FYI, our bike paths are a tremendous resource, but they have young riders, people walking dogs, women pushing strollers, roller bladders, etc. The are "leisurely" and they don't want competitive bikers on them. I confirmed that at the traffic safety board meeting (a representative from the bike path was there). Besides, if we all went to the bike path, we would choke it out to everyone else. The bike path is where I take my dogs and my Grand Kids.
Bikers are supposed to stay to the right, they are not supposed to ride on the shoulder, as there is a lot of glass + debris on the shoulder and riding there would be dangerous. Vehicles are required to pass when it is safe, and provide a safe distance (often defined a 3-4 feet).
The reason I sometimes confront people is two fold. One, it gets it out of my system, I only do it when they are way out of line (which, unfortunately is too often) and two, on 3 or 4 occasions people have apologized to me and stated they will my more careful next time. I also think I woke up a few others who did not say anything. When you get in someone's face, you become a person, not a bike. When you add that some of your friends have been killed and that you don't intend to be one of them, it wakes some of them up.
Some people really don't know the rules, others are just jerks who presume you won't do anything. There should be more public education and enforcement. I have volunteered to ride with cameras if they would do anything with it. They won't.
Oh yea, I like Amsoil Saber at 40:1 !!!
