Ok. I know. The title of this post implies a very boring post - it may be to some, but I need to raise some awareness about cycling on the road for both cyclists and drivers!
As a cyclist myself, one of my biggest pet peeves is seeing fellow cyclists breaking rules, making stupid decisions, and taking unnecessary risks on the road. For example, yesterday, I was in a left turn lane where a cyclist who was on the right of the lane, slowly drifted into the middle of the lane in front of me with no hand signals, then decided to turn left to follow the pedestrian crosswalk and onto the sidewalk. As he was very slowly riding in front of me, I gave him a little honk to signal that I was going to pass him on the right and that he was in the wrong place. As I turned left, and then stopped in yet another left turn lane, he yelled at me from the sidewalk, proceeded to swear at me and pointed to his nether region and said "suck this". I was appalled at such a rude gesture and proceeded to yell across the road that as a cyclist myself, I couldn't stand watching him ride in such a risky manner and risk killing himself. He continued to swear at me, I continued to tell him that he made the rest of us cyclists look bad and that if he kept riding that way, he will put himself in harms way. He probably didn't understand that I was a cyclist and thought I was just like every other driver who hates dealing with cyclists on the road. OH, and he wasn't wearing a helmet.
This I'm sure will be the first of a few rants this summer about cyclists riding with complete abandon for their own safety and oblivion to the traffic (street and sidewalk!) around them. So today, this is what I am going to ask of my fellow cyclists:
And to my fellow drivers, it's summer time and please be patient with cyclists. Not only that, with the number of bike events increasing across the country, road cycling is becoming very popular (especially with the success of Ryder Hesjedal). Yes, I know some of them are idiots weaving in and out of traffic, hopping up onto then off sidewalks, and riding in the middle of your lane. However, there is no need for you to get aggressive and tailgate a cyclist, or see how close you can get to them as you pass them. Most importantly, if you park on the street, please please please shoulder check and make sure there are no oncoming cyclists (or cars) before you open your car door!
I would love if cyclists, once in awhile, remind themselves what it is like to be behind the wheel of car and in a rush as so many people are. I know they're supposed to share the road with us, but sometimes, it's just not worth it to fight with the powerful machines on the road.
And drivers of motor vehicles, I CHALLENGE you to get on a bike and ride on the road (of course, following the rules) at least one day this summer. If you've never done it, try exploring your neighbourhood to start. Then, try out some of the bike lanes in your area. Then, try riding from one municipality to another. See the road from our point of view and understand what it takes to make the roads safer for everyone involved. Not only that, you'll discover some amazing things you've never noticed in your city!
Looking for more? Check out http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/manual.htm.
As a cyclist myself, one of my biggest pet peeves is seeing fellow cyclists breaking rules, making stupid decisions, and taking unnecessary risks on the road. For example, yesterday, I was in a left turn lane where a cyclist who was on the right of the lane, slowly drifted into the middle of the lane in front of me with no hand signals, then decided to turn left to follow the pedestrian crosswalk and onto the sidewalk. As he was very slowly riding in front of me, I gave him a little honk to signal that I was going to pass him on the right and that he was in the wrong place. As I turned left, and then stopped in yet another left turn lane, he yelled at me from the sidewalk, proceeded to swear at me and pointed to his nether region and said "suck this". I was appalled at such a rude gesture and proceeded to yell across the road that as a cyclist myself, I couldn't stand watching him ride in such a risky manner and risk killing himself. He continued to swear at me, I continued to tell him that he made the rest of us cyclists look bad and that if he kept riding that way, he will put himself in harms way. He probably didn't understand that I was a cyclist and thought I was just like every other driver who hates dealing with cyclists on the road. OH, and he wasn't wearing a helmet.
This I'm sure will be the first of a few rants this summer about cyclists riding with complete abandon for their own safety and oblivion to the traffic (street and sidewalk!) around them. So today, this is what I am going to ask of my fellow cyclists:
- If you ride on the road, you are a vehicle. You MUST signal (remember those from your learner's handbook?) your turns and lane changes left or right at the very least. You're also supposed to signal when you're slowing down... but that's pretty unlikely.
- If you choose to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing, (i.e. between the two white lines at a controlled intersection or a cross walk) please dismount and walk your bike across. Otherwise, you look like a vehicle who will go when the intersection is clear. Do not expect drivers to give you the right of way if you stay mounted on your bike at a pedestrian crossing. This also is courteous to pedestrians using the crossing.
- If you are riding in a lane, whether it goes straight or turns, please stay to the right of the lane. Blocking traffic only irritates drivers more and makes them more aggressive.
- Please use the bike routes! There's little that irks me more than a cyclist putting themselves in danger on a main road like Hastings St (from Burnaby to Downtown), when there are designated bike routes on quieter streets just two blocks away running parallel to the main road!
- Wear a helmet. Please.
And to my fellow drivers, it's summer time and please be patient with cyclists. Not only that, with the number of bike events increasing across the country, road cycling is becoming very popular (especially with the success of Ryder Hesjedal). Yes, I know some of them are idiots weaving in and out of traffic, hopping up onto then off sidewalks, and riding in the middle of your lane. However, there is no need for you to get aggressive and tailgate a cyclist, or see how close you can get to them as you pass them. Most importantly, if you park on the street, please please please shoulder check and make sure there are no oncoming cyclists (or cars) before you open your car door!
I would love if cyclists, once in awhile, remind themselves what it is like to be behind the wheel of car and in a rush as so many people are. I know they're supposed to share the road with us, but sometimes, it's just not worth it to fight with the powerful machines on the road.
And drivers of motor vehicles, I CHALLENGE you to get on a bike and ride on the road (of course, following the rules) at least one day this summer. If you've never done it, try exploring your neighbourhood to start. Then, try out some of the bike lanes in your area. Then, try riding from one municipality to another. See the road from our point of view and understand what it takes to make the roads safer for everyone involved. Not only that, you'll discover some amazing things you've never noticed in your city!
Looking for more? Check out http://www.bikesense.bc.ca/manual.htm.
