The Big Idea

Comments

• Right to Ride

  I am a woman in my fifties. I used to be a sidewalk rider, but took a class on how to drive my bike in traffic. Now, when I ride in the road in Orlando, and take the lane, I feel safe, and rarely have any sort of negative interaction with folks driving automobiles. They simply pass me when I signal that it is safe to do so, and we both go on about our business. In the few cases where impatient people make comments or honk their horns, I give them the right to have a bad attitude, and try not to let it affect my good attitude. I am getting healthy; I am living green; I am getting along with my fellow commuters. I feel great!

  Posted by Darlyn Finch Kuhn December 09, 2011 10:36:23

• bike commuting

  I always prefer to commute on side streets because the scenery and air is usually more enjoyable. Some people are just trying to get from A to B in the shortest distance or they like the feeling of the rush and I get that. What I wish for is that the cyclist in busy traffic would make the effort to ride in a way that is predictable for the cars. On less busy streets I feel like I don't have to be do "diligent" in my cycling.

  Posted by twylaoutwest December 06, 2011 09:41:55

• Power thing

  Its a power thing - the minute somebody starts driving a car they automatically take power over smaller road users (bikes and pedestrians) who dare to use the same road they do. Being in another car or a larger vehicle (bus, etc.) is the only power that will counter this. I mostly ride a bike so am surprised when riding in a car how much courtesy cars get from each other. Its very presumptuous to second guess what road anybody should or shouldn't be on, there are many reasons why anybody is in anyone place at any given time!

  Posted by Eric Hart December 06, 2011 09:16:45

• Education

  Until education and infrastructure catch up with the increasing volume of cyclists on the streets, there's going to be an us-against-them mentality. Like Glen in the story, I ride and drive and if I'm going to be honest, generally find the cyclist is the one at fault. That said, drivers are shockingly unaware of how vulnerable a cyclist is (and generate a rage disproportionate to the infraction.) I think every DMV needs to implement a cycling portion into the testing process so you can't get your driver's license without knowing first-hand what it is to ride a bike in traffic.

  Posted by TK December 06, 2011 06:52:02

• Depends

  You never know how far they're going on that busy street. Would you expect someone to take a 5-block detour to reach a bike boulevard to go another 5 blocks and then another 5 blocks to get to where they're going (or turn, or whatever)? Even if it's just two blocks away, that may make your trip 10, 20, 30% longer.
  
  

  Posted by RZ December 05, 2011 15:35:09