Advocacy & Safety - My cycling treatise

These are some of the more common cyclists v driver arguments I hear. If you have your own, please don't hesitate to add it.

I’m tired. I commute, by bicycle, every day, but that’s not what is making me tired. I’m tired of being told how to ride my bike by people who haven’t ridden since 7th grade. I’m tired of the attitudes of drivers who claim they know more about cycling than I do. I’m tired of the hatred of bicyclists by drivers who seem to have forgotten that the brake pedal is used for more than just the next stop light.

I’m told that I’m a vehicle and as such, I need to make sure I ride like one which means stop at stop signs and stop lights, but when I act like a vehicle and move into the left turn lane, I’m told I need to use the sidewalk and crosswalks.

I’m told that I need to take more responsibility for my own safety but when I do and move out of the bike lane because of debris, sand, potholes, manhole covers, or car doors, I’m told that I can’t be in the middle of the lane.

I’m told that I wear stupid, bright colored, clown costumes, but when I wear more respectable, dark clothing, I’m told I can’t be seen.

I’m told that I need to stay off the streets for my own safety, but when I ride on the bike path, I’m told I ride too fast and that I should be riding at walking pace.

I’m told I ride too slow, but when I ride faster, I’m told I’m dangerous because no one is expecting cyclists to ride that fast.

I’m told that I don’t pay for road maintenance because I don’t pay for gas, but when I pay my property taxes, sales taxes, income tax, it all goes to help pay for road maintenance that is needed, not because of me, but because of cars.

I’m told I’m selfish because I ride my bike; that I do it for is my health or because it’s cheaper for me, but no matter what our mode of transportation is, we all do it for ourselves. You don’t drive because you’re a humanitarian, you drive to make money, go shopping, or pick the kids up; the exact same reasons I ride.

I’m told I’m arrogant because I expect to have certain road conditions to meet my needs, but if I travel on a road without bike lanes or small shoulders, I’m told I need to get off those roads and ride on the roads with bike lanes.

I’m told I’m pushy because I expect the same rights as motorists even though I ride on a 30 pound bike, yet I take up less space, I damage the roads less, I don’t spew noxious chemicals, I don’t use fossil fuels, and by riding, I’m less of a burden on the health care system.

So, here’s my solution: I’ll continue to ride the safest way I possibly can. I’ll attempt to educate other cyclists so that we are all more predictable. I’ll continue to ask for the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and make sure I use them. In response, you will pay more attention to what’s happening outside your car. You will treat the road systems as a means for all people to travel, not as your own personal raceway. You will hang up, slow down, and be attentive. You will recognize that I have a right to my means of transportation as much as you do. We will both look out for each other and respect our choices.

Sometimes I forget how good I have it here in British Columbia. Then I read a post like the one above.

Out here, cycling is tolerated by most of the motorists, most of the time. Maybe that's because the people in this province seem to be more active and fit than in other parts of Canada. Maybe it's because I live in the Okanagan Valley, where we have cyclists on the road training for the Penticton Ironman Triathlon each summer. Maybe there's another reason.

I log a lot of distance each year but I only get two or three instances in a year, if that many, where a motorist gives me the finger gesture or yells at me to get off the road.

I don't know how to improve relationships between motorists and cyclists. I only know I love to ride. And so I keep cycling, winter and summer. Some people laugh when they see me bundle up and go for a ride in the snow. They also wonder about me when they see me riding home in a heavy rain or coming up the hill on a sweltering summer day. That's okay. I'll keep riding because of the joy I find when I'm on my bicycle.

All I can do is gently show other cyclists how to ride safely and efficiently, offer suggestions when road planning is taking place and set a positive example by practicing responsible cycling. And maybe, in a few years, more people will discover the joy of cycling.

These are some of the more common cyclists v driver arguments I hear. If you have your own, please don't hesitate to add it. [Blah, blah, blah]
You may catch (see/hear) a ton of poop if you are trolling (looking/listening) for it. On the subject of bicycling or anything else. So what?

These are some of the more common cyclists v driver arguments I hear. If you have your own, please don't hesitate to add it.

I’m tired. I commute, by bicycle, every day, but that’s not what is making me tired. I’m tired of being told how to ride my bike by people who haven’t ridden since 7th grade. I’m tired of the attitudes of drivers who claim they know more about cycling than I do. I’m tired of the hatred of bicyclists by drivers who seem to have forgotten that the brake pedal is used for more than just the next stop light.

I’m told that I’m a vehicle and as such, I need to make sure I ride like one which means stop at stop signs and stop lights, but when I act like a vehicle and move into the left turn lane, I’m told I need to use the sidewalk and crosswalks.

I’m told that I need to take more responsibility for my own safety but when I do and move out of the bike lane because of debris, sand, potholes, manhole covers, or car doors, I’m told that I can’t be in the middle of the lane.

I’m told that I wear stupid, bright colored, clown costumes, but when I wear more respectable, dark clothing, I’m told I can’t be seen.

I’m told that I need to stay off the streets for my own safety, but when I ride on the bike path, I’m told I ride too fast and that I should be riding at walking pace.

I’m told I ride too slow, but when I ride faster, I’m told I’m dangerous because no one is expecting cyclists to ride that fast.

I’m told that I don’t pay for road maintenance because I don’t pay for gas, but when I pay my property taxes, sales taxes, income tax, it all goes to help pay for road maintenance that is needed, not because of me, but because of cars.

I’m told I’m selfish because I ride my bike; that I do it for is my health or because it’s cheaper for me, but no matter what our mode of transportation is, we all do it for ourselves. You don’t drive because you’re a humanitarian, you drive to make money, go shopping, or pick the kids up; the exact same reasons I ride.

I’m told I’m arrogant because I expect to have certain road conditions to meet my needs, but if I travel on a road without bike lanes or small shoulders, I’m told I need to get off those roads and ride on the roads with bike lanes.

I’m told I’m pushy because I expect the same rights as motorists even though I ride on a 30 pound bike, yet I take up less space, I damage the roads less, I don’t spew noxious chemicals, I don’t use fossil fuels, and by riding, I’m less of a burden on the health care system.

So, here’s my solution: I’ll continue to ride the safest way I possibly can. I’ll attempt to educate other cyclists so that we are all more predictable. I’ll continue to ask for the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and make sure I use them. In response, you will pay more attention to what’s happening outside your car. You will treat the road systems as a means for all people to travel, not as your own personal raceway. You will hang up, slow down, and be attentive. You will recognize that I have a right to my means of transportation as much as you do. We will both look out for each other and respect our choices.

Thank you. I could quibble with a few of your "issues," but frankly that would just be rubbing salt into the wound.

I feel the same way...

After 30+ years of cycle commuting... it has just gotten old... Oh I still do it, but is it any wonder that cyclists are viewed as "arrogant" when they have to put up with some of the crap you mention.

I even carry cards in my wallet to explain to ignorant motorists that I do indeed have rights to the road.

I think the most ironic things that have ever happened to me as a cyclist (in the vein of your comments) are being asked directions by a motorist, and then having another motorist come up and honk at me for while giving said directions (twice). Being honked at by a motorist for being in the right lane when there was no other traffic on a 6 lane road. And the most classic... being chewed out by a motorist for making a vehicular left turn... while I was in the middle of an LAB Road 2 class that taught how to make that left turn. (the motorist response to "well how should I do it:" "I donno, you figure it out.")

Yup at times it just feels uphill no matter which way I go.

But when I jump on a bike... sometimes it all just feels sooo good! :D

I'm lucky to be in California I guess. I do have drivers coming too close sometimes or some teenagers who think it's funny to honk their horn really loud as they go by, but nobody ever tells me how to ride my bike.

I'm lucky to be in California I guess. I do have drivers coming too close sometimes or some teenagers who think it's funny to honk their horn really loud as they go by, but nobody ever tells me how to ride my bike.

Ride long enough and far enough and you will hear it... it is only a matter of time.

People tell other drivers how do drive all the time (I've done it myself). The difference with cyclists is that we might actually hear it, because we're not inside an insulated alternate reality (car/truck/SUV).

Would you consider giving permission for some of us to reprint this all or in part (edited for local conditions/issues). I'm thinking of newspaper community perspective columns, etc. I think it's a pretty reasonable treatise and might be effective in communicating cycling issues w/o sounding militant or unreasonable.

Hey UnsafeAlpine... like Camilo, I am wondering if you have any issues with this going to a wider audience.... such as my local paper?

I'd like the intent to stay the same, but yeah, I don't have any problem with it. :)

I'd like the intent to stay the same, but yeah, I don't have any problem with it. :)

No problem... I'll cut and paste it just as posted... in response to motorist comments regarding cycling accidents in my area. Thanks