04/28/2026
Bicycle vs Motor Vehicle collisions have been in the news more than ever lately. Most recently, a local driver intentionally passed a group of cyclists very closely while honking and eventually coming in contact with one of the cyclists, then driving off. Luckily it was caught on video and multiple charges were filed.
While reading a news report about it on facebook I was shocked and terribly saddened by how nasty the comments were. Things such as "bikes shouldn't be on roads" to "the cyclists deserved it" to "the driver of the vehicle did a public service" and "not all heroes wear capes" WOW, really?
Just as a reminder, here are a few of the laws in Georgia pertaining to cyclists using public roads via the Governor's office of highway safety:
~ Bicycles are legally classified as a vehicle in Georgia. This classification means that general traffic law applies to the operation of a bicycle (i.e. has the same rights as motor vehicles to use roadways BUT must follow ALL of the same traffic laws)
~ 40-6-294: (a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable
(c) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles
As cyclists, we get the above wrong; quite often, and I believe that this is one reason for much of the disdain around cycling on public roads. I'll add one for good measure. If riding in a very large group, create gaps so that motorists can pass one group, file back in before having to pass another group. This makes passing much more manageable and less risky to the drivers.
40-6-296: (e)(1) No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.
NEVER EVER RIDE WITHOUT A HELMET. EVEN IF YOU ARE OVER 16
40-6-56: "3-FOOT" PASSING LAW: (a) The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a bicycle shall approach the bicycle with due caution and shall proceed as follows: 1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the bicycle if possible in the existing road and traffic conditions; or (2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be at least ten miles per hour less than the posted speed limit or 25 miles per hour, whichever is more, and proceed around the bicycle with at least three feet between such vehicle and the bicycle at all times.
In other words, Drivers must remain well below the posted speed limit (not speed up) to pass. If it is possible, put one full lane between your motor vehicle and the cyclists. If one full lane is not possible, you must give at least 3 feet between your motor vehicle and the cyclists. In my opinion 3 feet is not enough.
40-6-397 & 40-6-390 Lastly, driving recklessness around cyclists with the intent to annoy, harass, intimidate, injure, or obstruct is a high level misdemeanor. The penalty is worse for striking a cyclist, and a felony charge for a hit and run.
Even with laws to protect cyclists on public roads, too many are affected by collision with a motor vehicle at some point. I had a road cyclist friend, who he himself had gotten hit by a car on 3 different occasions jokingly tell me, "are you really a road cyclist if you haven't gotten hit by a car at some point" Risking injury or death should not be in the back of your mind while using your bike for exercise.
Unfortunately bike lanes are nearly non-existent here in Georgia We need more! If they do exist, they are very narrow. I visited Colorado a few years back, and nearly every well traveled road had a WIDE bike lane. In addition there is over 300 miles of rail trails in Colorado.
We are lucky in our area to have miles of wide sidewalk. However, many municipalities do not allow bikes on sidewalks. I.E Downtown Buford. Furthermore, road cyclists generally do not enjoy the constant bumping caused by the expansion joints in the sidewalk concrete. Even when riding on sidewalks motorists often don't follow crosswalk laws so we have to remain on high alert when approaching intersections.
Then there are Greenway projects, such as the Highlands to Islands project here in Hall County that connects Gainesville with South Hall and eventually the Suwannee Greenway. These projects require significant local funding and often get tabled for more important projects. They also tend to incorporate the previously mentioned sidewalks. Again, not ideal for road cyclists.
There are Rail Trail Projects, like the one in the video in SC. Rail Trails provide the safest approach to "road cycling" and other forms of recreation. We have the Silver Comet trail here in Georgia which connects to the Chief Lediga trail in Alabama for and forms over 100 miles of uninterrupted non-motorized path. This is great, and a fantastic ride, but not accessible to us here in North Georgia on a regular basis.
Lastly, we of course have many available Mountain Bike Trails which we use and love, but that is only one discipline of cycling that makes up the minority of the total number of cyclists.
No one should fear for their safety when going out for a ride. Bike lanes should be mandatory for all new road construction projects. When riding on the road, cyclists should follow the traffic laws they are bound by and I think we'd have much more respect and less hostility from motorists. Lastly municipalities should explore options for more non-motorized path options so they are accessible in all communities both for recreation and commuting.
That's all...
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