// There are No Words for This
Posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009
I keep a close eye on cycling in the news, and usually it’s loads of fun. But sometimes things happen that are terrible beyond words. Usually the extra-terrible part has something to do with the severity of an accident. Maybe someone didn’t survive, or has suffered permanent brain damage. Sometimes the tragedy is that the victim was a child. But today, the truly gut-wrenching part of the story is that a driver injured two cyclists on purpose.
The story is from the LA Times. The cyclists did everything right. They were riding two abreast, when the driver behind them honked his horn. Assuming he wanted to pass them, the cyclists moved to the right in a single-file formation. The car passed them, then pulled over to the right in front of them. Then he suddenly applied his brakes. The cyclists hit the car. One went over the top of the car onto the pavement in front of the vehicle. The other went through the rear window of the car.
I was shocked. I was slightly nauseated. I was scared for everyone I know who is a cyclist. These two cyclists did everything just the way I would. It’s legally fine for a cyclist (or two) to take the whole lane. They’re legally vehicles. It is a courtesy for cyclists to move over for drivers, and they don’t have to do it. In fact, if there’s a drop off on the side of the road, and/or no shoulder (as on some of the curvy roads in the hills around the Bay Area), I recommend not moving over for cars until it is really safe to do so.
The driver even admitted to police that he pulled in front of the cyclists and put on his brakes to “teach them a lesson.”
I’m appalled.
Please share the story with any cyclists you know–help them to be aware that drivers are sometimes going to take their road rage out on cyclists, and that they should always wear helmets and be extremely careful in traffic.
Please also share the story with drivers you know–especially those prone to road rage, and those who aren’t cyclists and might not understand what it’s like to be on a bike in traffic. Let them know that a simple action performed in anger, such as hitting the brakes, can have disastrous consequences for cyclists. Remind them that those cyclists are people too. People with families and friends. It’s never ok to act on road rage, be it rage against cyclists, pedestrians, or other drivers.
My thoughts are with the two cyclists, one of whom suffered a separated shoulder and underwent surgery, both of whom were battered and bruised. I hope they both overcome their injuries, and don’t let this deter them from getting back on their bikes.
As a bicyclist who has recently moved from Wisconsin to California, I am also appalled at the actions of the motorist. I am also somewhat surprised at the attitude of certain bicyclists who flaunt their alleged rights at the expense of safety. (I am not referring to the victims of the crime described in the present article.) The author calls it a courtesy of bicyclists to move over in traffic. Perhaps on some level this is true, but the California Vehicle Code makes it an obligation under many circumstances. For example, when five or more vehicles are following a slow-moving vehicle, such as a bicycle, and oncoming traffic makes passing impracticable, the bicycle is obliged to turn off at a safe turnoff place to allow the following vehicles to pass. Cal Veh Code § 21656. With some exceptions, bicycles “shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway . . . .” Cal Veh Code § 21202(a). It would even seem that the legislature intends a standard lane width to allow for an automobile to pass a bicycle without having to leave the lane. Cal Veh Code § 21202(a)(3). Let’s not allow our rights to be ignored, but let’s understand what those rights are, and acknowledge that legitimate safety concerns should trump theoretical rights. That said, I hope they throw the book at that motorist.
Perhaps “courtesy” was too strong a word (though in Wisconsin, the cyclist has no obligation to pull over–ever!)
I’m mostly referring to the fact that there are many roads where it is unsafe for a cyclist to pull over. The roads in the hills around Berkeley and Oakland, for example, are curvy, steep, and without much of a shoulder. Those same roads have ridiculous drop offs to the right as well. But because of the fact that they’re a challenge and a great place to train, cyclists are often riding there. It’s almost never safe to pull over to the right on those roads. In addition, if a cyclist does pull over to the right, the lanes are too narrow for the car to pass the cyclist without crossing the center line. Since the roads are curvy, it presents a danger for the motorists, as well. Many cyclists I know refuse to let a car pass them if there’s a curve soon ahead, because the potential danger of a head on vehicle collision right in front of them is too great.
I admit I should have done a little more research into the CA Vehicle Code before I got too angry, but in my mind, safety always trumps the law. I don’t usually take a full lane, but I still usually pull over when practical–an angry driver behind me isn’t a safe thing, either (as the situation with the two cyclists I wrote about here indicates). But if it’s unsafe to move over, I will not budge from my spot about 3 feet in from the white line on the right of the road. I’d rather get a citation than wind up in the hospital!
Anyway, thank you Scott, for drawing my attention to the provisions here in California…I’ll be sure to take a look at them before writing any more!
This is really horrible, yet it does not surprise me at all. During my daily commute here in the heart of LA, I often see many irresponsible cyclists and motorists. You need to watch your back (and front) extra closely here, take all precautions, and be very confident, curteous and aware of the often stupid drivers. I have a close encounter about once a week, usually due to an innetentive driver blowing through a stop sign or cutting off traffic. I see countless cyclits sans helmet, no lights at night, and just being stupid. Bad habits all around. It is good to actually know the rules in Cali as well, so thank you for the info! Way to keep us informed.