My last post got a bit of attention from the local cycling community, giving me the largest number of hits I’ve ever had on a single day. Since then, there’s been more letters to the editor about the surge in unfriendly drivers. One reads:
I don’t mind sharing the road with bicyclists, but it would be nice if they obeyed road rules. Ride single file as far right as possible, use hand signals and stop at stop signs. Motorists are not mind readers.
Though the author means well, this is also a boilerplate anti-cyclist argument: since cyclists don’t follow the law, they are a nuisance. In absolute terms, many more drivers exceed the speed limit and blow through stop signs and traffic lights, so it isn’t just a cycling problem. Otherwise, why all the traffic light cameras and speed cameras? I learned awhile ago that unless I want to die, I’ve got to stop at every light and even the stop signs. Stopping at stop signs gives me extra time to be sure no cross traffic is coming. Plenty of times I’ve been at an intersection with a hedge obstructing my view of the cross traffic and as soon as I peek around it, a car whips by.
As far as single file goes, if you ever ride in a group and you aren’t single file, prepare for motorists to unleash hell upon you, even if you move over. I recall at least one time I was on a ride with a friend when a car came up fast from behind and laid on the horn before I had a chance to get over. Virginia law states that any cyclists traveling more than two abreast must move over for approaching traffic, but it doesn’t outlaw two or more abreast altogether. Few people have patience, even out in the boonies:
While riding bicycles on the Capital Trail last weekend, a young motorist stopped to allow us to cross Greensprings Road. Unfortunately, the minivan behind him started blowing the horn as we crossed.
Returning to the first author, the “far right as possible” can be interpreted pretty loosely: riding on the edge of the road can be extremely dangerous, especially when it comes to trucks. Too many times I’ve had trucks pass within inches of me because they are not willing to pass in the oncoming lane. Whenever I hear a truck coming, I make sure to get out at least three or four feet into the lane to either force the truck to pass in the oncoming lane, to wait until the oncoming lane is clear, or to use as slack if the truck decides to pass within inches of me anyway (which is what usually happens). At every light and stop sign I always stop in the middle of the lane and never pass stopped traffic in the gutter. When I stop in the middle of the lane and queued behind other traffic at a light, other cars always see me and will stop behind me in line. Since I’m in the middle, they also won’t pass dangerously close to me until I am safely through the intersection and back up to speed.
Another letter proclaims:
I am a cyclist in greater Williamsburg and was riding along the Capital Trail last weekend when a woman walking her dog started yelling at me that I was riding too fast for the bike trail. When riding along Route 5 and Greensprings Road, I get yelled at by motorists telling me to get off the road and get on the bike trail. Where is a cyclist in the ‘Burg supposed to ride to make everyone happy?
This is exactly my argument with the last post: riding on a bike trail can be dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. I’d like to avoid getting clotheslined by someone walking their dog, nor do I want to hit someone at 20+ mph. The author makes a valid point: you’re screwed if you do and screwed if you don’t when it comes to bike paths.
The increase in grief is probably linked to the increase in the local population. Each time I return to the roads after a hiatus I see yet another section of woods torn down for development along my route. More traffic lights pop up along with widened roads. However, it’s good to see that people aren’t all road ragers, especially since many of them also own a bike.
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