The things I don't have time to say

To continue with the cycling theme:
There are things I just don't have time to say when out on my rides, especially when people yell things at me and I don't have time to stop and explain. Usually "watch it" or "excuse me" is all I have time to say. I find that most people don't know what 'on your left' means, but they usually understand 'excuse me'. Which I say frequently but alas, even then, I'm still seen as a bitch roadie. However, I really don't care since my main concern is avoiding accidents.

"You're supposed to stop for me!"
I saw a young boy on roller blades about to launch himself across the path, without looking. I called out "Watch it"! No cursing, no yelling. The mother yelled at me, "You're supposed to stop for him!" What I didn't have time to say was: Uh, no. I simply cannot jam on my brakes and screech to a halt. I could blow my tires and damage my bike. I could cause a pileup which would result in several people getting injured. All because your kid didn't look where he was going. Sorry, but if you teach your kid to look before crossing the road, you can teach him to look before crossing a bike path. That's your responsibility. The world is not going to stop for your kid.

"Get on the bike path!"
Sorry, but I can't always do that.There are times, such as on weekends, when the bike path is so crowded and dangerous that it is better for me to ride on the road. On weekends, the path is clogged with pedestrians, roller bladers, kids, skateboarders, dog walkers and strollers. I have had more near misses and actual collisions on the bike path than on the road. So no, I'm not on the bike path for a reason. And since I'm following the rules and not going the wrong way, I have every right to use the road. And no, I'm not going to ride on the sidewalk and endanger pedestrians.

"We're supposed to share!"
Sharing the bike path means being aware, not walking into it obliviously while texting, or strolling and holding hands and expecting me to slow down behind you, or waiting for you to finish your phone conversation. It doesn't mean you should ignore me and get pissed when I try to warn you out of my way. It is not my fault if you can't or won't pay attention. I want to get home in one piece without any incident and I do my best to make sure that happens. If I warn you, it's because I am in fear for my safety. You might want to consider looking up when you cross the path and turn off the Blackberry. I might be able to avoid you but some other guy might not be so nice and take you out. Just saying.