Thursday Thoughts ~~ Citizenship

This whole “Share the Road” thing works two ways.

The Numbers:

Cyclists (however they are defined) make up a bit more than 1% of the total population.

Not all cyclists ride on the road.

A road cyclist, in the view of any motorist represents 100% of the cycling population to that motorist.

It’s very simple, there are a lot more of them, than there are of us, but we are visible to them every time we go out and ride.

The Law:

In it’s broadest form, law is a contract between all of us.  It is designed to keep us safe, and to allow us to coexist peacefully.  This is an ideal.  Oddly, traffic law comes closest to this ideal.

In Georgia, as in most states, a bicycle is considered to be a vehicle.  That means we generally have the same rights, privileges, and obligations as all the other vehicles on the road.

Remember always, Law can be changed.

It is very possible that the law could be changed to exclude cyclists from using the road.  I suspect that most of us would not like that very much.

The Advocacy Effort is an ongoing fight to secure good treatment of cyclists.  There are unsung heroes, working long and hard, for little or no pay, to improve our lot.  One of the more frustrating things that these folks face is the constant argument that, “Cyclists, on the road, are a danger to themselves and others.”  Unfortunately, this is often true.

It’s our behavior that makes the argument.  When we run stop signs, show flagrant disregard for the law, or behave in a discourteous or disrespectful fashion, we weaken our own position.  Besides, such behavior is completely and totally counter-survival.  Seriously.  Would you play Russian Roulette?  Of course not.  So why on Earth would you do something as self-destructively stupid as charging blindly through an intersection?

Want specifics?

Scenario 1:  The light is red.  The cyclist goes through it, as if it didn’t exist.  What do the fifteen motorists who witness this behavior think?

Scenario 2:  Traffic is coming to a halt in front of a small group of riders, to wait for the signal.  Suddenly a number of the bicycle riders move to the right and pass the whole line of waiting cars, then cut in line in front.  Does this please the motorists?  (Remember, we are usually viewed as “slow and in the way.”)

Scenario 3:  A line of cyclists is riding along the road.  A motorist is approaching from the rear.  The motorist would like to pass the group, particularly as they are slowing to climb a hill.  Just as the motorist begins to pass, one of the group jumps out in front of them, to pass a slower rider.  The motorist has to brake sharply, and then sit and wait at very low speed.  How does this behavior affect our image?

If we wish to continue to enjoy the privileges of citizenship, we must do two things.  First we must constantly work to maintain those privileges.  Second, we must exercise them responsibly.  In short, we need to be good citizens.