Last year, a high profile public figure was involved in the death of a cyclist here in Toronto. Recently all charges in the incident were dropped. This sparked a lot of backlash from the cycling community and my friend had this to say about it. Personally I think his criticisms of cyclists was voiced a little harshly, but I do agree with his point. Cyclists should be more aware and take more responsibility for their actions. The same could also be said of many drivers.
Cycling is my primary mode of transportation. I ride my bike almost every day, all year round. I have seen careless drivers, careless cyclists and have had a few close calls with both. I can’t honestly say that I follow the letter of the law while I’m riding, but every time I do bend or break the rules I am very aware that it is a choice that I have made and I only make that choice when there is no danger….to anyone.
Without going through a list of dangerous behaviours, both on a bike and behind the wheel of a car, it’s pretty clear that both drivers and cyclists feel that they are entitled to be on the road. There just seems to be a lack of awareness on both sides as to how much of the road each is entitled to. Although legally, bikes are entitled to as much as the road as a car, it is often inconsiderate AND unsafe to take up that space. In other instances it is safer and perhaps even necessary to behave as a car would.
I enjoy speeding past cars as they sit stuck in gridlock, but as I do, I always remember that I am not surrounded by two tons of metal and plastic and in an all out battle against a car, I WILL lose. That doesn’t stop me from voicing frustration at the ignorance of some drivers, but I do pick my battles. There are many cyclists out there who behave as if they are indestructible and have the undisputed right of way (which is incorrect)….try arguing that from a hospital bed.
To drivers who believe that cyclists do not belong on the road, I would suggest that they take a moment to consider the amount of power and potential destructive force they have at their control. Driving is a privilege, not a right and there is a reason that we are required to be licensed to drive.
Some would argue that cyclists should be licensed as well. I don’t think licensing cyclists is practical, but I do think that cyclists and drivers alike could stand to take more time to educate themselves on the perils of taking to the road.
I’m not sure if what I said in my article is really all that harsh. It is based on my experiences with cyclists. I live in a small, quiet neighbourhood that is unfortunately a great shortcut for both drivers and cyclists.
A good number of drivers will run one of the only two stop signs in the neighbourhood. This 4-way stop has a school on one corner, and three hedged properties on the rest.
If people followed the law (or even respected it a little more), things in the neighbourhood would be a lot better. However, I have observed a girl almost get killed – by an impatient driver – as she was walking her bike across one of the road crossings (which was very awesome of her). There have been a number of near-misses involving cars.
There have also been as many near-misses involving cyclists as well. There are a number of road-racing ten-speeders that ride in a pack of five or six and race through our neighbourhood as a way to get between major roads. I have seen them almost cream an old lady walking with a cane, several small children, and a number of other people.
My article didn’t really address the drivers because I was focusing on the cyclists. If a cyclist killed a driver somehow and got away with it (wrongfully), and the automobile community raised a stink, I would have attacked them! There are no shortage of idiot drivers, too.
Thanks for the comment, Jorge. I had another look at your posting and you’re right. What you said there was not that harsh. Maybe I was thinking of the discussion we had elsewhere, but even then it wasn’t that harsh.
Perhaps I reacted a little defensively because my primary mode of transportation is a bicycle. In any case, I think we can agree that both groups have responsibilities towards road safety.
As for the Bryant incident, I think that stopped being about a cyclist vs. a driver the second Sheppard became aggressive.