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Why can't we all just share the road?
Addendum: On September 28, 2003, while enjoying a great ride on a Sunday afternoon, I was struck by an alcohol-impaired driver who failed to negotiate a curve I was on. The impact was the most violent thing I've ever experienced, twisting me around and throwing me to the ground with enough impact to fracture my pelvis. This kind of thing seriously cramps the lifestyle of any recreational athlete, especially if you're as competitive as me. This article has been on my site for years, but I hope you take the time to give it a thorough reading as it just might help you avoid a painful experience. I'm a careful rider and have ridden about 36,000 accident-free kilometers over the past 12 years, but the situation was a reminder that cycling has lots of inherent danger. Please ride and drive carefully. And never, ever drink and drive.
It's a warm spring day. A slight breeze carries the smell of the ocean on its wings, making you hungry. Blue skies overhead beckon you to strap on a parachute and enjoy some real flying. But today you've been flying horizontally. You're nearing the end of a great workout on your bicycle.
There's a red light ahead, so you stop and put your right foot on the curb to support you, ready to rock 'n roll. You check behind. A van has stopped a few feet back and to your left. The driver has clearly seen you, so you relax. As the light turns green, you check for last-second red-light-runners and push ahead. Your foot snaps into the clipless pedal with a satisfying click. You rise up out of your seat for added sprint acceleration.
Suddenly, the van that was behind you roars past and begins turning your way. What gives? What is this person doing?! You squeeze the brakes hard, shouting as loudly as you can. Your front wheel stops a whisker from the van as it zooms by inches in front of you. The driver of the van looks over her right shoulder as she goes by. You see a smug look on her face as she applauds herself for "beating" you through the intersection.
This is a true story. I've got many more like it--people nearly driving over concrete barriers in an effort to squeeze by mere inches in front of me instead of turning behind the bike just one or two seconds later. The great Lance Armstrong has been forced off the road half a dozen times and hit more than once. Cycling can be frightening at times. Statistically, skydiving is safer. Drivers often don't see you or don't think you have any right to be on the road. Some think it's "fun" to swerve towards you or into the oncoming lane just to give you a scare. I've had a vehicle come so close to me--on purpose--that it brushed my shoulder (the driver waved at me in his rear view mirror). Recently a bicycle-lane experiment in Vancouver caused such antagonism towards cyclists that the city closed down the project. Guess Vancouver drivers don't think seven lanes are enough. With the growing popularity of cycling in North America, it's time that drivers begin to see things from a cyclist's perspective. And cyclists need to be more aware of ways they can reduce the risk to themselves.
According to a 1994 survey by Cycling BC, 40 percent of drivers are not aware that bicycles are considered vehicles. Section 185 (1) of British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act states that cyclists have the same rights and duties on highways as do motorists. I'm sure this holds true in most provinces and states.
If you're not motivated to think about these issues, imagine how your life would change if you hit a cyclist. It will affect your insurance and probably much more. You could be fined and sued for everything you own. And you may have to live a long time with the knowledge that you disabled or even killed someone.
So, what can you as a driver and/or cyclist do to share the road? Here are some suggestions.
Tips for motorists from a cyclist's point of view
Advice for cyclists on sharing the road with drivers.
the joy of workout