Advocacy & Safety - To the Wrongway Cyclist on Freeport Blvd.

Dear Wrongway Cyclist:

This morning about 6:05am near Executive Airport you were traveling north in the bike lane of southbound Freeport Boulevard, which is to say in the wrong direction. I was traveling south. I was wearing my Cal Cycling jersey and riding a Trek 5200 outfitted with a Cygo-Light Night Rover and a Planet Bike blinkie. I don't know what you were riding or what you were wearing except that you had no light or blinkie, that your clothing was dark, that you had no helmet, and that your bike is in such bad need of tuning and lubing that I heard you before I saw you.

I called you a "genius" but I trust you understood that I meant that ironically. I cursed you with some strong words for being a hazard to both yourself and me. And I suggested that if you wouldn't ride in the proper direction, wouldn't use a light or blinkie or wouldn't wear a helmet, would you at least carry an organ donor card.

I do not apologize for this. In fact, if I come across you tomorrow morning, I'll have some even more colorful words for you. But know that I have said a prayer for you, asking Our Lady of Ghisallo and St. Christopher to intervene on behalf of your safety. I hope that the old saying is true, that God takes care of children, drunks, and fools, because it is clear that you qualify as at least one of those categories.

Good luck. If you continue to cycle this way, you'll need it.

Stop this guy and have a heart to heart chat with him or her.

This is the kind of cyclist that is never going to look here and probably would not look into this particular "folder" anyway.

These are exactly the folks that can use just a touch of education.

Be nice and explain the situation... don't be preachy or militant, be friendly and persuasive. And bring some chain lube and show him how it makes the bike so much faster when used right.

If he doesn't get it then... make sure you are on the "inside" of any future encounters. Force him out into traffic for a real head to head look at what is going on.

I would play chicken with him with the goal of making him go down.
I hate those morons.

I realize that the Genius isn't likely to be scanning BF or, for that matter, even having access to a computer. But I like Genec's take. Maybe I'll just swing around and follow her (I think it was a her) for a few hundred meters and try to give some helpful advice.

I also realize that this is probably a working poor person trying to get to work and she probably thinks she doesn't have the money for a light or helmet. I'd almost be willing to give her one of my old ones if I thought she'd use it. And go in the right direction!

Said person may not even be a working poor person. They may simply be poor. We have quite a few homeless persons with access to bikes. I do commend you on offering a spare helmet. I wish I could do the same for some of the folks I have encountered in Denver.

But I like Genec's take. Maybe I'll just swing around and follow her (I think it was a her) for a few hundred meters and try to give some helpful advice.


Be careful! Riding the wrong way can be hazardous.

I was hit head on by a drunk no-light wrong-way cyclist, some high school kid. I was moving at my usual speeds, pretty blinking fast at that time. Probably faster than "safe" - but not that fast. Maybe upper 20s. The idiot's wheel hit mine and slammed into the axle. Fork folded, frame buckled completely, one side of the handlebars bent down. I was double strapped into clips with cleats. Landed on my head in the pre-helmet era. Lost lots of blood and had a tremendous concussion. Only a minor fracture.

These folks can indeed be a tremendous danger, light or dark outside. I just don't get the into-traffic lunacy.

I ride the wrong way all the time but I don't ride in a populated area and would not if i did. I would not have to if it were not for the people around this area acting like they are seeing a UFO when coming up on a cyclist with their massive SUVs while talking on the cellphone. I typically see 12 SUVS and F250s on a 20 mile ride. If i stayed on their direction of travel I would be probably be clipped many times a year. I'm not about to stay on the same direction of travel in as someone in a speeding 6000 pound vehicle on cellphone or a soccer mom fooling with junior instead of watching the narrow road. Another is the redneck towing a 25 foot trailer. As soon as a here one of those or a school bus I duck into the nearest driveway. If the other side of the road is clear for good line of sight, I heard nothing else coming and I can drive off that shoulder I take it. Just today I could not get over due to a bad line of sight where I was about to cross to another road anyway. What did it get me. Almost clipped by some moron in a speeding Chevy Siverado even thought I was a foot and a half of the road at low speed. And this moron blows his horn at me after not only not give an inch but taking a few on what was a turned out to be a clear road. It was a high $$ one that certainly cost way too much and never hauls or tows. These people have to have the BIG ONE! The one that cannot fit on the road with a bicycle. These people cannot drive. Doing 60 in a 40 in one of those things is just wreckless. I have seen them do it near my house and you think what if there is a kid, cyclist, the old guy that picks up trash or road crew over that hill. I've seen people from the area go 60 in their escalades next to the rails to trails entrances where there are always small kids. These people live in and know the area and still go twice the limit. I am not about to share the same side of the road with them when I do not have to.


NEVER get near a school bus. The requirements to be a drive them are very low as is their pay. Also 40 kids can be distracting. Google cyclist any time in Google news and you are sure to see cyclist killed by school bus, dump truck and suv within the first 20 stories. Another stupid thing is the driver that waves you on to go. Why should I go? A guy in Yukon stopped at a trail crossing (no stop sign for him) and waved for me to go. It would have been quicker for him just to go through with caution like you are supposed to. For some reason this moron thinks it would be best for me and my 18 pound bike to roll in front of his 6000 pound truck that is in drive. After a few times with this a learned it is better to not make eye contact (they'll read something you are projecting) or circle back a few feet till they are up the road.

I expect the other guy to screw up if I'm on my bike, motorcycle or in my car. They usually dont disappoint. Share the same side of the road with some 90 pound women in a Hummer? I'll get on the shoulder first before getting hit.

I ride the wrong way all the time but I don't ride in a populated area and would not if i did. I would not have to if it were not for the people around this area acting like they are seeing a UFO when coming up on a cyclist with their massive SUVs while talking on the cellphone. I typically see 12 SUVS and F250s on a 20 mile ride. If i stayed on their direction of travel I would be probably be clipped many times a year. I'm not about to stay on the same direction of travel in as someone in a speeding 6000 pound vehicle on cellphone or a soccer mom fooling with junior instead of watching the narrow road. Another is the redneck towing a 25 foot trailer. As soon as a here one of those or a school bus I duck into the nearest driveway. If the other side of the road is clear for good line of sight, I heard nothing else coming and I can drive off that shoulder I take it. Just today I could not get over due to a bad line of sight where I was about to cross to another road anyway. What did it get me. Almost clipped by some moron in a speeding Chevy Siverado even thought I was a foot and a half of the road at low speed. And this moron blows his horn at me after not only not give an inch but taking a few on what was a turned out to be a clear road. It was a high $$ one that certainly cost way too much and never hauls or tows. These people have to have the BIG ONE! The one that cannot fit on the road with a bicycle. These people cannot drive. Doing 60 in a 40 in one of those things is just wreckless. I have seen them do it near my house and you think what if there is a kid, cyclist, the old guy that picks up trash or road crew over that hill. I've seen people from the area go 60 in their escalades next to the rails to trails entrances where there are always small kids. These people live in and know the area and still go twice the limit. I am not about to share the same side of the road with them when I do not have to.


NEVER get near a school bus. The requirements to be a drive them are very low as is their pay. Also 40 kids can be distracting. Google cyclist any time in Google news and you are sure to see cyclist killed by school bus, dump truck and suv within the first 20 stories. Another stupid thing is the driver that waves you on to go. Why should I go? A guy in Yukon stopped at a trail crossing (no stop sign for him) and waved for me to go. It would have been quicker for him just to go through with caution like you are supposed to. For some reason this moron thinks it would be best for me and my 18 pound bike to roll in front of his 6000 pound truck that is in drive. After a few times with this a learned it is better to not make eye contact (they'll read something you are projecting) or circle back a few feet till they are up the road.

I expect the other guy to screw up if I'm on my bike, motorcycle or in my car. They usually dont disappoint. Share the same side of the road with some 90 pound women in a Hummer? I'll get on the shoulder first before getting hit.
Print it and frame it.

Sigh. What to do?

Dear Wrongway Cyclist:

This morning about 6:05am near Executive Airport you were traveling north in the bike lane of southbound Freeport Boulevard, which is to say in the wrong direction. I was traveling south. I was wearing my Cal Cycling jersey and riding a Trek 5200 outfitted with a Cygo-Light Night Rover and a Planet Bike blinkie. I don't know what you were riding or what you were wearing except that you had no light or blinkie, that your clothing was dark, that you had no helmet, and that your bike is in such bad need of tuning and lubing that I heard you before I saw you.

I called you a "genius" but I trust you understood that I meant that ironically. I cursed you with some strong words for being a hazard to both yourself and me. And I suggested that if you wouldn't ride in the proper direction, wouldn't use a light or blinkie or wouldn't wear a helmet, would you at least carry an organ donor card.

I do not apologize for this. In fact, if I come across you tomorrow morning, I'll have some even more colorful words for you. But know that I have said a prayer for you, asking Our Lady of Ghisallo and St. Christopher to intervene on behalf of your safety. I hope that the old saying is true, that God takes care of children, drunks, and fools, because it is clear that you qualify as at least one of those categories.

Good luck. If you continue to cycle this way, you'll need it.

As rare as a Sac biker is, I qualify you as geographically similar- you ride a bike and live where I do. I have a brighter light, a bike that cost 10% of what you ride, and more visible clothing. Which is to say I may possibly make more $ than you, Lance didn't compete on my ride, status is best left to drivers, and that means nothing.
My point is the majority of bike riders in Sac are exactly as you described. If you want to make a difference give the guy a blinky, if you want to feel superior, wear your kit and stay in the roadies room, if your offended, don't take it personal.
Bikes are the last form of transportation for the poor. They are ashamed in a car culture. Consider them the purist form of bicycling: they ride to get someplace, they don't know the rules. In case your a schwartnegger type guy: lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.

Dear Wrongway Recreational Cyclist I Encountered over Summer:

You were riding the wrong way in the bike lane and didn't even have the courtesy to yield to the righthand side. I don't have a problem with this as I occassionally ride on the wrong side if a turn signal won't switch or I don't want to cross the street to cross again 100 feet down the way. However, I always hop into the street. I'm the nice guy.

If it wasn't for the fact you had headphones on AND you were reading a book WHILE riding on the wrong side of the street I might have some sympathy for you and shrug it off. But no, I wanted to rage because that was even dumber than me riding a fixed gear (brakeless) in the snow and ice.

Thank You

People do all kinds of stupid things.

I work with 2 guys that do this (wrong side of the road, no lights at night) and after talking and explaining things with them about it, they still think what they're doing is right. You'd be amazed at how strongly they feel what they're doing is right.

I think people have to work out for themselves what the best thing is for them to do. If they don't see reason in something (no matter how reasonable) they won't do it.

Carless: I only mentioned the bike and jersey so on the infinitesimally small chance that the Genius sees this post, she might recognize me. But I do feel superior to the Genius in that I probably have a much longer life expectancy than she does. And how am I to lead or follow if she rides directly at me. I certainly didn't get out of the way. If she wants to ride against traffic, I'll let her swerve into the lane.

Deep South: I'll say a prayer for you too. Since you won't ride legally or safely, you're going to need some supernatural protection.

Freeport is a nasty road at times- wrong way or not. As Carless pointed out, riding without any markers and the wrong way is common in Sac Town. My funniest experience was riding through east sac (on M) at night (from the grid to CSUS) and I pass a guy (he was on the wrong side of the road) with an old open foam helmet and no lights or reflectors. I'm blinking rear with a headlight although I was without a helmet riding on the right side of the road. He tells me that I should wear a helmet for safety. The irony almost made me fall.

People do all kinds of stupid things.

I work with 2 guys that do this (wrong side of the road, no lights at night) and after talking and explaining things with them about it, they still think what they're doing is right. You'd be amazed at how strongly they feel what they're doing is right.

I think people have to work out for themselves what the best thing is for them to do. If they don't see reason in something (no matter how reasonable) they won't do it.

Ditto. Any time I have tried to explain to anyone why it's important to ride with traffic, use a headlight, obey red lights, etc. the reactions have never been positive. They have, on occasion, been confrontational. Thus, I no longer do this. The "who are YOU to tell ME what to do?" attitude runs very strong.

In my immediate area, the most frequent offenders can be seen riding in and out of Brandeis University. That's supposed to be an expensive school, requiring smarts to gain admission. And they don't know enough to use a headlight when riding at night? The most common offense: They ride down the sidewalks on South Street without headlights, in the dark. This is not a zoned business district, so technically, it's legal. At least once per year, between October and May, there will be an accident involving a sidewalk-riding cyclist from Brandeis. These accidents will either be with a pedestrian, or a driver who simply didn't see the cyclist ride off the sidewalk.

I wouldn't bother trying to tell any Brandeis students about the state's bicycle laws. I just know the only result would be a blank stare.

Ahh, another rant over and done with.. :o

Print it and frame it.

Sigh. What to do?

Sometimes ya just gotta laugh :D

Said person may not even be a working poor person. They may simply be poor. We have quite a few homeless persons with access to bikes.

I can just see the bum looking at the helmet and saying to himself "A rock, or this helmet?"

roadie on $3000 bike with blinkies meets homie on $30 with no blinkies...both think they are the ones that own the road...Ah, the story is as old as time

Sure the advice is good, but the smug attitude is really annoying. Basically telling someone that you know better than them and have the right to tell them the manner that they should get from point A to point B like you're their parent. Maybe you do know better than them, but you won't get the point across that way.

I ride the wrong way all the time

Like I said, if you are riding head-on into me on my bike, one of us is going down, and it won't be me.
And yes, I AM an a$$hole.

Like I said, if you are riding head-on into me on my bike, one of us is going down, and it won't be me.
And yes, I AM an a$$hole.

If he rides head-on into you on your bike, both of you will go down

Like I said, if you are riding head-on into me on my bike, one of us is going down, and it won't be me.
And yes, I AM an a$$hole.

If he rides head-on into you on your bike, both of you will go down

Like I said, if you are riding head-on into me on my bike, one of us is going down, and it won't be me.
And yes, I AM an a$$hole.

If he rides head-on into you on your bike, both of you will go down.

i often wonder how many people actually feel they are supposed to ride against traffic?? i thought i was supposed to do this as a kid (felt safer to me), but then i grew up and learned.

I guess I'd like to know why people think this is safer. Maybe some of our wrongway forum members could educate us. I promise not to be a condescending and we'll all promise not to flame him.

Seriously, why do you think it's safer to ride against traffic? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...?

Better get use to it as its the trend now. I've been mouthed at for pointing to the right lane that the wrong way rider should have been it. Its now on the bikepaths and people will start dieing. They walk,ride,skate and push there baby's going the wrong way. Its just the way it is now because when it started getting bad,the police did not ticket and now just like talking on cells while you drive,its out of control and to hard to pull back in.

If he rides head-on into you on your bike, both of you will go down.

You ever heard of the "fake-out"? or Pump in the spokes? I'm not going to allow someone to ride head-on into me.

I guess I'd like to know why people think this is safer. Maybe some of our wrongway forum members could educate us. I promise not to be a condescending and we'll all promise not to flame him.

Seriously, why do you think it's safer to ride against traffic? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...?

well, i can only speak for when i was 12 or 13 years old. i felt it was safer to actually see the traffic coming toward me. everyone seemed to have stories of friends getting struck by automobiles and that frightened me. i figured i would reduce my chances of getting hit if i could see what i was dealing with.

Dumb.

Dumb.

People who can't make complete sentences are dumb.

People who can't make complete sentences are dumb.

it's okay - you can't expect much from an internet forum. i was just trying to offer an explanation on why some people might think riding on the opposite side of the road is better. that was when i was a kid. but obviously adults do it too, so there must be a reason why they think it's better.

it's okay - you can't expect much from an internet forum. i was just trying to offer an explanation on why some people might think riding on the opposite side of the road is better. that was when i was a kid. but obviously adults do it too, so there must be a reason why they think it's better.

I understand you, because you ARE making complete sentences. As far as why adults ride against traffic, they are ignorant. But the ones that I've actually confronted and asked why are they riding illegally, they give the usual bogus reasons, but they are very stubborn in their wrongness.

I see these riders; if they are adults I hug the curb and wave them out towards oncoming traffic.

I guess I'd like to know why people think this is safer. Maybe some of our wrongway forum members could educate us. I promise not to be a condescending and we'll all promise not to flame him.

Seriously, why do you think it's safer to ride against traffic? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...?

A lot of it seems to come from well-meaning, but sadly misinformed parents and other authority figures from childhood. Toss in some other random family members (like that strange uncle or oddball aunt that every suburban family seems to have) along with scout leaders, and the list gets rather long. I call this "the cycle of entrenched misinformation". This cycle is damn near impossible to break.

Why I tossed in scout leaders: Two reasons. First, a co-worker once told me that his son's boy scout leader had taken the troop on a bike ride, and that they did the entire ride (around ten miles, from the sound of it) against traffic. I told him this was wrong, and that they were lucky there had been no injuries or accidents. I pointed him toward John Allen's "Street Smarts" booklet, and the bike statutes of the state.
He was totally dumbfounded, with the "I never knew about any of this" response, but refused to pass this information along to Mr. Scout Master. "He's a real nice guy, a football coach and everything", I was told. Amen.

Second: One fine spring day two years ago, I am riding on Route 62, from Concord center toward Bedford. Boston area riders will know this stretch, as it is quite popular among area cyclists. Quite nice, and lots of riders on weekends. So, I'm riding along, almost to the Bedford line, and spot a group of riders coming toward me, on the wrong side.

They get closer, and I realize it is an adult woman, being followed by a collection of girls, ranging in age from very young to teenaged. The woman is wearing some of the accoutrements of a girl scout leader. The girls are dressed likewise. A few had helmets, most didn't.

Now, understand this: Route 62 is a wide stretch of two-lane, well-travelled. Motor vehicle traffic is not bad at all on weekend days, but it tends to move fast. There are some curves. The shoulders are not particularly wide. And here were these girl scouts, being led by someone who should have known better.

These girls will grow up, have kids, and teach them to ride against traffic, "so the cars can see you!!" Thus, the cycle of entrenched misinformation continues.

There are logical solutions to this problem, but any answer put on the table is going to cheese someone off, not matter how logical it may be.

A lot of it seems to come from well-meaning, but sadly misinformed parents and other authority figures from childhood. Toss in some other random family members (like that strange uncle or oddball aunt that every suburban family seems to have) along with scout leaders, and the list gets rather long. I call this "the cycle of entrenched misinformation". This cycle is damn near impossible to break.

.


All comes from the basic rule to walk/hike against the flow of traffic... these folks are just projecting their walking rules to cycling, as they see cycling as a form of "pedestrianism."

One might think that arrows on BL would solve this... but apparently some folks even ignore arrows. One might think that constantly approaching road signs on the wrong side of the road might be a hint... But apparently road signs are not meant for cyclists. Oh well.

All comes from the basic rule to walk/hike against the flow of traffic... these folks are just projecting their walking rules to cycling, as they see cycling as a form of "pedestrianism."

One might think that arrows on BL would solve this... but apparently some folks even ignore arrows. One might think that constantly approaching road signs on the wrong side of the road might be a hint... But apparently road signs are not meant for cyclists. Oh well.

Hell, the elementary school I went to 1st-3rd grade taught all the kids to ride against traffic-- we had a "bike safety" assembly every year where they told us specifically to do it. Went to a new school in 4th grade and they had policemen come in a teach us the proper way to do things. I wonder how many wrong way riders do so because they were taught that it was the right way to do it when they were kids.

Common sence should overide most DUMB things. Guess not.

shokhead - what the hell is your problem? what are you adding to this thread?

Common sense tells these people that there are two things on the road, motor vehicles and pedestrians. They're not motor vehicles, so guess which group they've placed themselves in? These same people either want a very large and heavy vehicle surrounding them while they are on the road, or reinforcing side beams on all sides, with air bags everywhere if in a smaller vehicle.

A lot of it seems to come from well-meaning, but sadly misinformed parents and other authority figures from childhood. Toss in some other random family members (like that strange uncle or oddball aunt that every suburban family seems to have) along with scout leaders, and the list gets rather long. I call this "the cycle of entrenched misinformation". This cycle is damn near impossible to break...A few had helmets, most didn't.

I agree and sometimes, you can only shake your head. It would be funny if it didn't lead to restrictive legislation or discrimination against cyclists because well meaning, but sadly misinformed people and authority figures are trying to protect us, "for our own good" while ignoring the root of why an injury or accident occured in the first place. It just kills me when I see a wrong way cyclist that has taken the time to wear a helmet. It indicates, to me, that there has been some level of concern for safety, yet it also just goes to show how ignorant of safety he/she is. "The cycle of entrenched misinformation" is deep, indeed.

There have been a couple of posts that indicated that they wanted to see the driver's eyes.

(Of course, this is impossible in all but the best light and weather conditions. And even if you could see the maniacal look in the driver's eye as he mouths "I'm going to kill you!," if you've got a closing rate of 60-80mph, I doubt you could react quickly enough to dump it in the ditch.)

If this is the reason you ride against traffic, I'd like to hear your take on it.

You read it so its good enough. Bottom line,ride the wrong way or walk in the street the wrong way is,well dumb. Anyone trying to justify it is wrong also. Dont worry about writing skills,worry about getting the point across. For all you know,i'm armless typing with a stick in my mouth.

you can talk about something and not justify it at the same time. when police talk about crimes, are they trying to justify them? when an investigator tries to reconstruct an accident to understand it, are they justifying it?? of course not. some people just like to know how the world works and why people do what they do.

Well it seems everyone going the wrong way IS justifing it some how.

I guess I'd like to know why people think this is safer. Maybe some of our wrongway forum members could educate us. I promise not to be a condescending and we'll all promise not to flame him.

Seriously, why do you think it's safer to ride against traffic? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...?

As you are aware, we have a few posters to this forum that are very quick with an insult when we try to discourage wrong way bicycle riders, but they are very quiet when it comes to providing a compelling argument FOR riding the wrong way. We may be waiting for a while...



Why I tossed in scout leaders: Two reasons. First, a co-worker once told me that his son's boy scout leader had taken the troop on a bike ride, and that they did the entire ride (around ten miles, from the sound of it) against traffic. I told him this was wrong, and that they were lucky there had been no injuries or accidents. I pointed him toward John Allen's "Street Smarts" booklet, and the bike statutes of the state.
He was totally dumbfounded, with the "I never knew about any of this" response, but refused to pass this information along to Mr. Scout Master. "He's a real nice guy, a football coach and everything", I was told. Amen.

I am a Scoutmaster and teach cycling to Scouts and adults. I guarantee you that when we ride this weekend, we will be riding with traffic, and everyone will have helmets, per the CA vehicle code. Safety considerations for Scout outings are often maddening (dare I say too safe?), but we don't lose very many Scouts. The Scoutmaster you mentioned obviously had no clue, and should not have lead a Scout cycling outing. Unfortunately he's not alone.

During the pre-ride briefing last week, many Scouts were amazed that cyclists actually had rights (and responsibilities) while riding on the road. Hopefully we will have a few more young people that are a bit better educated and less likely to become a statistic.

Well it seems everyone going the wrong way IS justifing it some how.

Just like the people with poor spelling and grammar. ;)

I am a Scoutmaster and teach cycling to Scouts and adults. I guarantee you that when we ride this weekend, we will be riding with traffic, and everyone will have helmets, per the CA vehicle code. Safety considerations for Scout outings are often maddening (dare I say too safe?), but we don't lose very many Scouts. The Scoutmaster you mentioned obviously had no clue, and should not have lead a Scout cycling outing. Unfortunately he's not alone.

During the pre-ride briefing last week, many Scouts were amazed that cyclists actually had rights (and responsibilities) while riding on the road. Hopefully we will have a few more young people that are a bit better educated and less likely to become a statistic.

Thank you!! There is hope after all.

Any more insults and this thread will be closed. Please return to the topic at hand.

Koffee

Mod

Just like the people with poor spelling and grammar. ;)

But i know which side of the street to ride on.

People who can't make complete sentences are dumb.

It seems to some that if you are not a cyclist that you can not and should not complain about cyclists doing stupid and dangerous things.

Okay then I guess if you are cyclist you cannot complain about drivers doing stupid and dangerous things.

And scarry reading your own reply to me in yelling at cyclists forum, I guess the people who write smart ar** comments especially in not checking their facts before writing the comments are not dumb?