Share the Road –

In my last road ride, I had a truck pulling a trailer run me off the road, a pickup almost take me out with his side mirror (it actually went over my head only because I ducked), and a car pass me honking while its passenger screamed and threw trash at me. For two states which want to promote bicycling, I’m amazed at the negative attitude of the residents toward cyclists.

I am sure that a large number of my own close calls result from drivers who do not understand how fast a cyclist can travel, resulting in cutting in too quickly, those who follow too closely to the car in front of them, which does not allow them to see cyclists or pedestrians along the roadside, or even those drivers who don’t really understand how much room to give a bicycle when passing. There are also those who are in such a hurry that the average 3-5 seconds wait to pass a cyclist safely seems like an eternity that they just can’t accept. There have been many times I have been passed on a blind curve, only to have the driver cut back in due to unseen oncoming traffic, resulting in my being run off the road or having to slam on my brakes to prevent an accident.

What I have trouble understanding is the anger and animosity directed at a large number of us riding our bikes, as well as the carelessness with which people operate a vehicle. While I know there are cyclists out there who may not obey traffic laws, there are a large number of car and truck operators that are not stellar drivers. Rarely does one see drivers trying to force cars off roads for going too slowly, or passing a car on a blind curve, or running them off the road with their trailers. Is it because of the fact that I am on a bicycle, vulnerable and unable to fight back, that drivers feel empowered to bully me?

Please, share the road and remember that if you hit and injure or kill a cyclist, your day is going to be ruined as well.