Share The Road!!!

I'm finally ending my unplanned hiatus from this blog. The last few posts had been an emotional set for over a few months for me, and my writing has hit a roadblock since. I apparently need an emotion-packed event to inspire me to pick up and write again. This time, and this should come as no surprise to those who know me, this event took place in the courtroom. (It is worth mentioning that this trial came soon after five cyclists were slaughtered by a driver in a nearby state.) I watched the closing arguments of a trial of a man accused with what amounts to vehicular assault against a good friend of mine. Watching these arguments brought back memories of that night, and thoughts of so many car (or truck, motorcycle, etc.) interactions I've personally experienced. I'll skip the tale of that night and share with you a few incidents of the past week, and then give you my thoughts on the potential repercussions of the trial:

The world of a road cyclist is fraught with perils: be they road hazards, foul weather, nature (yes, I mean squirrels, deer, and their kin), or dogs. But far and away the most dangerous to us is motorized traffic. Whether intentional, accidental, or from lack of attention, the likely outcome of a meeting of over 3,000 pounds of iron with 200 pounds of bike and rider does not bode well for the cyclist. I won't visit the tired old arguments of whether bicycles belong on the road other than to say that according to the laws of the state of Illinois (and presumably the other 49), we have every right to be on the roads. Until those laws change, my friends and I will continue to ride and, sadly, face those risks.

This week was a typical week of riding for me, on familiar roads in broad daylight, and I rode within the law as much as the surrounding traffic did. I think because of the recent trial I’ve paid more attention to how traffic reacted to my presence, and sadly, I don't think that experiencing three incidents in one week is out of the norm. All three of these occurred on about a 1 ½ mile stretch of rural roads, on roads frequented often by cyclists. If the vehicle operators drive that stretch regularly, it's quite likely that they've seen many bikes in the past, but their reactions (or lack thereof) seem to indicate a complete lack of empathy, maybe even aggression, toward bicycles on the road. Each of these incidents was rooted differently, and each of these could have had a bad outcome (but thankfully did not.)

This first encounter involved two vehicles. It was relatively early on June 12, around 7:30 am. I was heading out on a road I've ridden quite literally hundreds if not thousands of times, as this is my quickest and easiest access to the rural roads. I was about one mile out of town when I heard a vehicle approaching from behind. I was already riding far to the right of the road, so I continued on my way. A gold-colored Cadillac suv passed me, keeping well to the left of the road. This was a picture-perfect pass in my mind with one exception; the car continued to drive in the left side of the road well beyond the point where it could safely ease back to the right side of the road. This would not be an issue, except about  a half-mile up the road there was an oncoming car. When the Caddy and the oncoming car met about a quarter-mile ahead of me the suv still had not fully returned to its lane, and I saw dust flying as the other car had to go onto the shoulder to avoid a certain collision. The cars passed each other safely, but then, as the oncoming car drove past me the driver had rolled her window down and was screaming at me as if I were somehow at fault for the Cadillac’s incursion into her lane! There was more than enough time and space for the suv to safely return to its lane, but the driver of the second car chose to express her anger at me! I apparently was to blame for the first driver's poor driving. I pondered this for a while, but came to the conclusion that the second car’s driver just felt that bikes are to blame for any wrongs on the roads.

Thursday, June 16: Incident Two. This one showed what could happen when drivers (and cyclists) do not pay attention. I was near the end of my ride, crossing into the edge of town. I'd had a good ride, pushing myself, but thankfully still attentive to my surroundings. I arrived at a four-way stop sign just ahead of a blue Mitsubishi suv approaching from my right, so legally I had the right of way. I saw that she would be turning the same direction as I was going, so I waved her ahead so she would not be behind me needing to pass me ten yards later. She saw me wave and turned ahead of me, and proceeded to the first cross street, driving to the far left side of our lane, stopping as if to make a turn. (This street has a median at this point, so she was not in the oncoming traffic lane.) I assumed she was turning left, even though she had no turn signal on, so I moved to the far right to get past her. As I was about to pass, without warning she turned…..right! I had to brake hard, locking up my rear tire, and swerving to the left to avoid running into her right front door. I honestly think if I'd been in my car I would have not been able to avoid a collision, but I'm nimble enough on my bike that I was able to avoid contact, but only barely. Once we left the four-way stop intersection, this driver became somehow unaware of my presence I think, but focused instead on the signs indicating the yard sales in the neighborhood. (Please, don’t drive distracted, people!)

Two days later, a more usual encounter than the previous two atypical ones. It was on that same stretch of road as the first incident, about 9:15 am. Again, I hear a vehicle approach from behind, so I hug the right side of my lane. A white Dodge (or Chevy, not sure on that) diesel pickup passes me. I truly believe that experienced cyclists are fairly capable of judging a vehicle's speed as it passes, and I would estimate this truck's speed at about 70 mph. In a 55 mph zone. Not only did this truck pass at extra-legal speeds, but as he passed he opened the throttle as diesel drivers are known to sometimes do and tried to blow black smoke out of his exhaust at me. I've been the target of similar assaults in the past, and this guy apparently hadn't modified his truck to effectively do this. It was a little smoky, but I've seen much worse. This encounter is very typical, where a driver is completely unprovoked, yet feels the need to flex his or her mechanical muscle and demonstrate his dominance and superiority over what I can only assume he sees as a toy out on his roads. No harm, no foul? No, I disagree. The fact that this person tried to intimidate a relatively defenseless person with his 5,000 pound vehicle has me crying “foul!” This is bullying, plain and simple. I'm unsure if his actions were illegal, but they most certainly show a lack of empathy for one's fellow man.

And now, the trial. A subject which has me divided internally. I wholeheartedly agree that the driver in the aforementioned court case should be found guilty and pay for what he did. I was there the night of the incident, and while I was not a witness to the assault, I believe what the witnesses said. I was called to the scene immediately after the incident to help pick up bikes and riders who were unable to continue and I saw the emotional upset and trauma they had. I know these people, I ride with them, and I know how they ride. I truly feel that the driver on trial should be found guilty. Civilized society cannot allow its citizens to act against its vulnerable members like this, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. Beyond this, however, whether the defendant is found guilty or not guilty, I fear potential repercussions against the cycling community:

If the driver is found guilty, I assume he will be fined, and possibly have to serve some time in jail? I’m not sure how the sentencing will work in this case, but the victim had suffered some substantial injuries, and had a long road to recovery. While I am not a medical professional, I believe he may also be experiencing some type of PTSD, since he’s still not gotten back on his bicycle, even though to my knowledge, his body has healed sufficiently. If the accused is found guilty, I fear that the people who already dislike seeing us cyclists on the road will be inclined to avenge the verdict. Sort of like protecting their own by seeking revenge on those who attacked one of them. I certainly hope this is not the case, but I (and you too I hope) will be very wary immediately following this potential outcome of the trial.

But then if the accused is found not guilty, then I fear that the aggressive part of the driving public will see this as free rein to do as they will to cyclists on their roads. Since a court found no fault in a motor vehicle operator assaulting a cyclist, then it follows logically that it will be acceptable, even legal, to do such. This scenario frightens me, as it should all cyclists. So as I said, either possible verdict could have a negative impact on the cycling community. The defendant (in my mind) should be found guilty, but that does not make our world safer.

And so let me close by saying, “Wear Your Helmet, Share the Road, and Be Kind to Each Other!”