Cycling Story

yesterday less than 3 blocks from a massive yellow banner stating "Share The Road" as posted by a cycling awareness committee I passed a guy who had just been hit by a car on his bike. Lots of cops, ambulance and clearly he was quite hurt. Ironic, I suppose but it made me think.

I have a bike I bought last summer and I still haven't ever ridden it because I am too afraid. Why? Because in the city, it's just not safe. Unless there are continuous dedicated bike lanes, this "share the road" idea cannot possibly work well.

Reasons why:

Bikes are A LOT slower than traffic

when there are cars parked on the street, bikes have to veer out into the lane because they are not supposed to drive on the sidewalks

Bikes are hard to see and often cyclists ride up on the inside of cars (personally, when I am driving, I hate this, it makes me nervous for them)

Cyclists don't always use signals

Drivers don't always use signals

Drivers speed

Cyclists run stop signs, traffic lights etc.

There are major life threatening items on this list from both parties.

Now I'm not trying to dissuade anyone who can/has successfully navigated the streets by bike. I think you are very brave and probably quite lucky too.

I just think that Cars and Bikes don't belong together and when they come together accidentally, the cyclist is in for some major trouble 9 times out of 10.

So although I really had wanted to ride my bike around the city, I might have to put that bike up for sale, it's taking up room in my condo.