Anecdotal research suggests that people are being let off-leash without adequate training to perform basic activities such as walking on sidewalks or through airports and busy city centers. I’m assuming this expands to shopping malls, but I never go there so I can’t be sure. It’s easy to blame the mobile phones which apparently grow from our hands, but even when no phone appears to be involved, the same problem exists: people wander about without any apparent awareness that anyone else might be in the vicinity.
Take, for instance, the gentleman who wandered off the Plane Train at SEATAC airport the other day. As he detrained, he stopped to investigate which of the 4 identical escalators best satisfied his fancy. I’m not one to criticize someone’s escalator scrutiny – you can’t over think these sorts of things – my issue is with the choice to stop just outside the exit of the train, completely unaware that he was blocking the way for the other passengers still left on the train.
It isn’t that these are bad people. We’re a product of our society and society teaches us that being a self-absorbed asshole is the right way to go about your life; there’s no limit to what you can accomplish when you don’t give a flying fuck about how those accomplishments impact other people. Which brings me back to my original point: we’re not getting the right training in order to avoid being assholes.
Riding a bike in general and riding in a group in particular teaches you all sorts of things about external dependencies and the trickle effect that our actions have on those around us. Rule #59 extends beyond just riding in a straight line, but to riding predictably and informing those riders who are dependent on you of dangers and obstacles. Cyclists develop a situational awareness that becomes second nature with practice.
I therefore propose that we modify our free-ranging policy to include a provision that mandates all humans be required to take a bicycle racing class and spend significant time riding in a group at speed before being allowed into the wilds of society. Don’t change your line when walking on a sidewalk without peeking over your shoulder. Don’t stop dead in your tracks without checking if someone is behind you. Don’t take a right-hand turn without warning when driving in the far left lane. Don’t block doorways. Don’t knock people in the head when you’re walking with a 2×4.
And for the love of Merckx, take off your headphones.
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Been there, experienced that. My VMH is particularly guilty of "let's stop here because it's convenient for me but not necessarily for anyone else".
A-Merckx. I am constantly finding myself muttering "hold your line" under my breath in reaction the oblivuousnes of my fellow pedestrians.
Can we make this a remedial class for all incoming freshmen? I can't tell you how many times I've been riding through campus on the #2 (Looking fantastic even in work clothes, of course) and almost hit some kiddo who decides that RIGHT HERE is the appropriate place and time to make a 90 degree turn without looking back and proceed out into the road. Of course they can't hear my cries since they've got Bieber or whoever the kids are listening to these days blasting at full volume. Merckx help me.
My absolute favorite are the joggers/runners on the local( Burke-Gilman) trail who decide that they have hit their turn around point and do a 180 degree turn without looking...and then get mad at the cyclist they just nearly killed as said cyclist should have telepathically known the all important runner was turning around....
Sorry Frank, it's a grand idea but since most people are morons, it's doomed to failure. They (non-cyclists) are blissfully ignorant of their stupidity, continue to expand their numbers and culling has legal implications.
However, I do think cyclists make better drivers, since we are more prone to drive like we ride. Except for that squirrelly dude on the group ride.
I took a good opportunity this evening to hold my line on the inside right next to a Pedalwan learner. He realized that he must also hold his line or... get more than comfy with me. No words spoken -- "see" the line, "do" the line.
@Ccos
I tell my wife and son that my bike handling always comes into play driving well on the road -- especially when "shifting" my son's 5-speed.
Another spot-on article Franck! Situational awareness is lacking in so many of our fellows. But the greater bafflement is those who stop seemingly purposefully to add to the human blockage in a mount/dismount area or queue. As you raised SeaTac: what is so bloody difficult about walking on the damned escalator?
These guys have it worked out;
Take off your headphones ALL THE FUCKING TIME!!!
If you can't hear me screaming behind you that I'm passing you (if you're a pedestrian) or you can't hear me call out an obstacle or anything else on a bike, then you're just fucking dangerous and I hate your face.