This is why it's important that Road Cycling takes place on roads; shared-use paths are designed for everything from small children frolicking about in the sunl

This is why it's important that Road Cycling takes place on roads; shared-use paths are designed for everything from small children frolicking about in the sunlight to large slow-moving bicycles and big groups of hikers, whereas road bikes are designed for cruising at >20mph and large turn radii. They are vehicles, and are designed for use on roads in the presence of other vehicles.