I was biking to work down High Street today as usual, enjoying this fine spring weather and marveling at how many other cylists I am seeing on High Street these days--sharrows and $4.00 gas will have that effect. Passing through the University district, I caught sight of 3 twowheelers a couple blocks ahead. Just then a light turned red in front of them and I was looking forward to catching them before it turned green and riding the rest of the way downtown with them. But they just blew through the redlight like it didn't exist. A few blocks further they blew through another one. I stopped at both lights and still caught them in the Short North.
These are teachable moments, but fraught with risk. Being by nature very independent, cyclists hate to be lectured or preached to about violating traffic laws. There's no question under the law that bicycles are "vehicles" entitled to use the highways, but it's also clear that cyclists must obey the traffic laws when they use the highways--for their own safety and the safety of others.
"Morning guys, how're you doing?" I asked as I biked into their midst. "Great," they replied. "Hey, I hate to preach, but there's nothing that pisses off motorists and gives us a bad rep than when you blow through lights like you did back there," I preached in as non-judgmental a tone as I could muster. Unfortunately, there's no way to sugar coat this message. "We always blow through lights," came the response. I shrugged and biked on ahead. I stopped at a redlight at Nationwide Blvd.--2 of the riders stopped behind the line of cars turning left and the 3rd rider blew through the light and turned right. I guess you could consider it a "rolling" right turn on red.
Ironically, my friend and law school classmate, Steve Magas, the best know bicycle attorney in the state has an editorial in the Dispatch today regarding bicycle traffic laws. Most knowledgeable cyclists realize it's in our best long-term interest to obey traffic laws, not only to stay safe, but to ensure that we earn and maintain the respect of the community as we turn Columbus into the bicycle capital of the US. It's the only way we can do it.
The grass is greening up and they're installing the carousel at Columbus Commons. I think this is going to be a very nice place for folks to hang out this summer.
So, hold onto your horses!
I'm ready for Ohio to legislate the eminently sensible "Idaho stop" but I know it's not going to happen.
Posted by: Rob | April 14, 2011 at 09:13 AM
Doug,
Don't loose the faith... I now have started stopping at all (well almost all) lights. Being a Consider Biking Route person has pushed me to do the right thing... I even have clip shoes now - Wow Dave said they'd make a difference and he was right (once again - but don't tell him I said so, wouldn't want him to squeek out a smile or anything).
Anyway, Your reminders do work, so keep the faith...
Diane
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1321723953 | April 19, 2011 at 08:23 PM