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Bicycling taboos and myths are widespread in our modern culture. Here are
the worst.
-- Myth: Bicyclists Must "Keep Their Place" To The Right.
Bicyclists should never "squeeze over" for others. Most state vehicle codes
list many situations when bicycles should merge left and ride near the
center of the right-most traffic lane: where roads become narrow or in
narrow traffic lanes; to ride clear of glass, debris, potholes, rough
paving, moving, turning, or parked vehicles; to operate correctly as a
vehicle in the proper lane at intersections, and when passing or turning
left.
-- Myth: If I Slow The Cars, They'll Run Me Over.
The simple truth: it doesn't happen. Getting hit from directly behind
rarely occurs. Most motorists would feel traumatized if they injured
someone. Many are actually afraid of cyclists.
Most people will wait their turn behind a bicyclist because they can see
why the cyclist is out in the lane; to avoid parked cars, blocked
bikelanes, cars pulling out, or it's just too narrow to pass safely without
"squeezing". For those who try to pass anyway, riding near the center of
the lane leaves the cyclist a safety margin of 4-5' into which they can move
if needed.
-- Myth: Bicycling With Traffic Is Dangerous And Stupid.
Bicycling with traffic is safe and fun for those who operate by predictable,
vehicular rules. The single most important rule: merge with traffic and
take the full lane whenever necessary for safety.
Vehicular Cycling is bicycling cooperatively with traffic by emphasizing
the same simple vehicular rules that all drivers use. Vehicular Cycling is
safer than driving a plane or motorcycle. Classes and books such as
Effective Cycling from the League of American Bicyclists teach it.
Bicyclist Education is the most effective method known for eliminating up
to 90% of bicycling accidents. It is simply not enough to put a helmet on
your head and call that safety: helmets don't keep you out of crashes, they
only reduce injuries. You have to put some knowledge inside your head as
well. Most of what people have learned about bike safety from parents,
police and schools is both wrong and dangerous.
-- Myth: Bicyclists Shouldn't Use This Road: It's Too Dangerous!
No matter how busy the road, a bicyclist simply riding along, in a generally
lawful manner, threatens and endangers no one. It is motorists who
endanger everyone by ignoring the posted speed limit and caution signs,
failing to slow down on blind hills and curves, and refusing to wait 20-30
seconds to pass safely. In blaming the bicyclist we are blaming the victim.
We must insist that local police crack down on speeding and unlawful
driving of all kinds.
-- Myth: Bicyclists Break Laws. They Should All Be Banned.
Prejudice and discrimination, plain and simple. "You should all be punished
for the sins of your kind (religion, color, gender, etc.). Try applying the
same rule to motorists: "All motorists will be restricted because of
unlawful driving by some of them." This twisted logic ends only when the
community-at-large speaks up against it, in all it's forms.
-- Myth: Cars Should Be Able To Pass Bicycles At Any Time.
The Ca. DMV Driver's Manual (as all do) says differently: "When the lane is
too narrow ... wait until the next lane is clear and give the bicycle rider
all the rights of any other slow-moving vehicle. Slow and let the cars
pass... then move left to pass the bicycle. Leave plenty of room between
your car and any bicycle."
-- Myth: Car Drivers Pay Taxes, Bicyclists Should Too.
Public roads are free of charge (yes!) and open to people of all ages:
walking, riding bicycles, tricycles and horses, and operating different
types and speeds of vehicles. However, motor vehicles are heavy, dangerous
high-speed machinery that regularly kill and injure hundreds of thousands of
people. That is why motor vehicle operators must be trained, licensed,
regulated, and insured. Because motor vehicles generate excessive road wear
and tear, they pay additional taxes (truck operators pay even more). Even
so, the USDOT calculates that every motorist gets subsidized over $3000 from
general taxes each year.
-- Myth: Roads Are Primarily For Cars.
Public roads are for transportation, and have been for thousands of years.
The Ca. DMV states: "Farm tractors, animal-drawn vehicles, and riders of
horses... are entitled to share the road with you ... Motorcyclists have the
same rights and responsibilities ... Bicycle riders on public streets have
the same rights and responsibilities ... vehicles must treat bicycle riders
the same as drivers ... Bicyclists are not out of place on the roadway -
they are part of the traffic and share the road."
-- Myth: Cars Were Here First
It was bicycle mechanics (Henry Ford, Wright Bros.) who invented cars and
airplanes using advanced bicycle technology. Neither could exist without
the pneumatic tires, precision bearings, tension-spoked wheels, chain-drive,
hi-tensile steel, and other technologies invented for bicycles.
Thank you for your time and consideration. And thank you for bicycling!
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