On Biking and NOT Getting Smushed...

I'm a cyclist. During the spring/summer, it's my preferred mode of transportation. The reasons are varied, but the main one right now is cost. It's much cheaper to bike than it is to drive - especially with gas at nearly $2.80 a gallon these days. There is, of course, the health benefits. There are also the health detriments, which is what I'll be talking about.

I primarily bike to and from work. It's a 22-mile round trip ride, and in the early morning it's actually quite pleasant as I bike through suburbia. It becomes increasingly less pleasant during the second part of the trip, which involves some time spent on a reasonably busy street. This wouldn't be so bad, except the folks on the road at this time - ~6:15am - are driving their yuppie assault vehicles whilst chatting on the cell phone and trying to suck down a mocha latte and a double-glazed while changing the radio station on their way to work. In a car, this wouldn't present a problem; a simple honk of the horn is usually enough to jar them back into focus and into their lane. However, it's a bit more difficult when you replace "car" with "20lb. hybrid bicycle."

I'm not pro-cyclist (although I do give them room when I pass); nor am I pro-vehicle. I'm pro-pullingyourheadout. When I bike, I obey the rules of the road. I'm in the bike lane, or on the shoulder if there's no bike lane. As I'm over sixteen, I'm not allowed to ride on the sidewalk. I stop at lights, and don't cut in front of traffic (hell, I don't have a death wish). I merely expect the same curteousy from the other folks on the road, whether they're running, walking, biking, or driving.

For example:
Last year I was biking home on a sunny summer day on the not-so busy road that I take home, when a red Pontiac Grand Am pulled directly out in front of me. The driver had seen me; had looked directly at me before pulling out. Locking up both sets of brakes and skidding the bike sideways prevented me from going over the hood of the car. Did the driver pause to see if I was hurt? Was I given an apology? No. I got the half-hearted "oops!" as the young lady drove past. If this was an isolated incident, I wouldn't have cared terribly much; would have chalked it up to a mistake on the part of the driver. However, after narrowly missing being turned into a greasy stain more times than I can count I'm wondering if a)they're out to get me, or b)they're just not paying attention. Hopefully it's b.

So, to you drivers out there I offer this:

1. Please, please, please look BOTH ways before you pull out of a side street. There could be a cyclist coming. Their cardiologist will appreciate it.


2. Remember that cyclists are on the road. Remember that you'll need to move over a bit to prevent clipping them with your side mirrors and scaring the hell out of them.


3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE FREAKIN' ROAD! That call can wait. There's cupholders in your car for a reason. Makeup is best applied at stoplights. That donut isn't going anywhere. Keep your eyes on the road, and watch out for your fellow travelers.

...and to my fellow cyclists:

1. Keep an eye out for those wacky drivers. Some of them might be ok, but most of them really aren't looking out for you.


2. Respect the rules of the road. Traffic laws apply to your spandex-wearing ass, too. I've seen some cyclists run lights, sprint across intersections with the light against them, etc.


3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE FREAKIN' ROAD!

So, please don't turn me into a greasy smear on the pavement. My wife will appreciate it. Besides, I've grown rather attached to being three-dimensional.