I dunno. When I was commuting 20 miles a day with a shower at each end, the “vehicular cycling” approach worked well for me. Now that I putter around town with kids on a cargo bike, or their own bikes, and need to go slow to avoid arriving sweaty. I’d like a bike lane: “bicycle driving” is less reasonable when you’re going 10mph, and no amount of “learning” is going to change those conditions.
Truth is the that both types of cyclists exist but growth in the total number of cyclists is likely achieved by appealing to those that would use bike lanes. Of course, that doesn’t mean that cities will manage to build good ones…
Just began bike commuting here in Norfolk, VA. We have the typical urban mish-mash of protected bike lines, unprotected bike lanes, sharrows, and nothing. For the most part, I have enjoyed “bicycle driving” even on those roads where there are no special designations. I try to make myself highly visible with fluorescent yellow safety “suspenders,” hi-vis tape, and blinking lights. I ride an e-bike, so it helps that I can edge up to 28 mph if I feel it it necessary to keep with the flow of traffic, but I’m usually averaging around 15-17.
Thank you, Justin, for this excellent article. I often struggle to find the right words to explain these issues to fellow cyclists. I'm seeing more and more e-bike riders on our roads—as well as on multi-use paths and even sidewalks—and it reinforces my belief that we need to place far greater emphasis on education rather than simply building more infrastructure.
Pastor, I also enjoy riding in Norfolk. Personally, I'd much rather ride on roads like W. Olney Road or Llewellyn Avenue, despite their divided four-lane design, than use some of the newer bike infrastructure where the lanes are too narrow to feel comfortable. I also think the sharrows on Colley Avenue are a good example of infrastructure that works well without unnecessarily restricting cyclists.
Congratulations on beginning your bike-commuting journey! Where have you learned about bicycle-driving technique? Somewhere online? Have you taken a class?
Honestly, I think I got comfortable riding in traffic years ago when I rode a motorcycle. A lot of things carry over, e.g., look where you want to go, anticipate what the other guy is going to do, be visible, etc.
As someone who does a fair amount of vehicular cycling myself and who has completed a few CyclingSavvy courses, I always think of "people of all ages and abilities" when I discuss bike safety advocacy. Will parents with their children on the back seats feel safe and comfortable riding in a 30-mph street mixed with cars? How about elderly people? Do I want my 6-year-old daughter to ride in the street? All of them would be able to ride safely where a connected network of cycling infrastructure is available.
Love your analogies. Makes sense to anyone who is willing to have a rational discussion on the topic. Unfortunately, it is not a sexy subject, except for those who advocate for infrastructure. Money is always sexy.
Along with your learning to swim analogy, vehicle drivers need to learn how to operate according to the rules of the road. Many have forgotten or never completely understood what to do in different situations. Take for example who goes first at a four way stop, or at a flashing red light intersection. Confusion reigns on the streets at all times.
This is especially true when new things are introduced on roads (such as e-scooters, skaters and wheelchairs) and the "drivers" of those vehicles never took driver's ed or choose to ignore the rules as not applying to them (because they erroneously believe they are pedestrians). Some alternative vehicle drivers even believe, to their potential peril, that it is incumbent on the drivers of heavier vehicles to avoid hitting them even if the rules of the road are not followed.
I believe it is time for society to re-set what the rules are.
Money is indeed always sexy, and you're right that the driver-education deficit is by no means limited to cyclists: motorist education is widely neglected as well.
I dunno. When I was commuting 20 miles a day with a shower at each end, the “vehicular cycling” approach worked well for me. Now that I putter around town with kids on a cargo bike, or their own bikes, and need to go slow to avoid arriving sweaty. I’d like a bike lane: “bicycle driving” is less reasonable when you’re going 10mph, and no amount of “learning” is going to change those conditions.
Truth is the that both types of cyclists exist but growth in the total number of cyclists is likely achieved by appealing to those that would use bike lanes. Of course, that doesn’t mean that cities will manage to build good ones…
Just began bike commuting here in Norfolk, VA. We have the typical urban mish-mash of protected bike lines, unprotected bike lanes, sharrows, and nothing. For the most part, I have enjoyed “bicycle driving” even on those roads where there are no special designations. I try to make myself highly visible with fluorescent yellow safety “suspenders,” hi-vis tape, and blinking lights. I ride an e-bike, so it helps that I can edge up to 28 mph if I feel it it necessary to keep with the flow of traffic, but I’m usually averaging around 15-17.
Thank you, Justin, for this excellent article. I often struggle to find the right words to explain these issues to fellow cyclists. I'm seeing more and more e-bike riders on our roads—as well as on multi-use paths and even sidewalks—and it reinforces my belief that we need to place far greater emphasis on education rather than simply building more infrastructure.
Pastor, I also enjoy riding in Norfolk. Personally, I'd much rather ride on roads like W. Olney Road or Llewellyn Avenue, despite their divided four-lane design, than use some of the newer bike infrastructure where the lanes are too narrow to feel comfortable. I also think the sharrows on Colley Avenue are a good example of infrastructure that works well without unnecessarily restricting cyclists.
Congratulations on beginning your bike-commuting journey! Where have you learned about bicycle-driving technique? Somewhere online? Have you taken a class?
Honestly, I think I got comfortable riding in traffic years ago when I rode a motorcycle. A lot of things carry over, e.g., look where you want to go, anticipate what the other guy is going to do, be visible, etc.
As someone who does a fair amount of vehicular cycling myself and who has completed a few CyclingSavvy courses, I always think of "people of all ages and abilities" when I discuss bike safety advocacy. Will parents with their children on the back seats feel safe and comfortable riding in a 30-mph street mixed with cars? How about elderly people? Do I want my 6-year-old daughter to ride in the street? All of them would be able to ride safely where a connected network of cycling infrastructure is available.
Love your analogies. Makes sense to anyone who is willing to have a rational discussion on the topic. Unfortunately, it is not a sexy subject, except for those who advocate for infrastructure. Money is always sexy.
Along with your learning to swim analogy, vehicle drivers need to learn how to operate according to the rules of the road. Many have forgotten or never completely understood what to do in different situations. Take for example who goes first at a four way stop, or at a flashing red light intersection. Confusion reigns on the streets at all times.
This is especially true when new things are introduced on roads (such as e-scooters, skaters and wheelchairs) and the "drivers" of those vehicles never took driver's ed or choose to ignore the rules as not applying to them (because they erroneously believe they are pedestrians). Some alternative vehicle drivers even believe, to their potential peril, that it is incumbent on the drivers of heavier vehicles to avoid hitting them even if the rules of the road are not followed.
I believe it is time for society to re-set what the rules are.
Money is indeed always sexy, and you're right that the driver-education deficit is by no means limited to cyclists: motorist education is widely neglected as well.