Sharing the Road

Disclaimer: Warning! The following tirade contains potentially controversial matter. If you tend to avoid such matters, please avoid this column. I’m guessing you’re still reading because you enjoy issues that will never be completely resolved or agreed upon. Well, just remember, you were warned…
As the general populace continues to adopt environmentally friendly habits and products, there is a big push toward alternate means of transportation, such as carpooling or riding a bus. America was founded on ideals of independence, but many of the solutions for commuters seem restricting and time-consuming. And time is money for most Americans. People find solace in their personal vehicles; they are often symbols of an individual’s independence. What do most teenagers want for their 16th birthday? A car, of course. At 16, teens are tired of depending on mom or dad to chauffeur them around town, always knowing where they’re going. Not many people enjoy knowing that someone is keeping tabs on their whereabouts. It only makes sense that most of us have a hard time considering giving up our cars in lieu of saving the environment.
Many commuters have opted to retain a semblance of their independence and ride a bicycle to and from wherever they need to be. Plus it’s healthy. I learned in a physiology class that the bicycle is one of the few inventions that is efficient and sustainable, meaning that it takes very little effort to produce huge results. Think of how much energy it takes to travel 20 miles in a car versus with a bicycle. On average, a vehicle will burn one gallon of gasoline to travel that distance, but a human can travel that distance and use a fraction of the energy required by the car. Given, the vehicle will cover that distance much quicker, but the human produces no emissions (I’m leaving that joke alone) and becomes stronger for his or her effort.
Despite the environmental and health benefits of the bicycle, there are many motorists who despise cyclists no matter what the situation is. There is nothing more frustrating for a motorist than a cyclist who blatantly flaunts their equal right to the roadway by insisting on riding right in the middle of the lane, and then abusing their right to the road by blowing through a stop light. On the other hand, there is nothing more dangerous to a cyclist than a motorist who thinks he or she needs to teach the cyclist a lesson in staying near the right side of the lane by nearly running him or her off the road. I’ve been on both sides, as a motorist and cyclist, and I find it important to find a balance. It is a very touchy subject for many people. In fact, most people have a strong opinion one way or the other when it comes to cyclists’ rights on the roadways.
I cannot do this subject justice in only 700 words, but I hope I can help some people begin to make some small changes in their perceptions of how to properly share the road. I feared for my life some days because cars would come within inches of hitting me on my bike, and I wasn’t doing anything wrong. When I’m driving my car and I see a cyclist abuse a traffic law, it riles me up. The fact of the matter is that cars are much heavier vehicles than bicycles and a cyclist should never be threatened with death because he or she chose to ride a bicycle on the road. I don’t know too many cyclists that hope that a car will try to run them off the road on their way to work. Actually, I don’t know any. Can’t we all just get along?
Remember this whether you are a cyclist or motorist: “Same roads, same rules, same rights.” Cyclists don’t have to yield to motorists, but it is a courtesy, especially on a single-lane road. Motorists can also receive a ticket for coming too close to a cyclist. State law requires a three-foot buffer zone between a car and bicycle, so make sure you are allowing a cyclist plenty of room if you are passing them. I hope the animosity between motorists and cyclists will dissipate someday, but until then, let’s try to help each other achieve a greener and healthier planet!
I apologize for any discomfort because of the subject matter or lack of excessive humor that is typical of my columns. I promise more laughs next week!