Originally Posted By: AHC
I’ve read this entire post and have a few comments and observations after 3 years of full time bike commuting:
• Drivers are under a lot of stress. It’s hard enough dealing with cars. When you throw a slower moving bike into the mix, it increases driver stress. This stress sometimes leads to anger.
• Mixing two modes of transportation does not work well. The best solution is providing physical separation. This can be done with a bike lane and flexible bollards. However, this is expensive. Painted lines are much cheaper.
• Drivers along my bike route are accustomed to cyclists. This familiarity has reduced their stress level and they are more accommodating and relaxed in my presence. Most of my bike commuting route has bike lanes or is on residential streets.
• Drivers lump bicycle commuters in with bike couriers that generally do not follow the rules of the road in part due to the time sensitive nature of their business. They sometimes feel that all cyclists are law breaking, 20-something fixters, who have a death wish.
• We are just like you. Our politics vary. I am a conservative who wears tights. I don’t feel entirely comfortable saying that or wearing them but they work really well. I am a father and a husband and I live next to you in suburbia. I drive an F150 4x4. I believe in God and love my country as much as anyone.
• I have seen bicycle commuters do very dumb things. I have seen drivers do very dumb things. I have done dumb things as a bicycle commuter and as a driver.
• Every bike commuter = 1 less car. This makes for less roadway congestion. It’s hard to think of this when a bike slows you down, but overall bike commuters have a positive impact on traffic congestion.
• Often, it is difficult to stay within the channelization of a bike lane. I am constantly dodging potholes and the doors of parked cars. As a result I hug the lane striping. I think a lot of drivers interpret this as me being a jerk. This is mostly a result of poor roadway design.
• Give bike commuters a break. They are working stiffs just like you trying to get to work.
• Give motorists a break. They are working stiffs just like you trying to get to work.
• Most people are jerks at some point, myself included.
Ah you live where my Sister lives "Shoreline" Excellent post and observations! You mention bike lanes you can't ride in due to poor design, but also poor maintenance and not enough street sweeping.
I like the rifle carrier idea.........anything that gives the impression I can be crazier than someone else is OK with ME!