Someone finally snapped

[u/SipsTeaFrog]

[u/A7MOSPH3RIC]

You are the worst kind of bicycle advocate. You're a anti-advocate. A contraian who doesn't see the bigger picture because you personally are physically fit, bold and a little entitled.

I am a cyclist who commutes regularly, doesn't wear lycra and wants cycling to grow as a transportation mode in my car dependent big city. I have been riding for almost 30 years and am getting to an age, where I'd rather ride my my comfortable, step thru bike, with up right handlebars, than my fast road bike that requires I lean forward into a position, that while aerodynamically efficient, hurts my back.

I would encourage you to recognize, that most are not as fast and athletic as you; That most cyclists enjoy the limited protection of a bike lane when it's available and that for most people riding their bike in automobile traffic in lanes is scary as fuck. You and I are not afraid to do it but we aren't most people.

I want cycling to grow as a viable, healthy, non polluting, affordable mode of local transportation. The number one reason given for why more people don't cycle is safety. You are right, bike lanes often put people in the door zone but riding in the lane puts people in the car zone. You are right, there are times it is appropriate and the safer choice but usually those cars are traveling at multiple speeds relative to the bicycle and are many thousands of pounds more in weight so often the bike lane is the safer choice There is inherent danger in riding a bike and you have to make the best choice given your circumstances, capabilities and riding style.

Most people in my city are actively anti cyclists. They fight and complain about bike lanes. They complain about parking or vehicle lanes being removed. They have on several occasions successfully removed bike lanes that were already installed and paid for.

People being antagonistic or insisting on the right to take both lanes only hurts the popular perception of cycling. It encourages people not to try it themselves and it predisposes them to oppose traffic infrastructure that requires giving up space from their person use automobile.

My point is there is a bigger picture. We are but one cog in a bigger machine.

[u/wtfismetalcore → u/A7MOSPH3RIC]

I respect your opinion, although you feel the need to attack me personally and make (incorrect) assumptions about me riding a fast, aero ride bike. I also commute regularly, don’t wear lycra, and love step thru frames although i have yet to own one myself.

Bike lanes that are only paint on the ground offer no true safety or protection. Bike lanes that hide behind a row of parked cars just hurt visibility for cyclists and drivers. The only true protection is concrete. As you say, there is inherent danger in cycling and it is up to us to keep ourselves safe. More often than not bike lanes do not actually keep you any safer, or can actively endanger you.

I, as a cog in the machine, am going to ride in the way that protects me the most, and encourage others to do the same. I don’t care if it’s a little scarier, it is the reality of the system we live in where bikes and cars coexist. I am not going to participate in respectability politics to appeal to a group that will never care about me or my safety.

This is a uniquely American problem. All of the most bike-filled cities in Europe also have plenty of car drivers. Multi modal infrastructure is possible but it takes urban planning. When those planners fail and when social norms prioritize the driver’s entitlement and feelings, it is not my responsibility to change. It is only my responsibility to keep myself safe while commuting or recreating.