On Sharing the Road Safely

Remember when you got your driver's license? You studied that booklet of rules of the road as if your life depended on it. Of course, it did, even if we teenagers didn't realize. For us, it was our social life that depended on it. It was a badge of honor to have that license and be able to offer your friends a ride to ... well, anywhere, really. The destination was not actually the point. I remember sweating over how many feet you had to leave between you and the car in front to be sure you could stop safely. And there were those funky hand signals for turns, though most cars had turn signals, even in the late 1960's (if you're snickering, then just hush, whippersnapper). Anyway, we worked hard to learn those rules of the road.

Now that I have been riding a while, I have a whole new view of how to use the road as the operator of a motor vehicle. I have also had a couple of experiences, both as a rider and as a driver, that have highlighted for me the importance of sharing the road safely. It might seem like a given that we should be doing that. Safety is kind of like Mom and Apple Pie. It should be a given that we mean to operate safely. Shouldn't it?

There are actually rules for the proper use of the roads by bicycles in the state of Michigan. First of all, guess what, car and truck drivers? Bikes have the right to use the roads, just like motor vehicles do, under the laws of Michigan and most or all other states. (Bold italics are definitely indicators of a pet peeve here!) What that means is -- When you yell at us cyclists to get off the road, or you come too close or cut us off, it's the same as if you did that to a person driving a motor vehicle.

"But what am I supposed to do when there is oncoming traffic and I am stuck behind you?" I was asked once. Well, same thing you would do if it were a car in front of you. It's not any more complicated than that. "Same road, same rules."

If I sound aggravated, then you are definitely picking up the tone I intended. Over the last two years, I have had several experiences of road rage from a driver toward my riding companions and me. In one case, we were going off the island and down Jefferson toward Gibraltar. This means that we had to turn left off Parkway onto Jefferson, then proceed in the through lane at the light at Van Horn. After that, riders can hug the right side of the lane and give drivers plenty of room to get around. At any rate, on Parkway on the other side of the bridge, we signaled our move into the turn lane and stopped at the red light. The driver of a pickup truck behind us laid on his horn and yelled at us to get off the road. When the light turned green, we turned left as a group and moved toward the light at Van Horn. The truck turned left into the rightmost lane, gunned his engine to go around us, and actually pulled in front of us at the light. I cannot tell you how scary and irrational this action was to me. However angry this guy was, this manoeuvre was really dangerous. This turkey could not wait an extra 10 seconds to get through the traffic light behind us, at which point he could pass us safely? Apparently not. What if he had injured one or more of us with this dangerous driving?

Another time, a group of us went for a ride out in the Dexter area. Actually, we rode through Hell that day (Hell, Michigan, of course). Most of that ride was out of town on some scenic two-lane roads through rolling hills. Just lovely. Unfortunately, there was a woman who was quite offended by our using the road for cycling. There was no other vehicular traffic in sight and plenty of visibility ahead. But this driver chose to slow down next to those of us that were lagging behind a bit and proceeded to harangue us for a number of minutes. We should not be on these roads. There was a double yellow and she was not supposed to cross those to get around us, and we were inconveniencing her. Then she drove ahead and proceeded to harangue the leading riders. Finally, she drove around them and went on. It was absolutely ridiculous. In this case, it was also at least not physically dangerous. But still... She didn't have her facts straight and she spent a disproportionate amount of psychic energy on this.

There are rules for both sets of road users. Motor vehicle operators need to understand that bikes actually do have the legal right to use the road. With that in mind, the idea is to drive in a way that treats the bikes as if they are cars and take the appropriate actions. On the other hand, cyclists need to behave in a way that takes into consideration the motor vehicles. This means that bikes should ride at the right side of the lane and no more than two abreast. When traffic comes up from behind, the bikes are supposed to single up, so that they can be passed more safely. Cyclists need to know and use correct hand signals. Motorists need to give at least 3 feet of space when they pass riders. Cyclists -- you are very vulnerable, no matter how careful you are. Give the motor vehicles extra attention and make yourself as visible as possible, especially if you choose to ride on sidewalks or through parking lots. I think bikes are invisible to drivers in these places, so act in the interest of self-preservation.

Okay, I guess that's a little preachy, but I do feel strongly about it. There are many stories of cyclists gravely wounded or killed by vehicles every year. I am sure that the drivers in these cases are not trying to kill or injure the cyclist. Well, not all of them, anyway. And yet, I see that wreath laid at the street sign on Jefferson just north of the turn from Parkway, marking the location where a family lost a loved one this way.

Cycling is such a great activity, good for our health and very accessible to a wide range of fitness levels and budgets. Let's all do what we can to keep it that way!