Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Listening to Reason

I heard that familiar refrain Sunday in Waukesha, "move over ...". But it wasn't coming from someone in a car, it was from a guy getting his mail. I thought for a minute, go back and discuss or keep riding. I think mostly because he didn't shout his message, I decided to discuss. Turns out that was a good idea.



He explained that he's seen numerous bicycle riders hit near his house and that I should ride closer to the right to be safe. I explained why its safer to ride where I ride, so drivers know they need to use the other lane to pass. He continued to insist that it's safer on the right edge but, as I explained in more detail, he said he understood the logic in my argument.

At the end of our conversation, he extended his hand and wished me well. I'm glad I stopped, and more importantly I'm glad we were able to discuss it calmly.

Thanks for listening Mr. Waukesha

2 comments:

Dave said...

It's a cool thing when you have positive dialogue/encounters like this. It's easy to blog about the bad experiences, but thanks for sharing this one and highlighting the good.

David Glandon said...

That is what needs to happen. A good exchange of opinions and ideas between drivers and cyclist will help bring the two sides closer to the middle.
Pulling over closer to the right is a common misconception by motorist and rooky cyclist. By being in that first 3rd of the lain forces the motorist to pass in the other lain and not try a sneak around. Sometimes in busy traffic situations I will pull over a little closer to be courteous to the drivers, But I will return back to my original lain position when it is clear or choose another route.