Physics And The Peaceful Coexistence Of Cyclists And Motorists

Let me start this post by saying that I am a cyclist. But don't think for a moment that I am just going to rant about crappy drivers. It's not that simple for me. I am a motorist as well.

I live on a street that has two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes divided by a median. There is also a very wide, well-marked bike lane northbound and southbound. It is a popular thoroughfare for cyclists riding to and from Austin and San Marcos.

As a motorist, I always try to be aware of cyclists. I have heard too many horror stories over the years, and I do my part to give them the space necessary to ride safely. With that said, as a cyclist I try to be cognizant of a motorist's challenge in seeing us and understanding how we function on the roads.

One day, I got into my car and headed down the aforementioned street. I approached a group of cyclists. I noted that even though there is a broad bike lane, many of them were wandering aimlessly into the path of traffic in the right hand lane.

Before we go any further, I will add that I know that it is a cyclist's right to occupy the far right lane of traffic.I don't take issue with that.

But as I approached the intersection, there seemed to be no rhyme nor reason to what this group of cyclists was doing. In the lane, out of the lane, it was hard to tell.

Fortunately, we were approaching a red light at a busy intersection. In times past, I have watched far too many a cyclist simply ride through lights and stop signs while barely adjusting their speed, let alone stopping. Of course, the same is true of motorists.

The problem with all of this is that both cyclists and motorists are at fault. Frankly, I am not sure that one is more so than the other. Take out mutual respect and physics is firmly on the side of the motorist.

Motorists are in vehicles that weigh many times that of the average bike and cyclist combined. They have a contact patch of tire to ground that is far greater than the small contact patch of a 700x25C tire on a road bike. One quick opening of a driver side door could take down a cyclist in an instant. They have a responsibility to respect the laws of physics – and to be aware of those around them.

Cyclists, on the other hand, are as much at fault. "I have the right to ride here" isn't enough. Respect for a 2000 pound vehicle is important. You can't just ask for the benefit of the rules of the road, then break them arbitrarily at stop signs and lights. Your consistency makes it far easier for motorists to be able to coexist with you.

With rights, comes responsibilities. Welcome to the world of cyclists and motorists.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of force, mass, and acceleration, cyclists will bear the brunt of this burden. The physics of the scenario isn't changing any time soon. But the problem is shared.  We won't coexist peacefully until there is mutual respect, consistency, and awareness. I just hope it happens sooner than later.

Photo credits: Elvert Barnes

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