Bikers. I can't think of a clever title.

Yesterday, as I was driving around Provo (because as much as I dislike driving . . . sometimes it is the only thing that can de-stress me. Weird, eh?), another topic of annoyance came to mind. Then, I received this comment from my dear friend, Janet:

That's hilarious Katie, but you left out a very vital part of the provo problem...what about the bikers that think they're cars?

This is exactly what I was thinking about. Since she left this comment, I knew it was fate. I had to write about it. So without further adieu . . .

My annoyance with bikers started several years ago. You see, bikers that feel that they own the world exist all throughout the world, not just in Provo. There is one experience in particular that sparked this distaste for bikers in my mind.

Imagine this. My brother, Daniel, my mom, and I are driving home from somewhere -- most likely King Soopers, the Church, McDonalds, Blockbuster, or one of the other places that exist on the part of town we were coming from. We get in the turning lane (and remember that. It was a turning lane) and enter into our neighborhood. For some reason, we ended up going to the other side of our neighborhood, where there is another traffic light that we stop out (now that I think about it, I don't remember why. It's like we were just driving around in circles or something.) Since the light was red, we stopped (rather, my mom stopped, as she was the one in control of the car). While we were sitting there, one of us notices that outside our car window, there is a biker, lookin' all professional in his tight yellow spandex, waving his finger at us to roll our window down. So, being confused, whoever was in front seat (I do believe it was Daniel), rolls down the window. Well, unfortunately, he wasn't asking us to roll down the window just to tell us how wonderful we were (validation, anyone?). He goes off on some rant about how we cut him off, and that we were in the biking lane (remember -- it was a turning lane), and we need to be more careful and considerate and stay out the bike lane. Blah blah blah. The light turned green and we left, but this memory has been forever imprinted in my mind.

Ever since then, I have noticed that many bikers think they own the road. Note that I said many, and not all. So if you are reading this and you are an avid biker, please don't be offended. I'm sure anyone that reads my blog has the best street etiquette. However, I have come across far too many that really bother me.

Basically, if you can't go as fast as the speed limit entails, you shouldn't be driving in traffic! I mean, how would you feel if there was a car going like 10-15 mph in a 40 mph place? Pretty dang annoyed, I'm sure! And that's exactly what some bikes do. I'll be driving along, and there will just be this random biker in the middle of the street, just acting like it's a car. Um . . . no, you aren't a car.

Then there's the people who aren't technically in the street where I"m driving, but get as close to it as they possibly can. They just about give me a heart attack, and I almost always switch to another lane (if possible) until I pass them. I'm so afraid of hitting them!

And then there's the people who just don't even pay attention to the traffic, or cars around them, and ride their bike like they indestructible. Much like the Provo pedestrians. Not cool my friends.

Biking is a great form of exercise, and a more "eco-friendly" way to go from one place to another. I'm all for it, IF you don't drive in the street when it isn't necessary. There are some great sidewalks out there, and heck, there are even some bike lines. You stay in the bike lines, and I won't bother you. But when you flip me off, or give me a dirty look, for something that I did not do and could have been entirely preventable . . . That's where the line is crossed. Sometimes I swear some bikers are trying to get hit.

And, that is all. Perhaps I'll talk about drivers tomorrow . . . though, I may be guilty of some of the annoying driver habits (or maybe not, because, as you all know, I'm perfect)

Happy Sabbath all!