An Open Letter to Motorists

Ok, so it's not my intention to use this blog to rant, but after a few weeks bicycle commuting full-time, I have some suggestions for those sharing the road with me.

1) First, let me say that the overwhelming majority of motorists to an excellent job of driving well around cyclists. Passing as if I am a car (i.e. in the other lane), taking right-of-ways when they have it, etc.

2) Speaking of right-of-way: If you have it, take it. Don't come to a complete stop in the middle of the road and wave me on to turn left in front of you, because I'm not going to. Same goes for stop signs; if you were there first, go. I'm still on my pedals because I am moving as slowly as possible, waiting for you to go. Treat me like a car, please.

3) The most annoying part of my commute is the in-neighborhood portion. Although it's relatively small, it's frustrating, and stop signs are the reason. Yes, you are a car, and I am a bicycle, but in the neighborhood you are NOT faster than me. That's just how it is. It does not provide you with any benefit to go zooming around me each block to get to the stop sign ahead of me, only to be subsequently caught/passed as you approach the stop sign. Get over it already, we go the same speed, so just wait your turn.

4) This isn't even specific to biking, but: To the lady who ran the red light at Colorado & Iliff yesterday in front of me: you're going to kill someone. Slow down, if you miss the light I promise the world will not end. I'm glad I was paying attention and didn't pull into the intersection when my light turned green, or I would probably be in the hospital after being smashed down Colorado Blvd by your SUV.

That's pretty much it. Overall, I have had a great experience thus far, and even though the weather is changing, I still love jumping on my bike to run a quick errand to the grocery store or blockbuster like I got to do last night!

Slacking!

It's been over a week! I'm ashamed.

Monday was a very good test of my car-less existence. When I left the house it as 23 degrees outside and a touch windy. Proud to say that this was my first below-freezing bike ride. It really was no big deal. I added a layer, a pair of flannel-lined khaki's that I have had forever, and they are amazing. Another 10 degrees colder and I will need a pair of shell gloves and probably something for my face. My Barrier jacket probably won't suffice either (since I usually wear a t-shirt under it, and can't wear a sweatshirt under it).

The rest of this week has been perfect - about 40 in the mornings, which is really nice, and about 70 in the afternoons.

Also arriving at my house in the past week were: My 9.99 PVC/nylon cover, which I now carry both ways every day but haven't needed to use yet, and spare tubes. I am still waiting on my slick tires (may arrive today, should be any day) and I just bought a cheapo pair of interchangable lens glasses from Nashbar ($20 shipped).

I am a little worried that my fenders will be too small for my tires but bigger ones might not fit under my short-pull brakes. We shall see!

From the Colorado DOT

This is pretty neat:

2007 Share the Road Safety Campaign
“Share the Road. Don’t be a Road Hog.

We all walk, bike and drive. Don’t be a Road Hog. Let’s all Share the Road.

"Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians", particularly 18 to 34 year old males are the primary focus of the 2007 Share the Road Campaign starting this month. The campaign will increase awareness of the shared responsibility for road safety among users of highways, sidewalks and bicycle routes - specifically motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

The CDOT Public Relations Office in partnership with the CDOT Division of Transportation Development have developed a new campaign this year that combines earned media, purchased media, public events and agency partnerships to deliver the message:

“Share the Road. Don’t be a Road Hog.”

From:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/TravelInfo/SharetheRoad/

I have yet to see any media on this, but it is something! It's good to see CDOT taking action on behalf of those of us using non-auto transportation.

2 Weeks

Today will be the end of my 2nd week bike commuting (and my 6th week since I have driven my car). No flat tires, missed trains, sweaty backs!

A few brief observations:

People are mesmerized by a bike commuter. On the train, it's "is that a garment bag? cool!" But the best ones are in the elevator at work. "How far is your ride?" or "Cold for a ride today, isn't it?" (It's been about 45 in the mornings this week.) My manager is still amazed that I've gone 6 weeks without my car. In his defense, he has a kid and lives in the Ranch which isn't exactly pedestrian or bicycle friendly.

I think I'm starting to become a little anti-car. I really don't enjoy running errands in the car, or having to drive (or ride in it) in general. I love running around town on my bike, to Cheapo Discs or the bike shop or the grocery store or blockbuster or whatever. It just makes me happy.

Yesterday in Quicken I did a quick-and-dirty analysis of what we've recently been spending on gas, and it looks like last month we spent about $75 less than the previous 12 month average. Woohoo for easy savings!

Woohoo!

So I finally got my new gear on my bike, wrapped the bars and did my first full-on, change-clothes-at-the-office commute today. It went great, a little cool in the morning, beautiful this afternoon. My garment bag pannier works great and kept my clothes looking nice.

I absolutely love my new bar tape - natural cork. Check it out.



Got the rack on, without much difficulty:



Here's the whole deal: