Wednesday, May 30, 2012
With His Kids In The Backseat
On my Sunday ride, I was almost home when this guy, with his 2 kids in the backseat, decided he couldn't wait literally 2 seconds to pass me, like all the other cars on this road did. After he passes me by forcing another car off the road onto the shoulder, the oncoming lane is totally clear. So he jeopardized his whole family and everyone in the other cars for what? To save 2 lousy seconds on his way to wherever.
His license plate number was Wisconsin 429 AVJ. I would love for him to be able to see just how asinine and dangerous he acted. Maybe he wouldn't care, maybe he would realize the error of his ways. Maybe his wife would have something to say about it. If only there was a way for him to see it.
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9 comments:
It happens quite often that a child will arrive to camp with a bike that will not serve them well in their hopes of learning to ride on their own. This is an understandable occurrence as it is safe to say that most parents are not experts in the field of kids’ bikes.
Dude. I bike a lot but stay on the
side of the road. After watching
a few videos it looks like you are
riding in a few feet further than
you need to. Optimum distance from
the side of the road is critical in
road biking. 6" makes a huge difference.
Ride more towards the side of
the road and everyone would be safer.
Change your sail not the wind.
how come no comments?
John Shaw- It's called "claiming the lane", and it's generally safer than riding further to the right. Drivers are more likely to see you as a vehicle and behave accordingly. Riding to the right of the white line is a visual cue to the driver to ignore you (you're in your lane, he's in his).
"Taking the lane" is fine if you need to make a left hand turn, slower traffic needs to keep to the right.
If you are taking the lane for the left turn I'd suggest signalling your intentions first. Communicate your intentions and be predictable. Your mention in "Time Magazine" makes you an ambassador of sorts for safer cycling, conduct yourself accordingly, please. Thanks for the vids. =)
Found your blog because of a piece in Time magazine, that makes you world famous, and something of an ambassador for safe-cycling. That said, "taking the lane" should only be done when making a left-turn. And only after clearly communicating your intent to the traffic around you. As a motorist and a cyclist slower traffic should always stay to the right. Try to be predictable and you will represent safer cycling better. =)
Mr. Jeff Frings,
You've been mentioned on "Time Magazine" and that's why I came here. I'm a bicyclist too, but to be honest it looks to me you're taking the whole lane just to provoke car drivers.
Stay on the right and use proper signalling tools for bikers and you'll be safer than claiming the whole lane and getting people mad at you.
It is annoying to see other cyclists saying to ride to the right. This is very dangerous! Claiming the lane is the safest way to ride. If you ride to the right cars assume they don't have to move over and that is how a bicyclists get clipped or just plain creamed from behind.
Claim the lane! I generally ride on country roads and no one screams at tractors to get off the road. I am at least as fast as a tractor and easier to pass to boot!
I'm a cycling nut and vehement about cyclists' rights. (just to let you know who is about to ask this question)
I'm curious why you choose the lane position you do, rather than riding in the center of the lane. After watching several of your videos, it looks like perhaps your position causes some drivers to choose to go ahead and pass. If you were in the center of your lane, it would be obvious to drivers that they will have to cross the center stripe to get around you rather than squeezing by, as I see in most of the videos.
I'm not saying I have the answer. Just asking.
Thanks, and may we all stay safe out there.
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