Home > Fit City > Archives > 2011 > May > 04 > Entry
Letter illustrates venom between cyclists, motorists
If you thought blowing through a stop sign on a bike didn’t matter, read the letter above. (I’ve typed the text in below, in case you can’t read it.)
Al Bastidas, founder of the non-profit group Please Be Kind to Cyclists, received the anonymous letter this week, following an article I wrote in the Austin American-Statesman about his campaign to improve relations between cyclists and motorists. (Read my article below.)
I’m a daily bike commuter. It irks me to no end when I see other cyclists blast through stop signs or disobey traffic laws. Likewise, it ticks me off when cars and trucks speed down city streets, roll through stop signs or do anything else illegal.
And it really, really angers me when motorists complain about cyclists disregarding the law, as if every single one of us was out there blowing through stop signs willy nilly.
As I’ve said over and over, there are good cyclists and bad cyclists, just as there are good motorists and bad motorists.
But as cyclists, we should strive to stick to the laws — to keep ourselves safe and to act as ambassadors for the cycling community.
It’s pretty simple. It’s about respect, on both sides of this issue.
Any time a cyclist charges through an intersection without pause, he’s acting as a neon billboard for motorists who are just looking for a reason to dislike bikers.
“No matter how hard we work spreading our message and bringing awareness, the purpose almost gets defeated by such actions,” Bastidas told me after sending me a copy of the letter, which was mailed to his home address.
Bastidas says part of the problem is that our city doesn’t have enough infrastructure to support both cyclists and drivers.
“The cycling culture is growing faster than the change required for both to share the road,” he says. “We need an infrastructure where cyclists can have a place on the road; this would change or reduce this type of behavior substantially.”
Yes, it would be easier if we had separated bike lanes and trails. But the fact is we don’t. So, we all need to slow down, look out for the other guy and obey the laws.
Because some of the people out there, like the one who wrote the letter above, are jerks.
Stay safe.
Here’s the text of the letter sent to Bastidas, in case you can’t read it:
RE: Cycle City USA (Statesman 4-25-11)
Hey Al - Read your story and it was unfortunate but I don’t really feel any remorse for you or other cyclists and here’s why. On the same day as your article I was running errands on S. Congress and was stopped at a red light along with a number of other vehicles.
Well, gosh, here comes a Lance wannabe in his outfit (sort of like yours). His little helmet and sunglasses. Guess what! Right thru the red and then proceeded to also go thru the next red down the road. I see this every day.
So we auto/truck drivers are supposed to feel sorry for you guys? Get real!
As for your “Please Be Kind to Cyclists” bumper stickers, how about one that reads “Cyclists need to obey traffic laws”?
PS - Keep riding and sooner or later - BLAM! From some vehicle.
Good luck
Here’s what I wrote about Bastidas on April 25:
From accident to safety campaign
By Pam LeBlanc Austin American-Statesman
Al Bastidas got hit by a car while cycling in 2002, incurring injuries so traumatic he was hospitalized a month, needed five surgeries and had to quit his job as a design engineer.
He was reminded how lucky he was to survive four years later, when Gay Posey-Simmons was killed while cycling along Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360).
Jarred by her death, he painted the words “ Please Be Kind to Cyclists” on a sheet, hung it from his van and drove slowly up and down the road where she’d been hit by a vehicle pulling a trailer. Then he, his wife and daughter hand-painted 60 signs imploring motorists to be nice to cyclists and planted them along popular biking routes.
Now yellow-and-black “ Please Be Kind to Cyclists” bumper stickers can be seen on vehicles all over the city and beyond, and Bastidas has turned his simple message into a grass-roots nonprofit organization that works to increase harmony between motorists and cyclists.
Bastidas, a former triathlete, hopes his signs remind motorists that bicyclists are on the road.
“Whatever you’re doing - talking to your kids in the back seat, playing music, talking on your cell phone - stop that until you pass the cyclist. Be in the moment,” he says. Increase your tolerance, too. “That cyclist in front of you is a human - a doctor, a teacher, a mother - not just a cyclist.”
He encourages cyclists to respect motorists and obey traffic laws, too.
Please Be Kind to Cyclists needs donations to continue its educational push through videos, billboards and public service announcements, he says. For more information about the campaign, to make a donation or buy “ Please Be Kind to Cyclists” bumper stickers, T-shirts or cycling jerseys, go to www.bekindtocyclists.org.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment Categories: cycling
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By RedT
May 4, 2011 12:18 PM | Link to this
As a cyclist and a daily motor commuter (over 20 miles each way), occasionally I see cyclists making boneheaded moves (running a stop sign when ti’s clear), and rarely do I see cyclists making dangerous moves (running a stop sign when it’s not clear). More often I find myself yelling at the steering wheel when other motorists make boneheaded and dangerous moves (that have nothing to do with bicycles).
Yet, motorists are happy to forgive and forget their fellow motorists who do something dumb just about every single day.
I often wonder where these folks that have so much cyclist hate live that they are so CONSTANTLY endangered by cyclists. Are they building houses on the Veloway these days?
Actually, most of the anecdotal evidence is about “This one time back when I lived in Burpsville, Montana and this cyclist nearly ran over my dog … ” I suspect it is much like folks who think all [certain race] do [certain derogatory action] because of one experience (or anecdote from their cousins ex-babysitter), and thusly hate anyone else who falls into the group.
By Liz
May 4, 2011 1:17 PM | Link to this
As someone who lives on Shoal Creek Blvd, I just wish cyclists would stay in the bike lane. I get that cars are also parked along the road and that’s an exception… but why do you have to ride ON (or on the car side of) the line when there’s nothing in that lane? Drives me nuts. Especially when it’s just one guy by himself. I kind of get it when there are groups of 10 people… but one dude? Stay in your lane!
Also, twice this week I’ve seen non-exercising cyclists driving in the middle of the street going West towards Mopac on 2222… cars are going full speed down that road at that point and these cyclists were going 15 miles an hour in the middle of the lane. I was turning onto Shoal Creek both times and was shocked I didn’t witness an accident.
By fed up
May 4, 2011 1:31 PM | Link to this
SAME ROAD - SAME RULES - SAME RIGHTS
Cyclists and motorists all agree on this. We ALL hate the rule-breakers - the ones in cars and the ones on bikes.
Mostly, just remember IT’S NOT YOUR ROAD, IT’S A PUBLIC ROAD AND IT’S EVERYONE’S ROAD. Use it properly, follow the rules, watch out for the idiots, and, while you cannot control the behavior of others, you can do your own best to Be Considerate, Responsible, and SAFE at all times, whether you are on a bike or in a car.
AND No one cares that you saw a cyclist run a light today, and every day last week. WE ALL see it, WE ALL know it is wrong; it does NOT JUSTIFY A BLANKET HATRED OF CYCLISTS!!!! Get over it and get on with your own way. It is not worth you getting mad and you are not an authority authorized to mete out any sort of vigilante justice against rule-breaking drivers or cyclists. Let them be and the law (or a serious accident) will catch up with them eventually.
By LB
May 4, 2011 1:36 PM | Link to this
Cars AND cyclists have come very close to injuring me due to bone-headed (and usually illegal) moves while I’m walking. I cheer all folks moving by whatever means if they are obeying laws and looking out for one another whether I’m driving or walking. I don’t bike. But I’m constantly vigilant and try to be aware that I’m one person but that I, at least, can stop at stop signs and lights (right turn on red involves AFTER STOP folks), give bikes the road when necessary, walk in crosswalks and not dawdle in them on my iPhone while people are waiting for me to cross, etc. Sidewalks downtown with blind corners and many peds are inappropriate for bike riding. I have come very close to collision with one more than once while walking. Indeed, it is illegal by ordinance in some areas although it doesn’t seem to be enforced and one City Council person (a bike rider) said he was against signage because it “wasn’t a long term solution.” Bikers should be given their share of the road and I give it when I drive. Honestly, it isn’t such a huge inconvenience to go at the biker’s speed until it is absolutely safe to pass. I no longer expect bikes to stop for stop signs. The majority simply do not do it. (Lest you call me a jerk for this assertion, I challenge you to sit on my downtown balcony and take some stats. Of course, the autos won’t score very well either!) I cheer those who do obey the law, however. When I see a bike rider scrupulously stopping, staying off sidewalks, riding on correct side of the street, watching for peds and yielding to them in crosswalks, I feel better about the world. That ‘one biker’ or ‘one car’ can be a positive example.
For the record: pedestrians have been killed by bikes. One in our own city. However, cars are a bigger danger, of course. I actually have three friends who have been hit by cars crossing the street in a proper crosswalk.
By PH
May 4, 2011 5:38 PM | Link to this
For “fed up” who posted about the Shoal Creek (so-called) bike lanes, here’s a clue: those lanes as designed do not support use by cyclists as they allow parking in the lane. I have a right to ride in the vehicle lane on the road, and I will generally use that right if necessary for my protection while on a bicycle. Riding within that poorly designed lane requires a cyclist either to expose herself to “dooring” by the inattentive occupant of a parked car, or dodge in and out of the lane to keep herself safe from being doored.
Sorry, if you don’t like me in the lane, get City Counsel to re-stripe the bicycle lanes on Shoal Creek so they mirror the design of the lanes on Exposition. Until then, please slow down to a safe speed and courteously share the road with me as you are obligated by law to do.
By Liz
May 4, 2011 6:45 PM | Link to this
“fed up” was yelling about stuff… I was the one who posted about Shoal Creek and I wasn’t yelling. Please don’t yell back at me. :)
By dave
May 4, 2011 7:23 PM | Link to this
I agree that I see cyclist pulling illegal moves every day (although there are bad drivers the percentage of cyclists that jump red lights is MUCH greater) and I get really annoyed as know drivers use that as justification. I am a cyclist who rides on the roads to train. does not jump red lights, I am even kind enough to not move up the queue at the lights and keep forcing the same car to pass me again and again.
but love the comment made in the original post. that person on the bike is a person. no matter how much they irritate you they are still a person and do not deserve to die to be seriously injured because you dislike bike riders.
By Chris
May 5, 2011 7:53 AM | Link to this
Liz, You probably saw me or my wife on 2222 going west towards Mopac. I know it looks a little strange and if you don’t understand the lights and timing and what we’re doing, it seems unsafe, but it is not.
First of all, we’re not in the middle of 2222. 2222 has 2 lanes in each direction so motorists can safely pass on the left(we’re in the right lane). When we do this maneuver, we’re making a left from Shoal Creek onto 2222 with the left turn arrow. So traffic is all stopped except those making a left onto 2222 and other vehicles making a left with us can easily have the left lane while we have the right lane. What you didn’t see is that we immediately take the first right onto Bullard. So we are off 2222 before the main flow of traffic on 2222 gets the green light again. I actually feel this is safer than going straight at the 2222/Shoal Creek intersection as cars sometimes fly by you trying to catch the light.
What we’re doing is a much more controlled maneuver.
As some one else pointed out. There is no bike lane on Shoal Creek. It is a multi use space. In general, cyclist did not want Shoal Creek striped the way it is, but the neighborhood was able to overrule the professional city designers and now we have what we have.
As was pointed out, go look at Exposition for an example of what the engineers wanted to do. It works much better.
Liz, one more comment. What does “non exercising” have to do with it. Do you mean a commuter? It’s a strange choice of words.
By J.B.
May 5, 2011 8:02 AM | Link to this
I never understood this logic, the hatred for all cyclist because they saw someone run a light. I saw a person is a VW Jetta run a light the other day. Should I hate all Jetta drivers? I see law breakers nearly every time I’m on the road (speeding, txt and driving, running lights, intoxicated)
Clumping the entire group together just doesn’t make sense.
A friend of mine in Montana said his city just made it legal for cyclists to proceed through red lights after stopping. They are using it as an incentive to get more bikes on the road and fewer cars by making it easier and quicker to cycle commute.
Just a thought.
From my experience cycling in Austin for over 13 years. Angry people are just angry. They have an internal misery that gives them this outlook on many others, not just cyclists.
By T$
May 5, 2011 11:22 AM | Link to this
@J.B. Our best recourse is legal, following Oregon, but educating the public would be a major obstacle. Suggested reading: “Red as Stop; Stop as Yield” legislation (Velonews, legally speaking with Bob Mionske).
@PH
Thanks for bringing up “dooring,” a real consideration on Shoal Creek, Veterans (next to Town Lake) and basically anywhere downtown where parallel parking predominates.We’ve all got our stories, and mine involve injuries gotten and insults given like every other rider. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if you’re right if you’re injured or dead.
I wear the stupid colored spandex with the butt pad when I commute. Whenever I ride in, I have to decide that elevated mood + productivity + health/fitness + saving on gas $ outweighs the risks and makes the effort a win. My goal is always to get to/from work alive.
I know rules of the road and obey most traffic laws when I ride, just as I do when I drive. The difference is that I am on a bike and not in a car. That creates unique danger and unique problems for me. Solving problems on the fly can increase my exposure to danger dramatically - avoiding a pothole, gravel, glass or other road debris, or impeding traffic at stop signs or lights, for example. These considerations have a much greater impact on my movement than they do of any automobile. I’m curious how many drivers would prefer me to stay in my position and lane at a stop sign or light if it cost them the time of an additional light cycle?
By T$
May 5, 2011 11:24 AM | Link to this
J.B.: Our best recourse is legal, following Oregon, but educating the public would be a major obstacle. Suggested reading: “Red as Stop; Stop as Yield” legislation (Velonews, legally speaking with Bob Mionske).
PH: Thanks for bringing up “dooring,” a real consideration on Shoal Creek, Veterans (next to Town Lake) and basically anywhere downtown where parallel parking predominates.We’ve all got our stories, and mine involve injuries gotten and insults given like every other rider. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if you’re right if you’re injured or dead.
I wear the stupid colored spandex with the butt pad when I commute. Whenever I ride in, I have to decide that elevated mood + productivity + health/fitness + saving on gas $ outweighs the risks and makes the effort a win. My goal is always to get to/from work alive.
I know rules of the road and obey most traffic laws when I ride, just as I do when I drive. The difference is that I am on a bike and not in a car. That creates unique danger and unique problems for me. Solving problems on the fly can increase my exposure to danger dramatically - avoiding a pothole, gravel, glass or other road debris, or impeding traffic at stop signs or lights, for example. These considerations have a much greater impact on my movement than they do of any automobile. I’m curious how many drivers would prefer me to stay in my position and lane at a stop sign or light if it cost them the time of an additional light cycle?
By T$
May 5, 2011 11:28 AM | Link to this
J.B.: Our best recourse is legal, following Oregon, but educating the public would be a major obstacle. Suggested reading on Velonews: “Red as Stop; Stop as Yield” legislation. Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske).
PH: Thanks for bringing up “dooring,” a real consideration on Shoal Creek, Veterans (next to Town Lake) and basically anywhere downtown where parallel parking predominates.We’ve all got our stories, and mine involve injuries gotten and insults given like every other rider. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if you’re right if you’re injured or dead.
I wear the stupid colored spandex with the butt pad when I commute. Whenever I ride in, I have to decide that elevated mood + productivity + health/fitness + saving on gas $ outweighs the risks and makes the effort a win. My goal is always to get to/from work alive.
I know rules of the road and obey most traffic laws when I ride, just as I do when I drive. The difference is that I am on a bike and not in a car. That creates unique danger and unique problems for me. Solving problems on the fly can increase my exposure to danger dramatically - avoiding a pothole, gravel, glass or other road debris, or impeding traffic at stop signs or lights, for example. These considerations have a much greater impact on my movement than they do of any automobile. I’m curious how many drivers would prefer me to stay in my position and lane at a stop sign or light if it cost them the time of an additional light cycle?
By Liz
May 5, 2011 11:49 AM | Link to this
Hey Chris, Actually, these two incidents were people in the left lane on 2222 which is why it made me nervous. And they were truly just dilly dallying. There are people who commute down Shoal Creek in their bikes and there are obviously the people in their workout gear who are booking it… I usually find that all of those people are pretty aware of their surroundings and follow traffic laws. It was the two people who seemed totally oblivious to their surroundings and were driving in the middle of the left lane of traffic that were concerning to me!
By Anthony
May 5, 2011 7:45 PM | Link to this
As a cyclist, there needs to be three things that will improve the relationship between cyclist and driver: 1. Start ticketing bicyclists the same fine as drivers for traffic offenses more frequently 2. Drivers maintain the distance rule between bike and driver 3. Cyclists - pay attention and become a defensive biker
By Cassidy
May 9, 2011 1:10 PM | Link to this
Are there not bigger issues going on in our city besides this p*ssing contest between a few isolated drivers and a few isolated cyclists? Those that would group all drivers and all cyclists into one category or another do not, or will not, or cannot understand the simple concept of generalization. I have a message for drivers, when you see a cyclist, imagine it’s a 5 year on a Big Wheel. I feel doing this will subconsciously cause you to slow down and be more attentive. I have a message for cyclists; imagine everyone driving around Austin is your senile 98 year old great great grandmother, who through the failure of DPS, still has a valid driver’s license, despite not being able to recognize her own children. Doing this will subconsciously force you keep your head on a swivel and reduce your willingness to take risks. This message has been brought to you from the folks at Captain Obvious, Inc.
By Chelsey
May 11, 2011 4:21 PM | Link to this
Biking is a lot more work than sitting on your duff with your foot on the pedal (which is no work at all). If an intersection is very visible and there are obviously no conflicts if I run the stop sign or light, then often I will, and that is just fine. If you motorists are jealous—then get on a bike and you can do it too. This is one of the advantages to reducing traffic and emissions and getting all sweaty. Cars are DANGEROUS. Bikes are much less so. If you want bikers to have to be as compliant as motorists, then you have no right to complain about a biker who rides in the middle of a road lane if that makes the biker feel safer. I consider myself a very smart and safe biker. And guess what, I drive a car on occasion too. Why must motorists feel their masculinity is threatened by bikers?