It seems that the mutual respect I perceived between cyclists and motorists on my daily commute has waned considerably since it’s gotten warmer. I don’t know if it’s the resentment the motorists feel toward us due to their vehicular self-imprisonment while we’re out on twice daily rides; or perhaps it’s the palpable smugness we exude because we’re the enjoying the weather as we pass car after car while streaking by on the path, glancing into the sullen faces of drivers staring through the car in front of them.
Regardless, the typical pleasantries I’ve enjoyed almost daily seem to be falling by the wayside, along with all the broken glass and occasional puddles of vomit I dodge on my commute. Generally, I can’t complain, but there’s a few geniuses out there who can’t be bothered to follow one simple rule EVEN WHEN IT’S POSTED RIGHT NEXT TO THE DAMN LIGHT THEY’RE STARING AT!!! Those of you who live in Anchorage will know what I’m talking about. At the intersection of Lake Otis and Tudor, there’s a sign that says “Turning Traffic MUST Yield to Pedestrians.” It’s in English, it’s in big black letters on a bright white background, and it’s right next to the light! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost had my recently rebuilt ankle crushed by a driver who just zips through the turn with no regards to the sign, or the little white walking guy who tells me it’s safe to cross.
Here’s one I really enjoy, and it usually happens to me at least once a day. I really hope someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but when I’m riding on the path, and I come to an intersection with no light, I can go on through, right? What will happen more than occasionally, is someone driving a vehicular abomination will overtake me just to turn right…right in front of me! Just like this:
So, a bright yellow backpack, orange windbreaker, and white helmet not visible enough, eh? Probably the same guy who ignores the sign above.
This isn’t all to say that I don’t like riding to work. Quite the contrary, I enjoy it as much as any other ride. But ever since I moved closer to work, I don’t seem to enjoy it quite as much. I think it’s because I was able to ride on some trails rather than gravel, glass, and vomit covered bike paths. I could see some wildlife– real beavers, not the ones hanging around outside the Great Alaskan Bush Company. I enjoyed the morbid thought that my demise would be by getting trampled by a moose rather than getting run over by a car And best of all, there were few, if any, motorists to deal with.
-Yrjo
Enjoy the clip.
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