Danger rides 'get-there-itis'

Contagious confrontation is not about bikes and cars

by Keri Caffrey
April 27, 2008
Orlando Sentinel

Road Wars are back on the news again. We have some motorists who can't stand to be delayed a few seconds by cyclists in the road. On the other side, there are some cyclists who find it inconvenient to put on the brakes at stop signs.

But if you look closer, the battle is really a struggle between individual self-interest and the compromise and cooperation required for a civil community. The roads are where we all interact as a community (or not), every day.

Americans suffer from "get-there-itis." Behind the wheel, the fixation on "getting there" ASAP causes people to speed, run red lights and weave through traffic. When nothing must stand in their way of getting from Point A to Point B, impatient drivers put the safety of everyone else at risk.

Some cyclists also suffer from a form of "get-there-itis," stemming from the desire to not lose hard-earned momentum or be dropped from a group. Whatever the cause, the outcome is similar: cyclists running red lights and stop signs and weaving through stopped traffic, putting their own safety at risk.

To be sure, the behavior of aggressive motorists is far more dangerous to others, and more destructive to the community, than the behavior of cyclists who violate the rules.

One thing I've heard from cyclists and non-cyclists, alike, is: "That road is too dangerous for bikes." Of course, the roads themselves are not dangerous. It's the behavior of impatient and distracted motorists that creates danger. And most of us are guilty of it at one time or another. Isn't it time we all act to change behavior that kills more than 40,000 Americans each year?

Personal responsibility is the cure.

"Get-there-itis" is well known to pilots as a cause of preventable aviation crashes. Student pilots are instilled with the understanding that they must detach from a sense of urgency to get there and make sound decisions. Pilots know that irresponsible actions will cost them their hard-earned license. Perhaps if society placed a fraction of that emphasis on motorists, our entire traffic culture would look much different.

With fuel prices, climate-change awareness and obesity on the rise, advocates for many causes are promoting bicycling as a solution. A formidable impediment to cycling is fear of cars, or more accurately, fear of the people who drive them. Even those of us who know how to operate confidently and safely in traffic are fatigued by the thoughtless, irresponsible and sometimes hostile actions of impatient motorists.

The lives of cyclists and pedestrians are devalued by a society that places little responsibility on people operating vehicles that can harm them. Motorists often justify their unsafe behavior by saying cyclists are foolish for operating in situations that appear dangerous to them. For the experienced cyclist, these situations are much safer than they appear, and would be completely safe if motorists were more careful and civil.

No amount of infrastructure will solve this problem. We must attack it at its core. This is a social problem under which all citizens -- cyclists, pedestrians and motorists -- suffer.

At its core, cycling safety is not a "special-interest" issue. The social change required to enhance the safety and accessibility of cycling will make our community more livable for everyone. It begins with each of us locking the "me-first" attitude out of the car and operating our vehicles in the best interest of a civil community.

Keri Caffrey, a cycling instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, has ridden a bike on the roads in Orlando for 22 years.

[via Cycleicious]

Comments

[Juicing]

Interesting article.

I believe that (speaking as a cyclist and a motorist)it takes a certain type of person who can, under extreme adversity, maintain the thought that even though a cyclist may have just done something that really pisses you off in traffic, the cyclist is STILL a human being who deserves, at the minimum, a minute amount of respect regardless of how angry we are at that very moment. Until that happens, cyclists will always find ways, whether intentional or completely unintentional, to anger motorists. And vice versa - motorists will always inevitably find ways to anger cyclists.

I think the difference between an angered motorist and an angered cyclist is that the angered cyclist has a much more limited choice of recourse than the motorist.

I related especially to the paragraph where she states that, "The lives of cyclists and pedestrians are devalued by a society that places little responsibility on people operating vehicles that can harm them."

I see this every day when I walk home from work. I see people crossing a street and even though they are crossing illegally, I've witnessed motorists come storming down the street, headed straight for the pedestrain who is crossing illegally, as if they are simply going to flatten them in their tracks. They feel justified, I'm sure, because the pedestrain is the one who is "in the wrong." The problem with that thought process is that, regardless of what we think, it is NEVER OK, nor is it legal or humanly acceptable to run down a pedestrain who is crossing a road illegally. This same thing applies to cyclists who are running lights or stop signs. Sure, sometimes we might feel like we should "teach those damn cyclists a lesson." It's not your job to teach anyone a lesson, except of course, your own children (which alot of people somehow seem to neglect as a their personal responsibilty). Your course of action should be to call the police, make a complaint. It IS their job to "teach those damn cyclists a lesson" by pulling them over and issuing tickets.

Just as you would not run someone's dog over in the street, you wouldn't run over a human being. Anyne who thinks differently does not belong on the roads let alone walking freely in society.

[Juicing]

Oh - and something I almost forgot to mention - this is for that driver who yelled at me the other day, calling me, in nicer words, a non-tax paying member of society - um...hey stupid...just because I ride a bicycle, DOES NOT mean I don't own a home, a car and other possessions that I've paid, or continue to pay taxes on! Your obvious lack of intelligence lends to the theory that you've probably not received over a 7th grade education! I probably pay MORE taxes than you do living in your trailer in Kenneth City in a month than you've paid since 1980.

People like you are a complete drain on society. However, I still wouldn't intentionally run you over if you were crossing a street illegally. But I did notice that as you yelled at me, you felt the need to come within about 6 inches of me as you passed by.

[Kenneth]

Good article, but I disagree with one point - there are roads that are dangerous, regardless of how well drivers and cyclists follow the rules. Take San Martin blvd. running behind Derby Lane - no shoulder whatsoever, and dangerous blind curves. I won't ride that stretch of road, but many cyclists do. A few months back I saw a man cycling down Westshore just north of Gandy in Tampa. The road is barely wide enough for cars to pass in opposite directions - I have no sympathy for a cyclist who gets honked at on that road. I used to commute that way, and though it wasn't as direct, there are plenty of low traffic residential streets that go the same direction.

Arrogant cyclists are making the rest of us look bad. Stick to lower traffic roads - let the drivers have the busier stretches.

[Kenneth]

Good article, but I disagree with one point - there are roads that are dangerous, regardless of how well drivers and cyclists follow the rules. Take San Martin blvd. running behind Derby Lane - no shoulder whatsoever, and dangerous blind curves. I won't ride that stretch of road, but many cyclists do. A few months back I saw a man cycling down Westshore just north of Gandy in Tampa. The road is barely wide enough for cars to pass in opposite directions - I have no sympathy for a cyclist who gets honked at on that road. I used to commute that way, and though it wasn't as direct, there are plenty of low traffic residential streets that go the same direction.

Arrogant cyclists are making the rest of us look bad. Stick to lower traffic roads - let the drivers have the busier stretches.

[Mel]

This does not just happen on less traveled roads though. Take, for example, 3rd Street south in St. Pete. Years ago, this road was used primarily as a neighborhood street to go a couple miles down. The residents of Old SE could use it to get onto 4th Street south if they wanted to get north and south quickly. Now motorists are using 3rd Street south as their means to get north and south quickly and it's just not set up for driving fast on, i.e "Thrill Hill". College students and faculty and also the people who work at the coast guard station use 3rd street and treat it as if it were their own personal freeway. Then alot of them have nerve to honk and yell at cyclists who are riding down it casue we're not moving fast enough for their liking. Hey - if you hate cyclists, that's cool, just remember that alot of times there are school kids out on 3rd waiting for their bus in the mornings. Take it easy and slow down a little.

3rd Street south is a narrow 2 lane road with houses lined down each side of it. The cyclists in St. Pete have been using 3rd Street south for over 25 years as part of their ride route because it is a safe road that was scaresly used and is not considered a main thoroughfare, considering the fact that 4th street south (a 4 lane road) runs parallel one block west of it. The problems began when motorists discovered that it has less lights and they can speed down it until it dead ends at 22nd ave SE or to head north all the way until it merges with 4th.

Therefore, I have to partially disagree with your statement regarding cyclists sticking to lower traveled roads mainly because we already do that as a matter of course.

Here's what I believe the problem stems from - the attitude of most motorists down here who feel "entitled" to get from point A to point B quickly. No one ever said that they would guarantee that when you get into your car everyday, you're going to be able to get from point A to point B without any hitches or glitches. This is something that I think motorists need to get past. Motorists should always plan that their commute could take 10 minutes longer than it should so that they allow for traffic jams, accidents, whatever. This way, you're never disappointed when it DOES take an additional 10 minutes more.

Motorists need to quit blaming all of their life problems on cyclists or anyone who gets in their way. That's never going to get you anywhere. Instead of looking for someone to blame, try finding a solution to getting from point A to point B on time - like leave your house earlier.

[Chip Haynes]

I had to ponder this one overnight. I think you are all painting with too small a brush. It's not that the drivers hate the cyclists, or that the cyclists hate the drivers. We have become an entire nation of presumptuous entitlement: Everyone hates everyone. Drivers hate other drivers. The cyclists do not all get along. We are each in our own little world, and we each despise the instrusion of anyone or anything else that gets in our way. We are rude, we are angry, and woe be unto anything that gets in our way.

And sadly, I can't even begin to imagine what it might take to change us.

[mike]

I have to disagree Mel. I ride 3rd street alot as I live on the South Side. The motorists beef is with those who ride 3 or 4 abreast NOT using the bicycle lane. I ride alone and have never had an issue on 3rd. Drop the pack mentality and ride the bike path as intended.

[The Ambassador]

Not gonna happen, Mike. Big group rides in St. Pete have been around since 1960 and they aren't going anywhere. We try to use the bike lanes when feasible, but when we can't, like when there are NAILS, GLASS, BRICKS, TREE BRANCHES and BROKEN PATIO FURNITURE laying in the bike lanes, it's pretty hard to use the bike lanes, especially when in a large group. Even in the rare instance where the bike lane is clear, it is hard to use. that is why the law reads that we are permitted to ride 2 abreast on a 2 lane road. If riders are 3 abreast, then yea, they're acting illegally, but so is a motorist who passes a slow moving vehicle (as in cyclists) on a double yellow line.

Why is it not possible for motorists to slow down on 3rd St.? The speed limit is 25 there and alot of times we are either going FASTER than the posted speed limit or doing the speed limit near Thrill Hill. Speed limits are in place for a reason and if motorists are in a hurry and cannot wait to get past a gorup of bicyclists, then maybe they can go over ONE BLOCK and get onto 4th St where there are 2 lanes going north and 2 lanes going south.

You say you've never had a problem on 3rd riding alone, I find that hard to believe as there have been many times I have ridden down 3rd st IN THE BIKE LANE ALONE or with one other person and have had rude motorists pass me within inches of my side, some even coming INTO the bike lane as they pass. What's up with that?

[red light runna]

Mike,
I didn't know there was a bike path? Maybe you should get the heck out of my way because I'll run you over!! And watch out for Mel, she rides all over the road! By the way Mike, just because you can go only 20 miles per hour (speed limit on the trail) does not mean everyone else does too. Maybe you should stay on the trail.

[Mel]

Say whaaaaaaat???! Red Light Runna, you're such an a** clown! You ought to be thankful for me being there. I make things alot more fun in the peloton than they would be if I weren't there!

[Chip Haynes]

See? This is exactly what I was talking about: No one gets along with anyone, let alone cyclists and drivers.

[Red Light Runna]

Especially Mel and yours truely.

[Chip Haynes]

The Internet is a funny thing, RLR. You and Mel could very well be the same person, posting under different user names.

Geez, you could even be me.

Scary thought there, huh?

[Mel]

hahah I can ASSURE you, Chip...(mainly cause I know who Red Light Runna is) that Red Light Runna and I are not the same person, but we are both members of the same elite peloton.

I am the 2002 Florida State 500 meter champion and the 2002 southeastern regional match sprints champion and Red Light Runna is...um... well...let's put it this way, in the peloton he's a fun kinda guy....he's always up for a party.

[confused motorist]

Maybe you "elite peloton" members could wear uniforms or at least same color t-shirts .Maybe sirens on your heads?
That way we uninformed motorists would know not to mess. We could concentrate on the lesser cyclists looking to get to work or school or just plain sight seeing .

[Mel]

um-kay confused motorist! How about if we wear what we always wear - team wear and/or Euro wear! Which, for all you underachievers, are like brightly colored jerseys and shorts. Or just look for the people on CLEAN bikes that look like ther WEREN'T purchased at K-mart! Or better yet - look for the people who DO NOT have cigarettes hanging out of their mouths or 6-packs of Milwaukees Best in one hand while steering with the other hand and who are good looking with nice, tight asses and muscular, shaved legs.

[Enhancement Smoker]

Confused motorist, here's a couple tips:

just look for the smug, self-important "pro wannabe" in the ugly, multicolor-vomit-on-spandex braggarts and aim for them. You might even hit Mel!

Leave the poor DUI riders alone; they've already got enough problems.

[Foot in Mouth Disorder]

haha... How are you Red Light Runna? Did you have a nice mother's day?

[Everything_floats_down_here]

Red Light Runna doesn't live here anymore...

[I Meant Hoof in Mouth Disease]

Oh! I see, the m.f. buys a scooter and all of a sudden he's outta here. Traded in your brand new Pinarello for a Vespa, have you?

[Chip Haynes]

Hey, hey, hey- let's not be knockin' Vespas. We've got two of them.

Sorry to hear RLR is gone.

[Roof in Mouth Disease]

Not me! I'm happy for Red Light Runna. He's back at home in one of those 1/2 way houses on 4th St.

[Red Light Runna]

Oh, Don't you worry. I will always be with you. Of course, I may not be with Mel because she is usually DROPPED two miles into the ride, but I will always be in her heart!

[Mel]

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!??? Red Light, why you wanna throw me under the bus like that? DUDE!

I hear the 1/2 way house mother coming. You better turn off that laptop before they take it away again.

[Red Light Runna]

So like I said, I didn't see you last night Mel. In fact, there were many lights that I ran, where you were not even there. Don't forget the car we cut in front of and the stop signs that we blew. Mel, you were nowhere to be seen.