the simple breakdown...

the breakdown is simple...
so many car drivers do not know how to behave around bicycles

it is not that they are intentionally trying to kill each and every bicycle that they encounter on the road
it is more a matter that the car driver does not know how to behave around bicycles

let me see it I can break down some simple logic


remember... I type as I think

so I will be reading this for the first time as I put it on the monitor's screen


yes... there are some people who are intentionally trying to run people off the road

but the idiots far outnumber the assholes

although some of the idiots are assholes as well

but maybe if people explained things in a simple fashion there would be less people driving around like idiots and assholes

and more people exhibiting common sense and common courtesy when the are in their cars around people on their bicycles


speed-
unsure of the speed to be going when passing a cyclist?
how about this?

less than the speed limit

as the speed limit is set for how cars should behave when dealing with other cars

so when passing a bicyclist or a pedestrian that means that you should be going slower than the speed limit

which means...
when you are speeding down the road at 45 MPH slowing to 35 MPH may not be good enough if the speed limit for that road is 25 MPH
than you are going way faster than you should be driving when your car is passing human flesh


passing-

safe passing distance may vary

the law states a minimum of three feet
which is a good place to start
but... this pass should anticipate the cyclist's next action
this could be too many variables to throw down in a quick bullet point

so we will say that the three feet law is a good start... more would be better
and....
Share the Road does not mean Share the Lane

too close is too close
whether on the street or on the dance floor
give me some space

but... to those being generous giving me space

be safe crossing the double yellow line

do not risk a head on collision with another car or worse yet a cyclist

making the pass-

it is perfectly fine for cars to pass cyclists

but here is a simple rule of thumb get an idea of what is ahead

do not pass the cyclist if...
  • you pass the cyclist just before a stop sign... where the cyclist is then force to stop right behind you
  • if you are about to turn and your pass than slow or stall right in front of the cyclist before you turn
  • your going to stop to drop someone off or grab a parking space
in all cases it is best if the driver just slow and wait behind moving at the cyclist's pace
waiting their turn


there should be a few others
but I need to focus on getting the kids out of the tub

let me make a few good statements that may be good for people to think about when they are out driving around town


the golden rule-

no matter what religion you follow
or how you define god the golden rule makes fine sense in any language the golden rule