Bikes Are Traffic Not Targets
So, for two years in a row now… No. Wait, let me start this with saying I was almost hit by a white SUV this weekend. And when I say ‘almost’ hit, I’m not exaggerating – it was close. This in itself wouldn’t be that noteworthy, in that near misses happen all the time in traffic whether you’re in a car or on a bike, but this was different. I really feel that this time the driver swerved into me.
Right or wrong, smart or not, I don’t have any fear of riding in traffic, at least not emotionally. Logically I get it. I understand the risk of riding my little bike on the road with cars and trucks that weigh in the thousands of pounds. The potential consequences aren’t hard to imagine. But, for whatever reason I ride with a detached sense of security and well being; that was until yesterday.
So, back to my story. For two years my buddy Jonny ‘Spaghetti Legs’ Hagan and I have done a ride out to the cabin at Pigeon lake. It’s a nice ride. 112 km past farmers fields and through rural Alberta towns. This year the weather was stupendous, if not a little too hot. We made some record time had a great bbq feast with bevies when we got there – good times. The next morning, I rode back solo and all the while as I spun my way down the highways, the traffic really did seem to give me some extra room as they blew by. For the most part I think people take extra care when they see a cyclist and that’s a good thing, a courteous thing. Back in the city though, things are bit more snarly. The traffic is a lot heavier for sure and the shoulders don’t really exist. As a rider you really are riding right in traffic. I was stopped at a four-way intersection waiting for the light. I glanced around me, surveying the situation. I made note of the white SUV idling next to me. When the light went green, I clipped in the pedaled out into the intersection. The SUV was slow off the line and was behind me as I came to the curb on the other side. Just as got to the other side the white SUV nearly squeezed me right into the square curb and off the road. I let out a yell, something like “HEY! HEY!! HEY!!!!” It was one of those moments when you realize what’s happening and your eyes get big and everything seems to slow down just a little bit as you focus completely on the task at had. In this case, the task was like threading a needle as my front tire just fit into the narrow space between the concrete curb and the running rails of the SUV. The whole thing lasted only a second or two, but I was shaken enough to role off the road at the next sidewalk ramp.
I asked myself, “did they do that on purpose? Did they swerve at me?” I don’t know for sure but I can’t imagine anyone coming that close to a rider and not knowing it. I was angry. I watched as the white SUV drove away and I took off after it, hoping to catch it at the next light, but there was no such luck. Nor do I really know what I was going to do if I caught up to them anyway. I think I mainly just wanted to see who the driver was. Was it a punk kid in parent’s Acura, a suite texting on his Blackberry, or a lady doing her make-up, or what?
Anyway, no harm no foul I guess. It was close, but in the end everyone (me) is fine so there you go. It did make me start to think more about the mentality where I live. I have had friends of mine who commute tell me drivers swerve at them. I always found this insane to think about, but now it’s happened to me I see why so many riders get their nose out of joint. We have a cycling group here in Edmonton, and other cities have similar groups as well. It’s called Critical Mass, and it meets on Fridays once a month to sort of take over the roads for a few hours during rush hour as a kind of protest. At least that’s how I’ve had it explained to me. This is also the reason I haven’t ever gone down and taken part. Blocking Friday rush hour traffic doesn’t seem like a great way to endear cyclists to motorists, but I do understand the desire to want to make a point. We can’t ride on the sidewalks so we have to ride on the roads. Cyclists are part of road traffic. Motorist and cyclist need to figure out a way to get along.
Here is a news article from Aug 1st on a new tack some riders are taking on the issue.
19 Comments
Phililp on August 4th, 2009
I’ll act like a car when I get treated like one, end of story.
Phililp on August 4th, 2009
But to be honest, I don’t want to be treated like a car. I kind of like the vague in between world I play in while riding a bike, sometimes a pedestrian, sometimes a vehicle, it’s part of the freedom of riding, if the sidewalk is big enough and no ones on it I’ll take that route, or I’m just as happy hoping off the curb to avoid the baby stroller and split the traffic down the mid line. I don’t have the patience for the steel cages rolling down our streets and I don’t expect them to have it for me. Why would they? Ignorant lazy bastards polluting our planet. Sure I drive sometimes but when I’m on my bike I’m a self righteous bastard. I’ve tried acting like a car and I get less respect when I do. The reality is, I’m not a car, I’m a human being on a bike and you better make room for me on the road because I’m going to take it anyways. Peace.
Graeme & Myra on August 4th, 2009
When we moved here (the UK), we thought that the general population was a bit more aware of cyclists and as a result had a bit more respect for them on the road. This has slowly eroded over time. We have been involved in a number of incidents on our bikes, this year in particular, that have completely shocked us. Sometimes it can be attributed to ignorance. Not at all an excuse, as a dab of logic can still prevail, but the actions aren’t malicious. Unfortunately, that doesn’t lessen the degree of danger to us.
Other times, however, it is intended, and those are the ones that leave us gobsmacked.
A lot of people get really resentful when you pass them on a bike or accelerate faster than them away from the lights, and I don’t even think that it has anything to do with the idea that they will have to go around you, but simply the fact that you are in front of them. Cars give people a strange sense of power, and passing them seems to take that away from them a little. Having a bike pass you is infinitely worse.
I have been yelled at many times (this mostly in Canada) for riding on the road, that I should be on the sidewalk. But if that person was walking on the sidewalk, they would yell at you to get off the sidewalk and onto the road. Cyclists are in a no-win situation most of the time. It’s exactly as you say: people want to treat you as a motorist, but only when it suits them. Legally, for instance, cars need to change lanes when they pass you, but tend to give you a couple of feet and slow down a tiny bit if they’re feeling generous. When motorists actually grant cyclists permission to use the road, it’s only us that has to follow the letter of the law.
The things that really concern us, though, are the people who have so little respect for others (cyclists are just an easy target) that they commit dangerous acts for a few laughs with no thought of the consequences. It’s the same mentality as the kid who shouts insults at someone from their bedroom window, all brave behind their locked doors.
This year we have had cans of beer thrown at us from a passing car doing 40mph (right on target), and we’ve (Myra got the worst of it) been physically assaulted by a car full of teenagers as they leaned out the passenger windows and slapped us as they drove by (again, busy, main road – could have knocked us off our bikes in traffic, and they left a welt where they hit Myra). Not to mention all the times when vehicles honk or shout as they pass you with inches to spare. It’s those moments when I revel in the stories of bike messengers I know retaliating with their locks and chains against dangerous motorists, giving them something to think about the next time they feel like being a tough guy. What’s most frustrating about these moments is the absence of any accountability – probably 1 in 1000 instances result in any sort of penalty or punishment for the driver. You are completely helpless and know that without any consequences, these muppets will continue to pull stunts like this until they are nicked for it, and only then if the consequences are severe enough, which is highly unlikely.
On our recent tour of England we had a few near misses, most of which were down to ignorance. Myra had the same thing happen to her as Sheldon describes, but it was an old lady who never even looked beside her, and then actually turned right across Myra into a parking lot, forcing her to slam on the brakes and just missed her. I can’t imagine that she actually didn’t see us, as we were wearing high-vis rain jackets and we were only doing about 10mph at the time. I almost got taken out by a speeding Golf GTi late in the day, and probably 100 other cars and trucks that gave us only just enough space when they passed us.
It’s not good, and I believe that cycle awareness needs to be a serious part of driving lessons, along with heavier penalties for traffic infringements, but in the end, when it’s us versus a 2 ton vehicle, we’re the ones that have to drive defensively and keep ourselves out of harms way wherever possible.
Big Ben on August 4th, 2009
On the FEAR front – I know what you mean. Even after being hit once I still don’t really fear riding in traffic. Am I more careful? Yes.
On the Critcal Mass issue – I don’t have time for that kind of BS. I like the idea of raising the issue, but clocking traffic is a bonehead idea. I am actually a little embarrassed that cyclists do this.
On the are we a Bike/Car debate – we are definitely bikes. We are not cars and we shouldn’t be imagining that we are. We like motorcycles though, and in my mind, we should obey the same rules as they do. As a driver I am careful and courteous around cyclists, but I get mad at cyclists that rip in and out of traffic, or up on and off of sidewalks. It’s dangerous and stupid and it’s selfish of them to think that they are only impacting themselves. If they swerve out infront of me and I hit them, that’s going to impact me too.
Sheldon Smart on August 4th, 2009
It’s sad to say, but last night as Kirsten and I went to bed we were watching the news heard a cyclist was hit here in Edmonton. They survived and were taken to hospital. This morning I woke up and watched the news only to hear another cyclist was hit not more than a few blocks from our place… It’s seriously dangerous out there. Did anyone else here about this?
July 2009 5 Cyclists Hit
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1808494
K8 on August 4th, 2009
Bikes and cars are like oil and water. That’s why I ride on the trails :-) Trees hurt but not as much.
KS on August 4th, 2009
Agreed. Although limiting for commuters, trails offer a semi-solution for recreational bikers. If only there were more trails throughout cities…
Ken Hurd on August 4th, 2009
@Graeme & Myra, @Phillip
I think you sort of hit the nail on the head when you highlighted that getting behind the wheel give drivers some sort of feeling of power. To be honest I think Philip comes pretty close to the mark when he said that most drivers are “Ignorant lazy bastards polluting our planet”.
I think that until you’ve ridden a bike in a transportation-sense you don’t appreciate how easy a car makes things. You feel entitle to the road. You feel like you own it. When in fact you don’t. Realistically, driving a car is so simple and easy it’s laughable… You should be making accommodations for all others on the road.
You want to speed up in a car…. You press a small pedal and you go. You want to stop… Another pedal. You want to accomplish the same things on a bike? It takes effort. And with every effort you expend you have less to expend the next time.
I’ve found that if drivers don’t have the context of having ridden before, they just don’t “get” it. The road is theirs and you better get the hell out of the way.
That said, I’m also not sure that ‘Critical Masses’ are the best way for cyclist to get their message across, but I’m hopefully that as cycling become a more mainstream method of transportation, we’ll start to see more courteous drivers, or if not, some sort of enforcement on cyclists behalf. It’s also nice to see designated cycling lanes becoming more prevalent.
Sheldon Smart on August 4th, 2009
Keeping with Ken’s @ method, this is @ Graeme and Myra
I like your idea of introducing cyclist awareness into driver training. I’d imagine that if people were made aware of the fact that bikes aren’t supposed to be on the sidewalks, it would help our cause a little bit.
That said, if we’re on the roads and expected to obey traffic laws, then might cyclists need to take driver training?
Lighthouse on August 4th, 2009
Best place I have ever ridden is Denmark and the fundamental reason is that vehicles were comfortable and familiar with cyclists and knew what to expect from them. You had highway traffic circles with bike lanes. In North America, that would be a gauranteed fatality but there it was common and you felt safe because the cars knew how to handle you.
I think a big part of the problem is driver education. Last week in the Montreal Gazette in their “Squeeky Wheels” traffic column, the commander of the Montreal police road safety and traffic division wrongly stated that cyclists on dedicated bike lanes had to stop when the pedestrian handlight began flashing and that vehicles had right-of-way to turn across the bike lane in this situation. It took 4 days to the print the correction but I am sure the damage was done. This ignorance is what puts cyclists in danger.
Sheldon Smart on August 5th, 2009
@ Lighthouse
Bike lanes would be seriously great. Around Calgary I noticed that on some of the secondary highways they have “Share the Road with Cyclists” signs. This is something I have never seen in Edmonton.
This is hard to believe but there was another cyclist hit lastnight on the Whitemud. That’s three in three days…
Ken Hurd on August 24th, 2009
Ran across a great article that touches on some of the topics that were highlighted above… The author got mowed down by a truck while training for an Ironman and spent his recovery time to review research on cycling health and safety… An interesting read:
http://www.research.utoronto.ca/behind_the_headlines/smart-cycling/
Sheldon Smart on August 27th, 2009
@ ken. Good read. I wonder why he thinks a helmet might not contribute to his safety though? I mean, being someone who crashes on a fairly regular basis myself, helmets are crucial.
Ken Hurd on August 27th, 2009
@Sheldon Man… If I had a dollar for everybody I talked to that doesn’t think helmets are important I’d have a fair bit of cash. I find it really surprising too.
Sheldon Smart on July 2nd, 2010
It’s funny you mention that. I mean, I feel strange without a helmet if I’m on a bike, but when I was in Paris, no one wore helmets. And they bike a lot, commuting, in traffic on narrow busy streets… Risky business if you ask me.
vfxken on July 6th, 2010
Just visited family in Idaho, who all know that I am an avid cyclist. I was warned to be careful when riding my bike there because “we run ‘em over here.” The feeling was the cyclists should not be getting in the way of automobiles and that they don’t have a legal right to “impede traffic.” Yes, I’m embarrassed for my otherwise pretty level headed family. I think that somehow one’s car becomes tied to a driver’s sense of self and ego, and we cyclists threaten them. It’s just weird.
Lighthouse on July 7th, 2010
A Stats Can survey on helmet use came out a few weeks ago showing Quebec as the province with the worst helmet usage rates: http://www.montrealgazette.com/travel/Most+Quebec+cyclists+wear+helmets/3159126/story.html
They interviewed the president of Velo-Quebec who is strongly opposed to any helmet laws. They feel it is a rider’s right to decide to wear a helmet and do not want to discourage anyone from cycling.
What I didn’t like was in a CBC radio interview they asked her if she wore a helmet. Her answer was “No, I don’t need to because I am a safe cyclist”. I guess she feels that all bicycle accidents are the cyclists fault…
Ken Hurd on July 7th, 2010
@Lighthouse – I definitely noticed a distinct lack of helmets when I was in Quebec. Obviously having officials with opinions like this one don’t help the cause, but I wonder also if it’s a side affect of a city having a history of cycling? (ie. We’ve been riding forever without helmets, why do we need them now?) Is gaining traction for helmets in cities new(er) to cycling is a little easier?
@vfxken – I think (sadly) that attitude towards cycling mirrors many peoples’ throughout North America. Even though I feel like cycling has been making great head roads throughout the past few years, we’ve still got a long way to go!
Lighthouse on August 3rd, 2009
I am also torn on the critical mass protests. I agree with the cause and they do achieve the goal of drawing attention to the issue but I don’t think it fosters the mutual respect between cyclist and driver we need to fix the problem.
To be honest, I think cyclists as a whole don’t do a lot to help ourselves. We want to be treated as vehicles but don’t follow all the laws. I’ll admit it: I don’t stop at stop signs, prepared to stop yes but usually rolling a good clip. I am sure we all have seen cyclist blow red lights and other activities we wouldn’t dream of doing in a car. None of this excuses the behaviour sheldon describes but if we really want to be treated as a vehicle shouldn’t we start acting like one.