Civility

Maybe it’s just me.  I see a lot of people on the road.  I see a lot of bad behavior lately.  It’s not restricted to motorists.  I see a fair number of cyclists acting rudely, or badly.  Some of this is due to distraction.  Cell phones and texting.  (And yes, I’m sorry to report, cyclists are increasingly of this too.)  Maybe our recent changeable weather is partially at fault.  Weird weather makes people cranky.  Certainly the political climate, and the constant barrage of “news,” doesn’t help the general morale.

It doesn’t really matter what the cause is.  The simple fact is that folks on the road are behaving rudely.  That’s sad…  And dangerous.

A problem that we cyclists face is the “vulnerability issue.”  Simply put, it doesn’t much matter who is wrong.  In any altercation between a cyclist and any motor vehicle, the cyclist will lose.

Civility, courtesy, good will, and attention.  If we are treated rudely, we do not improve things by returning rude behavior.  We do not live in New York City.  Let’s be kind to our neighbors, and be polite to others, even when they don’t deserve it.  This applies to all our interactions.  We live in our society when we are in the office, the store, the car, and on the bike.  It’s a simple equation.  Rude breeds rude.  Polite and courteous encourages polite and courteous.  The former escalates quickly.  The latter takes a bit more time to nurture and grow, but it’s well worth it.