So, not too many conversations start out with the words, I was almost the victim of vehicular manslaughter this morning.
On Monday, April 27, thats how my first conversation of the day began.
I was riding my bicycle on Highway N about five miles north of Monroe. After stopping at the farm implement dealership at the intersection of Highway N and Highway C for a break, I proceeded south toward home in Monroe.
Just five miles or so down the road, I heard the roar of a loud pickup truck exhaust pipe coming inches behind me. As the noise grew louder, the vehicle remained close, whizzing by, inches from my left shoulder.
The driver stepped on the gas at that instant, sending out a loud bark from his tail pipe then screamed past Why? I dont know.
If the vehicle had larger side mirrors, I might have been struck and sent careening down a steep hillside.
The encounter was only a precursor.
About a mile farther, the same vehicle repeated the not-so friendly maneuver, but this time laying on the vehicles horn the entire time he or she passed me.
I will not get into discussing the fact that there were no vehicles within eyesight, which left the other lane wide open for this person to pass me, or that none of the dozen or so other vehicles that passed me that morning were quite so uncourteous.
Some drivers were kind enough to wait until I reached the summit of a few hills before passing. Thank you.
The reason for this tale is not to get the driver of that pickup in trouble with the law though I do remember the license plate number but rather, to shine a light on the rules of the road, much like the numerous bicyclists who showed up April 28 to voice support for Wisconsins cyclists at the state Capitol for the Ride on the Capitol.
The goal of the reception, rally and ride was to get the attention of legislators to coerce them to create safety laws to protect cyclists when drivers endanger riders, and for the numerous instances when cyclists are to blame.
Prior to the Ride, a list of cycling and state leaders held a rally to promote the cause. Those in attendance at the Madison Concourse Hotel rally included, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, John Burke, state Rep. Spencer Black, Bike Federation Executive Director Kevin Hardman, League of American Bicyclists Director Andy Clarke, Bikes Belong Director Tim Blumenthal and former University of Wisconsin Dean of Students Mary Rouse.
Let me make my stance on cycling clear.
I am not a change-the-world, go-green-vegetable-only-eating-vehicle-hating bike nut. I simply like to ride my bicycle, as fast as possible. I am meagerly training for amateur racing this summer and in future years.
I drive. I love cars, trucks, four-wheelers, anything with an engine. I like gasoline. I was a member of a late-model pit crew in Kaukauna at Wisconsin International Raceway growing up.
I want to share the road, and state statutes allow me and anyone else to do so.
The most relevant laws regarding my encounter Monday are as follows, a cyclist must stay three feet from a curb or parked vehicle and on the right side of the lane line riding with traffic, if that it is possible. Highway N does not have enough pavement on the right side of the line for a cyclist to ride, so he or she can legally ride in the lane of traffic. Regardless of where the cyclist is riding, a vehicle must give three feet of space when passing, not three inches, as was my case Monday.
I will not report the person who buzzed me.
I didnt want my day and life almost ruined by the truck drivers apparent irreverence for a cyclist taking up space on the road, so I will not ruin his or her day by reporting to authorities the drivers act of stupidity.
Thousands of pedestrians, not just cyclists, have been killed in the United States by such actions going awry, and by other drivers who do not watch for pedestrians who have a right to be on the road.
Please exercise care and caution for all who must share the public space.
Take care, and watch out for bicycles.
On Monday, April 27, thats how my first conversation of the day began.
I was riding my bicycle on Highway N about five miles north of Monroe. After stopping at the farm implement dealership at the intersection of Highway N and Highway C for a break, I proceeded south toward home in Monroe.
Just five miles or so down the road, I heard the roar of a loud pickup truck exhaust pipe coming inches behind me. As the noise grew louder, the vehicle remained close, whizzing by, inches from my left shoulder.
The driver stepped on the gas at that instant, sending out a loud bark from his tail pipe then screamed past Why? I dont know.
If the vehicle had larger side mirrors, I might have been struck and sent careening down a steep hillside.
The encounter was only a precursor.
About a mile farther, the same vehicle repeated the not-so friendly maneuver, but this time laying on the vehicles horn the entire time he or she passed me.
I will not get into discussing the fact that there were no vehicles within eyesight, which left the other lane wide open for this person to pass me, or that none of the dozen or so other vehicles that passed me that morning were quite so uncourteous.
Some drivers were kind enough to wait until I reached the summit of a few hills before passing. Thank you.
The reason for this tale is not to get the driver of that pickup in trouble with the law though I do remember the license plate number but rather, to shine a light on the rules of the road, much like the numerous bicyclists who showed up April 28 to voice support for Wisconsins cyclists at the state Capitol for the Ride on the Capitol.
The goal of the reception, rally and ride was to get the attention of legislators to coerce them to create safety laws to protect cyclists when drivers endanger riders, and for the numerous instances when cyclists are to blame.
Prior to the Ride, a list of cycling and state leaders held a rally to promote the cause. Those in attendance at the Madison Concourse Hotel rally included, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, John Burke, state Rep. Spencer Black, Bike Federation Executive Director Kevin Hardman, League of American Bicyclists Director Andy Clarke, Bikes Belong Director Tim Blumenthal and former University of Wisconsin Dean of Students Mary Rouse.
Let me make my stance on cycling clear.
I am not a change-the-world, go-green-vegetable-only-eating-vehicle-hating bike nut. I simply like to ride my bicycle, as fast as possible. I am meagerly training for amateur racing this summer and in future years.
I drive. I love cars, trucks, four-wheelers, anything with an engine. I like gasoline. I was a member of a late-model pit crew in Kaukauna at Wisconsin International Raceway growing up.
I want to share the road, and state statutes allow me and anyone else to do so.
The most relevant laws regarding my encounter Monday are as follows, a cyclist must stay three feet from a curb or parked vehicle and on the right side of the lane line riding with traffic, if that it is possible. Highway N does not have enough pavement on the right side of the line for a cyclist to ride, so he or she can legally ride in the lane of traffic. Regardless of where the cyclist is riding, a vehicle must give three feet of space when passing, not three inches, as was my case Monday.
I will not report the person who buzzed me.
I didnt want my day and life almost ruined by the truck drivers apparent irreverence for a cyclist taking up space on the road, so I will not ruin his or her day by reporting to authorities the drivers act of stupidity.
Thousands of pedestrians, not just cyclists, have been killed in the United States by such actions going awry, and by other drivers who do not watch for pedestrians who have a right to be on the road.
Please exercise care and caution for all who must share the public space.
Take care, and watch out for bicycles.
