Andrea
04-17-2008, 10:08 AM
After having multiple rude driver experiences on a ride yesterday, I sent the following email to a prominent local news station. Maybe it will help...
Hi, I'd like to ask for a bit of your help.
I am a cyclist. Not a motorcycle- I ride a bicycle. Actually, a couple of different bicycles. I have one that I use for training and racing in bike races, and I have one that I use for getting to work and running errands. All in all, cycling helps me stay fit, have fun in competitions, and save some money on gas (I drive if the weather is bad or if I've got a long way to go). However, it's painfully obvious that most motorists don't realize that cyclists have the same rights to the road as cars do. I get yelled at, honked at, have things thrown at me... you name it. Sometimes people even go so far as to swerve towards me like they are going to hit me. I know that being forced to wait a few seconds behind someone going 15-20mph on a bike can be frustrating, but honestly, what good does it do anyone to act out towards cyclists? I think a lot of it boils down to people not understanding the laws. First, cyclists and cars follow the same rules (and yes, I know some cyclists who break rules by running stop signs, etc... but there are just as many drivers who are guilty). Second, there is a recently passed law that states motorists must allow three feet of space between their car and a bike that they are passing. Motorists will often try to remain in a lane while passing a cyclist riding in the right side of the lane. I can tell you from experience that being lightly brushed by the rear view mirror of an SUV is a large part of why a single cyclist may choose to ride in the middle of a lane of traffic- it forces cars to wait to pass using part of another lane. Annoying and rude to drivers? Potentially. Safer for the person on the bike? Definitely. Self preservation wins out in that case.
SO, that being said, I plea to you- please help cyclists in this area by providing some sort of news story outlining the laws! I think that a lot of the issue is ignorance. If you can help by letting people in on the rules, then maybe those of us on two wheels can feel a little safer on the road. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Hi, I'd like to ask for a bit of your help.
I am a cyclist. Not a motorcycle- I ride a bicycle. Actually, a couple of different bicycles. I have one that I use for training and racing in bike races, and I have one that I use for getting to work and running errands. All in all, cycling helps me stay fit, have fun in competitions, and save some money on gas (I drive if the weather is bad or if I've got a long way to go). However, it's painfully obvious that most motorists don't realize that cyclists have the same rights to the road as cars do. I get yelled at, honked at, have things thrown at me... you name it. Sometimes people even go so far as to swerve towards me like they are going to hit me. I know that being forced to wait a few seconds behind someone going 15-20mph on a bike can be frustrating, but honestly, what good does it do anyone to act out towards cyclists? I think a lot of it boils down to people not understanding the laws. First, cyclists and cars follow the same rules (and yes, I know some cyclists who break rules by running stop signs, etc... but there are just as many drivers who are guilty). Second, there is a recently passed law that states motorists must allow three feet of space between their car and a bike that they are passing. Motorists will often try to remain in a lane while passing a cyclist riding in the right side of the lane. I can tell you from experience that being lightly brushed by the rear view mirror of an SUV is a large part of why a single cyclist may choose to ride in the middle of a lane of traffic- it forces cars to wait to pass using part of another lane. Annoying and rude to drivers? Potentially. Safer for the person on the bike? Definitely. Self preservation wins out in that case.
SO, that being said, I plea to you- please help cyclists in this area by providing some sort of news story outlining the laws! I think that a lot of the issue is ignorance. If you can help by letting people in on the rules, then maybe those of us on two wheels can feel a little safer on the road. Thank you for your time and consideration.