Ranting for sanity

Since I could not attend last night's Ride of Silence here in Chicago, I wanted to see what was being written about it out there in the big world. So the first place I landed was a Chicago Tribune article announcing the ride.
I tried to stop myself, but couldn't: I read the comments.

Alive.

I know (I think) that many drivers are courteous, considerate, cautious and tolerant of slower moving vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, the handicapped, parents with strollers, folks with walkers, and anyone who does not happen to be driving a multi-ton, foreign-fuel-dependent machine. But some of the comments posted below that article made me question my faith in the fellow man.

Perhaps the bicycle industry is at fault for persisting at marketing bicycles for leisure and recreation. Not that there is anything wrong with leisure and recreation per se. It's just that, in out profit-driven society, those activities are less of a priority than just getting things done. So, if you are riding a bicycle, an item that, like it or not, can still be purchased at Toys-R-Us, you are perhaps perceived as doing something frivolous, playing, enjoying yourself, kind of like the grasshopper among the busy ants.

Well, to all you busy ants out there, with your very important appointments and agendas, let it be known that you do not need to be the owner of a $40,000 pile of metal for your livelihood and your life to matter. People use bikes for all sorts of reasons. People cycle to their jobs. No, they are not deadbeats. People from all professions, white and blue collar alike, cycle because they chose to, not because they've had their driver's license suspended. People cycle to get to school. People cycle to get things done. People cycle because cycling provides good exercise, is cheap, efficient, and maybe because they believe in a cleaner, saner community. Some people cycle because they believe bicycles will change the world. Who are you to tell them they are wrong? And, yes, people cycle for recreation.

Contrast this with some of the reasons people drive. It could be argued that driving in today's climate, for any reason, is downright irresponsible. Driving supports questionable foreign governments, degrades our environment, destroys communities, contributes to obesity, and creates urban congestion. But, as a car owner and driver myself, I can't, in clear conscience condemn the use of the car altogether. Nevertheless, it should be clear as day to anyone, that most people use cars when it is completely unnecessary. Parking lots at supermarkets are filled to capacity as bike racks stand unused. In Chicago, most people are within a mile of a grocery store. On school days, neighborhood streets are backed up with SUV's disgorging children, most of whom live within walking distance from their local school. On weekend nights, trendy neighborhoods are clogged with automobiles, as their owners circle for parking spots, and later drive home having consumed several martinis at a fancy restaurant. Women drive to beauty salons to get their pedicures, and drive back home with tufts of cotton stuffed between their toes. People use their cars as moving offices, talking on phones, sending text messages, reviewing emails, and who knows what else.

But what about cyclists who ride irresponsibly? Of course, they endanger themselves, and other users of the road, including drivers, who may be affected forever if they happen to injure of kill one. Nevertheless, dangers posed by cyclists pale in comparison to those created by automobiles. According to the US Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2006 (the last year for which data has been compiled), automobile-related deaths numbered 42,642. Of those, 773 involved cyclists, 4,784 pedestrians, and a whopping 30,521 were occupants of passenger cars and light trucks (for the complete report, click here).

Well, you might say, these statistics don't reflect percentages. Yes, more car drivers and passengers die in crashes than cyclists, because  there are more cars than bicycles on the roads. Sure, you could use this argument. But here is mine. Suppose for a minute that there were no other road users besides cars: no cyclists, no pedestrians, nothing. It is a fair assumption that cars would still crash into one another with the same abandon they do right now, and, as a result of these crashes, and from the sheer force of the impact, people would die in great numbers. Possibly, drivers would behave more recklessly knowing there are no more vulnerable users on the roads. Now, suppose there were no cars on the road. Yes, cyclists and pedestrians would still sometimes crash. There might be injuries. There might even be an occasional death. But I am willing to bet it would not even approach 1% of the deaths we suffer from automobile use today.

Dead. (from Chicago Ghost Bikes)

It's a long post, I know. Thanks for bearing with me. If you are cycling, please follow the rules of the road. If you are driving, please do the same. And all of us, let's please have some civility, understanding, tolerance, and respect, not derision, for those who died.

Comments

[Joyce]

This is a very worthwhile rant, and you remained civil, which is hard to do given the subject. Here in Champaign-Urbana last year we lost one of the most delightful young men you could ever hope to meet, a friend of my children's, Matt Wilhelm, when he was hit by a young woman down-loading ring-tones while she drove. Matt was on the the shoulder, where he was supposed to be. It has rallied the whole community to the subject of safe driving and biking. Despite this, there were people who actually had the gall to write the newspaper and rant about bike-riders being problematic for them. They only made themselves look awful with those letters; most people have been very concerned to see appropriate changes.

[Melodie]

Thank you so much for this "rant." Amanda Annis was a good friend of mine and I too am shocked and disappointed in those people commenting on the Tribune website. And I have to say that those people aren't paying very close attention to bikers, because I see them stopping at lights and stop signs all the time. Sure some don't, but neither do some cars. There needs to be so much more respect for each other instead of the "me first" attitude that seems so prevalent in our city. Even though I don't bike and probably drive more than I should, Mandy drilled into me the importance of treating bikers with respect. She had been known to rant about this issue as well. I do notice that when I give a biker more room, the person behind me will do the same. I guess that we can only keep reminding people that bikers have the same rights on the road and try to set a good example of how to treat each other.

[Justyna]

Melodie, I am so sorry you lost a close friend. It's amazing to me that even the death of such a young woman won't make people think twice about their preconceptions.
When drivers commit manslaughter for reasons as frivolous as downloading ring tones, why do we continue to blame the cyclists?!