Reader: Bicycles should only be allowed on trails and sidewalks -- not roads

A recent Comment of the Day in which a reader described Colorado cyclists as douchy and selfish certainly touched a nerve. A huge number of readers vented their spleen on the post, with this one offering a vivid anecdote and a sweeping suggestion about how to reduce conflicts between bicycle...

By Michael Roberts

May 16, 2014

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A recent Comment of the Day in which a reader described Colorado cyclists as douchy and selfish certainly touched a nerve. A huge number of readers vented their spleen on the post, with this one offering a vivid anecdote and a sweeping suggestion about how to reduce conflicts between bicycle riders and car drivers.

Becca Doyle writes:

I just hate when they think they can keep up with cars. I was coming down a mountain in Boulder. The speed limit was 55 and I came up on a bunch of cyclists blocking the ENTIRE lane going a bit over 25. After about 15 minutes there was a caravan of cars behind me about a half a mile long. I politely asked through the window if they could get to the side a little bit. One of them flipped me off in response. I finally got to the point where I could pass them safely and did, continuing at the 55 SPEED LIMIT. The other cars behind me followed my lead. When I got down into town, I stopped at a red light and all of a sudden this cyclist SMASHES his fists on my window. He was screaming at me and threatening me because I had passed him. He literally went out of his way to fly down the mountain to roid out on me. Fuck cyclists. They should ONLY be allowed on trails and sidewalks. I don't even know how anyone thought it was a good idea to let them on the street.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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