Sorry, am I interrupting your stroll in the bike lane?

As a triathlete, I would venture to say that I have a bit more knowledge about the rules and etiquette of swimming, cycling and running, than people who specialize in a single sport or activity. With that clearly stated, let me step up onto my soapbox for a moment.

Cyclists...

• If you are passing others, be courteous and let people know that you're "on the left".
• Before you launch a snot-rocket, LOOK BEHIND YOU!  (For the non-cyclists/runners... a snot-rocket is exactly what it sounds like.). Blech!!!
• Never ever ever ever pass on the right, unless you want a water bottle tossed at you.

Runners/Walkers (primarily those who use the BIKE LANE as their preferred route)...

• You should travel facing oncoming traffic. This allows you to see what is barreling toward you at speeds over 20mph.  
• I know you choose to go "with traffic" because you want the cyclists to check-out the junk in your trunk, but you're just annoying.
• Regardless of the direction you are traveling in, take the headphones off, or at least only wear one ear bud so you can hear what is going on around you.
• I know you spent 3-hours putting on drag queen make-up before you ventured out to exercise, but honestly, no one is looking at you except to hurl obscenities at you for not moving out of the bike's path.
• So kudos to you and your three friends for traveling facing oncoming traffic...now MOVE out of the way.  The BIKE LANE is not the place for you to gossip three-wide about who knows what.  
• Most normal people would not intentionally stand in front of an oncoming car, so why do you choose to stay in the path of a cyclist speeding toward you?  
• When you get hit by a cyclist, it will be your fault for not getting out of the way. Don't force cyclists to have to quickly leave the BIKE LANE into speeding traffic because you are too stubborn to move 8 inches over and run/walk single file for all of 5 seconds.
• Should you get hit by a cyclist, it will hurt.  But it will not hurt as much as the ass-whooping you will get once the cyclist comes to and realizes that you've caused a completely avoidable accident that has now damaged their baby.  By "their baby", I am referring to the bicycle that probably costs more than your car... And pray you didn't crack the carbon fiber!
• I personally don't like running on sidewalks, but if there is a sidewalk less than 2 feet away from the BIKE LANE, use it!  It will save you and the cyclists a lot of headaches.

Sigh... 

I say many of these things in a jokingly serious manner, but in all honesty, we all need to 

work together to be a more cohesive athletic community.  We all are just trying to be 

healthy and active, everyone has a right to a safe path.

Many of you reading this will understand where I am coming from...especially if you cycle at the Micco course in Kendale Lakes.  

If you don't understand where I am coming from, let me know, I'd be more than happy to 

educate you.  I have spent the past 3 years directing a beginner running/walking program 

and have graduated hundreds of 0-to-5K, 0-to-half marathon and 0-to-full marathon finishers, so I would say that I am, again, rather qualified in this area.