As a cyclist and a CanBike instructor, I find many (not all) motorist become lackadaisical about the application of the rules of the road. For example they do not come to full stops at 4-way stops, when waiting to complete a left hand turn they will cross over the centre line into the opposing traffic lane, etc. This is not to say that I do not see some cyclists doing stupid things as well – just yesterday I saw a cyclist riding against traffic on a one-way street. All road users need to follow the rules of the road, but at the same time motorists need to respect a cyclists right to use the roadway.
I would like to point out in the cartoon above Frazz and his friend are not impeding the motorist; there is a passing lane on the left which the motorist could use to safely pass them, just like a motorist would do to pass another motorist. Unfortunately, it has been my impression that many motorists feel that being required to use their driving skills to safely change lanes to pass a cyclist, that the cyclist is “impeding” motorist. As well, they are riding in the daytime so lights an reflectors a not required, and many bike lights with the advent of LEDs are actually quite small and would possibly be difficult to respresent in a drawing of the cartoon’s scale.
With regards to racing cyclists using “bike paths” a couple of questions come to mind. Is the “bike path” actually a bike path or a multi-use path? What’s the difference? A bike path is used by cyclists only. A multi-use path is used by pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters, skaterboarders, people walking their dogs on and off leash, children on bikes, etc. The speed at which on can safely travel on a bike path (only bikes ) vs multi-use (max. is usually 15 km / hour) is very different. Most racers are training at well above 15 km/hour – ie in the 30 to 40 km / hour range depending on the type of training being done. Most racing cyclist I know who are doing training rides are going out for long distances on country roads where traffic is not as heavy, the air is fresher, and there are fewer stoplights.
Finally, much of motorists’ response to cyclists is cultural attitude (and attiutdes can be changed) – I say this because, when I was in Quebec for several weeks a few years back, when cycling on rural highways, the motorists always stayed back behind cyclists, and then crossed over to the other lane to pass when safe to do so. They did not honk their honks or yell at us. But this makes sense as cycling is a big sport in Quebec and hugely supported by the people there.
Be safe on the road everyone; if we drive and ride like everyone else on the road is one of our loved ones, maybe our roads will be a safer place to be.
As a cyclist and a CanBike instructor, I find many (not all) motorist become lackadaisical about the application of the rules of the road. For example they do not come to full stops at 4-way stops, when waiting to complete a left hand turn they will cross over the centre line into the opposing traffic lane, etc. This is not to say that I do not see some cyclists doing stupid things as well – just yesterday I saw a cyclist riding against traffic on a one-way street. All road users need to follow the rules of the road, but at the same time motorists need to respect a cyclists right to use the roadway.
I would like to point out in the cartoon above Frazz and his friend are not impeding the motorist; there is a passing lane on the left which the motorist could use to safely pass them, just like a motorist would do to pass another motorist. Unfortunately, it has been my impression that many motorists feel that being required to use their driving skills to safely change lanes to pass a cyclist, that the cyclist is “impeding” motorist. As well, they are riding in the daytime so lights an reflectors a not required, and many bike lights with the advent of LEDs are actually quite small and would possibly be difficult to respresent in a drawing of the cartoon’s scale.
With regards to racing cyclists using “bike paths” a couple of questions come to mind. Is the “bike path” actually a bike path or a multi-use path? What’s the difference? A bike path is used by cyclists only. A multi-use path is used by pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters, skaterboarders, people walking their dogs on and off leash, children on bikes, etc. The speed at which on can safely travel on a bike path (only bikes ) vs multi-use (max. is usually 15 km / hour) is very different. Most racers are training at well above 15 km/hour – ie in the 30 to 40 km / hour range depending on the type of training being done. Most racing cyclist I know who are doing training rides are going out for long distances on country roads where traffic is not as heavy, the air is fresher, and there are fewer stoplights.
Finally, much of motorists’ response to cyclists is cultural attitude (and attiutdes can be changed) – I say this because, when I was in Quebec for several weeks a few years back, when cycling on rural highways, the motorists always stayed back behind cyclists, and then crossed over to the other lane to pass when safe to do so. They did not honk their honks or yell at us. But this makes sense as cycling is a big sport in Quebec and hugely supported by the people there.
Be safe on the road everyone; if we drive and ride like everyone else on the road is one of our loved ones, maybe our roads will be a safer place to be.