Pedal vs. Metal

I spend a lot of time on the road, both on a road bike and behind the wheel. Most people fall into one of three categories while sharing the road with cyclist.

1. Blind Drivers: Because of age and/or distractions, this driver will nearly clip you while passing with no visible sign they even noticed you. They're the same ones you have to watch making turns in your pathway.
Sadly, they can be as dangerous as the next group.

2. Road Rage Drivers: In their mind, you have no right to be on the road and they'll make sure you know it. They're the most dangerous ones out there, but thankfully they belong to a smaller group than the rest.

3. Average Drivers: They're not perfect and make mistakes like the rest of us, but largely have no trouble sharing the road and deserve some slack when problems do arrise. The largest group by far and growing every day.

Whether a driver or rider on the road, there will always be situations that could have gone better by simply paying attention, controlling anger and/or just being a little nicer to others while you pedal or drive.

This story and link has caused a ton of hits on the "biker on hood of road rager" video that I didn't shoot but posted at YouTube. You can watch my response and rough version of a new song called "Road Rage" here http://youtube.com/watch?v=T6Vt3v45nWU

Well, this has been quite a discussion. I have seen both sides in action, and it just comes down to simple old common sense and common courtesy. That is a problem world wide, not just in the United States, as some have indicated. I do not ride my bike anywhere anymore. It scares me. But I do not ride my horse near traffic for the same reason. Inconsiderate people. When I have attempted to educate bike riders about alerting horseback riders when they are approaching from behind, I get the middle finger and called a nasty name, EVERY SINGLE TIME!! That has been on the street and on the trails. And I am not being rude, or calling names, I just ask for them to please holler a warning when they are coming from behind, and to slow down. As for cars, the same applies, but I usually had to shout because they were moving too fast to hear. I have had cars honk at me right as they get to me, and I can only guess it is to see if my horse will dump me, so I am sure that happens even more so for bicycle riders. I really don't know if people understand how easily it is to die. Bikes, pedestrians, and horses, are no match for cars, and will lose the argument every time. One can say "I was right" all the way to the morgue. Is it worth it? Just be better stewards of our freedoms. Bike riders, pay attention and look out for yourselves. Why are you letting your life depend on others to see you and notice you?? Be proactive about your own safety. Drivers, SLOW DOWN!! Just take a breath and get over yourselves. You are not the only one on the road, get used to it. And everyone, let someone educate you on your mistakes. It is OK, you are not going to die for listening, and you might actually learn something. I think this is really about finding our manners again, and depending on ourselves for our own safety, not so much car vs. bike.

Pedestrians also must watch out for cyclists in addition to motorists now. The other day the crosswalk light went on so I started to cross the street, and almost got mowed over by a guy on a bicycle who was turning right and should have yielded to pedestrians. You think bicyclists have little protection, pedestrians have even less.

Separating cyclists from vehicular traffic is a great idea, and many bike paths have been created to achieve this goal. A lifelong cyclist myself, I was excited years ago when plans were put in action to build bike paths around the city. The idea was fantastic, but it is a different reality. On many bike paths, cyclist have been discouraged from using them because the paths are overrun with skaters, hikers, walkers, dogs on and off leash, people sitting in lawn chairs and others whose activities are clearly not biking. I have even found the bike path blocked by people enjoying a picnic that completely blocked the path. I had to get off my bike and carry it overhead while the picnickers glared at me for intruding. While the roads are not safe for bikers, off-duty motorists set up camp on the bike paths and show their disdain to bikers while exhibiting incredible stupidity. It is this kind of stupidity that hospitalized me in 2002 when its practitioner hit me and ran with his Subaru in Portland, Oregon. No, I do not run traffic lights and stop signs. I observe the rules of traffic. I do not ride two abreast. I do not yell at idiots in cars. I do not throw soft drinks, beer, coffee and cigarette butts at motorists. I am a decent highway citizen who has experienced far too much aggressive stupidity from the motoring public, most of whom are also decent and civil. But there are far too many aggressive, angry drivers who wield the power that is in their automobile as a weapon against the more vulnerable who must share the road with them.

Separating cyclists from vehicular traffic is a great idea, and many bike paths have been created to achieve this goal. A lifelong cyclist myself, I was excited years ago when plans were put in action to build bike paths around the city. The idea was fantastic, but it is a different reality. On many bike paths, cyclist have been discouraged from using them because the paths are overrun with skaters, hikers, walkers, dogs on and off leash, people sitting in lawn chairs and others whose activities are clearly not biking. I have even found the bike path blocked by people enjoying a picnic that completely blocked the path. I had to get off my bike and carry it overhead while the picnickers glared at me for intruding. While the roads are not safe for bikers, off-duty motorists set up camp on the bike paths and show their disdain to bikers while exhibiting incredible stupidity. It is this kind of stupidity that hospitalized me in 2002 when its practitioner hit me and ran with his Subaru in Portland, Oregon. No, I do not run traffic lights and stop signs. I observe the rules of traffic. I do not ride two abreast. I do not yell at idiots in cars. I do not throw soft drinks, beer, coffee and cigarette butts at motorists. I am a decent highway citizen who has experienced far too much aggressive stupidity from the motoring public, most of whom are also decent and civil. But there are far too many aggressive, angry drivers who wield the power that is in their automobile as a weapon against the more vulnerable who must share the road with them.

wishfulthinker - I drive a vehicle and cycle....I have no problem paying a road use tax or somethig similr....ok with me and hopefull all other cyclist would also agree....if you have 2 vehicles you pay twice so a vehicle and a bike you shouold also pay twice.....I AGREE! But I also want my fellow cyclist to obey all laws and be respectful.....stay to the right when in traffic and use bike paths when available....even if you have to go a few miles out of the way it is good for us!

To bikeliv2....Sounds like you bike even more than me.....I think it is up to people like you and I to police our sport.....There are bad drivers, runners, walkers ans bikers....help all bikers by encouraging all to obey the traffic laws 100% of the time. Yes it is inconcient to stop rather than slowly glide thru an intersection but it is the law if the light is red or there is a stop sing...I do it everytime and hopfully you do also....help me educate our fellow riders that it is the right thing to do and encourage them to always respect all others rights and hopefully we will all get along sharing the roads.

After having used a bike a the major form of getting around for the last 25 years it has become quite clear to me that bikes vs cars are a huge issue that we must deal with. It is only going to get worse with people leaving their cars to save money / sanity. Bikes are really a much more efficent way to get around, but most car drivers don't really respect bikers at all. I've only had a few close calls - mostly by bad drivers or bad conditions on the road. It would be best to have seperate road ways for cyclist - shutting off the inner cities to cars and reserve them for peds and bikes. Cars are the most efficent for long trips - more than 20 miles or so - but a really well designed public transport would trump the car even for this. I really see the car as the 20th century type of transportation - inefficent, polluting, selfish, and really a coffin on wheels. The bike is about freedom, individuality, community, beautiful and just plain efficent. When you realize that almost 60,000 people a year die in the car versus less than a 1,000 by bike then you have to question the true cost of the car. Is not the car infrastructure killing us but it is a way of life that is really a form of slavery. We are a nation that worships a big rolling metal coffin - "cars are coffins" baby. Just a little insight - ride safe and take care.

To those of you opposed to a tag and license for a cyclists, I never implied it would be expensive. The entire program could be administered for less than 25 dollars per person, per YEAR. By cycling, you'll be saving far more than that in fuel costs, not to mention the savings from an auto tag and maintenance costs for the vehicle. Too, under this system you'll be ensuring that, after certification, each rider knows the laws. Beyond that, let the rogue riders be held accountable with traffic citations. Sadly, when money is tight due to soaring living costs, the only thing some understand is when their actions keep costing them money for fines.

You need to check the specifics of you coverage, but personal liability coverage on your renters/homeowners insurance can protect you against claims for injuries or damage you cause in a bicycle accident.