As an occasional bike commuter and frequent rider on city streets, I ride somewhat aggressively to stay safe. I follow the law, but will take up a whole lane at times if that will keep me from getting side-swiped. I will always go through a roundabout like a car, rather than try to cross it on a bike path. I will use arm gestures to indicate where I'm going, and will shout at cars as warranted. I rarely curse loudly enough for others to hear.
As a driver in a city with a ton of cyclists, I'm always looking out for bikes and drive as though they are always on the road. Because they are, even in the middle of snowstorms. And I criticize drivers who don't do the same: the guy in the pick-up driving in the bike lane for a mile, the lady talking in her cell phone during an entire rush hour and holding the phone with a hand that would otherwise be used to switch on her turn signal, the college student texting, etc.
And then there was this joker yesterday - he had not brushed the many of inches of snow off his car. He used his windshield wipers only. Snow blanketed the side windows and the rear window. I don't know how he saw any cars - or cyclists who don't have a bunch of metal and fiberglass shielding them from impact.
Is there a way to reach these people? So far, all I can come up with is getting more people on their bikes. The more people and their family members ride, the more aware they will be as drivers.
(Note: the light turned green in this photo right when the shutter closed, and the phone was immediately put down.)
No comments:
Post a Comment