General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Is It O.K. to Kill Cyclists? [View all]Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)I live in an area with excellent bike routes, bike lanes, shoulders, etc. but not all of those roads are equal. There are some routes I just won't ride anymore because of the high level of inattentive or aggressive drivers. Regardless of where I ride though I always ride defensively. I assume that drivers don't see me. I assume that drivers don't want to share the road. I assume that drivers will ignore my left turn signal and that I may not be able to move over and make the turn. I assume that bike sharing markings (as opposed to bike lanes) are not understood.
I also assume that there will be potholes, glass, and other debris when I'm riding on a shoulder. I assume that I'll spend a lot of time at dead stops when I'm traveling through a business district or in an area where wild turkeys congregate. I assume that I'll have to slow down for slow walkers, dogs on leashes, and little kids when I use multi-use trails. I know that I'm required to come to a full stop to let a horse and rider pass.
I always wear a helmet, high visibility clothing, and don't ride at night if I can help it, yet I have front and rear lights ready if I do.
IOW, I'm a defensive cyclist and I have to take corrective action to avoid dangerous drivers all too often. Drivers who pass me too closely, drivers who turn in front of me when I'm crossing an intersection or passing the entrance to a parking lot. They're a tiny fraction of the drivers I encountered but they're the ones that make it dangerous, not me.