Let’s look at the situation of cars and bicycles sharing roads. To others irritated by cyclists, please think about this scenario. You have a 1,000- to 2,000-pound vehicle traveling at 40 to 70 mph, its driver irritated by a 120- to 240-pound person, on a 17- to 24-pound bike, riding on a 1-2 inch tire.

Do you really think cyclists want to compete with you? We are not always riding to irritate cars. I ride to work when I can, ride to the grocery store, ride to see friends and ride for exercise. I try not to ride on roads without a bike lane, but that is not always possible.

Also, bicyclists sometimes need to create safe distances by riding into the road since cars will get as close as they possibly can, leaving cyclists no safe wiggle room. Please, get out of the car one day and just walk along the roads you are talking about. See what it feels like as cars come within inches of you, driving way over speed limits, talking on the phone, having a soda in that air-conditioned truck, the truck that just sucked you two feet into the road with its draft as you walk along.

Look down at the ground and see that the edge of the pavement (where you would like the bikes to be) is covered with rocks, glass and other debris. I would ask you to stop and think about how you would feel balancing your frame over two wheels on a 1-inch tight wire?

Is it too much to ask those comfortably traveling in vehicles to take a few seconds to share the road?

Conni London, Auburn