Road Warriors...

Let me say this, I don’t like riding on the road. I don’t enjoy it; I try to avoid it when ever I can. This year I can probably count on my fingers the number of road rides I have done.

That being said I have done 2 in the past 2 weeks and have had horrifying experiences on each. Let me explain. I have done what are called “B” group rides in this area. Both groups have good people and good riders on them; however the organization is not good. I dare say it borders on unsafe at times. This may be a result of varying levels of ability, or just the group not knowing how to ride as a pack. Although this can be disheartening on it’s own, that’s part of riding on the “B” ride. I get it. I had fun on both rides.

The road warrior mentality is what has totally freaked me out. I know that cyclists have a right to be on the road, I expect that motorists will treat us with respect. Many times, motorists will not. I would encourage everyone to ride defensively, and expect motorist to not know you are there. I also understand that they frankly are trying to get where they are going. I get that. What has horrified me is that on these “B” rides, where the next up and coming riders from our community are supposed to come from, the practice of when a motorist passes the group, perhaps in not the best place to shout and yell at them seems normal, and acceptable. I heard repeatedly “fucking idiot!!” “god damn moron where did you learn to drive?” yelled out on both rides. Frankly, folks I don’t think these actions benefits any of us.

Road Rage is Road Rage, whether you are behind a wheel, or on a bike. First, as cyclists, we have a right to the road, but we also have to work within traffic. It is irresponsible and courting disaster the way both of these groups spread themselves out on the road, and how we did not try to tighten up and allow cars to pass safely. We just didn’t. I am as guilty as anyone on these rides.

It is our responsibility when a car is trying to pass, to extend the courtesy to the drivers that we expect from them. Part of our responsibility is to behave on a higher level, to be courteous of cars on the road, and create a safe co-existence. Frankly, calling someone “a fucking idiot” when they try and pass us, does nothing for our cause. Frankly, in my life I can’t think of a time that I was called a “fucking idiot”, that I stopped and said, “you know you’re right, I am a fucking idiot.” Furthermore, what is that driver’s impression of cyclists on the road? A group of folks who delay traffic, and when I try to pass, they curse at me? Is that how we want the general public to think of our cycling community?

What scares me is that new folks to the sport will begin to feel this is appropriate, acceptable behavior. It is not. I get that some of us have been hit by cars, or had bad experiences with motorist. I lost my one of my best friends to bike/motorist accident. However, what I take from that experience is my responsibility to educate motorist, to educate the people that come up to me at work to complain about a cyclist on the road, to behave in a manner when I’m on the road that will properly represent my community. I haven’t even begun to talk about the damage this could do to the sponsors who kindly put their names on our jerseys. I’m sure they all would be incredibly excited to know that someone in their kit is flipping off a motorist as they pass on the road. We as a community have an obligation to protect ourselves, and to represent ourselves in a positive manner. Will this improve motorist-cyclist relations? Maybe, maybe not but I can guarantee calling someone a fucking idiot isn’t gonna improve anything.

respect
fm