Clearing the Record

Why do motorists get angry with cyclists? I think one reason is that motorists might feel scared when confronted with a cyclist in “their” lane. I have to admit that cyclists can be unpredictable. If there is a giant pothole in the road, I’m going to swerve. And I guarantee that I won’t have time to check for cars over my shoulder. It is kind of a catch 22 as well. Checking over my shoulder causes me to wobble.  Understandable enough. So, it is for this reason that I make an effort to ride intentionally straight and steady. To all those motorists out there, I am trying to safely cohabit the lane with you so that I don’t get killed and you don’t get a dent in your hood. 

A word about cyclists following road rules

Firstly, rules, in my opinion, are guidelines. Really. How many of us have rolled through stop signs or run a red light when we thought no one was watching?  I think motorists have forgotten about their minor infractions when they are honking at me for running a stop sign.  It takes effort for a cyclist to come to a full stop and then get the wheels revolving again.  For the motorist, it takes a slight pressure of the foot. Yet I incite anger.  For what? Running the stop sign? Getting ahead for five seconds?  Granted,bicycle commuting is a choice, but I wonder if motorists considered the effort spent to power a bicycle, if they couldn’t be a little more compassionate.  Motorists arrive in one-quarter of the time(depending on distance and traffic), with none of the effort.

Completely different animals,in my opinion, the car and the bicycle, yet they are expected to follow the same rules. On my bicycle, I am not allowed on the sidewalk (so dangerous anyway and even more annoying for cars) yet I am not accompanied as an equal on the road.  A cyclist is exposed to the elements while a motorist is generally 100% enclosed.  A motorist gets a bug on the windshield while I get a bug in my eye. I am scared on the road sometimes. Literally scared for my life.  It is quite a heart jumper to experience the wind of a vehicle inches away.   

A word on “jumping ahead”

I feel rude sometimes for not waiting my turn at red lights.  However, rather than suck your exhaust, I prefer to be first in line. Not to mention,this enables oncoming traffic, which might be turning, to notice me first. That isn’t so possible if I am further back in the line.    

A shout out to the kind motorists who slow down and let me merge off Mopac onto the Ben White frontage road. This is one of the most difficult intersections to navigate safely on a bike. Thank you.

I am NOT waving to you

Bicyclists are supposed to respect motorists and visa versa. Sometimes I think that my respect might be in disguise. For example, if I run a red light while you have to patiently wait at said light, it might be because it is safer for both of us for me to get a head start. This gesture is misinterpreted as my arrogance that I don’t have to wait at the light, that I have an advantage over the motorist, etc, etc, etc…  Sometimes I break the rules so that I have a less likely chance to be killed on the road.  I make an effort to let my actions be known to motorists. If I am turning and I feel safe enough to take my hands off the wheel, I signal.  It is unfortunate that many motorists aren’t familiar with these hand signals.  Like the guy who thought I was waving to him while signaling to turn right.

Overall, I love biking Austin!