Matt Keally's Blog

The Route 5 story continues, for this little gem appeared on Tuesday in the Virginia Gazette:

“Sooner or later, one of the bicyclists who refuse to use the bike path built along Route 5 is going to get hurt. This time of year the road is jammed with weekend motorcycle groups and other vehicles. Route 5 has a narrow shoulder that provides little room for cyclists when two vehicles are approaching/passing each other. Serious cyclists consider the bike path unsuitable, but that isn’t going to change the laws of physics when an inattentive driver spills his or her coffee while meeting an oncoming dump truck.”

I’ve heard that commercial driving schools emphasize “the laws of physics” by instilling in drivers that vehicles with greater mass have the de facto right of way.  This seems to be an excuse to allow some people to drive like morons just because their vehicles are larger.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving a semi or a tricycle, everyone has to take responsibility not to drive recklessly or hit anything.  The above comment was quickly followed up today with:

“I promise to never ride along Route 5 again. Obviously people who drive that route should not be operating machinery, such as a car. Please do not go to the other side of the county since that’s where I live and have children. The thought of someone like the person who commented recently on a road anywhere near my children scares me.”

The problem is that most drivers are like the first commenter: they are more worried about “spilling his or her coffee” than driving safely.  Everyone is too distracted by personal items like mobile phones, radios, and in-car DVD players to pay attention, so when something happens (a bike suddenly pops into view), they see it as a violation of their personal space.  In driving a manual transmission, I find it impossible to do anything but drive, so maybe a resurgence in manuals will make things better.  However, I really wonder if I’ll make it through my life without being involved in a serious car accident.  Whether it be biking, running, walking, or driving, I experience more and more close calls every week and one of these days I might not be so lucky.