Bikes: An Exercise in Frustration

LOS ANGELES -- Paula Rodriguez, who lives in the San Fernando Valley, got so disgusted with soaring fuel prices last spring that she stopped driving, sold her SUV and bought a bike.

But pedaling the 15 miles home from her job, the 30-year-old Ms. Rodriquez has encountered something more frightening than $4.50-a-gallon gasoline: the mean streets of L.A., home of the nation's most entrenched car culture.

"Drivers scream at me to get off the road," says the medical-billing clerk. The main commuting route near her home is so terrifying, she says, that she usually takes an alternative route that adds four miles to her trip.

Even then, it's not an easy ride. On one stretch, splintered glass in the street could puncture her tires, she says. On Wednesdays, she has to dodge garbage cans blocking the bike lane. On Friday evenings, as the sun sets, she feels menaced by drunk drivers. Such threats compel her to sometimes swing onto the sidewalk, even though that could get her a ticket. "I go slow, ring my little bell and stop sometimes to say 'hi' to pedestrians," she says.

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Comments

[research]

Folks, read up on why The USA is many times more dangerous for cyclists than Holland, Denmark, Germany

http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/pucher/Irresistible.pdf

I sense a conflict between go-fast cyclists and transportation-cyclists.

I just want to get around on my bike without getting hit by cars.

[research]

The Dutch have bike lanes at the same level on the same concrete as sidewalks.

Americans want cyclists on the road to get killed by cars.

Totally stupid.

Further if there is no bike path or sidewalk, riding against traffic is far safer, stupid bike comments not withstanding, then riding blind while cars have their way with you.

Don't send me to some link that lists only "accidents" list fatality and serious injuries separate from shin bumps.

[Paradym]

Perhaps then, according to your logic, I should ride my motorcycle against traffic? I can then see what's coming at me?

And I love your math logic: 5-15 mph closing speed. Here's how it really works: If I am riding at 15 mph on my bicycle with traffic, which is traveling at, let's say 45 mph, then if I am hit there is a 30 mph difference. Now, I am am riding 15 mph against traffic going 45 mph, then the impact will now be combined, making it now a 60 mph collision.

I'd rather get swiped at 30 mph then a head-on collision at 60 mph, thank you very much.

I'm going to repeat this post after another post of yours stating your misinformation so that the naive won't start believing your assertions and get themselves hurt.

[research]

A motorcycle is not a bicycle. Motorcycle plus pedestrian equals dead pedestrian.

Motorcycles have the speed to actually go with the traffic sand not get blindsided from behind.

Cyclists are dying all over the USA in huge numbers, because they are getting hit by cars.

[research]

even with mv^2 it makes almost no difference. the Cyclists get creamed. The cyclists only defense is not getting hit.

[Paradym]

Oh, the sidewalk nonsense: Most sidewalks in the US are built in sections with perpendicular "cracks" every 5 or 6 feet, or thereabouts. This creates a mildly unsafe and often uncomfortable surface to ride a bicycle, especially the "skinny tire" road bikes. Most sidewalks, also, are only about 4 or 5 feet wide; enough for a couple pedestrians to pass each other comfortably, but not nearly wide enough for a pedestrian and cyclist to pass safely, much less two cyclist.

Much research (wink wink) has been done that shows, conclusively, that the safest way to ride a bicycle other than dedicated bikeways is to ride on the street with the flow of traffic, obeying all traffic laws and staying as far to the right as possible. This allows approaching motorists to see the cyclist sooner and more time to make any adjustments to speed and lane position so as to safely pass the cyclist. A bicycle approaching against traffic is harder to see, reduces the time to safely go around, and often can surprise a driver as a cyclist pops out into traffic while going around an obstacle like a parked car. If you read my post about closing speeds you will see that approaching an object at 30 mph (according to my example) makes it easier to avoid a collision than approaching at 60 mph.

[research]

Studies? Holland versus the USA system? let's see it.

[gorideabike]

On a physical level, cars and bikes do not mix well. The weight and speed differences equal disaster for the two wheelers. It wouldn't break the bank to put elevated bikeways above the most busy traffic areas. Safety for the bikers and less concern for motorists. A place for human powered vehicles to evolve.
Peace

[manicallday]

I will just beat your car with my u-lock if you get too close. Seriously back off! I have no problems smashing your window and then ducking out. Don't let this happen to you.

[KPinSEA]

Yes, here's the attitude that will really solve the problem for us .... people deciding to get into a physical battle with a 3500 lb. vehicle.

[manicallday]

What else am I suppose to do? I really don't like getting ran over. So I have no problem breaking a window to save my life. Cars hurt.

[KPinSEA]

I'm all in favor of more dedicated bike lanes ... and I don't mean a little stripe on the road, I mean a curb separating the automobile lane from the car lane, something like you see in Amsterdam, because that little painted line is going to protect a bike rider about as well as a 'share the road' bumper sticker.

That being said, no vehicle, pedal-powered or otherwise, should be on a road where it cannot keep up with the flow of traffic. 10 mph bikes on 30 mph urban roads is an unfortunate accident waiting to happen. It frustrates drivers and endangers bike riders.

[scott-nrdc]

It worries me that almost every discussion I see of bike commuting nowadays quickly turns hostile. Biking is good for our health, good for our communities and good for the planet, but I fear that it's never going to be widely embraced with these kind of attitudes -- on both sides. Just look at the outpouring of "blame the biker" sentiment after an NYPD officer was videotaped bodychecking a cyclist in Times Square recently. What's with all the bike hate? http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/sdodd/whats_with_all_the_bike_hate.html

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

"Share the road"???? Really???? To a cyclist, it apparently means "I can ride in YOUR lane AND my lane".

You have a bike lane, ride your friggin bike IN THE LANE. I'll ride my car in my lane.

THAT is sharing the road, as s hole.

[vipersdad]

All I would suggest is that you get on a bike and try to live what you are preaching here.

According to the Uniform Vehicle Codes in all 50 states, if it's necessary, a bike has the right to take the lane.

I agree that there are cyclists who do dumb and illegal things, just as there are motorists who do that too - including using the bike lane illegally. The truth is that both sides need to be more sensitive to one another.

Lastly - MOST roads in this country (sadly) have no "bike lanes" as you describe them..... Most roads barely have a shoulder. So before you tell cyclists where to ride, perhaps you should pedal a few miles in my Sidi's and see how it feels.

We live in a country that is piggishly consuming 25% of the worlds oil. Cyclists are a group of people who are less guilty of that bad habit. Cut us a break...we are trying to be part of a solution, vs. you who just want to get there as fast as possible and not have to trifle with any anomalies along the way.

No reason for the name calling either.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

For the situation you describe I agree with you. I'm talking about the herds of bikers that populate the roads on the weekends. All 100+ of them thinking they can ride side-by-side and block traffic instead of staying in their bike lane.

I ride my bike IN the bike lane. I don't think that the other people riding with me have to ride BESIDE me and block the cars simply trying to pass them without incident.

When I'm in my car, I MOST CERTAINLY DO have the right to get there as fast as legally possible. I don't have to wait for you and your 100 friends to get out of the way.

Apparently, the name calling was accurate.

[mckinley]

At least in New York State, legally a bicycle gets a full regular traffic lane to itself -- any lane it wants, even the left lane. (Except they are barred from expressways). On a regular street, a bicycle is legally equivalent to a car or truck.

In reality, though...

[vipersdad]

Here are things that make it hard:
1. Motorists who are hostile
2. Police who do not enforce the laws (either on cyclists or motorists)
3. Motorists who don't understand the laws (looks like a lot of people who post here need a primer)
4. Road conditions
-holes/cracks, etc..
-obstructions (garbage cans, parked cars, dumpsters, etc...)
-glass, debris, rocks, gravel, plastic, metal ( I have seen virtually everything but plutonium!)
5. Road Design - bike lanes that begin and end with no rhyme/reason, poor signage, no thought given to how bikes ingress/egress difficult areas, including some routes to communities where the ONLY access would be by freeway, and the detour you would need to take to get there by bike can take you many many miles out of your way to go a relatively short distance.
6. Construction - many many construction zones "cone-off" a lane that's so narrow that if you ride through on a bike you are leading a pack of hostile motorists.

[Nikelaus]

You left out an important one: Holier-than-thou cyclists who believe no rules apply. They're like a car and entitled to the full lane, but as soon as they hit a red light, they go "partial ped" and race through the crosswalk. Road too crowded? They go to the sidewalk. Stop signs don't apply to them--they race right through them. Hey, this road is marked on the bike maps as the bike friendly one, after all.

[dutt]

The hostility some people have for cyclists borders on the ridiculous. It really makes no difference how responsibly you ride, there are people out there who do not want to share the road. They make what is normally a pleasant commute extremely unpleasant and scary. While very vocal, they are a minority.

There are so many reasons to ride a bike; from saving gas money and protecting the environment to getting exercise. I"d like to add one more reason; patriotism. America suffers from bumper sticker patriotism. We like to say how much we support the troops but a bumper sticker is really just a bunch of empty words. Riding a bike to work makes a real impact by decreasing our dependency on foreign oil.

[andhakari]

America is a backwards, hostile land for cyclists. It's not hard to do it right, but your government and citizens have to commit themselves to spending a little money, so good luck. Norway and Denmark, the European countries I'm most familiar with, Have cycling paths EVERYWHERE -- and guess what: everybody cycles. It's fast, safe and cheep, and good exercise.

[mergina]

Drivers have NO RESPECT for bikers. Every single person I know who bikes, MYSELF INCLUDED, has been hit by a driver in this wonderful city of Chicago. And dig this, we have a biker friendly mayor who bikes. Our city streets are painted beautifully with BIKE LANES that are ignored. Drivers habitually OPEN CAR DOORS on us. Bikers are saints when we choose not to KICK THE ASS of the driver who has hit us or opened their car door in front of us.

Count your blessings drivers.

[AllenKonigsberg]

I recently purchased a used folding bike and now regularly commute through Manhattan traffic. Before, when I had a regular bike, it was not an option, as virtually no office buildings in New York will allow a bicycle inside. This will stop all plans for increase bike commuting cold.

As for survival -- in light traffic, there are no problems; you just need to be aware of pedestrians stepping off the curb (they will walk in your path, or attract taxis who will swoop in from the other direction). In heavy traffic, it's generally safer to go between lanes of traffic. The cars are too gridlocked to move quickly into your path, and you're protected from the risk of people opening doors in your face or turning onto a side road without looking.

[janedarcy]

Hey, they manage in Holland...why can't we?

[vipersdad]

fewer cars
more mass transit options
more bikes per capita
more of a culture that respects the bike - including cycling as a sport

I could go on.... hope this helps....

[BearsLeft]

I often pass bicycle riders on my daily commute who are taking up the right lane of traffic when there is a specially-built bike path just a few feet to their right. These are roads that have a hard curb with no shoulder as they are lined with separate bike paths, NOT sidewalks. I'm not sure what the thinking is when they ignore infrastructure built for them and instead ride in traffic. It's certainly not conducive to supporting additional spending on bike paths. Why bother when many bicyclists seem to want to be cars?

[shoabear]

We have a right to take the lane. Period. We don't want to act like cars. If we wanted to be cars we would be DRIVING cars. Next time you drive that route where there is a bike lane please notice if next to the bike lane are parked cars. We are supposed to ride 2 feet from a parked car. Why?? Because the most common injury to cyclists is from getting "doored." Learn the rules of the road and the rights of cyclists before you assume we are doing the wrong thing. Very often it is our right to ride where we do and your inability to practice a little patience that is the real problem.

[vipersdad]

Debris, Obstructions, pavement cracks/potholes or storm drains, and standing water are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things cyclists have to be on the alert for. In addition to avoiding that kind of stuff, cyclists have to ride EXTREMELY defensively because of how common it is for people to turn right in our path or open a door.

If you ask cyclists why they are in the "right lane" (as you put it), that may be a basis for understanding vs. just a snap judgement on your part.

The laws in MOST states and jurisdictions state that a cyclist must right as "close as practicable" to the right-hand side of the road. The word "practicable" in legal terms does not equate to "as close as possible," because while it may be "possible" for me to ride through a puddle or pile of glass, it is not "practicable" for me to do so.

I have personally found that I am much more visible to cars who are overtaking me when I ride to the left-hand limits of what is considered "practicable."

I also have been yelled at, had things thrown at me, had people threaten me with bodily harm and had cars purposely swerve in front of me. I can honestly say I have never done anything to provoke this except for use my bike on a public road.

[ELS1976]

Riding a bike in a large metropolitan area is really dangerous. I live in Chicago and prior to getting my bike stolen (again! - thats another issue), I rode to work and ran all my errands on my bike. The city does have bike lanes, but they tend to be on the busiest streets, where drivers don't give a damn anyways. I finally decided to hell with Daley's bike law and started riding on the sidewalk on less busy streets that don't have alot of pedestrian traffic. Except for that law, I followed every road rule. I do also have issues with cyclists who chose not to obey the traffic rules. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a cyclist fly through an intersection without stopping. Something needs to be done on both sides.
I also don't understand why cities aren't doing more for cyclists when there is such a huge concern with the health of American citizens. How many more people would cycle when they could if they knew that it would be relatively safe? How about becoming less of an auto centric nation and actually cycle when we can. I'm not saying give up cars completely, but if your grocerey store is a mile away, rather than wasting gas, you can ride, save money and get exercise.
I'm moving to Nashville in a few months and I'm hoping its better for cycling. I'm looking forward to getting on the bike again.