Commenters hate bicyclists, too

Today’s front page features a story I wrote about bicyclists – or, as I like to call them, Comment Section Enemy No. 1.

To quote reporter Nick Deshais , who’s on leave from The Spokesman-Review, “Cyclists suck. That’s the gist of some comments on any Spokesman article about bikes, bike lanes or bikeways. More specifically, commenters get very, very angry about what they see as a total disregard for laws by those pedaling anarchists.”

As my story explains, there is indeed a problem. Some cyclists have been speeding on the Centennial Trail, posing a serious hazard to other pedestrians.

Riverside State Park rangers are trying to enforce a 15 mph speed limit to make the trail safer for walkers, runners, children, skaters and anyone else who lacks the mechanical advantage of a 20-speed, carbon-fiber, super-lubed road bike.

Rules are rules. Cyclists shouldn’t zip past slow movers on the Centennial Trail because the result could be catastrophic. Even at 15 mph, an average-sized rider could exert enough force to break bones, knock out teeth – or worse.

“These guys are going to kill someone, or maim them at least,” said Dan Tierney, a former Centennial Trail maintenance worker who called me after reading the story. “They are a hazard”/ Chad Sokol ,SR Getting There blog. More here.