Comments on: Biking in Louisville (part 1)

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:02:13 +0000

Great column!
I think last rule on the obligations of cyclist is often overlooked. Cyclist are allowed to claim as much of the lane as necessary to ride safely. This means claiming the whole lane when riding on a narrow street, or riding next to parked cars, or approaching an intersection anywhere. Because of the dynamics of traffic the burden is on the motorist to provide a safe environment for the cyclist or any slow moving vehicle that they overtake. I pretty much assume every car is going to hit me and ride as such. I follow traffic signals and signs, but I’m only giving right of way in the lane I occupy if I’m certain it is safe FOR ME. Nobody else is going to protect us, so we have to look out for ourselves.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:32:41 +0000

Generally I’d guess that that beep from a motorist behind a bicyclist is a “hey, I’m here behind you” courtesy. However, in my bicycling experience, it’s generally difficult to know someone’s intention, especially while riding (I don’t always feel comfortable turning my head backwards to look, especially on a busy street with lots of pedestrians and/or opening car doors). I wish car drivers wouldn’t honk at bicyclists, in general. It’s distracting, doesn’t serve much purpose (I already know there’s going to be cars behind me when I’m riding), and can be unduly stressful.
Otherwise, thanks Michelle for posting all those rules.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:05:06 +0000

Very good points Jack, thanks for adding them to the discussion.
Thanks for chiming in Laura. You’ve proven my suspicion that lots of us don’t know the rules/laws of the road when it comes to cycling, pedestrian and motor vehicles in the city. I really think it’s very important that we get more exposure and awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both cyclists and motorists out there. Thanks for inspiring me to continue with some ideas that have been spinning in my head. I think this is really important stuff.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:08:12 +0000

I have to confess that when I borrowed the Freewheelin’ bike from the IdeaFestival and rode it a mile or so down Broadway, I rode it mostly on the sidewalks. I didn’t know it was against the law. Luckily, the sidewalks there are really wide and weren’t very heavily populated by pedestrians at the time.
As an inexperienced bike rider, I was way too scared to ride in traffic on the street. Even during the few blocks I rode up and down 4th Street that day I had a few scary moments with people getting too close to me or beeping because I was going too slow.
My thoughts are with Jen’s family – I feel horrible about what they must be going through.

By: Jack Bishop

Jack Bishop — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:03:59 +0000

A couple points I think are important that you didn’t touch on, and which as a biker I’m appalled to see disregarded so often:
Vehicles, which category bicycles fit into, must ride with traffic. Runners and walkers can and should move against traffic, but bikers should absolutely be on the right-hand side of the road — riding against traffic flow is extremely dangerous for everyone involved.
Helmets for bikers and motorcyclists should not be regarded as optional, and we should really be inculcating this at a young age. Likewise (getting off of the bike issue briefly) seatbelts in cars.
Also, re hand signals: pretty much no drivers (or bikers) actually know the approved right-turn sign, so it seems generally more effective to stretch out one’s right hand, which is more easily interpreted, if less conspicuous to passing and oncoming traffic.