Roads Over Trails: Understanding Cyclists’ Riding Choices

You’re driving. You’re late. And suddenly, there they are—packs of spandex Chads two, sometimes three abreast, hogging the road like they pay property tax on it.

Meanwhile, there’s a perfectly good bike trail a few feet away, empty, smooth, waiting.

You curse under your breath. You wonder why they do this.

Are they clueless? Reckless? Do they thrive on making your commute hell?

I get it. I used to be you. Then I got a bike.

Now, let’s break this down, point by point, so the next time you see cyclists on the road, you’ll know exactly why they’re there.

And maybe—just maybe—you’ll be a little less furious about it.

1. Bike Trails Are for Leisure, Not Speed
   Think of a bike trail like a Sunday morning stroll through the park. Joggers, moms with strollers, a dude walking three off-leash Labradors, and yes, cyclists—but the slow kind. These trails are not designed for speed.

Most of the cyclists you see in packs? They’re moving at 25–35 km/h (15–22 mph). The moment they hit a winding, congested trail with a 15 mph limit, they become a wrecking ball in a house of glass. Too fast for trails, too slow for cars—so they stick to the road.

2. Roads Are Faster and More Direct
   Bike trails don’t always go where cyclists need to go. They twist, turn, end abruptly, or force riders to stop at every intersection like a pedestrian.

A cyclist on a road moves like a car—one steady, efficient flow. A cyclist on a trail stops, starts, dodges pedestrians, slows down for sharp turns, and prays they don’t eat pavement because a squirrel decided to challenge their front wheel to a duel.

3. Bike Lanes Are Garbage (Most of the Time)
   Yes, the road might have a bike lane. No, that doesn’t mean cyclists will use it.

Here’s why:

• Bike lanes collect debris. Glass, nails, roadkill—you name it, it’s there.
• They’re narrow, often forcing cyclists into the “door zone,” where a parked car’s door can suddenly swing open and ruin their day.
• They disappear without warning, dumping riders back into traffic like an unwanted stepchild.

It’s safer—and smoother—to ride in the actual lane.

4. Cyclists Ride Two Abreast for Safety, Not Spite
   You might think single file is the polite way to cycle, but it’s actually more dangerous.

When a group rides side by side, they:

• Stay visible. A long, thin line of cyclists is easy for drivers to misjudge when passing.
• Control the lane. It forces cars to pass properly rather than trying to squeeze by within the same lane.
• Shorten the length of the group. A 20-person single-file group is 60 meters long. A two-abreast group? 30 meters.

That means you spend less time waiting to pass them, not more.

5. Cars Are the Real Traffic Problem, Not Bikes
   You ever sit in gridlock, inching forward at 5 mph, and blame the cyclists? Yeah. No.

Cyclists don’t cause traffic. Cars do.

• A cyclist takes up the space of one person. A car takes up the space of five or more.
• More cyclists mean fewer cars. Fewer cars mean less traffic.

So when you see a pack of cyclists, don’t get mad. Thank them. They’re trying to get one less car on the road—maybe even yours.

6. Trails Can Be More Dangerous Than Roads
   Imagine bombing down a path at 20 mph. A kid suddenly swerves in front of you on a scooter. A dog on a retractable leash lunges after a squirrel. A jogger veers left to grab their dropped AirPod.

Boom. Everyone’s in the ER.

On the road, cyclists move predictably. They follow traffic laws. They don’t have to weave around unpredictable obstacles every few seconds.

And let’s be real—between a cyclist and a two-ton SUV, who do you think is more at risk?

7. Cyclists Have the Legal Right to Be There
   At the end of the day, cyclists ride on the road because they’re allowed to.

In most places, the law grants cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. That means they get a full lane if needed. It’s not about arrogance—it’s about survival.

Quick Summary: Why Cyclists Ride the Road

Bike trails are slow – Cyclists ride fast. Trails aren’t built for speed.
Roads are direct – Trails have too many stops and detours.
Bike lanes suck – They’re full of debris and often unsafe.
Two-abreast is safer – It makes passing easier and protects cyclists.
Cars cause traffic – Not bikes. More bikes = fewer cars.
Trails are risky – Too many obstacles. Roads are more predictable.
It’s legal – Roads aren’t just for cars.

Conclusion: The Epiphany You Didn’t See Coming

I used to be like you. A car-bound, wheel-clutching, cyclist-cursing civilian. I thought roads were for cars, and cyclists were selfish for taking up space.

Then I got on a bike.

I felt the sting of a too-close pass. The wobble of a pothole I couldn’t avoid. The panic of a driver who “didn’t see me.”

And suddenly, I understood.

Cyclists don’t ride the road because they want to piss you off. They ride the road because it’s the safest, fastest, and most efficient way to get from A to B.

So next time you see them, don’t honk. Don’t tailgate. Don’t scream out your window.

Just pass them when it’s safe.

And if you’re really feeling bold?

Maybe get a bike yourself.