Irony is a funny thing. The other day I went out for a quick ride. When I got to the three-way stop in Hygene I came to a full stop and put a foot down. Some guy (on a bike) almost rear-ended me as he blew through the stop. There were a couple of cars at the intersection, and as I waited for them to move, I received the "death glare" from both drivers. "Idiot cyclists". If you ride, you know that look.
For the next hour or so, I fumed as I rode. I've long suspected that all of us lose several IQ points when we swing a leg over the top tube. How many times have we seen people changing a flat in traffic, or stopping to talk with a friend with bikes taking up the entire bike lane? I see it every day. I've lived and ridden in several states, and rarely encountered the hostility we see in Boulder County daily.
So, still fuming, I rode through Apple Valley and looped back through Lyons. As I rode towards the gas station, I heard a siren and realized I was being pulled over. Me? Really?
The Sheriff's Deputy pointed out I'd blown not one but two stop signs within 20 feet of one another. He also pointed out that recently someone was struck by a car and killed in that exact spot. We talked for a while, turns out we've both been injured after getting doored, and both still love cycling, leaving both of us considerably more concerned about traffic.
I've ridden through Lyons a zillion times, mostly on auto-pilot. If you asked, I'd probably say I always stopped at the stop signs. I realize I'm probably wrong.
Like most cyclists, I enjoy my workout. Like most cyclists, I find motorists' attitude towards cyclists disturbing. I rode every day for 10 years in South Carolina. In 10 years I got flipped off exactly once. How often do you get attitude from drivers here? A lot more, I bet.
I do think we are our own worst enemy. We blow stop signs, ride three or four abreast and treat traffic laws as suggestions. Motorists may be similar, but while we can't control them, we can control our own actions.
We can effect attitudes about cyclists, if we change our own behavior. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Signal before turning. Ride your bike the same way you'd drive your car. It takes some effort, yes. I'm tired of having drivers buzz me on 63rd. I'm tired of reading about cyclists getting killed in hit and runs. I'm especially tired of reading the letters to the editor in the Camera cheering in response to another article about a cyclist getting hit.
I believe our behavior affects the behavior of others. I hope to do a better job of being aware of this every time I ride.