Rules of the road

Alabama sucks at being a bicycle-friendly place to live. I’m not basing that on opinion as it’s now a fact.

I typically ride three times a week, with two of those either before work or after. Most of the time, drivers are kind and courteous, as aware of me as I am of them. Occasionally though, someone passes a bit too close. Other times, they pass wide but shift back into their lane a little close leaving me with a face full of exhaust. Those days, I pray a little more — for both my attitude and theirs.

Two days after the Boston Marathon bombing, a dark-colored Jeep Wrangler passed me so narrowly, I could’ve high-fived the passenger. As the Jeep passed, the passenger shouted a vulgar and profane message through the window regarding his thoughts on my cycling. The tears were instant, and once home, they came ferociously.

I was fine, but considerably shaken. Had we learned nothing about intentional hate that week? It crushed my spirit momentarily. I realized more than being shaken up and scared, I was sad, and that’s where the tears came from. I cried because my heart was broken at the deliberate hate consuming the world. My heart hurt at the blatant meanness of the people in the Jeep. John 16:33 immediately came to mind:

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world”

As I cried, I began praying. I prayed for the (what I think were) teenage boys in the Jeep, knowing they weren’t old enough to understand the consequences of their words or actions. I prayed for the evil in the world and for the unprovoked hate that seems to be everywhere. I prayed for Boston and for the loss our country suffered at the hands of evil. I prayed for the three families who lost loved ones and for the dozens injured. And then I prayed for those who lost limbs and were seriously injured.

I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t ride my bike anymore. I don’t know how I’d process that and move on other than with the grace of God and His mercy. So that’s what I prayed for those people. I prayed they’d run again and I prayed fear wouldn’t overtake them. I prayed for their families and for the long, hard, painful journey ahead of them as they process and heal. I cried because my heart hurt at the evil this world has in it. The only answer I have is prayer — even for those who are mean, those who hurt you and those who yell obscenities for no other reason beyond annoyance at your being in a particular place at a particular time.

I am a cautious cyclist. I know the dangers of cycling, and I am extremely careful. For the most part, drivers I encounter are the same way. Courtesy and caution extend both ways and a small amount of patience could save a lot of lives; of this I am convinced. The next time you’re cycling or driving past a cyclist, recognize how important your words and actions are; they carry such a powerful weight. And know it extends both ways…

Rules for cyclists:

• Obey the rules of the road. Stop at stop signs and red lights. Ride to the right of the road and ride single file in congested areas. The only time you should take up the entire lane is crossing intersections. If we ask drivers to obey the rules of the road, we must do the same.
• Always be aware of cars on the road, in front, behind and at cross roads. Personally, I ride with a mirror on my sunglasses so I can see cars approaching. (Also because I can’t look behind me without looking with my hands, too. ie: swerving.) I’d rather pedal off the road by my own volition than with the force of thousands of pounds of metal.
• Don’t ride every road simply because you can. There are intersections I purposefully avoid. There are roads I only ride at certain times of the day. I don’t train during rush hour because it’s too big a risk. Just because we “can” doesn’t mean we “should.”
• Signal your turns in advance. It helps drivers to know when to pass and helps them know which direction you are heading. It takes the nervousness out of the situation for the cyclist and the driver.
• Wear reflectors. I have a flashing light on the front and back of my bicycle. I have flashing lights for my spokes should I ever need them. Almost always, I wear bright clothing, and I wear a reflective banner across my back. I may look look like a dork some days, but I’m a dork that’s alive.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and always, always err on the side of caution. If there’s a doubt or a question, don’t do it. In most cases of car v. bike, car wins. Swallow your pride and let them have a free pass if the situation warrants it. (As an example, I once had a long line of cars behind me on a country road. There shouldn’t have been much traffic at that particular time of day, but there was. I signaled and pulled into a neighborhood and let the multiple cars pass. It was safer, and I felt better when I pulled back out.)

Rules for drivers:

• Just be patient. I’m in your way for all of two minutes. If you are patient, you can pass me without causing harm to yourself, your car or me.
• I’m not riding for the sole purpose of making you angry. I’m riding for a reason. I could just as easily be your mom, your sister, your wife or your daughter.
• Pay attention. In my experience covering accidents as a reporter, most could be attributed to lack of attention. People were messing on their phones, messing with the radio or fidgeting with someone/something else in the car. Pay attention and keep your eyes on the road.
• State laws in most states require drivers to pass cyclists by a minimum of three feet. It’s legal to cross the yellow line to pass me as long as there is no oncoming traffic. If there is, be patient and wait a few moments to pass. Literally, it’s a few moments verses my life.
• Obey the laws of the road.
• Use the Golden Rule you learned as a child. Treat me with respect or as you’d like to be treated if you were the one cycling. I’m not just a “cyclist” pedaling to inconvenience you. I’m a person — a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a friend to a whole big group of people.

My friend, Jeff, wrote another poignant post on cycling safety. You can also learn more about laws regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety on the NHTSA website. Check out Bicycle Safe to avoid common collisions. You can also learn about Huntsville cycling here and Nashville cycling here. Your community should offer local resources as well.