Heather: You clearly have a loving generosity of spirit along The Path. However, in the interest of clarification, your admirable conclusion is a pinch inaccurate in one respect. The spontaneously arising phenomena, what the form and void we call the Universe ‘runs on,’ manifests as chaos…Love makes it all bearable…and worthwhile.

Heather: You are a kind and thoughtful soul, always wanting to remind all of us how we can better co-create with love and appreciation. I just love that. And while I totally agree with looking through the eyes of love and kindness to all those with whom we share this earth, there are some specific comments I have to contribute to the car/bike conflict.

As a driver and bike rider, I’ve observed a few things I think would be helpful. First, I think the DMV should upgrade their classes to include bikes as a part of their drivers education class. Cycling has become such an integral part of transportation on our roadways, I think that part of the problem for drivers is, they don’t know the laws concerning bikes, nor are they aware of some of the unobvious dangers that prevent bike riders from doing some things, as well as explaining their reasons for doing other things. I know that once I became a bike rider, I became a better, more bike-friendly driver.

The tough part is, cyclists also need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities when riding on the road, yet there is no manditory class they need to attend in order to operate a bike in traffic.

I think that observing the obvious and being kind and considerate is a great start. However, many bike riders feel they have some privilege that falls outside the rules when riding on the road. Like riding in traffic lanes when they have a bike lane to take advantage of, not being clear with their intentions when turning or manuvering through traffic, riding on the wrong side of the road, running red lights, etc. When bike riders ride 3 abreast and hold up traffic by utilizing traffic lanes unnecessarily, or move through traffic illegally and get honked at, they often times become angry, as if the rules of the road should not apply to them.

By the same token, car drivers, instead of yielding, cut in front of cyclists when turning, don’t provide enough space when driving by a cyclist who does not have a bike lane available, they honk, which startles the cyclist and causes a potential hazard, and on and on and on. I’ve actually had drivers throw things at me for no reason while riding legally in the bike lane.

Part of the problem I have with riders and drivers is, we tend to judge each other based on a small percentage of offenders, then hold it against everyone. As a cyclist, I get angry at riders who are inconsiderate on the road because it puts all riders in a bad light. I’m sure the person who threw a soda on me while I was riding my bike did so because of some past experience they had with cyclists, and not because of me, personally.

So I would like to expand on your love and kindness approach by asking that people give others the benefit of the doubt, that they follow the rules of the road when riding and/or driving, and that they educate themselves with regard to the laws and rights of both. I think that if drivers could look through the eyes of a cyclist, and if cyclists would do the same toward drivers, a natural appreciation would commence, thus limiting tragic losses like Keith Moon, and the hundreds of others who have lost their lives while simply riding along on two wheels.

This is an increasingly important topic, especially as people look toward alternate ways of transportation. Thank you for the opportunity to respond and add unto the awareness.