Too Close for Comfort
If you’re lucky enough to have a bike lane, you’re still probably not lucky enough to have a comfortably wide luxurious bike lane. And even with the words “Bikes Only” coupled with cute little stick figure cyclists, you’re probably spending a good deal of time avoiding things in your lane that are not bikes. Space is precious.
So I’m surprised that sometimes when I’m in the bike lane there is always a cyclist who decides to pass me within the narrow bike lane.
Sometimes on the left, or worse, on the right. And even in intersections when the light turns green where cyclists are most unstable as they start moving. They silently sneak up on me without a word of warning. Just once I wish they would yell–
Or if that’s too long, maybe just shout–
And sometimes when they pass so close that I can feel their arm hair I want to say–
Too true about the “arm hairs” bit! How many times have I been like “Dude. You are in my LAP.” It can get as tight as a subway car out there with all the men crowding up on you. And, in my experience, it’s usually men doing this little maneuver. Men with the exact same unconcerned expression as the gent in your illustration.
Keep up the good work, Bikeyface! I’ve enjoyed seeing your cartoons posted around JP on the Blessing of the Bikes flyers. Makes me smile every time.
I love the last scene! You always give me a good chuckle.
Ah yes, it’s always strange and frustrating when the cycling enemy becomes another cyclist. How will we ever take over the world without complete unity?!
I love you for posting this. This happens all too frequently to me. Sadly it is always men that do this. I’ve never had a famle cyclist do this to me.
That’s a bit surprising to me. I get shoaled by both women and men in about equal numbers. Passing on the right is very uncool but passing while waiting at a light and then clogging the lane is also lame if not as dangerous IMO.
Wow! I had no idea this passing on the right thing was so prevalent! It usually happens to me when I have stopped at a red light (imagine that!). It doesn’t seem to matter if the light has just changed to green and I am starting off again, or if the light remains red and some ignoramus decides to both pass me on the right AND blow through the red light. Frequently, this will occur at the red light near the monument in JP or the next light by Dunkin Donuts. It always catches me off guard because there is no warning and it is startling.
I do ride at quite a good clip on the bike paths and on the sidewalks on Hyde Park Ave. (because I refuse to ride in that narrow, racetrack street it has become). But when riding in bike lanes next to traffic and parked cars, I take a slower, more cautious pace. Without fail, there are many things to suddenly avoid, such as doors opening, double-parked vehicles to navigate around, pedestrians that see you coming but jump in front of you anyway (“Hey! I’m in the crosswalk!” yelled one crosswalk jumper. “YES, and you were RUNNING! I CAN’T STOP THAT FAST, IDIOT!” I yelled as I dodged around him. So in such a busy area, I am even more surprised to be passed on the right, although I ride on the left edge of the lane to avoid car doors opening. But that is not an invitation to pass me on the right. If someone opens a door, they’d miss me, but get you, and you would take me out, so it IS dangerous for that and many reasons. Not to mention impolite.
Sometimes I do pass other cyclists. I’m on a 21-speed, so someone on a single or 2-speed bike may not be going as fast as me, though I do not tear through Centre Street at breakneck speed. But if I do pass, it is on the left, in the traffic lane, and I do give a shout out or ring my bell. But generally, in business districts, I do not hurry, as I want to arrive at my destination in one piece.