Why Do Cyclists Ride in the Road? 

Husband, father, trucker, motorcyclist, cyclist. Nothing gives me more pleasure than blocking or slowing traffic to allow cyclists their share of the road. As Phil states, "a couple seconds" out of your day to not hurt someone. It's sooo hard lifting that right foot off the accelerator

As a cyclist, I'm so fortunate to live in the Netherlands.

Another element worth mentioning: The paradox of the bike lane. It's where all the broken glass and debris from the road creeps to, so it's quite inhospitable to bikes.

“get off the road!!” “alright how about investing in separate infrastructure for cyclists, cycle lanes or cycle paths?” “why should my tax money be spent on that?/ if the are roads are narrowed to make cycle lanes it’ll lead to congestion” “well, what do you want cyclists to do?” “get off the road!!” repeat ad infinitum

I've been road biking the past few weeks while the National Forests were closed here in CA. One day, I had three separate people yell at me (two of them in the other lane going to opposite direction) even though I was firmly in the nice wide bike lane. Believe me, I would have much preferred to be on my MTB. That night, I read a study that found 49% of non-cyclists viewed cyclists as less than human. Everyone needs to just simmer down and find some compassion and empathy for each other. Thanks, Phil for speaking out!

this guy, bragging about how he gets free beer from motorists during bike rides

It really is so simple, which makes me ask; why does this conversation have to be repeated so many times..? Great job explaining Phil! 🥰

Saved for frequent future response posts. Thank you!

Where I live (UK) there are several “cycle lanes” nearby, but they are mostly pedestrian footpaths with bikes painted on them, often strewn with debris and various obstacles such as lamp posts. I nearly came off one time when using the “cycle lane” because a dog walker had their lead right across the path! In places the main roads do have areas designated for bikes but they are never more than a few metres long and are just so the local council can say they are being “green”. With the COVID lockdown we had a great opportunity to extend the cycle network in the UK, but no, that would have been too sensible. I despair.

I really wish i could interview drivers to know their thought process everytime they floor it to get past me with 5 cm of clearence only to slam their brakes on due to the clealry not moving cars infront.

the person waving at 2:09... bless them

SO MANY good points raised here. This video was very well done and I will be forwarding it in the future to people who need to have this stuff explained to them. Thanks for doing this👍

Thanks for this one Phil, everyone stay safe out there, been hearing about lots of cycling accidents in NYC lately

Here in Germany bike lanes aren't so rare, but more often than not they're in a horrible condition, hardly usable with a carbon road bike. So very often I end up riding on the road as well.

Yesterday rush hour traffic was bad and drivers were being aggressive so I rode on a 8 foot wide asphalt sidewalk that had maybe 1 pedestrian every 200 yards. A walker ahead heard my bell and moved from the right to the center of the sidewalk and extended both arms straight out in order to claim 6 feet of the sidewalk leaving only 1 foot on either side unclaimed. I moved to the grass on his right and as I was passing him 8 feet from the sidewalk he yelled that I should be on the road. This time I decided to stop and discuss it with him. I explained that I was on the mostly unoccupied sidewalk because the traffic was dangerous. - Too bad, sidewalks are for walking. Cyclists put the lives of pedestrians at risk." Okay... how pedestrians are killed by cyclists a year? - "I don't know, probably not many." That's a close guess, the actual number is zero." How many cyclists are killed or seriously injured by vehicles a year? - "Probably a lot." That's right; a lot. So now you understand why I ride on empty sidewalks when road traffic is bad. - "Maybe... but it's still illegal." Yes it is, and I'd rather pay a ticket than get run over by an aggressive cyclist hater in a 4,000 pound vehicle. - "Whatever... it's still illegal for you to cycle on a sidewalk." Okay. Let's say the law said you and your kid had to walk along a 3 foot wide unmarked edge of the busy road. Would you feel safe? - "Of course not, that would be stupid." So would you break the law and walk on the bike path? - "I guess." Why do you think I should be forced to cycle on the edge of the road that you just said is too dangerous for you to walk on? - "I guess; as long as cyclists keep a safe distance from pedestrians..." I agree. And as long as walkers also keep a safe distance from cyclists who signal their approach with a bell... Hands got shook and all was good. This guy's attitude on cyclists has flipped 180 degrees. If we're lucky he'll explain the logic to other walkers.

Brilliant. "I won't get mad at you in the car for a guy who threw a beer at me three years ago."

this psa has a 'happy days' kind of vibe to it like richie is trying to explain something to mr. cunningham.

Thank you! I recently was yelled at for using a marked bike route. And I too have had beers and other items hurled at me.

‘Motorists you might need to deal with bike legal. They won’t be so nice’. Love that.

Great video Phil. More stuff like this, you deliver the message well and this message needs to be heard

I can always tell (or I think I can) what drivers are cyclists by the way they drive past me!

I assume Phil's account is viewed mostly by avid cyclists, like myself, who experience these issues as well. Hopefully this video reaches drivers that could use the info. Thanks Phil!

It's great to watch these videos and see how much the roads have changed since when I was living in Glendale (1986).

Everything he said is 100% completely true. Preach Brotha!! Its not like most cyclists want to be on the road with cars. Most of the time, when you are, you don't have a choice. Trust me if cyclists could have it their way, 100% car free open roads where you don't have to worry about getting hit or making some jerk 3-5 seconds late! Phil speaks the truth!!

It would be helpful if RU-vid would put this on everyone's homepage. Cyclists already know these frustrating truths. It's everyone who never clicked a cycling link before that needs to see this.

Any video that includes a slav squat, even in a thumbnail image, gets a thumbs up from me! Those roads along PCH? Yep, been there done that. The secret is riding as fast as possible, blinky lights, and not moving in the direction where the sun will blind the car drivers coming up behind you. That means head west in the AM, and east in the evening.

I don't wanna be on the road with cars. I even ride 3 miles out of my way just to stay on a protected bike lane. I must admit that in my firsts years commuting I would really get bike rage and confront drivers on their 2 ton machines. Not anymore. I want to stay alive.

YES YES YES!!! So glad you made this video... I've been meaning to make a video like this for some time now. Glad you took the time. Thank you!!

Fantastic video!

That section of PCH from Temescal to Santa Monica always stresses me out.

Thanks for doing this video. Almost every ride vehicles will challenge my space on the road. Most concerning is when a car rolls through a stop sign doing a right turn into the lane I'm riding in. I'm always trying to make eye contact to confirm people notice me.

Awesome video Phil, thanks

Thank You.

Amazing video!

Thank you, Phil!

Excellent!

It’s funny because most motorists don’t even know in states where it is a state law to stop at a cross walk that that law exists. I’m never surprised that they don’t know it’s illegal for bikes to ride on the sidewalk but this video is hilarious

The timing of this video is eerie for me, as just yesterday, here in my country, two fellow cyclist were killed in a dead-on collision with a car that swerved into the opposite direction lane. To make it even more painful, yesterday happened to be the fifth anniversary of another cyclist fatality.

Hi Phil, thanks so much for making and posting this video because it’s really well thought out and delivered clearly pointing out many of the hazards faced on a daily basis. The presentation isn’t hysterical or finger pointing but just a really great presentation of the facts! I’m in the UK and much of what you have said unfortunately applies here as well. Thank you so much for this video 👍👏

WELL DONE.

You're awesome. My favourite channel ✌️

Phil you get yelled at because you ride in LA. I love when a driver yells/ makes some comment as they pass me, when I'm on my bike, only for me to ride past them when they're stuck in traffic. Great video by the way.

Totally agree with all your point. All well thought out bud. Stay safe out there

The "must get in front" symptom many drivers seem to suffer from when they see a cyclist should be classified as a mental disorder.

Well done! Hopefully it will make a difference.

Well said Phil! So true.

I'm glad to see something like bike legal exists.

This is your best video ever. Thank you for this

As a motorcyclist I've always been a little daunted at the prospect of riding a bicycle on the road. I see how crazy the cars are all the time. While you have to be 100% on your game to ride a motorcycle safely, to a large extent you have control over the way you interact with traffic. It always seemed to me that with a bicycle you'd be much more at the mercy of traffic especially on many of the rural roads where I live. In any event I get angry when I see cyclists of either bi or motor variety engage in stupid stuff on the roadway - invites disaster, gives the responsible ones a bad name. All that said, I'm getting into bicycling now. So far I'm sticking to easy trails and roads with slow traffic speeds and or lots of shoulder. I do love it so far! Stay safe!

Amazing video.

I love how a motorist will hit the gas to show off when they see a bike. It takes so much effort to push a gas pedal.

Amen. everyone just needs to imagine being the other guy before honking or flipping the bird.

Great video ,, wish drivers in Australia only shouted get off the road usually it’s more colourful language and the occasional object is thrown ,,its open season over here at least in this bit of Australia where I live ,,thank for the grea video Phil

From your comments, you are a good road user, and you made some good points. I share some (most) of the road principles you mentioned but the reality is, I have to watch out for myself and be mindful that “some people try to be ‘jerks’”. Lol

Ha! That was classic! Thanks man. I will give you the old-man-surfer comment, "you should have been here yesterday!" I love seeing the footage of my backyard. I moved to Venice Beach in 1989 from Newport Beach and then spent the next 15 years and my entire pro career riding in LA, most times up PCH to the Santa Monica Mountains, doing huge loops up, over and around out to the valley and back over to come home down the coast with a tits tailwind in the afternoon. All the old crew who were there knew that we would meet at the CIRCLE in Venice every morning at 9am and head up the coast to wherever! Daily rides could see groups of 20-30 guys start the rides. That was some of the best training in the world and hundreds of days of pure unforgettable friends and freedom. Where else can you find a 3000 foot mountain range with 15 connected canyons perfectly paved of up to 10 miles in length and 20% grades sitting on the pacific ocean with 75 degree temps year around? Back then there were no cell phones, no ridiculously self-important distracted drivers, no GPS's, almost no traffic during the day, wide shoulders, great conversations with the boys, and drivers that would actually occasionally move over and give us a wide berth on PCH. We could do 3 hour loops in the canyons and never even see a car during our 5 hour rides where I never put a foot down, (okay, I might have rolled through a few red lights, so sue me). Anyway... Phil, those days and the freedom they gave us are long, long gone. Oh, don't you love progress! Ha! Be safe brother and get out of the city. LA's gone forever and no place any more for a bike rider of your talent.

Phil this was an incredible video.

Ah yea our bike lanes here in the big city (LA) are such a mix, an occasional bike lane sign, a painted stripe, sometimes even includes a bicycle icon painted on the pavement. Sometimes the supposed bike lanes stretch for a block or three and sometimes for miles. I usually try to pick quieter streets than go looking for a bike lane. I used to ride on the sidewalk but rarely do now, as you mention they're really made for - walking. It's not illegal here in LA but its just not very considerate. But maybe in other nearby cities such as WeHo, I forget.

Awesome!!

Lol immediately recognized those Santa Monica bike lanes

I've had a flip flop, a Slurpee thrown at me, and a 4Loco can, which was massive and heavy. Not to mention being called "queer", "fag", "spandex-jockey" (the latter I was okay with). All three times I was in a bike lane minding my own business. If I am at a light I make sure I'm not blocking anyone trying to turn right on a red, I give cars a wide of a berth as possible as I know I come off worse should we bump. I do what I can to keep away from cars. Drivers somehow think you're an idiot for being on a bike and therefore are a target of fun.

This should be shown on TV as a public information film.

I love you Phil! Continue awesomeness.

add to the list: endless amounts of gutter debris to dodge as most of us don't carry enough spares for 5x flats each ride.

I got doored by a guy in a BMW a few years ago. Utterly destroyed his door hinge to the point that he couldn't even close the door. But rather than stand there and work it out with me, he actually jogged away and into a store to avoid me. My bike and I were fine, so I shrugged it off. Sadly, he's come to embody the type of experience and attitude I get from most high-end car drivers. Why is that? I've always wondered.

Love those sun glasses. What kind are they? I want to buy them today

Well said Phil!

Not to mention all the road debris ends up on the shoulders. Storm sewer grates are often on the shoulder. People put the garbage and recycling bins on the shoulders. Grass clippings end up on the shoulder.

He speaks the truth.

Many motorists will try to pass you on your bicycle in the full face of oncoming traffic. so the only evasive maneuver left to them if they miscalculate is to suddenly slam you sideways while passing you. The majority of serious motor vehicle/bicycle impacts are not head-on hits, but rather sideswipes. Sometimes it is necessary to move a little out into the road to discourage vehicles from attempting this maneuver when it is not safe. Maybe this is being a bit of a dick, but it is better than dying from a sideswipe because the driver could not wait 30 seconds for a safer opportunity to pass.

Well said!

Love it.

Detroit MI and it’s scary riding in the roadways, i bike predominately bike and run paths inside parks

Had beer bottles thrown at me in Atwater CA, your not alone brother. Maybe it a California thing? Great video

This is great. There's a message here for cyclists too. A month or so ago, I saw a young kid on a bicycle riding against traffic!!!! Please don't do this. You might think this is better because you can see oncoming traffic. It's not!!! You're quite vulnerable to cars pulling out of driveways, cars making right turns, and more. As a long time cyclist, I always make sure to educate new cyclists. Let's all be safe! 😉

You nailed a lot of reasons why I don’t ride road. Too many drivers with anger management issues. If I mountain bike and I crash, it’s my fault. But on the road, it’s much more likely I’ll be in a car caused accident. I know way more people seriously injured road riding (accident caused by car) than seriously injured on a mountain bike. Plus, riding with car exhaust just doesn’t excite me. So, other than commute riding, I have zero interest in road riding for fun or exercise. We definitely need more bike paths and protected bike lanes in this country.

I had a pick up drive by me a few months back and they threw a styrofoam fountain drink on me. I was to the far right on the road. Really sucked but what can you do? Can't chase them down and fight. Didn't get their license plate. Someone who does that to people out riding their bike and getting exercise is just plain wrong! All I could really do is wish them bad karma and hope it doesn't happen again. When out riding on regular roads I stay as far to the right as possible (if no shoulder). I do understand that I could ride in the middle if I chose to but I would never do that. I'm a cyclist and I hate when other cyclists (1 or more) ride in the middle of the road. (You'll just be a target for an impatient short tempered fool). If you do this most likely you have or will get honked at, yelled at, or have something thrown at you. A large part of society doesn't ride a bicycle and are ignorant to the needs of a cyclist on the road. We take a chance everyday riding on busy car roads. Any day we could be injured or killed by someone not paying attention. Yet our love for riding out weighs the risk. Thanks for making this video Phil and thank you for staying close to the right. Best wishes.

I ride Pennsylvania roads. There is a PA state law giving "non-motorized vehicles", which includes horse and buggies, 4 feet of clearance, PERIOD ! I'm squeezed every time I ride. Yesterday, a car even swerved into my lane right after they squeezed me. Maybe they were trying to hit me, idk. I am seriously considering setting up a lobbying group on behalf of cyclists. There needs to be a way to file charges on vehicles that violate this law. Unless a cop sees it OR, god forbid, a vehicle hits you(and they stop), you're out of luck pressing charges. About a month ago, I was squeezed by a state cop and I wish I had a go pro to video him. If we can find a way to fine the violators, monetarily and by driving points, it would make a huge statement and most "squeezing" would subside. If a vehicle passes a stopped(flashing red) school bus, in PA, you automatically get 6 points. You only need reported, make, model, license plate, date, time and location, no video necessary. Cyclists need this same ability.

I'm Caucasian, I've never had to deal with racism...until I became a cyclist.

Parked cars are the worst, especially along Highway One. I won’t even drive my car in the right lane where he was at for fear of knocking off a door that was thrown open without looking.

I had a bottle of water thrown at me. It’s a scary situation.

this should have 10 billion views

Double parked Amazon and UPS every here in Milwaukee (WI). Keep doing your thing, I'm going to keep trying to do my part! The "shoulder ends for about 30 feet" is too close... I live off 6th Ave in Milwaukee, WI in the .5 mile stretch there isn't even a bike lane because they built a new arena! (Was a problem with the old arena too!)

Damn. People getting objects thrown at them? Thats insane. I havent experienced that yet in NYC. Probably because you see the driver at the stop sign 5 seconds later. Hard to escape I guess. We get all the usual, cursing, buzzing and careless behaviour. Throwing objects though would definitely lead to fights here.

Here in Las Vegas, people purposely try to hit me at stop signs. If you get hit by a car here, I’d say there’s a 90% chance they leave the scene and you’re on your own.

this is your new calling Phil.

Have to ride on on the 71 highway In Pomona (eastern edge of LA Co.) where I live for about 100-200 meters due there is no other paved roads around to get to where I am going very easily. If not it it is along detour on very trafficked roads not in the best shape at places for cyclists. The short dirt road area next to the highway is SoCal Edison and can be overgrown, have thorns, loose soil, etc. would love to take a strip of the Socal Edison area for a functional bike path/public right of way for less than 100m along house fences to the dead street just up the slight grade between the houses and new SoCal Edison property line. The highway is about to upgraded to freeway without regard to locals getting around in the neighborhood.

I think this homeless guy makes some good points 🤔

Next coal roller caught on my go-pro is getting served with a civil suit. People are messed up.

I basically gave up road riding in the city because it was just a waiting game. I was just waiting for the day someone would blow through a stop sign texting and reduce me to a red smear on the pavement, or someone not to head check before going into a shared bike/right turn lane and side swipe me, or worse just road rage me off the road. I get my cycling fix on mountain bikes or way out of the city on very un-popular roads. I wanted to be more environmentally conscious. I wanted to get more exercise by riding to work. I wanted to enjoy my commute. What I got instead was just fear of cars.

2:09 Lol the motorist waving

Hi Phil! Would you say that there is a minimum traveling speed when riding that section of PCH? I feel comfortable riding in the shoulder around Palos Verdes but am nervous to ride on PCH due to the traffic and speed difference. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! You and Lantern Rouge are my top two cycling channels by a long shot.

I recently witnessed some jackass who didn't bother to look over his shoulder knock some bicyclist of his bike while I was at a red light. The bicyclist managed to get up just fine but that doesn't change the fact that the yokel who knocked him over was starting to drive away and he was warned not to leave (clearly a hit and run). Hopefully he caught his license plate. I don't care how experienced of a driver someone is or if a swarm of bicyclists are taking up all lanes like it's Tour de France, you NEVER in a million years fuck with a bicyclist and if you knock him over, take responsibility like a man and let him get your info and insurance because that is on you (the driver). I am NOT a cyclist in any way shape or form but it doesn't take one to know that you need to give them space and never ever to fuck with them.

I'm so happy I live in denmark-- it makes me feel embarrased about how much potholes in the cycle lanes make me haha

The roads are public. Its your right to travel on them. A car requires a licence which is a priveledge.

Whenever I encounter a bike path to nowhere I always wonder what the person that designed it there was thinking? Anyway, one minute you're on the bike path, the next you're on a road with no shoulder. I particularly love those bike paths that merges into the high-speed road way with no shoulder. I wonder am I suppose to risk my life on the 50 mph road, or does this mark the end of the ride? I've had sodas and eggs thrown at me a couple of times. That egg in the back is pretty painful especially since you have the speed of the throw multiplied by the speed of the vehicle. Such as strange thing throwing eggs. I can't imagine going into my fridge to get a carton of eggs to drive around and throw at total strangers. I've been board many times but that one just never occurred to me. In any event, to interfere with a cyclist is a felony.

I cycle on sidewalks always, because it's safer. And never have any cop told me anything about it.

This video should just be in the DMV license test

Where I live there are now, fortunately, quite a few bike lanes. I have been using a bike as my primary transportation for many years, well before bike lanes, and it does make a difference. But not as much as it should because of the number of motorists who think the bike lane is the DOUBLE PARKING LANE! Sometimes as many as two or three cars per block. I have nearly been killed by cars when I am forced to go into the car lane to get around the parked cars. I have occasionally confronted drivers of cars parked in bike lanes-when they are there, that is, instead of the car being engine off, locked, and no one there-and for my troubles have been shouted at, threatened, and cursed. Most of them have an excuse, sometimes weird excuses, but they all come down to, “Yes, I know I shouldn’t park here, I know it’s illegal, but in THIS CASE I have to do it, so it’s okay.” I have even been cursed by people on the sidewalk or in passing cars, complaining to ME because I am complaining about the car in the bike lane. All this is not improving my view of human nature.

Well done, Phil.

sometimes id like to remind motorists that when im not riding a bike, i drive a car. I get it, im out there too. Im late for work somtimes, Im anxious. But yea when im riding, alittle patience is much appreciated