have exclusive use of California's streets and roads (except freeways).

Also, I am acutely aware of the physics involved. In a car/bike crash - I lose.

A little more patience; a little more consideration - on the part of both bicyclists and motorists; a little more education about the rights and responsibilities of driving a car and riding a bike; forgiveness - this is what we need more of.

Pat Veesart