Category: share the road (Page 3 of 6)
Today brought a bike ride and leaf raking. Wow, it just doesn’t get much better than that.
Another beautiful day in the low 60’s (is it really December 1st?) although with a little wind. It’s December though so no complaining.
Riding along I saw quite a few people putting up Christmas decorations or raking leaves (why should we have all the fun) in shirt sleeves. What a treat!
I’ve never been to this particular store on my bike so I didn’t know if there was parking or not. Parking as in something to lock my bike to.
This is what I found.
It was a tight fit getting my cable around the post but it worked. As long as the postal worker didn’t come by I thought I was in good shape – and they didn’t. One thing I like about shopping on the bike is it restricts the amount of stuff I can buy which makes me prioritize my shopping. Save $$ by using my legs instead of gas and by buying less. Win-win.
Once again my belief that drivers are more respectful to you as a cyclist because of what you’re wearing (or riding) was reconfirmed. Wearing street clothes you look like a person riding a bike. You look like a person riding your bike somewhere – i.e., engaging in the same behavior they are – transportation – albeit different modes. This makes you seem like them and they treat you accordingly.
On the other hand wearing bike shorts and a jersey you look like an athlete riding where you don’t belong. It amazes me how different drivers are when I’m riding my bike to run errands. It is a different bike than I ride when I’m training and that’s probably part of it too. Whatever the reason or reasons I love the civility!
Personally, I think one of the best things we can do to get more people riding is to blur the line between people riding bikes and cyclists.
A year ago this weekend, Alan Spencer and Clyde Riggs were killed on consecutive days, doing the same thing that many of us do on weekend mornings – riding their bikes.
There was a memorial ride yesterday to honor both men. We weren’t able to attend, but after our bike ride this morning we visited both Ghost Bikes to pay our respects.
The tragedy of their deaths changed the way many local people ride, I believe, and I continue to see evidence that most importantly it changed the way motorists drive and interact with cyclists.
Their deaths initially took me off the road for several weeks. Once I was back on the road riding, I did so with a mirror and the brightest flashing red light I’ve been able to find. I ride with the blinking light every time I ride regardless of the time of day. I can’t imagine riding without both things now.
It reinforced the importance of adhering to traffic law, riding predictably and riding defensively – always. I never assume a driver sees me either.
Their tragic deaths got the attention of lawmakers, motorists and cyclists alike. Bicycle safety lawswere strengthened and more attention focused on bicyclist safety as a whole. Their deaths were a horrible tragedy, but some good has come from it at least.
Rest in Peace Alan Spencer and Clyde Riggs. My heart goes out to their friends and families.
Some will view the news that the Edmond Police Department will begin their campaign to ensure that motorists and cyclists alike are aware of and obey the new bicycle ordinance as bad news.
The campaign, set to officially begin May 1st, will include newspaper articles, t.v. spots and the use of social media, such as Facebook to get the word out.
The awareness and enforcement campaign is to highlight the need for both motorists and cyclists to obey the traffic law and to ensure the safety of bike riders.
It may come as a surprise to many of you that some of those unhappy people will be bike riders.
As a driver and a bike rider, I’m happy about the news. First, for motorists to be aware that by law they are required to give me 3 feet of clearance when passing me and subject to a ticket and fine if they don’t, will help to ensure my safety when I’m out biking. Second, cyclists who have been used to riding through red lights and stop signs will hopefully cease and desist that practice immediately.
I get beyond frustrated when I observe cyclists not following traffic law, last year I actually tried to chase a couple down to tell them so after observing them blow through a four-way stop, but I ran out of gas and couldn’t catch them (I had to stop at a stop sign ;)).
This type of behavior is not only wrong (not to mention stupid), it’s dangerous. Every time a cyclist goes through a stop sign without even slowing down, rides with friends more than 2 abreast, fails to stop at a red light – it solidifies the negative opinion many drivers have of people that ride bicycles. And some drivers will take it out on the next cyclist they see – whether they happen to be obeying the rules of the road or not.
If bike riders and motorists alike all follow the rules of the road we will be safer on the road. As I wrote in my post last year, Good Karma,
“Bad behavior begets bad behavior. Good behavior improves your chances of being treated fairly and negative likewise improves your chances of getting that back. I choose the positive approach, when out on the road cyclists need all the good karma we can get."
To be clear, a cyclist can do everything precisely right and fall victim to the inattentive or aggressive driver. It’s tragic when it happens and it happens way too often. The unlawful behavior of a cyclist generally doesn’t put anyone at risk of harm, unfortunately the same is not true of motorists. It is a fact that when I ride my bike I am at greater risk than I am when I am behind the wheel. Until there are more bikes on the road than cars I’m afraid that’s what we are faced with.
The new bike ordinance, and more importantly the enforcement of the new ordinance with drivers and cyclists alike, will serve to make the roads safer for those of us on two wheels and consequently for drivers too. It will only be successful to the extent that we all follow the law – that means you “speedy-on-the-bike†and you, “impatient–in-too-big-a-hurry-driverâ€!
Related Posts: Educating Motorists