Dear Drivers - Have a Little Patience and Give Me a Bike Lane!

Dear drivers,

Please, learn a little patience. It's said to be a virtue, you know...

I get it, you don't like being slowed down. Neither do I. You don't like having to wait for the road to open up or the oncoming lane to clear in order to pass me. Fair enough, I don't like it either. Believe it or not, I really don't want to hold you up! I know you're faster than me, have somewhere to be, and could easily run me over with little to no harm to yourself. I also know it can be unnerving to pass a cyclist, especially with tight lanes and oncoming traffic, and they really don't teach you how to deal with cyclists in drivers ed. Finally, based on your actions, I'm sure you feel entitled to be driving as fast as you can down this lovely two-lane road. But guess what: it's my road, too.

Photo credit: https://richmondva.wordpress.com/

We're both just trying to get to where we're going in one piece, on time and in a decent mood. But seriously, have a little patience. I guarantee you, once the road opens up, and you (safely) pass me, you'll still get there on time. If 30 seconds makes that big a difference to you, you need to re-prioritize, and possibly start your commute a bit earlier...

I'm sure when you honk at me, or shout out your window, or honk at the person in front of you who is actually waiting patiently until it's safe to pass me, it's because you're frustrated with the situation. That's fair, but getting angry isn't a solution.

Do you know what is a solution? Bike lanes. Give me a bike lane, and I won't hold you up any longer! Give me a bike lane, and I'll feel safer and so will you! Give me a bike lane, and the whole dilemma of cyclists being not-quite-vehicles but also not-quite-pedestrians will be solved.

Give me a bike lane, and more people will bike commute, freeing up the roads for the people who are still driving.

So when you get stuck behind a cyclist and are getting frustrated, remember:

1. Bike lanes will help drivers as much as they will help cyclists, so support their creation. We'll both win.
2. Have a little patience. Really, you'll still get there on time. It's not worth the anger. It's also not worth the risk you cause by driving aggressively.

Keep rollin'
-K

What I Learned from Not Biking for Three Weeks Straight

Me without cycling

I recently injured my knee and had to stay out of the saddle for three weeks while it healed. As I mentioned, it was horrible. It was also an informative experience, because it led to several realizations on my part. They are as follows:

1. Without regular cycling (or exercise in general) I get really grumpy and unhappy. It's not fun for me. It's also not fun for my wife, who had to put up with my moodiness (sorry, hon!) I clearly need cycling in my life.

2. I do NOT like depending on others for transportation. Part of the appeal of the bicycle, for me, is that it is a form of independence: I don't need to pay for gas, and I can do the majority of repairs myself or for very little money. Not having this luxury was frustrating. That said, I found that my coworker considered a homemade rhubarb pie to be adequate compensation for a week's worth of carpooling. Something to remember...

Pie: The best form of currency

3. When I realized I needed another week without cycling, I decided to rent a car, since my two coworkers had gone out of their way more than enough, even with pie as payment. I got a little economy car from the local Hertz - it was a decent enough vehicle and at least this way I wasn't dependent on others for transportation, which was a relief. However, during this final week of driving, I realized that frequent cycling has made me both a better and a worse driver. How? I'll explain:

-Better, because I'm more alert for fellow cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Cycling teaches you to be an active commuter and to always be aware of your surroundings.

-Worse, because on the bike you don't have to worry about speed limits. I had to constantly check my speed because, on the bike, I just go as fast as my legs will carry me, which isn't really a sound approach to driving. Needless to say, this was problematic, though I managed to keep myself in check for the most part.

Also, the intense traffic going to and from work was maddening. Rush hour traffic doesn't delay cyclists the way it does motorists, so it was incredibly frustrating for me to be stuck in a line of cars all trying to go to the same place at the same time, often changing lanes without signaling or doing other heinously stupid things and narrowly avoiding collisions. I found my stress and anxiety increasing just from having to deal with the constant stream of traffic and the staggering number of near-accidents I witnessed. I actually felt less safe than on the bike. It doesn't help that South Carolina was recently listed as having the worst drivers in the entire United States...

Now, I don't want to give the impression that I never drive. While I bike commute year-round and love it, I drive my wife's car when we go out together (she has a very long commute and welcomes the chance to hand over the wheel on weekends). Also, if she's sick and taking the day off, it's a fun novelty to take the car in to work, which happens a few times a year. I'll confess that the faster commute is great, and it's nice to be able to listen to music and bask in the air conditioning. Not to mention, I actually do enjoy driving, especially since it's a novelty for me on a workday. That said, after this experience I can safely say that, if I had to do it every day, during peak traffic hours, I'd lose my mind. Or get a speeding ticket... probably best to stick to the bike.

On another note, I realized I've been doing this blog for over a year now - my first post was back in September, 2013! Thanks for a great year - I've really enjoyed writing this blog, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it. May you all have a truly happy holiday season! Ride safe and stay warm.

Riding in the Dark in the Rain

The other day I rode home in the dark, in the rain, with a broken headlight. It was both exhilarating and unnerving, because my route home includes several stretches of road with no street lights whatsoever. I still had my reflective vest (which I've discussed previously) and my taillight on, so I was visible to cars coming from behind at least, but it made it hard to see the road in front of me. I'm not going to lie, it's a tad scary riding in that kind of darkness, but it's pretty exciting, too.

The lack of visibility means you have to pay extra attention to everything around you and be fully prepared for any unexpected bumps or potholes, since you won't be able to see them coming. You also have to be hyper-alert at any intersection or driveway, because cars will not be able to see you coming without a headlight. It's also challenging because your eyes don't get a chance to fully adjust to the dark. They start to, but then a car drives by, headlights illuminating the road ahead, and destroys your night vision, leaving things even darker than they were before. It's certainly not an approach to riding that I would recommend - I did it out of necessity, because my mountain bike's headlight broke. That said, being able to deal with situations like that is an important factor to bike commuting.

Part of the fun (and challenge) of bike commuting is the fact that it exposes you to unique situations, both good and bad. Being able to deal with the unexpected can make all the difference in the world in terms of both enjoyment and safety. In this case, it was simply a matter of being extra cautious, and maintaining awareness of my surroundings. Prior experience riding at night certainly helped, too. Like I said, biking in the dark can actually be pretty fun - I would recommend giving it a try sometime (on an empty street or bike path, mind you) both for the experience and to practice, should you ever find yourself unexpectedly in the dark.

That said, I'll definitely be buying a new headlight soon. I'm not sure which one yet, but I'll post a review once I find one to let you know whether it's any good. It's an important piece of gear for any bike commuter, and there are lots of options to choose from.

Keep riding,
-K

P.S. I mentioned in my last post that I was out of the saddle for about three weeks, and going absolutely stir-crazy as a result. I'm happy to report that I've been back riding since last Monday and am very glad to be doing so. My knee is almost completely healed, though I'm still taking it easy. I can't tell you how good it felt to be riding again. More on that in a later post.

Side Effects May Include...

Diagnosis: A sprained knee from biking too hard for a couple weeks, on a bike where my seat was probably a bit lower than it should have been.

Prescription: Ice knee three times daily, take double-dose of Aleve twice daily, and do not ride bike for two weeks, minimum.

The world's best ice pack.

Side effects may include: Alternating feelings of restlessness and tiredness. Frustration. General irritability and grumpiness. Looking out window forlornly on nice days. Fidgeting. Excess energy. Lack of energy. Feeling down. Feelings of dependency on those you hitch a ride with. Mood swings. Dependence on bags of frozen peas. Feelings of jealousy when you see others bike commuting. Randomly opening shed door and staring at neglected bicycles. Feelings of guilt for neglecting said bicycles. Stir-craziness. Overall sense of malaise.

This is seriously driving me nuts. I've only done one short ride in the past week and a half, and that still caused knee pain. Have already promised one (extremely nice) coworker a fresh-made pie for letting me carpool with her for an entire week. Now alternating between other coworkers to avoid having to bake more pies. I'm honestly not sure what I'll do if my knee is not better by next Monday. Here's hoping... guess I'll go grab my frozen-pea-ice-pack for now. Time to ice again.

-K

The Joy of Movement

I noted recently, as I cycled to work, that nearly every driver in the (severely backed-up) oncoming lane had the exact same expression. It was alarming - eyes glazed over, completely expressionless, hands on the wheel. Nearly every one of them seemed to be on auto-pilot as they sat alone in their 4,000 lb boxes of steel, glass, and plastic. The only ones who were even remotely animated were those who were on their phones or who had another person in the car with them (these were few and far between). In the following days, I looked and saw the same expression, again repeated down the line of drivers.

What could you be missing?
via Maria Carrasco, Unsplash

What struck me, more than anything, was how detached they all looked. Like I said - on auto-pilot. It probably didn't help that traffic was backed up so they weren't even moving, but even on later days with traffic flowing along, most of the drivers I saw still had that expression. I think part of it is that driving is mostly a passive act: you sit there, keep your foot steady on the gas pedal and your hands steady on the wheel. You're not moving much, so your body naturally slows down - nothing about the act signals to your body that you're actually going 45 miles per hour and that you should be alert and engaged. Biking, on the other hand, is active, so your body knows that you're moving. The wind in your face, the exertion of your legs, bumps in the road, the smell of Fall in the air - those things all tell your body and your mind, "Pay attention - you're moving! You're alive!" There is feedback inherent in bike riding that you don't get in the average car, and that's probably why so many of the drivers I've seen have that expression of complete disengagement. What was there for them to engage with?

That's just my theory. All I know is, I've never had that expression while biking.

Riding the Line: Road Riding and the Illusion of Safety

There is little question that riding your bike on the road carries with it an inherent risk. Additionally, it can be intimidating to novice riders and it is frequently cited as a reason many people do not regularly bike commute. Trails and dedicated bike lanes or paths are wonderful, but in many places they are scarce, if they exist at all.

For those cyclists who do ride on the road, there are nuances of safety that take a while to learn, and many are counter-intuitive. The other morning, for example, I crossed paths with a fellow bicycle commuter. We were going in the same direction, at the same pace, so I rode behind him for a while. I typically ride solo, so it was interesting for me to observe another cyclist.

What stood out to me in this case was that this fellow bike commuter was frequently riding on the white line marking the edge of the lane or, when a car was trying to pass, on the narrow, uneven shoulder (it averaged about 4” wide). Judging by his calves, this guy was a regular road cyclist, so it surprised me that he had such an unsafe riding habit.

Why is this unsafe?

Some of you may be wondering what exactly was unsafe about this man’s riding style. It’s a valid question, and the answer is somewhat counter-intuitive. First off, riding on the white line is dangerous because it drastically reduces your traction. Any painted (or metal) surface is much slicker than concrete or asphalt, making it more dangerous for emergency stops or turns, or for riding in the rain. As you may recall, the last time I wiped out was because of wet, freshly laid blacktop. In general, avoid riding on any painted or metal surface and exercise caution if you can’t.

What about riding to the right of the white line – isn’t that safer than riding in the lane? If there is a sizable shoulder (2+ feet) than I don’t see a problem with using it as an impromptu bike lane, provided it’s not full of road debris (a common problem). The danger comes when it’s narrow, as was the case with my fellow cyclist this morning. Studies have shown that squeezing yourself as far right as possible actually decreases how much space motorists give you when passing. Like I said, it’s counter-intuitive, but consider this: if you squeeze to the side, you present the full lane to the motorist, so they are more likely to drive straight on, rather than moving to give you space. They don’t have to think about it as much and, as a result, you’ll have cars giving you little to no room. However, if you ride within the lane and give yourself adequate space, then drivers have to pay attention and pull over to pass you. By forcing them to think, you also force them to exercise greater caution. Even though it may feel “safer” to give the cars more room, it is just the opposite. Considering that getting rear-ended is by far the most lethal type of cycling accident (even though it is relatively uncommon), this is not a risk you want to take. Own the lane – you have every right to, and it’s safer for everyone involved.

Remember, you can walk the line, just don't ride it.
And on that note... ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Cash:

The Joy of Riding your Bike at Night

It's funny, but sometimes you can ride your bike to and from work every day for 4+ years, and a simple jaunt around the block at night can make you laugh like it's your first time on two wheels.

That's what I love about biking - there's so much room for unexpected joy. Things you wouldn't see, places you wouldn't go, if you weren't on a bike. Last night, for example. I had gone out shopping with my wife and came back with a new pair of Under Armour Speedform Apollo Running Shoes. They're super comfy and lightweight, and I wanted to see how they felt on the bike, since that's an important factor for most shoes I wear (I use old-school platform pedals, not toe clips or clipless pedals, which is the subject of a future post). My new shoes are very flexible, which is perfect for running, but less than ideal for cycling, so I wanted to have a go with them on my bike to see how they felt. I laced them up and pulled out Amelia to go on a quick test-loop around my neighborhood.

I quickly realized that the shoes were great on a bike - surprisingly, despite being flexible enough for running, they were firm under the ball of my foot, where it really counts on a bike, making them perfectly comfortable cycling shoes. But then something happened. After I realized the shoes would work just fine, I stopped thinking about them and was just enjoying the ride. It had been a while since I'd done a night ride, and I had forgotten how exhilarating it can be. There's something about flying down a quiet street, with no traffic and only the streetlights for company, that puts a smile on my face like nothing else. I ended up doing a second lap, and then a third. By this point I was laughing out loud at the sheer joy of flying down the street, the wind in my face. It was magic. What began as a test of a new pair of shoes turned into pure, childish delight at the joy of a night ride.

I ended up doing five laps around my neighborhood and pulled into my driveway sweating, grinning like an idiot, and feeling like a little kid. That's what I love about bikes - no matter how old you are, no matter how long you've been biking, there's always a new adventure; a new surprise. I can't think of many things better than that.

Now go ride.

Why do Drivers Get so Angry at Cyclists?

In the past two days, two separate drivers have yelled at me, unprovoked, as I biked along minding my own business.

The first instance was the other day, as I was biking home along a busy but comfortably-wide three-lane road. I was cruising at a good pace and the lanes were wide enough that I was not impeding the traffic flow at all. I emphasize this fact because, in spite of it, a driver in the lane next to me, who I was not affecting in any way, screamed at me to "get on the fucking sidewalk!" It was jarring not just because of what he said (bikes are absolutely allowed on the road), but because of how genuinely angry he was at my mere presence among traffic. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, and cyclists frequently report verbal abuse from angry drivers.

How I picture these drivers

The second instance happened just an hour ago, again as I was riding home. This time I was in a left-turn lane, venturing out into the intersection and waiting for the oncoming cars to pass so I could turn. Again, I was biking in a completely legal, reasonable manner, following the rules of the road, and not impeding traffic in any way, shape, or form. In spite of this, a woman in the oncoming lane felt the need to yell out as she passed, "You're not a car!"

First off, A+ for making such an astute fucking observation. As most two-year-olds could point out, no, I am not a car. Neither is my bike, for that matter. But guess what? I'm still allowed on the same roads, subject to the same laws, and entitled to the same rights as a person operating a motor vehicle. (Click to Tweet) Yes, I am slower than most vehicles. I realize that and genuinely try to be considerate and to not impede traffic, as long as it doesn't jeopardize my safety. To be honest, the majority of drivers I share the road with are fairly courteous in return - waiting to pass until it is safe for everyone. When both drivers and cyclists work to share the road in this manner, it goes quite well: no one dies or gets in a wreck, and there are only minimal delays for drivers.

So why is it so hard for some people to accept that bikes are a part of traffic? More importantly, why does the sight of a cyclist make them angry enough to yell obscenities at a complete stranger? I honestly don't know - maybe it's a sense of entitlement that has come from the predominance of car culture, or maybe it's the same anonymity that contributes to road rage. Maybe some people are just angry in general. Either way, it's something that we need to address, because cyclists aren't going anywhere. Maybe drivers-ed classes need to include a section on cycling and sharing the road? (Click to Tweet)

Why do you think cyclists make some drivers so angry? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!