A few days ago I received an email from a trucker named Jim. He has been making local deliveries in his 34,000 pound truck around N and NE Portland for 13 years. He brought up some constructive points about the bike safety issue and I think his comments are worth sharing.
“I sense a feeling within the bike community that the typical motorist doesn’t show enough concern for the safety of bicyclists. I occasionally see this first hand…I have noticed more and more friction between motorists and bicyclists lately. This friction has been progressively building up for the past 10 or so years and I’m concerned that it has reached it’s boiling point.
I think a big part of the problem is the angry or impatient motorist but I also think a small part of the problem is with the very few arrogant bicyclists. One example is a pair of bicyclist riding side by side in a bike lane, taking up part of the car lane. When this is done on a narrow street, (such as N Willamette Blvd. near the University of Portland), it creates a hazard not only for the bikers but also the motorists. It appears to me that these bike lanes are designed for groups of bikers to ride single file rather than side by side. Another example I see is bike riders who are riding in the middle of the car lane and do not move to the side so faster moving car traffic can get by. To me that is just a lack of common courtesy.
My intentions of are not to criticize the bicycle community. My intentions are to ease some of the tensions between bicyclists and motorists. This friction is causing people to get hurt or even killed and it deeply saddens me. Motorists have the responsibility to drive in a safe manner and be aware of their surroundings. Bicycles must also abide by those same rules. Two cars should not drive side by side down a one lane road and neither should 2 bikes. If a car is going considerably slower than the flow of traffic he should pull over and let the flow of traffic go by, bicycles should do the same.”
I agree with Jim that common courtesy is the only way cars and bikes will ever be able to “share the road.” Bike lanes and signs are absolutely necessary, but it is consideration and respect for other road users that will do the most good. What do you think?
Thanks for reading.
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well said, trucker jim. rock on.
It’s safer for someone on a bike to take the entire lane rather than move over to envite cars to pass with little room. This is how people get “doored”. Motorists need to be patient.
It’s safer for someone on a bike to take the entire lane rather than move over to envite cars to pass with little room. This is how people get “doored”. Motorists need to be patient.
well said, trucker jim. rock on.
this is a tough one. i am very grateful to jim for taking the time to weigh in on a blog like this but the issue is a complicated one.
i agree with dave with regard to the entire lane, but then also with jim who is only saying that while you are entitled to the entire lane (in some cases) common courtesy (and sense) says that you would let a faster motorist pass.
that said, a ‘faster motorist’ is exactly what about ran me off the road this am, honking at me, as i rode in the center of the lane to avoid being doored
:\
this is a tough one. i am very grateful to jim for taking the time to weigh in on a blog like this but the issue is a complicated one.
i agree with dave with regard to the entire lane, but then also with jim who is only saying that while you are entitled to the entire lane (in some cases) common courtesy (and sense) says that you would let a faster motorist pass.
that said, a ‘faster motorist’ is exactly what about ran me off the road this am, honking at me, as i rode in the center of the lane to avoid being doored
:\
It’s safer for someone on a bike to take the entire lane rather than move over to envite cars to pass with little room. This is how people get “doored”. Motorists need to be patient.
I’ve been the victim of agressive drivers as much as anyone while bike commuting in Portland, Seattle, and Washington DC. At various times I had fantasies about carrying cans of spray paint to add racing stripes to cars and metro buses that came too close and adding a blade to end of my left handlebar to add scratches to any car that crowded me too much.
Ultimately though, I think part of the problem comes from a lack of clear and logical highway rules to govern cyclists. Because cycling is fairly unregulated (or at least the application of auto regulations to bikes is fairly ambiguous), neither cyclists nor drivers really have a clear idea what the rules and limits are for bikes on the roadway. If bike lanes (as opposed to bike paths) should be single file then mark them as such and enforce it. If getting “doored” by onstreet parking is a problem then perhaps a marked guideline for cyclists along the right-most lane at a safe distance from parked cars will help so that cars will know to expect bikes there.
When people are following universally understood highway rules other drivers don’t tend to get as upset as when the rules are ambiguous. For example, cars making a left turn from a two way street may end up sitting in the left lane blocking traffic for a long time until there is an opening in the oncoming lanes to allow them to turn. This can cause a long backup of traffic behing the car that is turning. However this sort of delay is so common that no one really thinks about it, you just watch ahead for cars that are turning and change lanes to avoid them. No one is screaming or swearing at the car making the turn or zooming by them at close quarters. But a cyclist who might be blocking traffic in a much less obstructive way can generate all sorts of road rage for some reason. I think it is partly due to the lack of clear rules and rights of way, or at least a clear understanding of them on the part of drivers.
this is a tough one. i am very grateful to jim for taking the time to weigh in on a blog like this but the issue is a complicated one.
i agree with dave with regard to the entire lane, but then also with jim who is only saying that while you are entitled to the entire lane (in some cases) common courtesy (and sense) says that you would let a faster motorist pass.
that said, a ‘faster motorist’ is exactly what about ran me off the road this am, honking at me, as i rode in the center of the lane to avoid being doored
:\
I’ve been the victim of agressive drivers as much as anyone while bike commuting in Portland, Seattle, and Washington DC. At various times I had fantasies about carrying cans of spray paint to add racing stripes to cars and metro buses that came too close and adding a blade to end of my left handlebar to add scratches to any car that crowded me too much.
Ultimately though, I think part of the problem comes from a lack of clear and logical highway rules to govern cyclists. Because cycling is fairly unregulated (or at least the application of auto regulations to bikes is fairly ambiguous), neither cyclists nor drivers really have a clear idea what the rules and limits are for bikes on the roadway. If bike lanes (as opposed to bike paths) should be single file then mark them as such and enforce it. If getting “doored” by onstreet parking is a problem then perhaps a marked guideline for cyclists along the right-most lane at a safe distance from parked cars will help so that cars will know to expect bikes there.
When people are following universally understood highway rules other drivers don’t tend to get as upset as when the rules are ambiguous. For example, cars making a left turn from a two way street may end up sitting in the left lane blocking traffic for a long time until there is an opening in the oncoming lanes to allow them to turn. This can cause a long backup of traffic behing the car that is turning. However this sort of delay is so common that no one really thinks about it, you just watch ahead for cars that are turning and change lanes to avoid them. No one is screaming or swearing at the car making the turn or zooming by them at close quarters. But a cyclist who might be blocking traffic in a much less obstructive way can generate all sorts of road rage for some reason. I think it is partly due to the lack of clear rules and rights of way, or at least a clear understanding of them on the part of drivers.
I’ve been the victim of agressive drivers as much as anyone while bike commuting in Portland, Seattle, and Washington DC. At various times I had fantasies about carrying cans of spray paint to add racing stripes to cars and metro buses that came too close and adding a blade to end of my left handlebar to add scratches to any car that crowded me too much.
Ultimately though, I think part of the problem comes from a lack of clear and logical highway rules to govern cyclists. Because cycling is fairly unregulated (or at least the application of auto regulations to bikes is fairly ambiguous), neither cyclists nor drivers really have a clear idea what the rules and limits are for bikes on the roadway. If bike lanes (as opposed to bike paths) should be single file then mark them as such and enforce it. If getting “doored” by onstreet parking is a problem then perhaps a marked guideline for cyclists along the right-most lane at a safe distance from parked cars will help so that cars will know to expect bikes there.
When people are following universally understood highway rules other drivers don’t tend to get as upset as when the rules are ambiguous. For example, cars making a left turn from a two way street may end up sitting in the left lane blocking traffic for a long time until there is an opening in the oncoming lanes to allow them to turn. This can cause a long backup of traffic behing the car that is turning. However this sort of delay is so common that no one really thinks about it, you just watch ahead for cars that are turning and change lanes to avoid them. No one is screaming or swearing at the car making the turn or zooming by them at close quarters. But a cyclist who might be blocking traffic in a much less obstructive way can generate all sorts of road rage for some reason. I think it is partly due to the lack of clear rules and rights of way, or at least a clear understanding of them on the part of drivers.
By all means, criticize the cycling community! There are those of us who need to be taken to task. If cyclists wish to be viewed in a positive light we must comport ourselves in a courteous and safe manner. This means being aware, riding predictably, and abiding by the laws we all share as operators of vehicles. Few of us are 8 years old anymore, and our bikes are not toys. WE ARE TRAFFIC. Let’s behave as such.
To say that a bicyclist should take up the entire lane to avoid being doored is really saying that you would ride in the middle of lane anytime you do not have a bike lane. As a bike commuter, I have never found this necessary. I take sleepier streets where I am unlikely to be doored, and on busier streets I study the parked cars ahead of me for activity that I might need to worry about. A lot of bikers neddlessly antagonize drivers. That is just one side of the story, but something we need to come to terms with.
By all means, criticize the cycling community! There are those of us who need to be taken to task. If cyclists wish to be viewed in a positive light we must comport ourselves in a courteous and safe manner. This means being aware, riding predictably, and abiding by the laws we all share as operators of vehicles. Few of us are 8 years old anymore, and our bikes are not toys. WE ARE TRAFFIC. Let’s behave as such.
Thanks to Jim for taking time to publish his account. I have one counterpoint to the following comment:
“Another example I see is bike riders who are riding in the middle of the car lane and do not move to the side so faster moving car traffic can get by. To me that is just a lack of common courtesy.”
I’m one of those riders who rides near to the middle of the lane. I do it for a couple of reasons: 1. So I can be seen, 2. Its dangerous weaving in and out of roads with parked cars. My attitude is feel free to pass me, but do so when it is clear to get around me.
Thanks to Jim for taking time to publish his account. I have one counterpoint to the following comment:
“Another example I see is bike riders who are riding in the middle of the car lane and do not move to the side so faster moving car traffic can get by. To me that is just a lack of common courtesy.”
I’m one of those riders who rides near to the middle of the lane. I do it for a couple of reasons: 1. So I can be seen, 2. Its dangerous weaving in and out of roads with parked cars. My attitude is feel free to pass me, but do so when it is clear to get around me.
To say that a bicyclist should take up the entire lane to avoid being doored is really saying that you would ride in the middle of lane anytime you do not have a bike lane. As a bike commuter, I have never found this necessary. I take sleepier streets where I am unlikely to be doored, and on busier streets I study the parked cars ahead of me for activity that I might need to worry about. A lot of bikers neddlessly antagonize drivers. That is just one side of the story, but something we need to come to terms with.
i agree with sheldon on that there are legitimate reasons to ride in the middle of the lane. this is especially true where there is no bike lane and there are a lot of cars parked on the side.
i certainly don’t do it lightly as i don’t really enjoy cars breathing down my neck, but there are a lot of streets around where I live where there is a lot of glass in the right side of the street which messes with my tires. also, when i’m riding downtown, i’m not going to get caught between MAX or Streetcar tracks and the curb.
it’s just too dangerous to stay far to the right all the time.
i agree with sheldon on that there are legitimate reasons to ride in the middle of the lane. this is especially true where there is no bike lane and there are a lot of cars parked on the side.
i certainly don’t do it lightly as i don’t really enjoy cars breathing down my neck, but there are a lot of streets around where I live where there is a lot of glass in the right side of the street which messes with my tires. also, when i’m riding downtown, i’m not going to get caught between MAX or Streetcar tracks and the curb.
it’s just too dangerous to stay far to the right all the time.
Thanks to Jim for taking time to publish his account. I have one counterpoint to the following comment:
“Another example I see is bike riders who are riding in the middle of the car lane and do not move to the side so faster moving car traffic can get by. To me that is just a lack of common courtesy.”
I’m one of those riders who rides near to the middle of the lane. I do it for a couple of reasons: 1. So I can be seen, 2. Its dangerous weaving in and out of roads with parked cars. My attitude is feel free to pass me, but do so when it is clear to get around me.
As a cyclist who commutes daily to and from work, I have to say thankfully I have yet to have any close encounters. I think this is primarily due to the fact that a majority of my commute is on residential streets however when I am riding especially in downtown and other busy places its a matter of really paying attention to traffic around me and not riding as if I own the road and the cars better get out of my way which is the attitude I see a lot from other cyclists. I agree with Jim’s points. Everything he mentioned regarding cyclists, I have seen as well in addition I often see cyclists on my route and in my neighborhood running stop signs. I personally nearly hit a biker one day while driving down a residential street, he had a stop sign and I didn’t. He ran it and as a result I had to slam my breaks and swerve out of the way. He then turned around to yell to me to watch where I was going. So the point here that as cyclists we have a right to be on the road just as a car does, our tax dollars pay for the roads just the same as a motorist but we don’t have more of a right to be on the road and we have to abide by the same rules as motorists. We all have to be more aware, motorists and cyclists alike and set our egos aside here. People like the cyclist I encounterd give motorists a bad taste just as a motorist who almosts hits a cyclist does the same to us.
As a cyclist who commutes daily to and from work, I have to say thankfully I have yet to have any close encounters. I think this is primarily due to the fact that a majority of my commute is on residential streets however when I am riding especially in downtown and other busy places its a matter of really paying attention to traffic around me and not riding as if I own the road and the cars better get out of my way which is the attitude I see a lot from other cyclists. I agree with Jim’s points. Everything he mentioned regarding cyclists, I have seen as well in addition I often see cyclists on my route and in my neighborhood running stop signs. I personally nearly hit a biker one day while driving down a residential street, he had a stop sign and I didn’t. He ran it and as a result I had to slam my breaks and swerve out of the way. He then turned around to yell to me to watch where I was going. So the point here that as cyclists we have a right to be on the road just as a car does, our tax dollars pay for the roads just the same as a motorist but we don’t have more of a right to be on the road and we have to abide by the same rules as motorists. We all have to be more aware, motorists and cyclists alike and set our egos aside here. People like the cyclist I encounterd give motorists a bad taste just as a motorist who almosts hits a cyclist does the same to us.
i agree with sheldon on that there are legitimate reasons to ride in the middle of the lane. this is especially true where there is no bike lane and there are a lot of cars parked on the side.
i certainly don’t do it lightly as i don’t really enjoy cars breathing down my neck, but there are a lot of streets around where I live where there is a lot of glass in the right side of the street which messes with my tires. also, when i’m riding downtown, i’m not going to get caught between MAX or Streetcar tracks and the curb.
it’s just too dangerous to stay far to the right all the time.
All these responses address a predicament that was probably created back in the horse & buggy days. Who was in the right and who did what? It’s fine to be within your rights while on a bike but you need to survive. You could be in the right and still get injured or killed by a vehicle. Cyclists and drivers should know the rules of the road and apply common sense. The cyclists are more vulnerable so they bare the larger burden of safely sharing the roads. Close calls with vehicles are almost bound to happen if riding a lot, everyone escaping unharmed is the issue. The main thing is to pay attention while biking and it doesn’t hurt to be courteous. If you are a cycling advocate, creating good will towards cycling is also logical. For instance, I see no practical result when cyclists piss off drivers. Most drivers will ignore you if you argue with them or they’ll just argue back. Worse yet, it may cause a bigger problem for the next cyclist forced to deal with the same drivers and the cars they wield. Cars always win confrontations with bikes. Then there are the careless cyclists to cope with as well. I’ve dodged plenty of bikes while I’m walking on sidewalks. If I feel I have to ride on a sidewalk I don’t want to frighten pedestrians by riding out of control, it’s unsafe an unpredictable. Sometimes when I’m out riding I’ve been occasionally cut off by another cyclist, I see no point in that either, again, it’s unsafe and unpredictable. Adjusting to variables when riding is one thing, making things worse is another. Courtesy and common sense can solve so much when dealing with those along your way. I am fifty-two, been enjoying cycling since I was a child. I’ve lived all over the U.S. with my bike as my only form of transportation. I have rarely needed to use a car and I feel fortunate to make such a claim.
All these responses address a predicament that was probably created back in the horse & buggy days. Who was in the right and who did what? It’s fine to be within your rights while on a bike but you need to survive. You could be in the right and still get injured or killed by a vehicle. Cyclists and drivers should know the rules of the road and apply common sense. The cyclists are more vulnerable so they bare the larger burden of safely sharing the roads. Close calls with vehicles are almost bound to happen if riding a lot, everyone escaping unharmed is the issue. The main thing is to pay attention while biking and it doesn’t hurt to be courteous. If you are a cycling advocate, creating good will towards cycling is also logical. For instance, I see no practical result when cyclists piss off drivers. Most drivers will ignore you if you argue with them or they’ll just argue back. Worse yet, it may cause a bigger problem for the next cyclist forced to deal with the same drivers and the cars they wield. Cars always win confrontations with bikes. Then there are the careless cyclists to cope with as well. I’ve dodged plenty of bikes while I’m walking on sidewalks. If I feel I have to ride on a sidewalk I don’t want to frighten pedestrians by riding out of control, it’s unsafe an unpredictable. Sometimes when I’m out riding I’ve been occasionally cut off by another cyclist, I see no point in that either, again, it’s unsafe and unpredictable. Adjusting to variables when riding is one thing, making things worse is another. Courtesy and common sense can solve so much when dealing with those along your way. I am fifty-two, been enjoying cycling since I was a child. I’ve lived all over the U.S. with my bike as my only form of transportation. I have rarely needed to use a car and I feel fortunate to make such a claim.
As a cyclist who commutes daily to and from work, I have to say thankfully I have yet to have any close encounters. I think this is primarily due to the fact that a majority of my commute is on residential streets however when I am riding especially in downtown and other busy places its a matter of really paying attention to traffic around me and not riding as if I own the road and the cars better get out of my way which is the attitude I see a lot from other cyclists. I agree with Jim’s points. Everything he mentioned regarding cyclists, I have seen as well in addition I often see cyclists on my route and in my neighborhood running stop signs. I personally nearly hit a biker one day while driving down a residential street, he had a stop sign and I didn’t. He ran it and as a result I had to slam my breaks and swerve out of the way. He then turned around to yell to me to watch where I was going. So the point here that as cyclists we have a right to be on the road just as a car does, our tax dollars pay for the roads just the same as a motorist but we don’t have more of a right to be on the road and we have to abide by the same rules as motorists. We all have to be more aware, motorists and cyclists alike and set our egos aside here. People like the cyclist I encounterd give motorists a bad taste just as a motorist who almosts hits a cyclist does the same to us.
Mirrors, people, mirrors! If we are to be treated as vehicles rather than pedestrians, we must be aware of our surroundings at all times.
Mirrors, people, mirrors! If we are to be treated as vehicles rather than pedestrians, we must be aware of our surroundings at all times.
All these responses address a predicament that was probably created back in the horse & buggy days. Who was in the right and who did what? It’s fine to be within your rights while on a bike but you need to survive. You could be in the right and still get injured or killed by a vehicle. Cyclists and drivers should know the rules of the road and apply common sense. The cyclists are more vulnerable so they bare the larger burden of safely sharing the roads. Close calls with vehicles are almost bound to happen if riding a lot, everyone escaping unharmed is the issue. The main thing is to pay attention while biking and it doesn’t hurt to be courteous. If you are a cycling advocate, creating good will towards cycling is also logical. For instance, I see no practical result when cyclists piss off drivers. Most drivers will ignore you if you argue with them or they’ll just argue back. Worse yet, it may cause a bigger problem for the next cyclist forced to deal with the same drivers and the cars they wield. Cars always win confrontations with bikes. Then there are the careless cyclists to cope with as well. I’ve dodged plenty of bikes while I’m walking on sidewalks. If I feel I have to ride on a sidewalk I don’t want to frighten pedestrians by riding out of control, it’s unsafe an unpredictable. Sometimes when I’m out riding I’ve been occasionally cut off by another cyclist, I see no point in that either, again, it’s unsafe and unpredictable. Adjusting to variables when riding is one thing, making things worse is another. Courtesy and common sense can solve so much when dealing with those along your way. I am fifty-two, been enjoying cycling since I was a child. I’ve lived all over the U.S. with my bike as my only form of transportation. I have rarely needed to use a car and I feel fortunate to make such a claim.
[…] I’m not saying all truckers are bad. Remember this post from back in August? It’s definitely worth another read. […]
[…] I’m not saying all truckers are bad. Remember this post from back in August? It’s definitely worth another read. […]
Mirrors, people, mirrors! If we are to be treated as vehicles rather than pedestrians, we must be aware of our surroundings at all times.
[…] Getting the cops’ perspective on certain issues could be very productive. Sort of like how I posted this letter from a truck driver’s perspective over the summer. […]
[…] Getting the cops’ perspective on certain issues could be very productive. Sort of like how I posted this letter from a truck driver’s perspective over the summer. […]
[…] I’m not saying all truckers are bad. Remember this post from back in August? It’s definitely worth another read. […]
[…] Getting the cops’ perspective on certain issues could be very productive. Sort of like how I posted this letter from a truck driver’s perspective over the summer. […]