Each week Northside Opinions asks readers to comment on a topic in the news. The question this week was: Should cyclists use roadways?

Background: Spring weather has finally arrived and it's a great time to ride a bike. It's also the time of year when motorists and cyclists often are at odds over where, when —- and even if —- cyclists should use roadways.

A letter to the editor ("Cyclists create road hazard," AJC Northside Opinions, April 27 ) complained about cyclists using major roadways during rush hour.

Have our roadways become so crowded there is no room for cyclists? Or, should cyclists have the right to use roads when and where they want —- even if it causes a backup?

EDITOR'S NOTE

> Thank you all for your generous response. We'll print more letters next Sunday. Letters received so far are overwhelming in support of bikes and cars sharing the road. Today's letters are representative of those received.

A few bad apples spoil things for all cyclists

There's room for improvement on both sides. I ride a bike, and I see both rude motorist and rude cyclists. There is room and a place for bikes, but cyclists also need to not do things to make themselves hated. Most cyclists use their heads and are courteous to drivers. But as in all bunches, there's the occasional bad apple who does stupid things —- like riding two and three across when cars need to pass. Or like flying past a line of cars at a stoplight. Or like blowing through stop signs when they really should slow and look around.

These are the things that turn some motorists into irate maniacs who want all bikes off the road. I personally try to avoid any major thoroughfare, just because there's too good a chance that one of the cars will hit me, intentionally or not. So I ride mostly back roads and subdivision roads. And when I do, I observe the rules and keep to the right, but there's still the occasional psycho who just hates all cyclists that will flip me off, or worse, brush by me close enough to touch. I'm not sure what can be done about those people, besides giving them violations if they happen to be seen by police while doing those things, which is rare. I only wonder if they're just nuts to begin with, or if they were driven that way by a few rude cyclists.

DAVID LINEBAUGH

Northside

Cyclists on road OK, but only if they obey laws

Cyclists should have the same rights as other drivers as long as they adhere to the same laws. In my community cyclists seldom stop at stop signs and while cars are stopped at traffic lights will often ease their way between cars to obtain the position on the road that they want.

I live in a very hilly area and they get a thrill out of coming down the hills at a very high rate of speed, not stopping for the stop signs and pulling out in front of oncoming cars. On weekends we see this as many as 30 or more times a day. Sometimes several of them come down together and speed right through the signs as though they don't exist! The warnings given to them by the police have meant nothing. As a motorist, I fear for them and myself.

SHIRLEE WIENER

Northside

Let's ride bikes

Instead of fanning the flames over whose road it is, when that question has already been answered, this spring let's all (cyclists and drivers) lobby our legislators for bike lanes!

If we are successful, we will have done our part to improve traffic flow, save fuel, and possibly even take a few cars off the road as more folks are encouraged to commute via bicycle. Let's ride our bikes!

TOM ERDMANCZYK

Roswell

Cyclists going somewhere

Most cyclists who ride on major roads during rush hour have "actual destinations" and are not just riding for recreation. However, as long as cyclists act like vehicles and obey basic traffic principles they have the same rights as other vehicles.

As gas prices increase you will see more cyclists. I'm more inclined to get someone like [the letter writer] off the road before his rage over losing a few seconds passing slower traffic causes harm to any other car, cyclist or pedestrian.

NEIL FLEMING

Atlanta

Perhaps police could search out 'unproductive' people on roadways and remove them

Once again cyclists are being accused of causing many of society's ills. Apparently at least one recent letter writer sees us all as unproductive members of society conspiring to ride our bikes for no useful purpose other than to create traffic jams and annoy those with (self-determined) legitimate reasons for traveling with our lawbreaking ways.

But wait, maybe this person is on to something.

Perhaps the solution to our traffic problems is to restrict the use of public roads to those with productive purposes such as commuting to work. We could set up police roadblocks on all major highways to interrogate drivers. Those without legitimate reasons would have their vehicle confiscated and then be hauled off to jail for their unproductive transgressions.

Hurry, write your politicians now to clear the roadways of all unproductive drivers! Besides, going to the movie theaters, restaurants, friend's houses, the lake, sporting events, etc. is just a waste of one's time.

SCOTT MILLER

Roswell

More people should cycle

Cyclists should obey the law and stay off of interstate highways and other restricted highways. All other roadways are open to cyclists and they should have the right to use them per our state laws. If other users (drivers of automobiles) have a problem with this, they should contact their elected officials and request bike lanes, bike paths, or something similar. If there is not a safe and legal alternative, cyclists will always ride in the road. A sidewalk is not a legal alternative. A nonexistent shoulder or one littered with debris is not a safe alternative.

With gas prices climbing and traffic increasing, I would think more people would be open to cycling. Cycling produces no emissions, requires no gasoline, and causes no noise pollution. Bicycles cause no damage to roadways, they take up less space on the road and require less space for parking. The benefits of cycling include a healthier rider, cleaner air and less traffic.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

CHRIS DUSACK

Atlanta

Roads are for cars and bicycle riders as well

By law, a bicycle is considered a "vehicle" and has the same rights to traffic lanes as "motor vehicles." Are motor vehicle drivers aware of these rights?

As cyclists, we have the responsibility to exercise the rules of the road. And if cycling in traffic lanes during rush hour, you must be aware of the hazards from uninformed drivers.

Drivers, get informed on the rights of cyclists —- let's reduce the risks to everyone.

BRUNILDA L. NAZARIO, M.D.

Northside

Cyclists don't own streets

Cyclists should not be able to use busy streets. I almost ran over one last week. He came speeding up alongside of me and started banging on the side of my truck with his hands.

I never saw him and I was going 35 mph.

They think they own the streets.

KEVIN GRADY

Northside