June 2008 Issue - Cycling Utah

2 cycling utah.com JUNE 2008speaking of spokesSome Personal Guidelines for Ridingin Urban AreasBy David WardPublisherI had my red-neck relatives visitingfrom Oregon a few weeks ago,during which an interesting conversationoccurred. I had returnedfrom a bike ride in the morning, asa result of which the conversationturned to cycling. Someone made acomment about bicyclists in Oregonbeing obnoxious. My nephewthen related an incident about drivingaround a bend on a main roadand suddenly coming upon fourcyclists fanned out across the lane.Someone else said that both cyclistsand pedestrians go along that roadregularly and related that someonewas killed there. My brother-in-lawexplained how there is no shoulderon the road and cyclists and pedestriansshould not even be there.I responded that the lesson formotorists is that there are going tobe pedestrians and cyclists on thatstretch of road and so they need toslow down. We then bantered backand forth about cyclists, pedestriansand motorists, the rural, gas-poweredred-necks versus the urban newage alternative transportation liberal.In truth, these relatives are wonderfulpeople, and I could not write thisif I did not know of their goodnessand good humor. I love them, and Ilove being with them.But it was an interesting experienceto be at opposite sides of thisdebate with people for whom I caredeeply, and whose opinions I indeedvalue. They are intelligent peoplewith a different set of experiencesand background to draw upon aswe view and compare our ideas andattitudes.This conversation was broughtback to mind as I observed arecent email exchange on theMBAC (Mayor’s Bicycle AdvisoryCommittee) email list. Withoutgetting into that debate, it wasnevertheless interesting to observethe attitudes of the various posters.They ranged from the attitudeof those who see motorists as theenemy, referring to cars as “cages”and drivers as “cagers”, to the pacifiers,promoting peaceful coexistence,courtesy, and world love.The combination of the foregoinghas made me reflect again onbeing a cyclist in an urban settingwhere, while cycling is becomingmore accepted, it is still a sometimeshostile environment. I havebeen cycling regularly on the SaltLake Valley roads for over 25 years,and while I do not deem myself anexpert, I do have certain ideas andguidelines I have developed.First, never tangle with a “cage”.They will always win. I did thatonce, very unintentionally, and survivedit amazingly well. But I willnever forget that, while I had theright-of-way, the car had the mass,and I took all the consequences.Second, find the best routes, andavoid busy streets and streets withno shoulder. My office is on 700East and about 4500 South, andmy window looks out on the sixlanes of busy traffic on 700 East,three in each direction, no shoulder.Occasionally, I will see a cyclist ridingon 700 East, bucking the traffic,and in my mind, putting limb andlife at risk. Just two blocks overis 500 East, a two lane road, wideenough to accommodate cyclists. IfI am heading north or south, I willtake either that or 1100 East to thenorth. There is still traffic, but it isnot going 55 mph, vehicles are notweaving in and out of traffic, andI do not have to brave taking up awhole lane to try to protect myself.In my mind, it is just plain stupid toA high bike at the UTA Bike Bonanza. Photo: Dave Iltisride on 700 East.Third, and in contradiction tothe previous paragraph, take upthe whole lane when you have noshoulder. I prefer making vehicleswait till I can reasonably move overor they have sufficient room to goaround, than trying to hug a fewinches of pavement on the rightwhile getting buzzed and abused byvehicles within a few inches on theleft. I prefer honking, verbal andvisual abuse to that.Fourth, obey all traffic rules(most of the time). I know I will becriticized for the caveat, but I haveno issue with blowing a stop sign orstoplight if there is no traffic. Thatbeing said, traffic laws are necessaryfor the efficient and safe flowof traffic. Your greatest safety is inobeying them. And you will scoremore points and engender muchgood will with motorists in doing so.Fifth, always, always be courteous.As cyclists, we want driversto like us. Without that, we willnever gain their respect or courtesy.I am not suggesting we not assertour rights. But in the end, evencivil disobedience is grounded in arespect for those whose attitudes aresought to be changed. But in truth,most drivers drive respectfully andcourteously. Like cyclists, there isthat minority who create problemsfor the rest of us. Often, when Ihave the right-of-way, I will neverthelesswave a car through becauseit makes sense to do so.All of the foregoing are, Ibelieve, just common sense. But Iam often amazed at some people’slack of this precious attribute. So,occasionally, it is good to reviewthese principles, examine one’s ownattitudes and habits and adjust themaccordingly.I love riding my bike, and I havenever feared riding in urban areas.But I have learned that by followingthis set of guidelines, I increase bothmy safety, my confidence and myenjoyment in riding my bike.P.O. Box 57980Murray, UT 84157-0980www.cyclingutah.comYou can reach us by phone:(801) 268-2652Our Fax number:(801) 263-1010Dave Iltis, Editor &Advertisingdave@cyclingutah.comDavid R. Ward, Publisherdward@cyclingutah.comContributors: Ben Simonson,Michael Gonzales, Lou Melini,Joaquim Hailer, Andy Singer,Erik Moen, Greg Overton,Gregg Bromka, Tom Jow, LukasBrinkerhoff, Brandi Gorden,Ryan Barrett, Charles Pekow,Griffin Wilder, Kevin Winzeler,TIna and Scott Andersen, KarenAppleby-Krieg, James KirkDistribution: Dave, Karma,and Marinda Ward, DougKartcher, David Montgomery(To add your business to ourfree distribution list, give usa call)Administrative Assistant:Lindsay Rosscycling utah is publishedeight times a year beginningin March and continuingmonthly through October.Annual Subscription rate:$15(Send in a check toour P.O. Box)Postage paid in Murray, UTEditorial and photographic contributionsare welcome. Sendvia email to dave@cyclingutah.com. Or, send via mail and pleaseinclude a stamped, self-addressedenvelope to return unused material.Submission of articles andaccompanying artwork to cyclingutah is the author’s warrantythat the material is in no way aninfringement upon the rights ofothers and that the material maybe published without additionalapproval. Permission is requiredto reprint any of the contents ofthis publication.Cycling Utah is printed on 40%post-consumer recycled paperwith soy-based ink.Cycling Utah is free, limit onecopy per person.© 2008 cycling utahPick up a copy ofcycling utah at yourfavorite bike shop!Financing available.Jamis Felt IntenseWe don’t just fix your bike,We make it perform!284 S. Main StSpringville, UT 84663Phone: 801-489-5106blaynscycling.comCover Photo: Fun at the CycleSalt Lake Century on May 17,2008. Over 1500 riders participated.Photo: Kevin WinzelerFind your photo at Zazoosh.com