Carbon Trace

Check out this recent article from the Dallas Observer about the tensions between vehicular cycling and bicycle advocacy that focuses on infrastructure (a dichotomy, BTW, that I do not believe is as clear as the polemics).

As I have tried to make clear on Carbon Trace: I follow VC practices using what I’ll call the Hurst variation, i.e. I withhold trust in a human system (traffic) fraught with mindlessness and error. If appropriate infrastructure is available (i.e. bicycle superior), I’ll use it.

An experience I had just a few minutes ago illustrates my practice and why it is safe to ride in traffic in the urban core of Springfield, Missouri.

I was coming back to campus from downtown (having finished my normal Tue-Thur morning routine of coffee and newspaper reading at the Mudhouse.) I was south-bound on Hammons Pkwy. and stopped at the 4-way stop at the E. Elm St. intersection with the intention of continuing south. Several cars were negotiating right of way as I approached.

After stopping, I yielded right of way to cars that had arrived at the intersection before me. When it was my turn I proceeded south.

To my left was a person in a pick-up who had arrived west-bound on Elm after me. So I had right of way by first-come-first-served and by being on her right.

How did I proceed? I did not assume she 1) saw me, or 2) knew the first thing about right-of-way or driving a car. I assumed, as I always assume, that she was a mindless, distracted, impaired, blithering idiot. I proceeded with caution — keeping a sharp eye on her and other cars stopped at the intersection.

My assumption this morning was correct! She proceeded to turn left into my path, i.e. a potential side-swipe or worse.

I avoided her with a simple shading to the right because I expected her to be stupid. Had I just busted into the intersection boldly, I might be writing this from my laptop sitting in a hospital bed instead of from the comfort of my office.

Things I knew about bicycling and traffic that kept me safe:

• I knew how traffic was supposed to work.
• I knew my rights and responsibilities.
• I knew that drivers sometimes don’t know or care how traffic works.
• I knew that my upright seating position and slow speed gave me an advantage in assessing situations before they get dangerous.
• I knew to assess the situation without taking it for granted.
• I knew that the danger is far more likely to be in front of me or to the side of me than behind me.
• I knew that I have the more maneuverable vehicle.

So the upshot was: nothing. I rode on — safely (well, I did holler: “Do you see me here!” which drew a WTF! look from the driver who clearly did not see me and/or did not care).

I was in control.I knew what to expect. I knew what to do.

I accept and take responsibility for my own safety.

And that — among other reasons — is why it is safe to ride in traffic in the urban core of Springfield, Missouri.

[Editor's Note: I've been qualifying many statements lately with "Springfield, Missouri" because I do not want to assume traffic conditions are universal.]

UPDATE: I’ve noticed some tweeting of this 2007 article today that claims women bicyclists are more likely to be killed than men because they tend to obey traffic laws. I’m not buying it. What I think this shows is that people who do not position themselves in a lane properly are more likely to be killed.

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