Bill Wade/Post-Gazette

Comments and discussion of PA’s new safe passing law lead to a Sunday front page article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Like the wildebeests and zebras making their great migration together across the African plains, drivers and bicyclists set out each day to traverse Pittsburgh’s urban landscape.

Generally, they travel side-by-side in peace, navigating winding slopes, narrow bridges and cavernous potholes as they make their way toward their daily destinations. But sometimes, sharing territory leads to trouble.

And last week, when a new law went into effect solidifying the rights of bicyclists, was one of those times.

News of the “Safe Passing” legislation awakened resentment between bicyclists and motorists, with a war of words breaking out on news organization websites and message boards. The Post-Gazette’s story Monday drew more than 600 comments.

“Any time any sort of step forward gets taken for bicycles, there’s all this vitriol,” said Scott Bricker, executive director of Bike Pittsburgh, a 10-year-old nonprofit organization supporting biking in Pittsburgh. “They take umbrage at the fact that someone who is more vulnerable than they are is getting more rights. It’s just unbelievable.”

In summary: Drivers resent bicyclists for slowing them down, for disobeying traffic laws, for acting superior because they’re getting exercise while not paying for gas or parking — not to mention for posting sanctimonious comments from places like Brooklyn and San Francisco.

Read the full article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

You can also read a discussion on the BikePGH Messageboard

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership