Why would anyone let a bike pass, only to have it hog the road and create another dangerous situation all over again?
If I have to choose between wiping out a schwinnster or a minivan with a family in it, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll take out the spandex clad schwinnster. A lot less total damage, and I’m much more likely to drive away without much more than some broken plastic parts.
You guys really need either some introspection, or anger-management counseling. Your arguments are no more sane or relevant than the gun-grabbers trying to deny citizens their 2nd Amendment rights. You don’t bike, so you want to deny others their LEGAL RIGHT to do so. Why is that different than denying someone their gun rights, because you don’t hunt or shoot?
Cyclists have a LEGAL RIGHT to ride on all but limited access roads. They also have a legal right to the entire lane. They are NOT required to maintain a minimum speed, as those rules only apply on limited access roads where cyclists are prohibited.
Insurance: the only reason cars/trucks are required to carry insurance is for collision liability reasons - damage you can cause to others. There’s no such law for cyclists. If you think there should be, then lobby your elected representatives for it. In the meantime, your opinion counts for exactly squat.
Taxes: most roads are funded through general taxation, not road-specific taxation. Yes, there are fuel-taxes and embedded vehicle registration taxes, a portion of which goes to road construction or repair. But again, there is no cyclist tax. You want one? Lobby for this too. In the mean time, your opinion (and ranting) is irrelevant.
Congestion: Too bad. You have to slow for tractors, horse-and-buggy in Amish country, slower vehicles, whatever. Cyclists are just another vehicle - deal with it. Pass when it is safe to do so - and ONLY when it is safe to do so.
“Time thieves”: see “Congestion”, above. You don’t own the roads. The cyclists have the same rights to them as you. The cyclist is no more liable to you for time losses than the farmer on a tractor, the slow 18-wheeler in the mountain passes, or granny in her Studebaker.
Sidewalks: most states PROHIBIT riding bicycles on sidewalks.
To the a—hole cyclists (and there are plenty): courtesy is a 2-way street, and you are REQUIRED to obey the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles. In most states, that means no impeding, yield to faster traffic as soon as it is safe, keep to the right to allow overtaking vehicles, stop for lights & stop-signs, etc. PLUS, just because your within your rights doesn’t mean you should be stupid. For me, I’d rather be right and alive, then assert my rights and become a grease spot because a road-rager in a car can’t share.
Just because someone doesn’t like it, doesn’t mean they can come grab my gun(s). Likewise, just ‘cause someone doesn’t like it doesn’t mean they can take me and my bike off the roads.