Boston’s Unruly Riders
Driver, Joe Myers – OK… I’m back from a week on the Cape. Didn’t get behind the handlebars of a bike at all… and didn’t miss it! I love riding, but it’s nice to get a break once in a while. So my first day back I put in a good chunk of miles for Petsi Pies and Zigo, but now I’m off again for a few more days. I love this job!
In my abundant spare time, I’ve come across a few articles about biking in Boston that might be of interest to fans of Metro Pedal Power. Two from the Boston Globe:
Boston’s Unruly Riders — Rule Breakers Challenge City’s Bike-Friendliness (Aug. 7)
Hub’s Bike Routes Beckon, White Knuckles and All (July 29)
and one from the New York Times:
Boston Tries to Shed Longtime Reputation as Cyclists’ Minefield (Aug. 8)
They’re all pretty good reads, but I particularly liked the “Unruly Riders” article. It kills me that bikers complain about cars. Everybody is out there for their own best interests. I don’t buy for a second that bikers ride the wrong way on one-way streets because they feel safer. It’s to save time and because they can. Car drivers would do it too, if they thought they wouldn’t get caught. I doubt there’s much difference in the psyche of an aggressive car driver and an aggressive biker.
My philosophy is that if you ride courteously, 99 times out of 100 people (car drivers, other bikers, pedestrians) will treat you with courtesy. Make eye-contact with people. Wave when someone lets you in. Let pedestrians cross in crosswalks, even when cars zip through. If you want to be an asshole, be an asshole… but don’t blame it on anyone but yourself.
Anyway, at the end of my delivery shift, I had to ride down to Braintree to pick up my car (gasp! — my wife’s car, actually), which had broken down on Route 3 Northbound on the way from the Cape to Logan on Thursday. When I returned to the shop, Erik (above) was outside drilling into the canopy supports for a special bike he’s building for Taza Chocolate. Very cool! I think Wenzday’s going to write something about it. Check the blog feed.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I rode full time (no car whatsoever) for over 10 years. When you say “I don’t buy for a second that bikers ride the wrong way on one-way streets because they feel safer . . . ” I have to tell with all hobnesty it is MUCH safer to ride against traffic. I’ve been hit by cars 4 times in my life. The last three times I was riding with traffic. the first time I was crossing. Never have I been hit ridin against traffic.
In fact, I’ve been able to avoid getting hit numerous times because I could see the traffic was crossing that white line. If my back was to the car I’d have never seen it and they WOULD have hit me.
I’m not trying to shake your confidence, you need it to do what you do, but be careful out there, people die every day doing what you do.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Thanks for your comment, texxs. I get where you’re coming from. Safety is definitely a top priority for all of us. Personally, I feel safer riding with traffic because it’s more natural and predictable for others… even though there are those times when cars do crazy things. Bikers probably do crazier things, but that’s OK… no need to point fingers or accuse. We’re all just trying to get where we’re going — often quickly — and without getting hurt. Riding how you feel safe is certainly important, but drivers probably worry more for your safety seeing you coming right at them with just a few feet separating you and them.
I think the real solution to safely, amicably sharing the road is to get more people — a lot more! — riding bikes so drivers are expecting cyclists and always on the lookout for them. Cambridge drivers are probably a lot more aware of cyclists than drivers in, say, Belmont. More bikes + fewer cars = a better world
November 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
“I think the real solution to safely, amicably sharing the road is to get more people — a lot more!” . .
Heck ya! Gimme a curb or a little section of grass between me and the traffic and I’d feel so much better. Of course that would screw up everyone trying to turn right . . .