Do YOU yell at cyclists to get off the road?

[TsPoet]

You are all right, of course.
A few years ago, I thought about trying to buy a dozen copies of "the art of urban cycling" to throw at them instead. Not work, might hurt someone, and expensive - still I thought about it.

[Crankin]

I think the OP's question is a different issue than someone telling you what to do on a group ride. I've never experienced that, but I only ride with a group that wouldn't do that... and they are not training rides. I've instructed people when I am leading a ride (i.e. drop down a gear, spin, try moving back on the saddle), but that is part of my job. I've had a couple of people on our rides (always men) get pissed when I tell them some kind of safety instruction, like please move right, single file, a car is coming.
As far as the yelling at those breaking the law.. well, I do it. Not all of the time, but when it looks like someone's in danger, or on the very rare occasion I am on a bike path. Mostly they give you a dumb stare, not really angry, just like, "what the hell are you talking about?" A few years ago, when I lived in a different town, DH and I were coming home from a ride. We were on the street that our development was off of. It would be classified as a country road, narrow and windy, but fairly busy. Suburban-rural. Anyway, we came upon our neighbor, who was riding with his 2 kids. The kids had helmets on, and were riding on the right side of the road. He had no helmet on and was riding against the traffic. I yelled out, "Jim, you need to set a good example... wear a helmet and ride with the traffic." He listened, because next time, he had a helmet on. And although this guy went to Yale, he didn't exactly have good judgement, as he had a couple of DUIs. Safety was not a concern.
Truthfully, I remember riding the wrong way down Rural Rd. in Tempe in the 1980s. Then one day, I had a funky incident with a car at an intersection and I realized the error of my ways. But, that's what I was taught as a kid, so who knew? I would not have been mad if another cyclist had told me.

[zoom-zoom]

This reminds me, I did have to yell at a guy earlier in the week on the MUP (which I hate riding, but there are short sections where it's necessary to get to my house). He was weaving all over and looking behind him (at who or what, I don't know). I was oncoming and it was becoming apparent that if I didn't say something it would end badly. I hollered "eyes forward" and he about jumped off his saddle. In the same spot a few years ago there was a woman on a bike watching her granddaughter on a bike behind her. My son was on a trail-a-bike behind me and we were headed towards collision. I hollered to get her attention and move to one side and her response was "well, I need to watch my granddaughter." I pointed out that her GDD should be IN FRONT of her, then.

I really wonder how some people have made it beyond adulthood, sometimes.

[DarcyInOregon]

I am mostly a rural road cyclist, and I bike focused, so when I see down the road a distance runner, or the can collecting bike guy, or a lady pushing a tram coming at me head-on, I merely move out into the traffic lane a bit more, force whatever vehicles there may be to go around all of us, zip on by and never give it another thought. However, what really annoys me no end because it is a type of cycling that can endanger me, and that is having cyclists in front of me or behind me who are pedaling with one hand and yapping, texting or emailing on their cell phone with their other hand, totally oblivious to vehicles, pedestrians or other cyclists. The people on the other end of the phone are just as guilty, knowing they are texting, chatting, emailing with a guy who is out on his bike.

Texting the cycling buddies is great, particularly when there is a dozen of us out on an event ride, and everyone is riding at a different pace and gotten spread out. We can text each other as to where we are and can regroup or meet up after the ride for a meal, even text about the killer nasty hill. However, when I am on my bike, and my cell phone rings or burps, I don't look at it until I am stopped by the side of the road, and safely out of the way of other cyclists and vehicles. But I see cyclists who are texting while biking, don't even know that I am passing them on the left because all they can focus on is their cell phone - and that is incredibly dangerous.

[zoom-zoom]

But I see cyclists who are texting while biking, don't even know that I am passing them on the left because all they can focus on is their cell phone - and that is incredibly dangerous.

They scare me, too. But I also pity them. Seriously...they can't be without communication for even a short bike ride? I won't generally even return calls or texts during a ride break. I like to wait until I am totally done. My ride time is MY time. I like being off the grid. I don't get people that never take a break...especially when it's risky to do so.

[skhill]

Just yesterday I yelled at a cyclist. But I was on my bike too. It was at a 4-way stop, he was on the wrong side of the road and ran the stop sign, and I came within inches of hitting him.

When I'm on foot on a sidewalk by a bikeable road and an adult comes riding along, I move to the very center of the sidewalk and won't yield. Haven't thrown an elbow yet, but I've been tempted. If they want to go faster than I'm running, they belong on the road.

katluvr, I was actually taught as a child that you walk and ride facing traffic. From what I've heard, that's just about universal around here. And in the countries that a lot of the non-car owning immigrants around here come from. Some of us learn better, but not everyone.

[Biciclista]

my coworker is riding on mountain roads. He's training for a big ride and rode right where i did a few weeks ago. He asked me, "do you guys go to the opposite side of the road where there is the danger of rock falls?"
i said, "Seriously? Absolutely not! - we all try to obey the traffic laws. I can't think of anything more dangerous than riding against traffic"
His response "well, i'm not going to get taken out by a rock.. I'm going to continue riding on the other side!"
some people are immune to learning. i hope he doesn't take someone else out, those shoulders are narrow.