Today, I’m a disgruntled cyclist making the case for peace on the road. The epic saga of car vs. bike has raged on for centuries (right?) and has left in its wake unnecessary stress, turmoil, dented bumpers, cracked frames, injury, death and sadness. Recently, I’ve been markedly endangered while riding my bicycle by a car, and am disappointed to say that one incident was clearly intentional. But, I’m not writing to proclaim the inherent evil of driving (except right now: car full of chicks smothered in makeup, you could have killed me, seriously).
I drive a car too, on occasion. I would rather disclose my faults in the two situations, and thus make the case for empathy for our fellow commuters. In my first brush with eternity, I was dangerously cut off in a roundabout, and after screaming an obscenity at the car, was chased down, nearly side-swiped and told that I’d better “watch my mouth.” Reflecting on the situation, I now recognize that it was getting dark, I was riding a black bike, in a black sweater and chances were good that I wasn’t visible to the driver. It wasn’t the first time that I would’ve benefited from watching my mouth, either.
My second incident involved an older couple who thought it best to drive as close as possible to my friend and I to tell us to “move over!” instead graciously using the lane to their left to pass. In retrospect, we were riding abreast, and though we hadn’t seen a car for thirty minutes, probably should have been riding closer to the non-existent shoulder on Fryrear Road. Case and point: if I can empathize with my four-wheeled predators, so can you. In this time of unjustifiable war, songs about nothing, generalized impatience and fights over the last ocean roll, let’s craft a little peace in doing the thing we all do everyday: travel. Next time that car pulls a mulligan or that cyclist “J-bikes” right in front of you (because come on, you HAVE to stop), try hard to smile and wave. It’s going to sting a little at the time, but I promise you’ll feel better than you would otherwise. Oh, and please stop leaving Stars’ VIP passes in my bike’s milk crate. We’ve got plenty. Live peace today!
Thanks,
– Kelley Morris, Bend
This article appears in Jul 1-7, 2010.
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Peace on the road,great,as long as you bicyclists stay single file.(As per rules of the road)Its when you start ridding side by side that you take your life in your own hands.P.S. Bike lane-Car lane.
Well, I would agree that there should be more consideration given to both parties. Though, not being an avid cycle enthusiast and being someone who has more than a few times came close to hitting “another damn hippie tree hugger bicyclist hogging the damn road like they own it”…I do get more upset with the two-wheeled types.
Like last night when driving down Third street and a fellow was riding his bike dangerously close to traffic, his front wheel seeming to wobble and give the impression he wasn’t in control as he used both hands to text on his phone and he wasn’t watching the highway in front of him nor the cars trying to get by him and not sideswipe the cars in the closest lanes.
Tell you what, I will tell my fellow motorists to be more patient if the cyclists do more self-policing and keep those knotheads like that guy I nearly hit in line.
Once I was an avid cyclist but because of fellow cyclist’s arrogance, ignorance, and complete abandonment of their own safety and those of others I chose to hang up my bicycle. Especially here in Bend, bicyclists tend to run stop signs, ride on the wrong side of the road, ride on sidewalks endangering walkers and joggers, ride too fast for coditions (they are not NYC message carriers, please), and generally disrespectful of others. Where are the police enforcers in Bend to write citations for cyclists? Oh yes, I forgot that Oregon PRIDES itself in being a “bicycle friendly” State. So much for the regard for the Rules of the Road!