I am a cyclist in Bloomington-Normal. I am training for an Ironman distance triathlon. The bike segment of this race is 112 miles. Consequently, I am going to be doing a lot of long distance bike riding in the next couple months.

I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone, motorists and cyclists alike, that we need to share the road.

The Illinois Vehicle Code, Sec. 11-1502, states: "Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle."

If one should see a cyclist moving from the right side of the road, it is because the law also states: "Certain conditions allow a bicyclist to move farther to the left, such as broken glass, drain grates, parked cars, left turns, and passing."

I obey all traffic laws while riding, but I am constantly being "pushed" off the road by motorists. Either I am being honked at or motorists are driving dangerously fast and too close to me.

Cyclists are people, you know. We are friends, family, co-workers, police officers, dog groomers, doctors, etc. Please, for the 15 seconds it takes for a motorist to pass a cyclist, I strongly encourage some human consideration.

Heather Johnson

Bloomington