Open Letter to Car Drivers - From a Cyclist
At times, the relationship between car drivers and cyclists can be less than smooth. In the interest of harmony and safety on the roads, what better way to facilitate understanding than to open up a dialogue. Cycling enthusiast Alexis Hinde kicks off the exchange by writing an open letter to car drivers on behalf of cyclists in the region.
An open letter to Vancouver drivers:
I get it. I do.
Until fairly recently, I was a driver too, so I understand all the things that cyclists do that make you crazy. As a responsible cyclist, I do my level best to not be that guy.
Can I share a little something with you, though? There are things drivers do that make cyclists crazy too. Unfortunately a driver’s faux pas is much more likely to injure or kill a cyclist than the other way around. With that in mind, I ask you, respectfully, non-confrontationally, and with a smile on my face, to please accept the following gentle suggestions to make sharing the road safer for me and my non-roll-bar-equipped brethren:
When you need to make a right turn, please treat the bike lane, whether divided or merely painted on, as another lane of traffic. Cutting right in front of me so I have to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting your car as you turn right is simply not on. In return, I promise to make eye contact with you before I pull through the intersection on a green light. As a bonus, I also promise not to act like the rules of stop signs and red lights don’t apply to me. Deal?
Designated bike routes throughout Vancouver are sprinkled with traffic circles. Please don’t shortcut your left turn, especially when there is a cyclist in the circle who’s not expecting to come face to face with your front bumper. In return, I promise to yield to all traffic already in the traffic circle too, even if it means I have to stop while going uphill. Cool?
Please don’t squeeze me off the road. I try to use bicycle routes as much as I can, but sometimes they just don’t go where I’m headed. It’s illegal for me to ride on the sidewalk most places, so sometimes we have to share a lane on a narrower-than-I’d-like street. I’m not trying to slow you down, I’m not trying to get in your way, I’m just trying to get where I need to go. Please don’t drive past me so close that you ruffle the hair on my arm; that just forces me to take the whole lane for my own safety. In return to you giving me some space, I promise to keep to designated bike routes as much as possible. Copacetic?
When I’m cycling beside you in the bike lane, I can see into your car, so I know that you are texting and driving. Please stop. It’s shocking how many people don’t have their eyes on the road at any given time. Let’s just all agree that it’s a bad idea. I won’t text if you don’t. Tell you what, I’ll even always wear a helmet, and never cycle with earphones on. Fair?
And finally, please don’t tell me that cyclists don’t deserve infrastructure because they don’t pay taxes. I pay taxes. I may not pay taxes on gasoline, but I don’t use gasoline. You wouldn't’t expect a person who doesn’t smoke to pay taxes on cigarettes, right? I pay taxes: municipal, provincial, and federal. I pay tax on my bicycle and gear. I pay taxes. Please find other reasons to argue against cycling infrastructure.
Or better yet, get on a bike and take it for a spin, around the block, around the neighbourhood, or around town. I became a much more aware driver after spending time on a bicycle. Knowing something of the other person’s experience makes it a lot easier to share the road – respectfully, non-confrontationally, and with a smile on all our faces.
Sincerely,
Alexis
When not cycling around Vancouver with her three year old son in tow, Alexis Hinde blogs at
wavethestick.com
, tweets at
@alexishinde
, writes for
vancouvermom.ca
, and designs clothes for little boys at
chillmonkeys.com
. She's exhausted.
Are you a car driver with a word or two to say to cyclists? We're not looking for a mudslinging match, more a sharing of perspectives.
The cyclist point of view has been presented, and now it's car drivers time with the conch. If you'd like to submit an open letter to cyclists, please get in touch with
sarah@travelsmart.ca
.