Today, I saw this post about pedestrian safety on the Urban Country Bicycle blog. It talks about how the Toronto media often portrays the pedestrian victims of automobile-related accidents as the responsible party, rather than the driver (or both). Thankfully, I don’t think Deschutes County (where I live) is particularly prone to that stance. Our last major bicycle-automobile death was a major piece of news and there was no question in the media’s mind that it was the fault of the driver, who was texting when he struck the young boy.
Copyright: Five Seed
It does bring to mind the many, many times I have almost been hit by vehicles – and only twice was it my fault. Oddly, cell phones rarely seem to be the cause, though. I can remember a day a few months ago when I was cycling across an intersection, watching the man in the pickup truck to my right, who was waiting for me to pass so he could proceed. I saw something in his eyes change and knew he was going to gun it, even though I was just a few feet away, and sure enough, he did. He saw his mistake immediately, and we both came to abrupt stops. He only looked slightly chagrined, however, for attempting to avoid having to wait the five seconds it would have taken me to pass as he waved me on. But there it is: NO cell phone involved and the man was looking at me the whole time. He was just in the usual hurry.
Another incident occurred downtown when I was crossing the street on foot, sans bicycle. A minivan came hurtling toward me and I remember thinking it was some kind of joke or something, and why weren’t they stopping and…then I realized it wasn’t a joke and I sprinted out of the way, hightailing it for the sidewalk. I heard the driver call out to me. It was a woman who profusely apologized and explained that she hadn’t seen me in the glare of the sunlight off her windshield. Again, no cell phone involved.
So as it turns out, reflective jackets, flags, bells and the other safety equipment I often use don’t necessarily help. Being out in daylight (as opposed to nighttime) doesn’t necessarily help. And the drivers don’t have to be on their cell phones at all. This all makes for a pretty daunting picture. Are we cyclists and pedestrians just throwing ourselves into an ocean of vehicle predators and hoping for the best?
If all our safety precautions don’t necessarily protect us from near-misses or accidents, then what can we do? I came upon this video (below) a few months ago and was so completely blown away by it. It’s a quick, 6-minute documentary on the development of the bicycle paths in the Netherlands. I almost feel like crying when I watch – it is my ultimate fantasy to have such a sophisticated bicycling system in my own city and to have car-free city centers. And why shouldn’t we? What is it about America that makes it so car-centric? What about the rest of us, who choose to travel differently? And how many would also make that choice if they felt it was safer?
This video boils down the car vs. bicycle problem into a simple equation: Unsafe streets for pedestrians + economic crisis + energy crisis + public outcry = CHANGE. We have the first three of those across the US. All we have to do is add the fourth and final component – the public outcry, something I don’t see much of.
I have toyed with this idea for years now – how to get involved with the community to instigate change and educate people. I’ve had a million ideas ranging from starting a bicycle gang (in actuality, a group of bicycle commuters who meet and support one another) to volunteering to host educational meetings/classes at schools and community groups (which, surprisingly, people have been less than enthusiastic about). But I haven’t pushed through, I haven’t followed through, I have yet to really do anything. Maybe now is the time….
What would your first plan of action be?
safety is a serious problem in new york. i feel like every few weeks i hear about another bicyclist death. i have learned my own tricks for keeping an eye out…like always making sure no cars are about to run through a red light, etc and waiting behind large vehicles rather than continuing alongside them through an intersection.
@Julia: I can only imagine what it must be like in such a big city! I’ve always thought you were so brave to bicycle commute there. Bravo! Good tips, too!
If you haven’t yet, check out the Bike Portland blog -one man started it and now it’s THE resource here in town -great inspiration!
Most of my near misses are also due to drivers in a hurry, who hate cyclists, or distracted. Amazing how empathy comes when they become cyclists…
That being said, some jackass cyclist was on his bluetooth headset this morning and was swerving like a drunk driver. Ugh. Too many bad cyclists in my town ruining it for the rest of us!
@EcoGrrl: Hurry, hurry, hurry, right? So frustrating! I’ll check out that blog!
EcoGrrl, I understand what you mean about some of the cyclists ruining it for the rest of us. Every time I’m out, I see at least one cyclist not obeying the laws. We have one older gentelman in particular. I love seeing him out and about around town on his bike, but he doesn’t follow any of the laws! He’s managing to pull off being a positive and negative role model all in one act! lol But seriously, these are probably the same people who aren’t using their turn signals when they’re in their car. Some people have no regard for laws, and no sense to know that they’re designed for safety, not just random rules to fine people for disobeying
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LOVE that video!!!! I have grand ideas, but my unpredictable health issues always seem to get in the way. I want to become more involved with my local government, I plan on going to a meeting of a comittee to “bring people” to our town on Monday night. I’d like to start going to all open meetings, get to know the movers and shakers of New Port Richey! I’d also love to find out if we have a cycling club around here. We should, because there are soooooo many cyclists in this town! If they built bicycle paths or dedicated lanes in this town, they would have steady traffic.
My boyfriend designs roads for a living and I know that here in Florida, they are starting to install bike lanes on many of the main roads, but they’re still working the kinks out. All I know is that my boyfriend begged me to NEVER use the current bike lanes, because he said they’re more dangerous than they are safe at this point. That’s sad. But he just went to a meeting the other day where the focus was the bike lanes and how to improve the safety of their designs. They’re also starting campaigns to familiarize the auto drivers of the laws regarding the bike lanes, because half the problem is motorized vehicles not respecting or even taking into consideration the bike lanes. They just see it as a berm, free for them to weave in and out of at their own liesure, not even thinking there may be a cyclist approaching.
@Stepheny: Yay! I can’t wait to hear about what you accomplish in your town. Between you and your boyfriend, you’ve got it made!! Way to go! Yeah, one of my biggest frustrations here is that we have some relatively good bicycle lanes but only in certain parts of the city. In fact, there are some roads that have a great bicycle lane, and then, in the middle of the road, a ten-foot stretch where the asphalt has broken away, leaving no shoulder whatsoever, and requiring the bicyclist to ride in the street – where people tend to get impatient and pass the cyclist (i.e. me, LOL) WAY too closely. Many drivers also use the bicycle lanes as parking spots, despite the no parking signs. This is a huge frustration for me, because it requires me to drive WAY out into the road to safely pass the parked cars and again, that frustrates the cars behind me who often show their frustration by revving their engines or passing me when there is oncoming traffic – leaving me swerving to the right to get away from the side mirrors which can come oh so close. Frustrating!
we definitely have a lot of cyclists here in Halifax that don’t obey traffic laws (running red lights, cycling on the sidewalks, not stopping at four way stops).
That said- there are terrible bicycle lanes in Halifax- and there are many organizations that are fighting to implement more bicycle lanes in the city.
i’m also an uber cautious pedestrian. I wait until i KNOW the driver is going to stop- even at green lights, crosswalks. How often as a driver do I come up to a green light turning right and when I check I see a pedestrian RUNNING to the green light to cross the street. RUNNING. come on! what if I hadn’t checked to make sure there were no running pedestrians 15ft back??
We all have a place and role to play- but I agree that the more we remove from motorists, the safer our roads will be.
@EcoYogini: Yeah, I see all that stuff, too. Especially with kids and teens on skateboards – they just zip into the roads and it freaks me out! I think there are so many expectations we have of one another (pedestrians of drivers and drivers of pedestrians) and most of those expectations either aren’t realistic, or based on the rules of the road, or whatever. And then we get into trouble! But I think part of it is how much driving removes us from the environment around us. It’s like being in a box when everyone else is just outside. Does that make sense? I wish cars were more like covered wagons or something, LOL. Not that that’s not free of danger, too, but at least you were more a part of the environment and your senses could take more in.
I thought there was no way gas-guzzline Texas was going to become bike-friendly, but after being gone for 2 years, I am thrilled with all the changes the cities around Dallas have made to encourage bicyclists. There are new bike route signs all over my city, and we live off one of the huge bike trails that span the entire city. The routes are mainly on side streets that are quieter and streets with sidewalks. There are some signs along major roads that state that bicyclists may use an entire lane (on a 3-lane street, for example). I see people cycling all the time now, and it’s so great. It’s not nearly the number of people you’d see biking in Portland, for example, but just to see any bicyclists on the roads is a big step forward here in my opinion. At all the rapid transit stations, there are free bicycle lockers for people to use as well. I can see that the cities around Dallas (and probably Dallas as well) are recognizing that green living is the way to go. Being outside riding a bike or walking increases the quality of life. That being said, I wouldn’t feel safe taking up a lane on a major road. I don’t think the drivers are used to seeing bicyclists, and as you said, even if they are used to it, things happen. I love the separate paths (separated by concrete from the cars) they have in the Netherlands. I would love that everywhere!
Great article, and thank you for sharing the video as well. I watched it with my honey. It’s amazing the change people with determination can make!
Love, Melanie
@Melanie: That’s so nice to hear! It makes me feel hopeful! I do think cities are taking bicycle safety more seriously, but I would LOVE to see an infrastructure like the one in the Netherlands. Oh, I wish!
I think maybe in the US we are so car dependent because by the time the automobile was invented, there was still so much SPACE here to build big roads, and maybe more people had money for cars. Could be related to arrogance, too…
I’m jealous of their bike paths. While bike lanes are great, it’s still scary going out on the road with the cars. I think I’m still traumatized by an experience I had in Utah when I tried to ride my brand-new bike to school (BYU) for the first time. Drivers were yelling at me to get off the road! It wasn’t unusual for students to ride to school so I was surprised at the intolerance.
Anyway, I love your article. Walking and riding through town shouldn’t be so dangerous. I can’t believe people haven’t been more receptive of your idea to host educational meetings. Keep at it, though. Remember it’s always those small groups of a few concerned citizens who make important changes!