Guest article: Officer Robert Pickett on humility
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on February 27th, 2008 at 10:05 am
(Photo © J. Maus)
Robert Pickett is a member of the Portland Bicycle Advisory Committee, an Alice Award nominee, a regular commenter and contributor to the Forums here on BikePortland.org, and he’s also a Portland Police Officer.
Formerly a member of the Southeast Bike Patrol Unit, he now coordinates that unit along with being a Neighborhood Response Team officer.
Officer Pickett was recently recognized by the Police Bureau for his community policing efforts.
He previously wrote an article explaining why cops ride on sidewalks.
Catching Bees with Humility
A few Monday mornings ago I was at the entrance to the Springwater Corridor at SE 4th and Ivon taking pictures for a proposal I was drafting for PDOT. I’m hoping that removing some non-intuitive stop signs, adding some striping, and making a couple of other little additions might improve bicycle traffic flow between the Corridor and the East Bank Esplanade.
“Are most of us spreading the bicycle message respectfully, or are we making angry demands? Which strategy will best advance the biking cause?”
It was 11am, and chilly. Virtually no motor vehicles or bicycles. No parking either, so I left my car in the middle of the block on 4th Ave. with the hazards on, mostly in the motor vehicle lane, a little in the bicycle lane, thinking that there was still plenty of room for the few cars and bikes to get by for a few minutes. (See Photo)
A solitary man on a bicycle approached swiftly from the north. Mid-thirties, fit, maybe twelve miles per hour.
“Is that your car in the bike lane back there?” he asked as he came close.
“Yeah,” I said innocently, lowering the camera.
“MOVE IT!”
Shock, for a brief moment. Then anger. A vulgar, two word reply quickly came to my mind, but I managed to contain it. The man disappeared toward Sellwood.
He left me seething.
But why so mad? I asked myself after a couple of calming seconds. I realized my rage was partially shame for being caught doing something I probably shouldn’t have. And mostly outrage at the dismissive rudeness of the man. He made no attempt to engage or understand or persuade, just a shouted command followed by a quick getaway.
I realized that in most settings we’d probably find ourselves teammates on the bicycle advocacy squad. But for a few moments, with two shouted words, he’d persuaded me to hate all bikers. Yes, it’s silly and unreasonable to judge a group by the actions of an individual. I know. But I was thinking it. I felt too angry and disrespected to be reasonable.
I quickly recovered, of course. But I worry a different road user, one less bicycle-oriented, might have been made a permanent enemy. How many potential allies are alienated with every yelled epithet or wave of the middle finger?
It made me wonder. Are most of us spreading the bicycle message respectfully, or are we making angry demands? Which strategy will best advance the biking cause?
I’m called to help mediate disputes all the time for my job. I’ve noticed that many people take strongest offense at a disrespectful or dismissive tone, to the extent that it can often overshadow the actual origin of the disagreement. And when the situation disintegrates to the point where someone calls the police, there has usually been enough perceived disrespect that traction toward solutions is virtually impossible, even with the fairest and most reasonable of strategies.
I have met neighbors who have lived angry at each other for years, all stemming from the simplest of perceived slights, like someone parking in front of someone else’s house, but aggravated by derisive communication.
Such anger seems a monumental waste of energy, when a softer approach, which might take a little more time and patience up front, could potentially prove more effective and efficient.
Had Angry Biker Man stopped to say, in a respectful tone, “Hey listen, I’m just a little concerned about your car edging into the bike lane back there and here’s why…,” most Portlanders, the vast majority of whom are quite reasonable, would have said, “sorry about that,” moved the car, and then probably thought twice next time.
Yes there are unreasonable people out there for whom this strategy will not work, and I’m not suggesting that patently reckless, dangerous behavior is acceptable from anyone, but I wonder if there is room to be patient about some auto-driver and bicycle-rider errors. I wonder if it is reasonable to give up a few inches of bike lane if it is safe to do so and it appears temporary.
If the answer is no, I wonder if a considerate request would tame more bees than a shouted demand.
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February 27th, 2008 10:21
I really appreciate the tone and sentiment in this piece. It has some good advice. The interesting point to me is that it seems that being the motor vehicle driver added to the instant rage of the writer. Imagine the same scenario in a grocery store. Leaving your cart in the middle of the isle almost always happens. When I’m the one who left the cart in the isle, I feel obliged to move it for whom ever if they come along. When I come upon a cart left by someone else I seem to be patient as they move out of the way. It’s a different story in the parking lot. I’m guilty. Funny how the car changes our perceived importance.
February 27th, 2008 10:21
Well, of course the other option is...
Don't park in the bike lane!
February 27th, 2008 10:24
Robert, I think is a wonderful piece and that you have very accurately touched on an essential, yet YIKES, difficult consequence of various users sharing the road. Road rage is difficult to tame (have we not all been there at one point - perhaps not out loud but that seething anger within) Unfortunately, as you point out, one false word can lead to lasting negative impressions. Thank you!
February 27th, 2008 10:26
It sounds like the humble officer has gotten a taste of what it is like to be confronted by a rule crazy hall monitor.
Can he not see the irony here?
Citizens do not need to work on respect and humility. Power crazy cops do.
February 27th, 2008 10:32
Yeah, people tend to get a little angry when people violating basic traffic rules and simply being careless *kill* and injure our friends and family members.
Given the death toll and daily harassment we face at the hands of people driving 2-ton death machines (~43,000 deaths/year), I'd say you're lucky we're not angrier.
Writing "Please Don't Run Me Over" isn't working so well - it's time for something more direct.
Oh, and get your car out of my bike lane. When even PPB officers don't respect the rights of bicyclists, how are we ever going to make any progress? We're just supposed to keep asking you nicely while you keep killing us?
February 27th, 2008 10:40
Thanks for the incisive and challenging essay. Having grown up a 97-lb. weakling in a rough neighborhood, I can attest to the power of gentle persuasion rather than brash confrontation.
I think most people turn brash because they are letting their adrenalyne speak instead of their reason or compassion. And I think cyclists often have adrenalyne flowing that they don't even realize, because of the constant fear of large vehicles and inattentive operators causing them injury, or worse.
Fear causes anger. It's a fear we manage or ignore, but you can see the anger rise whenever we're reminded of our frailty. (Check the comments after any tragic post on this blog.)
I think it is important to be conscious of this emotional "background noise" while negotiating traffic. I often find myself starting to curse another road user (driver, cyclist, or pedestrian) for making a "stupid choice". Then I find on reflection that their action only caused me to apply the brakes for a second. Better to take a breath and enjoy the sunshine than let aggravation ruin my ride. I'd rather spend my time forgiving others and moving on than letting hate and anger fill my day.
February 27th, 2008 10:42
"When even PPB officers don't respect the rights of bicyclist"
a.O,
I hear your anger and frustration at the PPB... but I think it's totally misplaced here.
Officer Pickett shares his candid thoughts about an important issue, and you decide to come out swinging? It's funny and ironic because your response is exactly the issue Pickett is raising.
Please understand that to push the movement forward, it will take a lot of different approaches. There is a time and place for anger and agitation, and there is a time and place for being diplomatic and taking a softer approach.
That being said, in my experience, the militant tone evident in your "get your car out of my bike lane," hurts our ability to garner respect much more than it helps.
February 27th, 2008 10:45
It shouldn't be so hard to get a simple concept across in a civil or peaceful way, especially when it's related to safety…..deep down, most people don't want to be a hazard to others - but defensive modes or arrogant attitudes will shut down conversation no matter what.
Considering that, in these settings, we're all moving at speeds other than a walking pace, so these exchanges can happen quickly and it doesn't seem to occur to a lot of people to stop and get out of the car or stand next to the bike and have a full conversation rather than a rapidfire blast of words.
In addition to the mobility with the narrowed window of time it presents for verbal exchanges, this is an extremely violent society, the reality of which has desensitized many people to the point where might will always make right and words - especially peaceful words - have diminished value. In my experience, simple communication or dialogue has thus devolved into yelling matches or vulgar sign language wars.
Unfortunately, while the driver is worried about the dent I could put in their car and wants to gesture, yell or lecture in an extremely derisive way for slowing them down out of caution of my riding skill, I'm busy worrying about whether my helmet will hold up even if the accident is unintentional or if I will have permanent neck problems in the future…perhaps thoughts of no insurance information to exchange or limited forensic support for legal proceedings or action if s/he was driving carelessly and caused me direct or indirect injury.
Somewhere in all the scurry of those thoughts, it DOES occur to me that there MUST be a better way for both of us to arrive at our destinations happy and with klean karma….yea?
Just my initial thoughts on the attention given to our mindfulness of words and our interactions with each other.
February 27th, 2008 10:48
Steve, a.O,
Know your enemy.
Robert Pickett is not your enemy.
Thanks for another insightful piece, Robert. I'm glad we have such a great ally in the PPB and such a good friend in the bike community.
I may not have the most respect for Police in this city, and private security guys cruising downtown sidewalks on bikes may still piss me off, but your writing has brought me more respect for the PPB and bike police on sidewalks.
Keep up the good work. See you on the streets.
February 27th, 2008 10:49
So if a motorist came by and laid on the horn and extended a finger out the window would this article have been written over at 'driveportland.org'?
February 27th, 2008 10:50
"He left me seething.
But why so mad? I asked myself after a couple of calming seconds. I realized my rage was partially shame for being caught doing something I probably shouldn’t have."
This is a great observation.
February 27th, 2008 10:51
Quoting Steve: "Citizens do not need to work on respect and humility. Power crazy cops do."
Steve, have you ever met Officer Pickett? Your comment made me laugh out loud, because I can't think of someone I'd be less likely to describe as "power crazy" than PoPo. If you've been a longtime Bikeportland reader, you will know that PoPo is thoughtful, diplomatic, very educated on bike issues, and a dedicated bicyclist himself. I think he's earned the right to speak his piece here and be considered in the same thoughtful and reflective vein in which he wrote his piece.
Also, I strongly disagree with you: we all, as citizens and members of this community of bicyclists, have an obligation to be respectful of each other and humble when appropriate. That's what civilization (not to mention being a productive advocate) means.
February 27th, 2008 10:58
Any person capable of removing life and liberty from another is my enemy. I know him well. He wears a badge and a silly little uniform.
He tickets, imprisons and harasses. He gets angry when other people critique his illegal actions. He wants you to do as he says, not as he does.
He is a childish hypocrite. He is a cop. There is no situation so bad that a cop can not make it worse.
Officer Pickett said-
"He left me seething."
Who needs to work on humility again officer? Try not violating basic traffic laws instead of lecturing the masses.
The fact that you are left 'seething' by a citizen pointing out your illegal actions has me terrified that you are allowed to carry and operate a firearm with impunity.
Perhaps instead of lecturing us, you should enroll in an anger management course? Or pursue a more honorable line of work.
February 27th, 2008 10:58
I like the essay. As a passive/nonconfrontational individual, I'm sure I would have ridden right by the parked car, maybe had some thoughts, but no actions. Even if the car was blocking the bike lane, I would have gone around and probably wouldn't have said a thing. I think it really comes down to the individual and their attitude. Just because of who was involved in this incident it stands out, but it happens all the time like comment #1.
Oh, and I'll always like Officer Pickett, he recovered my stolen bike!
February 27th, 2008 10:58
It is ironic when a call to be reasonable is met with such obstinance and disregard. I too am frustrated by the pettiness of people and it seems like some people are waiting for a reason to snap. The problem is usually exacerbated by lack of accountability, in this case the cyclist's ability to ride away.
The real tragedy is that cyclists are painted with the same broad brush. People's pattern seeking brains are very impressionable, and when a cyclist is a jerk, it can change how they relate to all cyclists. And since we are in a vulnerable position relative to other traffic, the consequence of callousness can be disastrous.
Steve, just as I don't want to be bundled together with jerk cyclists, I'm sure Officer Pickett doesn't appreciate being stereotyped by his profession.
February 27th, 2008 10:59
I know Robert Pickett is not my enemy, and I'm glad that he is willing to constructively engage the problem. However, I think we have a good faith disagreement on the approach(es) necessary to stop the loss of life on the streets of Portland.
I ride through that area every morning and my path is very often blocked by people parked in the bike lane. It is quite frustrating and I take it very seriously, because it often means I have to ride dangerously close to vehicles that can kill me instantly and that will yell at me and intentionally drive within feet of me in an attempt to intimidate me off the road. I'm sure reasonble people can see how that might be dangerous.
So, pretty please, with sugar on top, would you please please please stop parking in the bike lane?
February 27th, 2008 11:08
That bike lane on SE 4th between Caruthers and the Springwater Trail entrance is just plain stupid, it should be marked as a pedestrian facility, and not as a bike facility.
February 27th, 2008 11:09
A problem that we face as cyclists that we do NOT share with motorists: when motorists break the rules, it often poses an immediate threat of death or serious injury to us. Too many and too frequent threats of such a nature aren't conducive of a friendly attitude. Rather, they often tend to inspire suppressed rage. That could be what Officer Pickett observed.
We need the Officer Picketts of the world to start taking this asymmetry a lot more seriously, by cracking down on dangerous motorists. This is not a situation that calls for "evenhandedness," not when a motorist's bent fender can translate for a cyclist or pedestrian to months in the intensive care unit.
Even something as "minor" as a motorist driving up alongide someone and suddenly shouting out their windows at the top of their lungs needs to be taken seriously. Motorists who do this should at least be charged with "menacing." Currently, they are under the sense of enjoying almost total impunity for such actions. Otherwise, these would surely not be such frequent occurrences.
February 27th, 2008 11:10
Words of wisdom that translate to all manner of settings. As I told my war-hungry students all those years ago when the U.S. was preparing to bomb Iraq. Sit down and have a meal with your "enemy" first, then decide if you still want him killed. It's so easy to hate the anonymous - but much more difficult when you realize commonalities. Lives can be saved with this kind of thinking.
February 27th, 2008 11:11
yes yes i agree with Maus, it's hard to get people together when others are so adamant on making it "us vs. them".
i also understand that anger one develops on the road, someone cutting you off (this could be from the cyclists' or drivers' viewpoint) or those near misses you just want to retaliate with a "FUUUUUCK YOU!!" or smacking someone's hood with your fist telling them to wake up. i am usually about 2 blocks away before i start cursing and seething, which i guess is a good thing because honestly, it just makes things worse.
I'm not saying everyone is going to respond well to rational words, some people are by nature irrational, and some people deserve getting yelled at. I'm just saying if we're going to get people to understand biking in Portland, they're not going to get it with us screaming at them all the time.
February 27th, 2008 11:15
steve -
*everyone* needs to work on respect and humility.
i dont know officer pickett, and im not known for being the biggest fan of cops, but his tone and approach (at least in his writing) is one id be a hell of a lot happier seeing in more cops than i do.
and considering the photo of his car (which wasnt up yet when i first read this article), im gonna have to side with him on this one - yeah, he shouldnt park in the bike lane, but theres a GIANT SPACE between his car and the building - it beats the hell out of the lets-see-how-much-traffic-i-cant-screw-up parking approach that many ppb officers seem to have when stopping.
the true irony of all this, to me, is a cyclist yelling at someone whos in the midst of trying to make their ride that much easier, smoother, and safer - something they likely would have found out, if theyd taken the time to stop and talk nicely, rather than being a jerk about it.
February 27th, 2008 11:22
mmm...Steve..you've got issues..
your life and liberty will only be removed if you break societies laws...sounds like you're just pissed that you have to play by some rules...
February 27th, 2008 11:32
I like this essay, but I do think Officer Picket should have parked in a legitimate parking spot, and then walked to the site he was taking photos at. Cyclists are offered so little space as it is, that I know I'm extremely offended as soon as a car's side mirror hangs over the line.
And I've tried the nice request, and been told to 'F' off multiple times by people who refuse to take a blow to their pride for parking incorrectly. (i.e. how DARE someone point a finger at the decision I made) So don't anymore, instead I shout, scowl, beat my fist on a car, etc.-because I'd rather shout the injustice first, then take the defensive heat of the person in the wrong. I'd rather it not be that way, but I don't trust the people doing the reckless behavior to be willing and open to a conversation.
I would rather see a car block an entire lane of car traffic, then see it edge halfway in the lane, and partway into the bike lane. At least if you're all the way into the car lane their is a clear indication for a car to go around, it doesn't put the bike in a dangerous situation at having to navigate either between parked cars on 1.5 feet of space, or pull around the vehicle to the left and into traffic.
February 27th, 2008 11:35
Is this dude the, "wsbob", by any chance? That would figure. "Can't we all just get along?", again coming from the involved party who broke the rules, was called on it, and now can't let it go. You were in the wrong, Mr. Pickett. "But I didn't think it was all that big-o-deal", I've said to how many cops? Ya. I don't get a lot of traction with defending my mistakes that way either, why should you? I love how the photo of your car is there to make it look like the person who had a problem with you illegally parked in a bike lane, had a problem with something that was no big deal.
Nice try. You were either illegally parked, or you weren't. I can clearly see in the photo that you were parked illegally. End of story. Where is your ticket for violation of Oregon Revised Statute 811.435? Why do you feel entitled to set, and follow your own rules, Mr. Pickett? Typical cop. While I'm at it, what law did the person violate when they told you that you were breaking the law? None, right?
The attitude is what bothered you? That coming from a cop? Are you kidding me, here? There is no law requiring U.S. citizens to be nice about anything. The cyclist who told you to, "MOVE IT", was perfectly within their right, and you were stone-cold busted.
You opened your guest article by owning up to your mistake. You went on to identify your lashing out as a reaction caused by shame. You should have left it there, and avoided coming into a cycling forum, preaching to us how to behave in public. You, the one illegally parked in a bike lane.
You are a cop, not a cyclist. You were in the wrong, not the concerned citizen who called you on it. Humility indeed. You brake the law, and then have the audacity to come in here and start telling real cyclists how it's going to be. Shameless.
Now if you'all will excuse me, I have to figure out why I've found myself in agreement with a.O. twice in one day.
February 27th, 2008 11:36
Please, friends, let's not let our justifiable anger at drivers who endanger us spill over into attacks on a bike-friendly police officer who candidly acknowledged his mistake (he didn't have to do that or even post this piece) and his understandable feelings of resentment (you can't argue with feelings -- he felt it -- but you can then try to deal with them properly, as he did) and then both explained why that feeling was unreasonable, AND made constructive suggestions for better dialogue. Although he did leave room for bikes to pass, he admitted his mistake and made a constructive suggestion that will benefit everyone.
As noted above, he's not the enemy, and this isn't the place to vent those feelings of anger at others who are ... unless we're prepared to take the next step, as Pickett did, and after admitting our negative reflexive response, move on to deal with it appropriately. Like by acknowledging the guy's honesty and constructive tone.
I know we're usually the victims and usually in the right, and I get pissed off on the roads too, and angry at PPB's frequent (but maybe diminishing?) anti bike attitudes. But it sure can't hurt to just lower the volume and hostility a bit. When someone offers you a handshake, don't slap it away.
I hope Officer Pickett's attitude will spread throughout PPB, and I hope we do everything we can to encourage that. We can start by applauding, not attacking, his commendably thoughtful, honest pro-bike gesture here. Then resume fire -- a bit more politely perhaps -- on more deserving targets. There's plenty of them about.
February 27th, 2008 11:38
p.s. thanks to Officer Picket for being an inspirer of conversation in difficult topics. I appreciate your sentiments here, and respect that we're all human, and make mistakes, and that you're someone who is willing to advocate for a different and more proactive approach, especially when we're seething in anger.
February 27th, 2008 11:43
@#5 Very thoughtful closing paragraph. Forgiveness is indeed a lot less stressful for me too.
Also appreciate the idea of "emotional background noise." That's a good term for a something that may influence a lot of communication on all sorts of matters.
Yeah, I thought for good while before writing about this, particularly because of the parking in the bike lane thing--worried about opening myself up to personal attack, and worried about that distracting from the other questions in the essay. (There should be a picture of my car up soon so people can add to their base of information on that, one way or another.)
I decided it was worth the risk, however.
It seemed useful to write from the perspective of a car driver (me) who unintentionally irritated a bicycle rider on that day, as the issue seems to come up a lot, is going to continue to happen as Portlanders continue to be traffic of all modes on our streets, and I believe considering issues from various perspectives is usually worthwhile.
There is a range of people who read this blog, and everyone has different reactions to such things. It is actually this diversity that makes Jonathan's work so intersecting and important--it has provided a gathering place for a huge range of bicycle riders (and non-bicycle riders) with all sorts of experiences and backgrounds and tolerance. We can learn from each other here, and gain exposure to new ways of thinking.
There is no doubt that some people think that the more respectful communication tactics described are not effective. My experience has been otherwise, but I don't know everything, and here's another chance for me to hear reasons to the contrary.
And I'm not surprised that a few folks are focusing in on the car in the bike lane. That also seemed the focus for the rider on that day. I just thought it might be helpful to broaden the focus a little and see if there was anything more to learn/discuss.
February 27th, 2008 11:48
You obviously have never visited an innocent person in prison, bahueh.
Or bothered to read a newspaper? Already forgotten about James Chasse?
You have nothing to worry about unless you have done something wrong, eh? Sounds like that little gem fell straight out of Faux news.
As an example. Officer Pickiett was the one breaking the law. His take on having that pointed out? Seething rage. He could just as easily chased down the cyclist and ticketed him, arrested him, or shot him.
I have been ticketed for 'disturbing the peace' and 'interfering with an officer of the law'. My offense? Questioning two police who were illegally parked in a bike lane. They were busy harassing homeless youth. My critique of their illegal actions led to me being punished.
Methinks you need to pull your head out of the sand. Or perhaps your nether regions..
Your life and liberty can be removed at a cops discretion. Sorry to burst your fairy tale bubbleland. They are the judge, the jury and increasingly, the executioner.
Cops should have their cars and weapons impounded. Make the bastids walk around in their funny outfits with a radio and a wiffle ball bat.
February 27th, 2008 11:58
holy hell people, the point of the article is not about the car being parked in the bike lane, or his "seething" after the comment by the cyclist. it's about the attitude that we have when we see a car doing something we do not like. how about we just step back, stop nitpickin' on the dude who also happens to drive a car as well as ride a bike, and read the rest of the damned article?
this whole thread is pretty much describing exactly what he's talking about. learn to use your big words, and keep your head cool.
February 27th, 2008 11:59
I agree with BURR, there shouldn't even be a bike lane there. It's an industrial area with a lot of trucks needing to park to load/unload. To be honest, if I would of saw the car there, I probably would have been amazed at how much room there was, compared to how it usually looks when I go through. Buuuut no, there was no reason to park there, and also no reason for the agro response to being parked there.
February 27th, 2008 12:10
Did you guys read that article? There wasn't any traffic. I think the point is pretty clear: Don't be an asshole.
I don't think anyone would argue that there are police who are assholes - as assholes can be found in every segment and vocation.
Was the guy on the bike in the article an asshole? Yes he was.
When people on bikes are assholes, does it contribute to the impression among others that all bikers are assholes? Quite possibly, and this, I believe, is the thesis of this article.
Of course people in cars are often assholes too. This is natural, because statistically, there are more people in cars - more chances to run into an asshole.
In a completely benign situation, as was described in this article, there was no justification for being an asshole. In fact, being one was actually counter productive for it did not encourage the "driver" to become more considerate for the more vulnerable bicyclist. Instead, it filled the driver (who is, let us not forget, otherwise a bicycle sympathizer) with rage at the assholiness of the biker.
Therefore, unless the goal of the biker, in this particular scenario, was to be an asshole, he did not succeed in achieving his goal.
Speaking of which - a while back I was at a Max stop at 6am (alone, on a weekend) and someone on the opposite side of the street, at the far end of the terminal (about 100+ feet away, wind going oppsite direction) noticed me smoking a cigarette came charging over to be directly opposite me and yelled crazy threats to call the police: This is also classic ASSHOLE behavior! (unrelated, but I wanted to get that off my chest)
So let's all try NOT to be assholes when it will go directly against achieving a positive result or make us less likely of achieving positive goals.
Being an asshole when it is justified is not necessarily being an asshole, and the whole concept is subjective -- so to clarify, I'm not* referring to those situations. Just unjustified (i.e. counter productive) assholiness.
*the article also does not seem to be
February 27th, 2008 12:15
The piece could have easily been written from the opposite point of view, a cyclists reaction when being caught breaking the law by a driver, and being called on it.
It was very enlightening, and telling. If more of us took the time to think about these situations and react logically rather than emotionally things would be a lot better out on the road.
February 27th, 2008 12:16
We have photo evidence. We have a written confession. Citizen issued citation anyone?
February 27th, 2008 12:16
damn - when I started typing that there were only four comments but then I went away from my desk, came back, added a couple words and click "send" and i see everyone has already responded (I'd say more eloquently than I).
el timito makes a good point. Still, let's remember to keep our asshole tendencies (we all have them) to asshole-appropriate scenarios.
February 27th, 2008 12:21
what the hell happened here. it's like you turn around and even without thinking people spew a ton of words that are not working towards peace or understanding or even mutual cooperation...just brute force.
as a demil activist who grew up outside the US and now lives in Imperial Rome whichis blindly at war with the world as well as itself, that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO encouraging. thanks fer the inspiration, there! I hope someday those of you who are "sowing seeds of anger" to quote the venerable homeboy thich nhat hanh, will see the collateral damage done:
those of us who are not cops are witnessing an exchange that is not conducive to solving any problems faced by society whatsoever. how is this cool for us? Likewise, the bystanders watching a similar exchange on the street will walk away with a sense of despair.
Consider the pathological society which has brought forth the complacency towards this crap. this is an unacceptable situation -- so, now what?
February 27th, 2008 12:21
While there are people like Steve that just seem to hate all police officers, that actually isn't the point of this story in the slightest. So, moving on...
I was driving my mother's car, (with my mother in it,) a few weeks ago and was trying to go onto a busy street from a side one and so was stopped in the middle of the (unmarked) crosswalk when a pedestrian in the crosswalk came along and was annoyed that I was there. He hit the car and screamed some obscenities, and it wasn't until 10-15 minutes later that I'm going over it in my head and realizing that the guy wasn't crazy, or anything else, he just thought I should have stopped further back.
Now I'm fully willing to admit that I'm not the best [car] driver, but I do know the laws, and the pedestrian was right, I should have stopped further back. And given that I often walk on that exact same sidewalk, I do share his frustration with cars there as well, and I'm sure that his intentions were actually very simple: He wanted to inform me that I shouldn't block the crosswalk.
And the point of my story, and this story, is that the way you communicate that information is far more important than the actual message you are communicating... Letting people know that they shouldn't do X (park in the bike lane in Pickett's case, or block the crosswalk in mine) is a good idea, because [hopefully] in the future they won't do it again. But if you do it in a manor that makes enemies out of them, they'll do it again out of spite. Sometimes there isn't time for that, (cars trying to merge into you,) but given the exchange of dialog in this story, I'm guessing this isn't one of them...
February 27th, 2008 12:24
steve -
please keep posting. your comments are hilarious.
"I have been ticketed for 'disturbing the peace' and 'interfering with an officer of the law'." - best punchline so far!
February 27th, 2008 12:27
As much as I agree with the sentiment of this piece, most roadway confrontations are set in a much faster-paced environment than the setting in which Officer Pickett and "Angry Biker Man" had their exchange. In their setting, there was space and time to have a thoughtful, calm exchange over the fact that Officer Pickett obstructed the bike lane with his car. In other scenarios which constitute the bulk of cyclist-motorist confrontations, there is no room for discussion unless both parties feel like pulling over... which in many cases would be the pretext for a fistfight. When a car nearly nails you on an arterial, how often are you able to recover, pedal hard and catch up to the offender at the next light and say, "Gee golly, sir, you nearly killed me back there. I'm kind of upset about it, maybe you'd like to sit down with me and talk about it over tea sometime?"
I think Officer Pickett's Angry Biker Man was out of line, but his scenario isn't a cyclist-motorist interaction issue. It's a cyclist-pedestrian issue. If someone is on their own, outside of a car, you need to treat them as they are, a real person. When you fail to give that basic respect, you make an enemy for yourself, and sometimes an enemy for the greater cycling community. As a cyclist out on the street, it is much easier to make a pedestrian ally than a motorist ally. I believe we need to prioritize good relations with pedestrians, with the expectation that they'll remember their good impression of cyclists later when they get in a car.
I wouldn't want to imply we have the liberty to treat drivers without respect, but the fact is the dynamic of being in an enclosed vehicle makes it easy for drivers to forget that we, cyclists, are real people. How else can you gain a driver's attention, without yelling insults? Until there is a binding, universal hand sign for "pull over, let's have a nice chat," cyclist-motorist exchanges stemming from near-misses (etc.) will not move past middle-fingers and vulgar epithets as Officer Pickett hopes.
February 27th, 2008 12:40
Its called flexibility and efficiency. I wouldn't even have blinked at a car parked like that, its just not a big deal. I can get by, someone's working and it just doesn't matter. Being nice and cheerful is much more important.
For example, i was out cruising around, went by, caught up to a cyclist at an interesection, I was like "nice day, isn't it?" And the response was "wheres your helmet?" Huh? My feeling was similar to Roberts.. so that how you respond to pleasantness? Wtf? why do you want to know where my helmet is? how do you know even if i have a helmet? Are you threatening me, do you think i need a helmet because you are going to run into me? Sorry but people don't think, being unpleasant is a dangerous activity.
February 27th, 2008 12:54
There are unpleasant people in the world. I've spouted an unpleasant shout or two in the heat of a dangerous/frustrating situation. Do I know it's unnecessary? Of course. I usually feel bad in hindsight. I've also been known to inform somebody in a calm polity way that they are doing something hazardous or illegal. The angry cyclist may have juat had a horrible day at work. Ever had one Popo? I'll bet you've never unnecessarily barked an order at anyone either. The world is never going to be perfect, with everyone being polite to everyone all of the time. Sure, the streets would be much more pleasant if that were the case, but it's not.
Also, just curious, have you ever left someone a ticket for the same thing you're guilty of while riding your beat?
CC
February 27th, 2008 12:58
Agreed #32. Oregon Revised Statute 811.435 I believe is the law that was violated. I'm wondering why no citation myself?
February 27th, 2008 13:06
I have to laugh at everybody who has suddenly discovered the vehicle code, and wants it STRICTLY enforced NOW!
hahahaha
February 27th, 2008 13:07
I think there's also something very basic going on in all confrontations - the biological reaction to having another animal raise their back at you.
It's really stressful! Especially if you know you've done something wrong, whether really wrong or just a little wrong. I sometimes call out bicyclists or motorists for running stop signs or driving over diverters, and even as I do it in a sing-song "Hey did you know you aren't supposed to cross that thing? Oh OK just checking!" kind of way, I still see their shoulders rise up and their heart rate go up and they try and end the conversation as fast as possible.
Confrontation is uncomfortable. No matter how right you are, making the other person feel less threatened will make them feel more receptive to what you're saying. And isn't that what we want?
I would guess that, since I'm a zealot, there's a 95% chance I would have stopped and scolded Officer Pickett for parking in the bike lane. That's the kind of thing I do. I hope, now that I think about it, that I would have done it in a way that made him feel like we were on the same team.
Thanks for this insightful "turn-the-tables" story Robert - it's made me think more critically about how I approach drivers and bicyclists alike as I cruise around town on my Zealot-cycle.
February 27th, 2008 13:17
What a bunch of ninnies. Seriously. Whining about every little infraction.
I'm sure your tune would change if you got a ticket for every time you roll-stopped - which is a much greater offense under ORS, btw.
The guy was BARELY into the bike lane. You would have to be borderline retarded to decide to swerve into the traffic lane AROUND his the parked car.
I'm no fan of the police, or our overabundance of laws but COME ON. You folks just look like fools dogpiling on Officer Pickett. It's no wonder why cyclists in Portland have an image problem!
And to the comments made regarding the asymmetry of risk for different road users - right there with you on that one. A Vehicular Homicide law would be a good legislative start and then some much needed infrastructural changes. It's a tough problem to solve completely as we are all about the Car Culture, but progress can be made...
February 27th, 2008 13:48
Thank you, Officer Pickett, for a thoughtful reflection.
Officer Pickett clearly should not have parked partly in the bike lane, and he knew better (tsk, tsk). But this discussion is about attitudes.
I have angrily slammed my fist down on many a hood and yelled profanity, to see a shocked and horrified driver, who only then realized that they were about to run me over. Where my safety is at stake, I make no excuses for angry gestures- whatever it takes to get the driver's attention.
However, in cases like this, we have an opportunity to educate. Perhaps I am naive, but I think that most drivers are merely ignorant and not malicious. I try to reinforce good behavior. When a driver stops to allow me to cross an intersection or swings wide and slowly to pass me, I wave a thank you.
It's not often that we have a slow speed opportunity such as the one illustrated here for dialogue. Sure, maybe a driver in the same situation would have hurled insults, but we should aspire to the high road.
When I caught my mother-in-law parked in a bike lane and asked her to move her car, she exclaimed, "Really? It doesn't say you can't park there." She is a conscientious driver and knows that her sons and daughter-in-law are avid cyclists. She just needed to be educated. If I had yelled at her (well, that certainly would not bode well for family relations), she would have only remembered the yelling and anger and not changed her behavior.
February 27th, 2008 13:55
I appreciate the officer's essay. It brings to mind a confrontation I had last week. A giant SUV crossed right in front of me, no sigal, could have easily hit me. When we were both stopped at the next light I noticed her window was open so I looked her in the eye and explained, calmly, what she just did. I scolded, but she said weakly, "Sorry".
At the time, I thought she just didn't care, and it annoyed me. But maybe she heard me. I think that addressing someone as another person, looking them in the eye does two things. 1) For most of us, it makes us moderate our behavior, and 2)you see the message delivered. No matter the tone that comes across, being real with a person, instead of being passive-aggressive, avoidingly violent, might be more effective.
February 27th, 2008 14:08
yes, Steve...you definitely have issues.
you come across as pretty young...don't worry, you'll grow up one of these days.
February 27th, 2008 14:09
This article is SPOT ON. Now that I live downtown and walk more than ride I have come across SO many rude cyclists. I can easily see why we are so often disrespected after the sense of entitlement many cyclists have. I'm embarassed by some of these people.
February 27th, 2008 14:10
and Steve...I have visited local jails...
nobody in there is guilty from what I heard from their own mouths.....kind of funny that way...
quit mixing issues...and quit your cop hating diatribes...they aren't productive .
February 27th, 2008 14:21
Hey there...we're all people, so let's treat each other gently as much as we can. Yep...in a car it's easy to be oblivious and many are. Yep, cyclists are vulnerable. But if we as cyclists treat every driver who makes an honest mistake like a malicious death-machine pilot, then no good will come to either party. Sure, I get mad sometimes too. I get mad when cyclists are killed, I get mad when I have near misses. I get mad at the unabashed assholes. I'm no saint. I've even gotten mad reading some of the above comments. But let's not assume the worst about people. Thanks for the article, Officer Pickett. And thanks for this forum, Jonathan.
February 27th, 2008 14:31
For whatever it's worth, I for one am well-aware of my personal need to work on being more respectful and more patient. I am also well-aware that I am sometimes too strident and that I occasionally alienate some whom I shouldn't, and that that's counter-productive. Anyway, that's pretty thorough litany of my personality flaws, but I'd be happy to discuss this further if anyone is interested. After all, I can't improve if I don't understand the problem.
February 27th, 2008 15:20
once again, it's not a bike lane it's a glorified sidewalk. I never ride in it, I'd rather use the street, and I have no problems with where officer pickett parked his vehicle. What would irritate me a heck of a lot more would be receiving a ticket for failure to use the bike lane at this location, I believe at one point Barnum and Balzer were setting up down there to give exactly these sorts of tickets out.
February 27th, 2008 16:05
can i get a shout out to selective observation?
a cop made a minor mistake with really no consequences(dont give me some 'this time' bs) and the revolution begins. do you people stand around a murder scene preparing torches and sharpening machetes while waiting for a lawman to drop a piece of lettuce out of a sandwich and kill him for littering?
Great article with a fresh perspective.
February 27th, 2008 16:06
I've found that I've lost some of my forebearence towards car drivers. I've noticed that I'm turning into a "militant" cyclist. I shake my head at the people who are on cell phones when they pass were some time ago I wouldn't have cared. I shake my head at drivers who encroach on crosswalks when stopped at lights. When I've encountered driver hostility (and I have), I've reacted with anger quite quickly where some time ago I would have just ignored it.
I have commented on this new militancy. I think it is because it is my life and limb that is at stake. Constantly!!
Some drivers don't seem to care that their inattention can dent their fender, maybe crack their windshield, and most probably kill me.
On 92nd ave, south of division, there is construction going on and there is often a construction vehicle parked and blocking all or part of the bicycle lane. This forces me to swerve into traffic and increases my risk of harm. I'm already looking out for glass, potholes, rocks, etc. My only protection (apparently) is a line of paint on the road and the hope that the driver coming up behind me isn't fiddling with the radio, eating a burger or otherwise not paying attention. I already have to worry about right hooks and left hooks.
And now a bicycle advocate and a member of PoPo doesn't like the attitude of someone who objects to his breaking the law.
If I have to ride in a bike lane (I know there are exceptions) he should keep his car out of it.
February 27th, 2008 16:25
Wow...
Thanks PoPo for posting your thoughts.
I can understand a strong reaction when there is a threat because of careless driving or a verbal or physical attack. The threat is significant and unpredictable, so emotions and adrenaline can run high. I think PoPo's reaction to being snarled at is the same I have when snarled at.... It's a verbal attack. I bet none of the people on this board who are currently riled-up about PoPo's reaction would react at all differently in the context. Clearly.
On top of that, getting so excited over a "technical" parking violation that did not remotely affect use or access to the bike lane is grossly disproportionate. Militants often give whatever they support a bad name by their.... militancy. I think the ride-by rider and the folks here who are so excited about this parking situation need to get a grip. If they/you all expect literal compliance of every traffic code REGARDLESS of context, then full stops are in order all around for every one of those dead-quiet residential stops signs that most of us roll.
There is a difference "infractions" that cause problems or threats, and those that don't. Inconsequential "infractions" are just that...
February 27th, 2008 16:41
a.O., thank you for admitting your short-comings; we should all be so humble. I just wish you'd stop picking on my friend Robert Pickett just because he's a cop. You should meet him before you pass such sharp judgment on him.
Sorry, that's all. I know this post isn't related to the story.
February 27th, 2008 16:49
You know, I read this page because I am a cyclist (and a motorist) and very sympathetic to bicycle safety issues. I like Officer Picket's article, and I think it is a great contribution to the discussion on this Blog. As a cycling community, the concern should be about how to bring about positive change. Individual tirades, tantrums, acts of violence may feel good, but they are only going to offend many who might eventually come to our side. If we behave that way as individuals we allow the opposition to paint all of us with that brush.
Paul
February 27th, 2008 17:02
Sounds like quite a number of people on here need to take an anger management class or two or three or...
No wonder cyclists can't get ahead in this society, if this is the way we treat someone who is trying to help.
No wonder there's so much low-level evil around, with this much anger and fury filling everyone at any infraction no matter how small.
We are a self-defeating community, folks.
February 27th, 2008 17:05
the guy didn't seem to have a problem going around the car. the picture easily illustrates this. yeah parking in a lane of travel is a violation but c'mon us cyclists need to stop the negativity as noted in this very well written article.
February 27th, 2008 17:14
Robert has discovered what many of us outside the Portland biking community already know. There are far too many cyclists in this town who are rude, arrogant, vulgar, and don't obey the rules of the road.
They're a minority, but they're a large minority, and they're ruining the reputation of the entire cycling community.
To quote my favorite comic strip, "We have met the enemy and he is us."
February 27th, 2008 17:42
The car was not blocking the bike lane. We all share parts of lanes all the time. I "share" part of the next laned with other motor vehicles to give more room to bikes to my right all of the time. It's legal to enter the bike lane as long as you yield to bikes.
The jerk in this story is the person who reprimands but doesn't hang out to talk. A bicyclist yelling "move it" as he rides by is no different than a motorist who honks (or guns the engine, or . . .)and is gone. Unavailable for reproach. That's why the "two word epithet" would actually have been appropriate. It is unacceptable in some circles, but on the road it translates to: "get back here and talk about it if it's important".
Don't preach and run.
Matt
February 27th, 2008 18:56
There is line between raging at someone and having a sharp word with someone who is screwing up. Telling some one to "Move It!" is not raging at someone.
For example, on the way home tonight I was right hooked. I knew she was going to do it. I positioned myself so she could not hurt me, and she did receive a sharp "LOOK!" as she jumped out of her skin.
Did I rage at her? No, not in my opinion. she was acting carelessly, she had passed me half a block before the light, and less experienced cyclist could have easily been hit by her. She needed a wake up call and it was probably better that the call was some scary old coot on a bike, rather than a kid laying in a pool of blood.
I make no effort to be the "Bike Avenger" and correct all the wrong I see, but from time to I will risk the karma debt to point out an error. For those of you who are offended by the negative energy I brought into the universe I apologize, I am doing the best I can.
February 27th, 2008 19:35
Officer Pickett, thank you for taking a look at this trouble area and trying to come up with a safe solution for everyone who uses the road/multiuse path here. I hope your proposal gets approved.
There are many intersections around town that could be made safer, and I appreciate that you're spending time on it. I've been wondering what groups would be in charge of assessing the safety of areas around town, whether it would be PDOT, PPB, or city planners.
Again, thank you!
February 27th, 2008 19:35
TO THE DUDE THAT WROTE THE #13 COMMENT -
Police officers write tickets, they don't put people in prison, the courts do. They don't harass innocent people. Obey the law, and you should be fine. I'm sure everyone that goes to prison is innocent, thats how they got there, right? I obey the law, and i have never been bothered by the people who uphold the law. I will agree that there are a few bad apples, and there have been some unjust shootings by the badge here in Portland, but i've been to other cities where the citizens are policed at a much more strict level.
I believe if you feel so negative about the police then you have issues. Police officers don't harass most people unless they have a reason to, or believe you don't obey the laws, they however, do not send you to prison without your day in court. And then the court sends you to prison based on your actions that got you arrested in the first place.
You are so off base here it's not even funny. Educate yourself, you might find that you will be better off at life in a thriving civilization.
February 27th, 2008 20:06
Sara,
Thank you for your comments. 503-823-SAFE is a good entry point to PDOT to make them aware of potential safety problems. As I learned in PSU's Traffic and Transportation course this past fall, however, it is important to be patient and persistent, as there are way too many projects for them and too little manpower and money. We were told to expect "no" at least six times before getting to "yes" in response to a proposal.
The police don't normally do this, but this is an area where I commonly ride on my days off and also see lots of problems, so I figured I'd try to tackle it off-duty. I am also going through PDOT...we'll see it it gets anywhere!
February 27th, 2008 20:19
Let's see here, on the one hand we have a cop that was parking in the bike lane (a little) and a guy on a bike yells at him for it, and his feelings are hurt. On the other hand we have a bunch of angry cyclists that rolled through a stop sign at about 1 MPH when there was no oncoming traffic and get $240 tickets, when cars that do the same thing are not ticketed. And the cop wonders why there is so much hostility in cyclists? When an infraction that kills and seriously injures cyclists is fined at $182 and is seldom enforced, but stings are set up to catch cyclists rolling stop signs, cyclists get testy. And the cop wonders why...
Opus
February 27th, 2008 21:12
Thanks, PoPo, for a great essay. It's hard enough to be introspective in our private lives. It takes courage to do so in a public forum.
Thanks, too, for trying to improve traffic flow between the Springwater and the Esplanade. It's part of my commuting route. I hope you can get PDOT to modify the stop signs at the intersection of Division and Water. It would make more sense to stop traffic on Water St before it turns onto Division rather than forcing traffic (i.e., cyclists) to stop on Division before crossing Water.
February 27th, 2008 21:32
Some of us are so quick to critique the manners of someone else without looking within at our own behavior.
A few us are willing to analyze our own actions and situations with a genuine desire to understand them and learn from them.
It saddens a part of me to think that perhaps one's inability to judge himself in the same stringent regard they so easily do others is a fundamental reason why progress comes so slowly to society and why society is destined to repeat the same mistakes over and again.
February 27th, 2008 21:47
To all the self-proclaimed "revolutionaries" and "non-conformists" and "anarchists"...
Way to stick it to the man! Rant and rave lame-ass uneducated diatribes about one of the few police officers who actually have proven themselves sympathetic and helpful to bicyclists in Portland. And do so while missing the whole point of the article.
Personally, I've never met officer Pickett, but I've read his contributions on this site and heard about him in the community. And his point in the article is relevant and applicable to anyone who rides or drives.
EVERYONE can benefit from extending courtesy instead of rudeness. Regardless of who's at fault. It costs nothing to take a moment and be human instead of an asshole.
February 27th, 2008 21:48
I gather from PoPo's post #27, "(There should be a picture of my car up soon so people can add to their base of information on that, one way or another." PoPo) that there wasn't an accompanying picture showing the position of his car in relation to the bike lane and main lane of traffic. Based on his written description of where he parked before the pic was posted, a lot of people seem to have concluded that he made the bike path impassable for any bikes.
From what I can see in the picture, Pickett/PoPo was almost entirely reasonable in the way he carefully positioned his car so as to minimally block both bike lane and main traffic lane. Based on what's visible in the picture, most bikes could easily get through the space between car and wall. The cyclist should have interpreted the fact that the cars flashers were on to mean that the car possibly had some kind of breakdown.
The exception to Picket/PoPo's otherwise entirely reasonable act of parking his car where he did, is the fact that he was off-duty and not driving an official car. In their official cars, cops seem to be able to park wherever they want, and do. People may not dislike a cop any less than a civilian when they do that, but maybe they accept the situation more readily when a cop does this. All things considered, maybe he should have parked in a regular parking space, if there were one nearby.
I'm not sure I would have been particularly upset about the cyclists reaction...not that he didn't have some justification for responding to the situation the way he did. Cyclists are abused, disrespected, and terrorized regularly. Not everyone handles all of this so well. There a lot of very weary people out there, and it seems inevitable that some of them will respond this way to that kind of situation.
Vance #24, sorry ol' man, the indignant cyclist wasn't me. You'll have to go grind your axe somewhere else today.
February 27th, 2008 22:58
If you'd like to see what stereotyping and always seeking retribution leads to, read an article in the paper about a typical day in the Middle East. Those sort of relationships and interactions will certainly not lead to safer streets for cyclists and more respect for our cause.
Officer Pickett provided an insightful and thoughtful piece with a common sense message -- forgiveness and treating others with basic respect will produce far better results in furthering one's goals than acting out of anger and retribution. Unfortunately, current events prove every day that this is very difficult advice to put into practice.
February 27th, 2008 23:58
Thanks for the article, Officer Pickett - a good summary, and an awesome point to start a great discussion - 70+ posts already.
BikeinNE (#64) - You're mostly spot-on, but get over yourself - that's a really absolutist view. There *are* police officers who harass innocent people, and I can relate at least 3 instances I know of where people were threatened by police for merely asking questions. It *does* happen, but thankfully aggressive cops are in the minority.
I know that last statement is going to collect some ire - yeah, it might seem like aggressive cops are everywhere, but if they're being aggressive to you, you might want to think about your body language and your tone. Police are trained to detect threats, and if your body language places you in that category, they will treat you accordingly. If you think life as a cyclist is dangerous, try living a life where anybody on the street could pull a gun on you at any moment. It happens, and even if it isn't frequent in Portland, the police here are trained to expect it, and react accordingly if your tone and body language indicates you could be that "anybody on the street".
Officer Pickett's point stands - you attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. A city full of jerks isn't going to make things easier for any of us.
February 28th, 2008 00:10
Two wheels or four wheels or eighteen wheels, whatever. The number of wheels one rides does not the asshole make.
Will Jongill, #31 got it right.
Note to self: lighten up a bit and don't be an asshole.
February 28th, 2008 01:34
I agree that the cyclist was rude, and that officer Pickett shouldn't have parked where he did, but that it was a relatively minor infraction. I think the bike-rage (my bike-rage anyway) mostly stems from the bike-car infraction consequence asymmetry that another commenter noted. The same lack of care or attention or courtesy from a driver is, in general, 10 to 100 times worse than from a cyclist in terms of the kinetic energy they wield with their vehicle. Legal and social penalties for irresponsible driving should be 10 to 100 times worse than for irresponsible cycling. Since the car wasn't moving in this particular case, the point may not quite apply, but I think fundamental difference is where the anger comes from.
February 28th, 2008 09:33
Thank you, Robert, for the timely reminder that we are all fallible human beings. It's easy to forget in this crazy and intolerant world that the Golden Rule works quite well with most people most of the time.
February 28th, 2008 11:39
Right on #31
& I like the new word that you have invented. Not sure when it'll come in handy in polite conversation but it's a keeper just the same.
The illegally positioned car is a perfect test case to highlight whether we, as a society, are going to work in a spirit of cooperation or not. It appears to me that the car is positioned quite thoughtfully. It impedes not the cyclist nor the auto traffic. So sure, it's technically illegal but that's not the point.
I vote that we work as a community versus an us/them model. I cannot believe that some of us are giving an officer who is clearly on our side a hard time. It's a mind numbingly poor choice.
February 28th, 2008 15:25
What would Cipo do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJomoEk81o4
February 28th, 2008 15:40
How much room do you all need. good god get a life people. he's only two feet into the bike lane!
I cant belive I'm sideing with a cop.
February 28th, 2008 17:13
I have been re-reading the comments, as well as the original article, after reading an article about returning soldiers with PTSD, even though they were physically unharmed. The reported symptoms of the soldiers, and the comments of the "experienced" cyclists, were so similar as to be spooky. It really lends credence to the saying that riding a bicycle in the US, even in the best bike city in the country, is like being in a war zone. Seriously, folks, we all have some serious problems here. I think when bike facilities are being discussed, someone should print out this comments section and use this as an example of why we need good bike facilities. We are all talking like we are in a war zone...
February 28th, 2008 19:17
beefa...exactly. How many people do you think have actually bothered to look at the picture of Picket's parked car straddling the bike/main lane demarcation line before letting fly with highly emotionally charged comments?
Opus, right also, on cyclist's affected by war zone syndrome. It's not just cyclists though. A similar condition affects a lot of the people inside their motor vehicles.
February 28th, 2008 19:20
To those attacking Robert-you look like fools. He's one of the good ones, one of the very good ones. And he's one of the most thoughtful, well-intentioned, responsible, respectful, and honest people I know.
If your anger comes not from his profession but from his choice of a parking space that day, that's a whole lot of energy...
Disregard the fact that he's a cop, that he partially blocked a bike lane, and read the article again. We as a bicycle --or any type of community-- benefit most from respectful communication. Anger and ignorance blinds and alienates.
Oh, the irony...
February 28th, 2008 20:12
I want to add my name to the long list thanking Officer Pickett for writing this essay.
I won't deny the fact that I sometimes feel adversarial towards police. Most of the time, though, as a mostly law-abiding citizen, I expect the average officer to be someone who is on my side in life.
So it's really good to know what is going inside a policeman's head. Officer Pickett, many thanks for sharing.
By the way, the person who yelled at you was being rude and thoughtless. I'm glad you didn't yell back. But work on your parking, ok? I wouldn't want to see you get a ticket.
February 28th, 2008 20:58
Any chance of hearing the other side of the story? Does anyone actually know the alleged rude cyclist? Is it possible there is more to the story? Who was there other than author?
Nobody knows the cyclist yet he has been deemed as being rude and the one in the wrong, based on a one sided account. What in is his words were rude? The cyclist does not use profanity, nor does he use a personal insult, let alone insult the author’s intelligence. Can anyone actually prove he yelled “move it” or did the author simply perceive he was being yelled at, due his admitted shame for being caught doing something he shouldn’t?
All this article presents is one side, one perspective and one fact, which ironically shows the author to be in the wrong, yet his issue, is with the cyclist who allegedly yelled at him or really called him out for parking illegally. Can anyone prove the cyclist was rude or disrespectful or are you just taking the author’s word for it?
There are two sides to what happened we have heard one.
February 28th, 2008 21:06
Donna #75,
Ijust cannot buy into the Golden Rule on this one. The Golden Rule only works with very closely matched groups. Where one party is willing to inflict unconscionable pain upon themselves the Rule fails. In this case I cannot get the following conversation out of my head:
Car Driver: Golden Rule eh? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - Right?
Bike Rider: Yep that is pretty much it.
Car Driver: Well let's see I give you permission to pollute the the land, the air, and the water in order to support your transportaion habit. In addition to that, I give you permission to intitiate and perpetuate any wars you see fit to insure your lifestyle. By the way, you might as well be included in the club.
Bike Rider: The club?
Car Driver: Yeah we kill 40,000+ people in the US and several hundred thousand world wide every year. You might as well be part of that too. You and your bicycle friends feel free to run over as many of us you want to.
Bike Rider: Uhm well thanks, but that is not what I had in mind.
Car Driver: Well spit it out son, what do you want to do unto me?
Bike Rider: Well, ehm, well I was going to yell at you for being careless and endangering me with callous indiference.
Car Driver: No worries mate, have at it. I yell too, car drivers, buses, trucks, and those GD pedestrians really get it when they slow me down. I think we are on the same page?
Bike Rider: Well uhm I guess I should rethink my position. What if I do not yell?
Car Driver: Well son, it is a little wierd, but I suppose if you do not yell, I will not.
Bike Rider: That'd be swell Car Driver, may be you could look at a more equitable distribution of public resources?
Car Driver: What? You have to exuse me, I have call...........
February 28th, 2008 21:58
Even with popo's car there, the bike lane is tons wider than any other bike lane. There was plenty of room to ride on either side of hte car. You seem to be calling it the same thing as when people block the bike lane on Broadway or someting. Now you're writing plays about how popo somehow represents the end of civilization from rampant auto use. Give it a rest. You guys are a lot of huffing and puffing. If you're gong to come back with some junk about how car drivers should be perfect angels nnd never break the rules, make sure you never make a mistake yourself, or you'll be a dreaded hypocrite.
February 29th, 2008 07:45
Thanks Ofcr Pickett! Thoughtful, thought-provoking (obviously!), and interesting.
But (check my name) I am duty-bound and obligated to ask: isn't the expression "catch more *flies* with honey"? Bees *make* honey; flies are attracted to it.
But I digress.
Carry on.
February 29th, 2008 07:48
Brilliant, Coyote.
February 29th, 2008 10:42
The good officer comes to us cyclists, as two things. A cop and a motorist.
One of these groups swerves at us, yells at us, throws things at us and sometimes hits and kills us.
The other group routinely fails to admonish, cite or initiate investigations into the previous groups actions. Heck, they tend to tell us after the fact that it is our fault!
So here we have a driver. And we also have a cop. Both of these groups have been receiving a lot of critical complaint on this site for a loooong time.
Our friendly motorist parks his car illegally. From the photo, it does not look like a big deal, but still it is obviously not a parking space.
When this behaviour is critiqued by a passing cyclist in a non confrontational and profanity free manner, our driver/cop seethes with rage.
The obvious next step? Come here and tell all of us how it is our fault. Tell us how we should be acting to avoid future problems.
He is in essence, blaming the victim. Not such a shock as that appears to be standing PPD policy.
Why you all are appreciative of this nonsense is beyond me.
February 29th, 2008 11:07
Just do what everybody else does and get a "Mean People Suck!" bumper sticker.
I'd still like to know if you have ever given a ticket to someone parked in a bike lane.
February 29th, 2008 11:16
Seconded, steve.
February 29th, 2008 11:33
Thanks a.O
The hundred dollar question is why Mr. Maus would post this crap in the first place.
February 29th, 2008 13:05
Anvonio Gramsci's comments put it in a nutshell--when one group of travellers is in what you could call "fighter pilot" mode, where survival means a constant awareness of threat, the greater society has no right to expect very nice manners of them. Want us to always be nice? Restructure transportation to reduce the threat.
February 29th, 2008 13:08
Well, for what it's worth, I totally understand, respect, and agree with the sentiment of treating others with more respect - it's a key problem everywhere. I don't think anybody disagrees with this.
I just can't understand why, when we're having our bones broken, our friends' and family members' lives taken, and being harassed on the road by drivers daily, all while exercising our legal right to use the road, someone would write and say, in effect, "I'm sworn to uphold and enforce the law, but I broke it by parking in a bike lane and look how mean this guy was to me. You people should be more nice, otherwise people won't want to stop hurting you and denying your rights."
Um, true enough, but ... As I said, saying "Please Don't Run Me Over" doesn't seem to be working too well. Maybe it's time people understood that this BS is not acceptable. That's the whole reason why I did the citation thing and why I want to change the law.
Do you go up to people in wheelchairs and say, "Hey, why so glum? Let's dance!"
If I seem curt or angry at times, I respectuflly submit it's because I have good reason.
And hating all people in some arbitrarily-defined class because one yelled at you is admittedly irrational. Are we really supposed to be so sensitive that we now have to go around stoping each other from yelling at people who endanger our lives?
I'm not a role model. I'm just a guy trying to ride his bike without getting killed.
I know Mr. Pickett's parking job endangered no one. That's not the point. The point is that it epitomizes the sense of entitlement drivers feel over their right to the road at the exclusion of bicyclists.
And I know many people think I came off like a jerk in my initial post here (and no doubt elsewhere) and I regret that because I really do try to be respectful and I know that I am too impatient sometimes. I have nothing against Mr. Pickett. I just think there are better ways for him and everyone who wants to see bicycling become a viable means of transportation to spend their time.
February 29th, 2008 16:50
“MOVE IT!” cyclist's response according to civilian/cop Pickett/PoPo
That sounds like something more than non-confrontational to me. It sounds confrontational. Confrontational would even have been something as polite and non-agressive as for example 'excuse me, is that your vehicle parked in the bike lane? Unless there's some emergency reason for your parking there, it probably would be safer for everyone if you found a regular parking space'.
In this case, the cyclist appears to not only have been confrontational, but rudely confrontational. The cyclist doesn't question the circumstances or think about the why or wherefore of the car driver parking specifically the way he did. The cyclist just goes off.
Sure, Pickett probably shouldn't have parked there. Even though it's his day off, he probably was in cop mode, thinking if he's nice about it, he can park and place he feels like. That's really just kind of lazy and sloppy, but is it really the kind of offense that should let so many people commenting here go off like a bunch of puritans that never ever themselves commit no wrong?
This is not a perfect world, and it never will be, no matter how high a percentage of people using the roads follow the laws letter perfect. It's fine to call a cop out for screwing up on this kind of common oversight, but I just don't see that doing so is going to bring about the kind of dramatic change in behavior some people here seem to expect from the effort.
February 29th, 2008 21:25
a.O.,
Two questions:
Do you think Pickett should be cited for his offense? Why or why not?
What matters more to you. That Pickett was out there on his day off trying to figure out better traffic flow for cyclists or that his car intruded 2' into a 10' bike lane?
February 29th, 2008 23:54
Okay. I'm going to offer perspective to both sides of this. First of all I know Officer Picket reasonably well. We've talked several times and I respect him a great deal. He not only took his free time to help the community, but he also took the time to post this article. (thank you).
On the other hand. People like Steve and a.O. have very good points. When I'm threatened by a driver, I generally have no means of responding to them, but the next driver I see will be treated with less respect. Human beings will always try to avoid or transfer blame (such as the driver who yelled at me for not looking after he plowed through a sign). I could try to have a conversation with someone who's expressing disrespect for the cycling community (in that moment), but that could just as easily end in the person popping me in the face. (keep in mind the area that this is in)
If I had just been threatened by a car, I might have responded in the exact same way. We all break the law at times. By and large, cyclists don't threaten lives when a law is broken. By and large, a car driver DOES threaten lives by even 'bending' the law. It's true that rude behavior does more to inspire conflict rather than resolve it. However as a.O. stated, "Pretty please" isn't working.
Hopefully $3.50/gallen will.
March 1st, 2008 09:24
@editrixpdx (#86)
Ha! Nice catch! I always thought is was "bees," but yes, that doesn't really make sense, so I made a cursory check on the internet before I wrote the article and found the saying using "bees," so I assumed that was it. But I just checked again now and see that the saying with "flies" has many more search results at more established sites. I wonder if it is too late to change it...Jonathan?.....
March 1st, 2008 12:23
Yes, but anonymous, popo's car there was not a threat at all. Again, it's not like he was blocking the bike lane on Broadway. He was slightly into a one of the widest bike lanes in the city and there were no other cars or bike around. I think part of popo's point is that we should be so quick to get angry at each other. You're transferring some way more intense situations to this one.
Pete the answer is that what's more important to a.O. is popo is a cop. a.O. said it the best "And hating all people in some arbitrarily-defined class ... is admittedly irrational." Popo could have stopped his car to get an injured dog off the road and this crew would crucify him in public for not legally parking. Makes lots of sense doesn't it? Just wait til some tickets are handed out at Broadway and Flint for blowing the stop sign. Watch how the tone changes. The hypocracy a.O. and crew show while seeking as much attention in the media as possible is hurting our cause.
All these broad brush strokes of popo because of his profession is really entertaining especially coming from a lawyer.
March 1st, 2008 22:23
I don't think the cyclist that (allegedly) yelled at popo knew he was a cop. I think he was suffering from the same disfunction most of us here have, the PTSD of the War Zone that is the conflict between cyclists and motorists.
March 2nd, 2008 09:26
y'all do know that there are legal parking spaces in the area, don't you?
March 2nd, 2008 10:23
On my first reading of Pickett’s article I was disappointed that the cyclist didn’t stop and ask if Robert needed help. He was parked illegally with his hazard lights on… Maybe there was a problem???!!!!
Then I reviewed the comments to Robert Pickett’s musings and was saddened to have the impression I am developing of members of the cycling commuters in this city. I am in awe of all you cyclist that ride a bike as your primary mode of transportation and commend you at many levels. But like some have already commented, you’re persistence with cycling , either by choice or lack of choice has made you a “Road Warrior” and you are suffering from PTSD.
I have the luxury of riding a bike for the pure pleasure of cycling. Prior to last fall, my only exposure to the streets of Portland were in controlled sponsored group bike rides. My first very short experience riding in the streets downtown was on a rainy Saturday in November last year for the “We are traffic “ rally under the Hawthorne bridge. My husband and I rode the short distance thru town from 14th and Burnside to the Hawthorne Bridge. I was terrified the entire ride and was sure I would be the next victim. That’s when I first truly realized that my husband, and avid commuter, was a Road Warrior.
I feel sorry for all of you cyclist out there suffering from the PTSD of a warrior, especially because this does not bode well for the utopian ideal of a “safe and green street” Portland. Even if the infrastructure of the city is improved, there will not be an increase in “greener” modes of traffic if you have to be a “Warrior” to utilize them.
As Pickett alludes to in his plea for humility, the attitudes of all citizens of this society need to change.
In addition to attitudes, the education of drivers and cyclists needs to be revamped large scale so we don’t need to rely on the police department to “enforce” the laws of safe behavior. Ignorance and anger breed conflict in an increasingly crowded city.
I would like to see the BTA or any other organization in this city and state move to increase the frequency of written testing at the DMV. It is ridiculous to allow repetitive renewals without mechanism to ensure drivers are reviewing the states driving manual. There also needs to be a readily available mechanism to teach or at least provide the rules of the road to cyclists of all ages. [Some are currently buried in the middle of the Oregon driver’s manual. Otherwise, you as an individual have to make an effort to even acquire the rules]
I dream of a day when we are, all traffic.
March 2nd, 2008 10:32
too bad motorist education is the last thing on PDOT's list of things to do to improve cycling in Portland. PDOT seems to think motorists will just learn by osmosis.
March 2nd, 2008 13:56
Portland's a "War Zone"? Give me a break!
March 2nd, 2008 20:10
Slick #103
I wish it were all a fantasy, but stop and think. As a cyclist you are surrounded by dozens, even hundreds of cars every day, each