As a driver, I was trained the rule that cyclists should be given 1/2 the lane when passing. I try to do this, however the cyclists themselves make it difficult at times.

First off, bikers should wear light colored/reflective clothing and have reflectors/lights on their bikes. There have been TOO many times I've nearly hit cyclists (and walkers) at dusk/night/pre dawn because they wear dark clothing and are difficult to see.

Secondly, cyclists need to eliminate their mob mentality when traveling in a group. I have seen large groups (20-30 at a time) take up 1 1/2 lanes of traffic, not stop at stop signs, even failing to yield at stop signs to cut in front of cars who had the right of way. When honked at, they scream, yell and flip their middle finger at you.

Thirdly, cyclists are to travel WITH THE FLOW of traffic - not against. This will allow a car behind you to creep along until oncoming cars have pass, then safely pass leaving the 1/2 lane for the cyclists safety.

Fourthly, cyclists must LOOK BEHIND THEM or INDICATE prior to making a left turn. Too many times I have gone to pass a cyclists, only to have them turn left in front of me without looking and without indicating.

I came from a very active cycling state - where there is a dedicated lane just for cyclists and cars will be ticketed if they use it. It's not that I'm opposed to sharing the road, but too many Rochester cyclists are making a bad name for the ones who do follow road rules.

Another incident that I encounter on too frequent of a basis - cyclists/pedestrians who have the right of way AT THE CROSS WALK, who then decide to cut diagonally - cutting in front of cars who are turning left, drivers who are looking at the cross walk to their left (because that is the direction they're turning), only to have cyclists cut in front.

And yes, DRIVERS do need to pay more attention. I can't tell you the number of times that I have stopped/remain stopped at a green light to turn right, only to have the driver behind me lay on the horn. Of course, I was doing the unthinkable, dastardly deed of yielding to a pedestrian or cyclist, at a cross walk, who had the white walk sign.

When I was a kid in Massachusetts, the town police performed bike safety inspections every year. We even had metal license plates for our bikes. AND we were required to have a bell or horn. I think making having a bell a requirement for using the area bike paths would help make them safer and more user friendly. "Passing on the left" when someone is right behind me is not beneficial!