Safety in Numbers
Monday, February 18, 2008 at 12:48PM Studies show that cycling was safest when there was the greatest number of people on bikes. I can't remember the year, but in America, that was a couple of decades ago. Drivers are more careful when they know there's a good chance there's a cyclist around.
Even though helmets are safer, lights are brighter, and most gear is better, YOU are still more likely to be hit than before because fewer people are seen cycling.
How do we change that? By encouraging more people to bike more often for reasons other than just sport.
People want to do this. Zen and the Art of Triathlon is successful because we promote the lifestyle, not the winning. Bike messenger culture is hot. Gas prices are high. Stress levels from dealing with traffic are crushing your spirits. (Yours, not mine. I bike to work.)
I was delighted to see Lance Armstrong building a bike store in Austin that promotes urban and commuting cycling instead of just outright going fast on country roads. This helps with all of our safety, and frankly, is what our country needs to catch up with the rest of the world.
I've been riding quite a bit with some entry-level cyclists lately and have been adamant about encouraging them to act like vehicles, not third-class psuedo pedestrians. I show them how to NOT ride on the sidewalk and ride in the car lane instead. I show them how to place themselves in intersections as vehicles and negotiate left turns across oncoming traffic.
I teach them this for two reasons:
- They have the right to ride their bike on the roads.
- By doing so, it makes it safer for all of us to ride on the roads.
Cars see more of us biking around on roads and the drivers become more cautious and respectful of bikers.
If they regressed and rode on narrow, bumpy sidewalk, drivers see that and begin to believe "Bikers belong on the sidewalk. See! There's one on the sidewalk right now!"
Do all of your cycling friends a favor and start riding in the road/bike lane/turn lane like you have the right. If you wear bright clothing and don't ride like an idiot, you'll be surprised at how kindly car traffic will treat you. Drivers appreciate it when you ride predictably and stop at all the same stop signs and lights cars have to.
Start biking around town to do errands. Once you start, it becomes very addictive. Get a junker bike, cheap lock, and a bike bag and live the urban cyclist life. It will make you a much better cyclist when training and racing.
And don't forget, tell everybody that you bike around town. When they joke about acting aggressively towards cyclists, remind them that they could hurt or kill a fellow coworker or somebody's friend or family. Most importantly, if the cyclist gets their license plate number, they can be charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter. That usually puts the joking to an end.
Reader Comments (2)
Excellent post. My wife drives but I only use a bicycle and the attitude of some drivers here in north NJ is appalling. I always ride with a roadID tag around my wrist. Obeying all traffic laws and signals is important. I heard of people in the UK who had points on their driving licenses for running red lights on a bike, and losing their DLs for riding a bicycle while drunk!
You are right on with this one. It seems around here, I keep hearing about someone getting hit, run off the road, or worse. Thanks for this post - good job.