I have personally heard this 3 times in the past 5 ½ years. The last time was almost 2 years ago. The cost to me was a replacement shoulder and AC reconstruction later that year. Nowhere near recovered and now with an official 27% WPI (Whole Personal Impairment) I have a young P-plater to thank for this. He honestly did not see me in my high visibility fluorescent jacket and back pack, right in front of him on the roundabout when he failed to give way to me one morning. And that was his honest reply when I asked why.
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Despite all this, I am still riding. Not as much but I am trying. The one dread I have is traffic from behind. Will they see me? Will they give me space? Will they give me at least a metre? It’s the one thing I have no control over on the road. If there’s a bike lane of course I will take it, and a shared path if it’s safer and not too far out of my way.
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In Australia it is a sad fact that infrastructure is being built first and foremost for motor vehicles. The next thought goes to pedestrians and their safety. Cycling facilities come last down the list. Add on to that the thought though that if you’re going to build a footpath perhaps it’s possible to build it a bit wider and make it a shared path. Lots of room for everyone and a cost saving. No having to accommodate cyclists with a separate pathway. They can share it with pedestrians. The risks to cyclist’s safety are lower and despite the risk to pedestrians with the increased potential for conflict with cyclists, these risks are by far the lesser when compared to the risk and seriousness of injuries from motor vehicles v cyclists.
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So this is a cost saving exercise.
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There are many problems with is, and one of them is that they often don’t go where you want to go. They take you out of your way. Not too much of a problem as you can take the roads if needed. But this happens with many routes to destinations. That’s the beauty of the bicycle as a mode of transport. It’s personal and it can go almost anywhere.
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Back to my point.
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In the UK drivers are far more courteous and considerate. Not all of them I grant, but a distinct world away from drivers in Australia. I’m saying overall, not just relating to people cycling on the roads. They give at least a metre because they give consideration. Here in Aus they are full of haste and competitiveness. To be the first off the lights and up to speed in seconds. Don’t let anyone in...! Invading your safe braking distance when they change lanes. And blinkered. Only concerned with what is front. And even then probably still focused on something else (mobile?).
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So I worry when I ride on the roads. But I still do. Not out of any sense of entitlement but because I thoroughly enjoy the freedom cycling gives me. I always consider the drivers around me. I have to but I will wave if someone allows me room to say thank you. And, they often wave back to say, You’re welcome!
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Things are changing.
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I’m very often not given a metre at all. But way more. Unnecessary but nice to see. Those who do pull up too close are getting fewer and fewer. They will be out there but I’m pleased to say they are gradually now becoming the exception rather than the rule.
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So this is a big thank you to all those drivers who do give a metre (or more) and who may not realise until now how grateful I am. You made my life a little better by your thoughts and actions. On behalf of all riders who don’t always get the chance to say thank you to those drivers who do show some consideration.... Thank you! :)
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Spreading a bit of good karma.
