Bike Lane Magic

[kfergos]

This isn't exactly a close call, but I think it falls into that category anyway.

A couple weeks ago, my boss and I were talking about my bike commute. I had just come in having nearly hit a truck that zipped in front of me and then immediately slammed on its breaks, and I complained to her that such behavior really wasn't polite of drivers. She briefly commiserated, then said, "But the other day I was really annoyed at some bicyclists. They were really rude."

I listened politely, surprised, since bicyclists usually are quite polite to vehicles several thousand pounds of metal larger than themselves.

She continued: "I was in Concord, and the road is really narrow there, and there's not much of a shoulder, and these bicyclists were RIGHT OUT IN THE ROAD!"

Briefly dumbfounded, since that's just where bikes belong in that situation, I summoned enough wits to ask (as politely as I could), "Where would you rather have them ride, if there's no shoulder?"

"They should ride in bike lanes," she proclaimed grandly.

"Well, yeah! Everybody would ride in bike lanes if they had them, for sure," I agreed vehemently. "Were there bike lanes there?"

"No," she said, "but they should've been in bike lanes."

...to which I had no response, so I went and took my shower, shaking my head as I went. What did she want those fast-moving recreational bicyclists to do, really? Magically create a lane for themselves?

[bmccasland]

Or a rip in the space-time-continuum thing where bikes and cars share the same road space at the same time without actually hitting each other.

And when that happens, there will be much rejoicing by all.

[Zen]

Oh dear.
I only hope her business logic is better than her real-world logic.

[Geonz]

Seriously! I wouldn't want to trust her thinking.

[Crankin]

Are you talking about Concord, MA? We have had a real problem with SOME groups of riders who are riding 2-3 across Lowell Rd. and Monument St. This is a very popular area for club rides and for people from Boston who think they are having a day "out in the country." Now, I do not agree with your friend who should be smart enough to see that there are no bike lanes on narrow country roads! But, the law says that riders should be riding single file. Whe I lead rides, I insist upon it. You don't need to be squished up against the side of the road, but if you are riding single file, it is easier to move over and let the cars pass. Police are ticketing riders for this in several surrounding towns.
Even if you are talking about a different Concord, riders should not be two abreast.

[spokewench]

It is legal to ride two abreast here in Arizona - as long as it is practicable. Just as you are supposed to ride to the farthest right side as long as it is practicable (Practicable means basically safe for you on your bike)

Anyway, you need to use your common sense - If it is too narrow to ride two abreast, don't. If it is too narrow to ride one abreast - do it anyway! Hopefully, they will build you a bike lane it the next millenium!

[kfergos]

Are you talking about Concord, MA?

Yep! And I agree, the bicyclists wrong if they weren't single file. But I got the impression that even single-file bicycling wouldn't have pleased her, honestly. Bikes on the road sounded like a personal affront to her, regardless of how politely they were riding.

[Eden]

What did she want those fast-moving recreational bicyclists to do, really? Magically create a lane for themselves?

Well of course everyone should know that bicycles are toys and don't belong out on streets with real traffic......

Seriously though there are people who think like that. If there isn't a path or a bicycle lane then they don't think bicycles should be allowed - or even more frightening they already believe that bicycles are NOT allowed - I'm sure we've all had the experience of someone who drives too close while yelling out their window that we're supposed to ride on the sidewalk, that it's illegal to ride on the street or some other nonsense. I know that out here our drivers often have a frightening lack of knowledge of traffic laws (its right through red says the guy who ran over my husbands foot in a crosswalk.......)

[Trek420]

What did she want those fast-moving recreational bicyclists to do, really? Magically create a lane for themselves?

Yes!!

Sorta like a snow plow. Rig an attachment in front that paints the bike lane ahead of you (and plants "share the road" sign on the right side each block) where no bike lane exists.