I think we have a misunderstanding of automotive safety. Perhaps it is the result of marketing campaigns or the comfort of the thought that a massive vehicle driven slowly is safe. So we buy really big vehicles and the selling points are comfort, electronic gizmos and enough seating for the entire 82nd airborne. No wonder we get bored. Our concentration drifts and perhaps we reach for our phones to entertain us. You never know what other people have posted on the internet lately. Let's call this low engagement driving. The vehicle isn't exciting or responsive, but is as comfy as your living room. So you get distracted. Then BAM, Newtonian physics takes over and you have no chance of recovering from the situation you were just lulled into. Is there another way to drive? What if your car was nimble and responsive? What if it didn't have a top? What if it had a stick shift and an engine that was exciting to row through the gears? What if the act of driving was so entertaining that you had learned where the limits of traction were and really knew how to handle a car? Now when the inevitable mishap happens you have a chance of avoiding a collision. And having a higher level of concentration means you are less likely to have a mishap in the first place. So maybe we need to turn driving from a chore into a passion. Maybe next time you get a car, get a smaller and more entertaining one. Be present while driving. Driving is supposed to be fun!
In addition to seating for the 82nd - there are enough cup holders for the seventh fleet. Doesn't anyone drink anything at home - or go anywhere without a beverage in hand anymore? I don't know how we survived all those (dry) years. The other thing that totally cracks me up about car commercials is the lack of other cars in any commercial. NY City/LA/Chicago -they're all deserted and look like the back roads of some Midwestern village - only with tall, city buildings. No wonder there's no reality on the road . . . .
Growing up, the eight-mile road (California Route 1 AKA Pacific Coast Highway) to town - and beyond - drew bicyclists from seemingly everywhere. It's quite the scenic yet risky and narrow byway - especially in the not-as-cool, not-as-wet part of the year locals refer to as 'summer' that seem to attract bicycle swarms.
Some locals didn't like bicycles on *their* roads. I didn't mind because even before I was old enough to drive a car I knew they were spending money in our town. Also, when I was a bit older, I *did* ride on that road and I now have a word to describe what it felt like - and why I did very little of it.
Biking on roads shared by multi-ton behemoths isn't for the weak of spirit. Cell phone usage by car drivers is a big part of why I gave up motorcycling. That and the recognition that I no longer had reflexes adequate for speeds over 100mph. It has been obvious to me that the lion's share of car and truck drivers have become worse over the last 60 years, even as the vehicles became faster but safer for the occupants. When I still lived and rode bicycles and motorcycles in the city, I was pretty obsessive about knowing and keeping to the least traveled streets. Glad I don't have to experience how much worse THOSE streets have become.
Roads were not designed to be shared with bicyclists so it puts those who like to bike in peril. I wish North America had bike lanes like those in The Netherlands -- completely separate from the road, often by dozens of feet (winding through the countryside). The problem in The Netherlands for the bikers in this case is not vehicles but the wind (they get knocked down quite a bit as the wind rips across the flat land). Having said that, I lived across the road from Lake Ontario and to get there had to traverse 6 lanes of traffic: 2 car lanes, 2 streetcar lanes, and 2 bike lanes. Guess which 2 lanes were the most treacherous. The bike lanes. The riders didn't obey the rules of the road, chose whether to stop at a red light or not, etc. etc. People and animals (dogs) got injured. Those of us crossing at a green light in front of a bike that had a red light frequently got sworn at and, I believe, the biker came close just to prove a point that he was king of the road.
You come to a stop sign, STOP. I don't care how much you'd like to catch your speed, etc., etc., follow the bloody rules of the road. I see bikes sailing through stop signs and even stop lights all the time. There is a reason for a stop sign. It is meant for those in cars and trucks and on bikes to stop.
PS - I have a friend who bikes a lot and loves to pick up speed down a hill. Her bike caught a small rock on the road and she went flying, head first. Injured herself all by herself. Thank heavens there wasn't a car next to her or she'd be a goner.
I rode bikes for many years before my knees went bad. There have always been bikers who infuriated other bikers by their lack of consideration of others which comes back to bite all of us.
Agree. In fact, I moved to the location by Lake Ontario FOR the bike lanes, but riding my bicycle as a middle-aged woman along the bike lanes became an entirely unpleasant experience because those who just wanted to speed and feel the wind in their bike helmets passed me on the right and left and sometimes swore at me. Heck. I had my small dog in the dog basket and didn't want to ride irresponsibly. Anyway, I moved away from there to an area that has plenty of off-road bike paths and, it turns out, some rather polite bike riders.
My rules for bike riding: I'm an invisible nobody. Sure, I have rights, but I ride as if I have *no* rights. If there's any doubt, I assume the vehicle won't stop. And I do ride a fair amount on the sidewalk, particularly where there is much vehicular traffic. But, when I'm on the sidewalk, I still have *no* rights. I always yield to pedestrians and give them a wide berth (just like I'd hope vehicles give me when I'm on the road).
PS. My favorite visceral sensation of speed is on an ice boat. Great straight-line acceleration, speeds easily over 60 mph, and you're sitting with your face less than 2 feet off the ice. The world *flies* by. And, yeah, wear a helmet -- if nothing else so your head doesn't freeze solid....
As a boy I rode my bike to school every day; however, after a bad fall that resulted in concussion, I quit forever. As much fun as bicycling can be, bikes and cars cannot mix. No matter how skillful the rider, it is just too easy to be crushed by a careless or distracted driver.
I hope you never stop writing. Your work of art soothes and lifts my spirit.
My first, my only, child will start driving soon. Not for a year or so. I’m excited for him and terrified at the same time. He’s had the good fortune of learning to drive a golf cart, a large mower, tractor, and truck on the farm. But he’s only learned the very basics like looking, braking and turning wide enough to NOT hit the donkeys who think the world revolves around them (and it actually does on our farm). We live in a (once upon a time) small town in now the fastest growing county in the U.S. Visitors are always commenting on how nice and friendly the citizens of this town are. I simply call it southern hospitality. But friendliness on the road, in machines heavy and powerful enough to kill a human, is not always hospitable. It’s downright deadly and short-sighted. I’m constantly waving on the other driver who has stopped in the middle of their lane to wave me across when there is absolutely no reason to, and it’s absolutely against the law. Frustrates the heck out of me. I vented that frustration one day with my sweet son in the car and he chastised me because “she was just trying to be nice.” Needless to say he has a lot to learn before he gets behind the wheel, on roads with friendly or phone-watching drivers. For a youngster he has a keen vision and sense of compassion for what others may be perceiving. I hope and pray he knows when to use it. As always, thank you for sharing your ever enlightening stories.
'excited and terrified'... describes exactly how I feel (but mostly terrified) when my oldest son, who's a police officer, (SWAT team, FOP local president, purple belt Ju Jitsu) told me that he is purchasing his second motorcycle. really, son? having a dangerous job isn't enough?
we live in a crazy, urban industrial area and people drive like assholes (I deal with them every day). my son sees first hand, the carnage of accidents, while on the job. my only hope is maybe he will give some of that up if/when he has a family.
So happy you’re ok, whew. We have quite a few close calls throughout our lives. They’re always great to tell and listen to. I live on a very flat island in Maryland and it’s a weekend bike heaven during summer. Thousands come. There’s races and triathlons... one thing I always think about is that very fact you mentioned. Rules of the road no matter who is in the right!
So happy for your quick reflexes, presence of mind, and bicycle competence! It's aggressive out there - near misses abound. I've taken to yelling "Thank you for not killing me!" as I whiz past a near miss. Still, cycling brings more joy than the risk of being flattened. I donated a bike to a local organization that spray paints them white (the ghost bike), designating the place where a cyclist had been killed. Once you start to notice them, it's disturbing just how many there are.
Florida: the rules are different here. At least for bikes and sidewalks. It is perfectly legal for bicycles to be on sidewalks, though we are required to be courteous to pedestrians, of which there aren't very many where I ride. Being no longer young, and definitely not feeling myself immortal, I much prefer the sidewalk, even when the road has a bike lane, unless I'm in a neighborhood with low-speed-limit roads. We do have a lot of bike trails here, which helps make up for it.
Dr. Heying, glad to hear you’re okay. The close call you experienced is known in bicycling and motorcycling as a “left cross.” The risk of such a crash increases immensely when “edge riding” (edge of lane, bike lane, or shoulder) or when riding on sidewalks and “protected” bike lanes as the bicyclist isn’t relevant to the left-turning motorist.
Mighk Wilson, the co-founder of the educational program Cycling Savvy provides an interesting concept to consider: the differences between being
Karen Karabel is an instructor with the same program and did a presentation a few years ago called “My Bike? Or My 2-ton Land Missile?” where she dives deep into the history of the rules of the road
As a long time (50 year+) motorcycle and bicycle rider, safety has always been a Hugh concern. Research has shown the brain is programed to look for threats as a survival mechanism. The bigger the threat them more brain power is directed toward it. Small threats are discarded as inconsequential. Unless the driver is specifically looking for motorcyclist and bicyclist, their brain discards the information and they physically do not see them. Riders must assume the cars, truck and anything larger than them do not see them and act defensively. Great job keeping yourself safe.
As a long time ‘go fast and take chances’ kinda mountain biker, with all the sketchy stuff I do with the kids( I spend a lot of time maintaining my skill set by the way!) the most dangerous thing we do is riding on the pavement to get to the trailhead. I ride a townie to lunch and around when I’m in town so I get it!
I have two requests; can you get Brett to redo the pod with Jeremy Lee Quinn ? Maybe take off his analytical hat and listen? Just sayin, that was heavy stuff! I have peeps on Maui and involved in issues related to *locals* there. AND can you do something on the Hexactinellids reefs in your beloved Salish sea? Freaking amazing biology! 😊🙏
I’m not a biker, but I do think it is dangerous for drivers to break the rules, trying to be “nice’, at intersections. We frequently get waved on to proceed when it is not our turn. It is dangerous, and can easily lead to misunderstandings and accidents. It gets to be a stand-off, with no idea who will go first, or second.
I too bike 10 miles. Have to cross two roads, one with a stop sign waiting for a clearing of to either turn left or right. 99% of the time a car stopped will wave me to across.
Also cars making a left turn will wave me across 90 % of the time. If there is a lot of traffic waiting to turn I stop my bike about 20 feet from the intersection so drivers know not to wave me across. This always seems to work. Also bike ride on a paved trail. So cars are aware it’s a bike crossing. Sorry for your fright but grateful you weren’t injured. Near misses make us never take for granted what car drivers may do.
I think we have a misunderstanding of automotive safety. Perhaps it is the result of marketing campaigns or the comfort of the thought that a massive vehicle driven slowly is safe. So we buy really big vehicles and the selling points are comfort, electronic gizmos and enough seating for the entire 82nd airborne. No wonder we get bored. Our concentration drifts and perhaps we reach for our phones to entertain us. You never know what other people have posted on the internet lately. Let's call this low engagement driving. The vehicle isn't exciting or responsive, but is as comfy as your living room. So you get distracted. Then BAM, Newtonian physics takes over and you have no chance of recovering from the situation you were just lulled into. Is there another way to drive? What if your car was nimble and responsive? What if it didn't have a top? What if it had a stick shift and an engine that was exciting to row through the gears? What if the act of driving was so entertaining that you had learned where the limits of traction were and really knew how to handle a car? Now when the inevitable mishap happens you have a chance of avoiding a collision. And having a higher level of concentration means you are less likely to have a mishap in the first place. So maybe we need to turn driving from a chore into a passion. Maybe next time you get a car, get a smaller and more entertaining one. Be present while driving. Driving is supposed to be fun!
You might enjoy Matthew B Crawford's 'Why We Drive'
In addition to seating for the 82nd - there are enough cup holders for the seventh fleet. Doesn't anyone drink anything at home - or go anywhere without a beverage in hand anymore? I don't know how we survived all those (dry) years. The other thing that totally cracks me up about car commercials is the lack of other cars in any commercial. NY City/LA/Chicago -they're all deserted and look like the back roads of some Midwestern village - only with tall, city buildings. No wonder there's no reality on the road . . . .
I think you just described motorcycles
This is what grabbed me: "unsheathed."
Growing up, the eight-mile road (California Route 1 AKA Pacific Coast Highway) to town - and beyond - drew bicyclists from seemingly everywhere. It's quite the scenic yet risky and narrow byway - especially in the not-as-cool, not-as-wet part of the year locals refer to as 'summer' that seem to attract bicycle swarms.
Some locals didn't like bicycles on *their* roads. I didn't mind because even before I was old enough to drive a car I knew they were spending money in our town. Also, when I was a bit older, I *did* ride on that road and I now have a word to describe what it felt like - and why I did very little of it.
To your caveat, you might find this informative: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2022-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet-032422-v3-tag.pdf
Fantastic and useful link—thank you for sharing. What part of PCH did you grow up on?
North of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County.
Biking on roads shared by multi-ton behemoths isn't for the weak of spirit. Cell phone usage by car drivers is a big part of why I gave up motorcycling. That and the recognition that I no longer had reflexes adequate for speeds over 100mph. It has been obvious to me that the lion's share of car and truck drivers have become worse over the last 60 years, even as the vehicles became faster but safer for the occupants. When I still lived and rode bicycles and motorcycles in the city, I was pretty obsessive about knowing and keeping to the least traveled streets. Glad I don't have to experience how much worse THOSE streets have become.
Roads were not designed to be shared with bicyclists so it puts those who like to bike in peril. I wish North America had bike lanes like those in The Netherlands -- completely separate from the road, often by dozens of feet (winding through the countryside). The problem in The Netherlands for the bikers in this case is not vehicles but the wind (they get knocked down quite a bit as the wind rips across the flat land). Having said that, I lived across the road from Lake Ontario and to get there had to traverse 6 lanes of traffic: 2 car lanes, 2 streetcar lanes, and 2 bike lanes. Guess which 2 lanes were the most treacherous. The bike lanes. The riders didn't obey the rules of the road, chose whether to stop at a red light or not, etc. etc. People and animals (dogs) got injured. Those of us crossing at a green light in front of a bike that had a red light frequently got sworn at and, I believe, the biker came close just to prove a point that he was king of the road.
You come to a stop sign, STOP. I don't care how much you'd like to catch your speed, etc., etc., follow the bloody rules of the road. I see bikes sailing through stop signs and even stop lights all the time. There is a reason for a stop sign. It is meant for those in cars and trucks and on bikes to stop.
PS - I have a friend who bikes a lot and loves to pick up speed down a hill. Her bike caught a small rock on the road and she went flying, head first. Injured herself all by herself. Thank heavens there wasn't a car next to her or she'd be a goner.
I rode bikes for many years before my knees went bad. There have always been bikers who infuriated other bikers by their lack of consideration of others which comes back to bite all of us.
Agree. In fact, I moved to the location by Lake Ontario FOR the bike lanes, but riding my bicycle as a middle-aged woman along the bike lanes became an entirely unpleasant experience because those who just wanted to speed and feel the wind in their bike helmets passed me on the right and left and sometimes swore at me. Heck. I had my small dog in the dog basket and didn't want to ride irresponsibly. Anyway, I moved away from there to an area that has plenty of off-road bike paths and, it turns out, some rather polite bike riders.
“ Roads were not designed to be shared with bicyclists so it puts those who like to bike in peril”
This is absolutely not true.
https://principledbicycling.substack.com/p/the-marginalization-of-bicyclists
My rules for bike riding: I'm an invisible nobody. Sure, I have rights, but I ride as if I have *no* rights. If there's any doubt, I assume the vehicle won't stop. And I do ride a fair amount on the sidewalk, particularly where there is much vehicular traffic. But, when I'm on the sidewalk, I still have *no* rights. I always yield to pedestrians and give them a wide berth (just like I'd hope vehicles give me when I'm on the road).
PS. My favorite visceral sensation of speed is on an ice boat. Great straight-line acceleration, speeds easily over 60 mph, and you're sitting with your face less than 2 feet off the ice. The world *flies* by. And, yeah, wear a helmet -- if nothing else so your head doesn't freeze solid....
Riding “like you’re invisible” may seem intuitive but it’s not the best approach
https://cyclingsavvy.org/2017/07/ride-like-youre-relevant/
As a boy I rode my bike to school every day; however, after a bad fall that resulted in concussion, I quit forever. As much fun as bicycling can be, bikes and cars cannot mix. No matter how skillful the rider, it is just too easy to be crushed by a careless or distracted driver.
I agree about attacking the turn strategically when faced with a hill. It’s a tough situation that calls for sound decision-making on the fly.
I hope you never stop writing. Your work of art soothes and lifts my spirit.
My first, my only, child will start driving soon. Not for a year or so. I’m excited for him and terrified at the same time. He’s had the good fortune of learning to drive a golf cart, a large mower, tractor, and truck on the farm. But he’s only learned the very basics like looking, braking and turning wide enough to NOT hit the donkeys who think the world revolves around them (and it actually does on our farm). We live in a (once upon a time) small town in now the fastest growing county in the U.S. Visitors are always commenting on how nice and friendly the citizens of this town are. I simply call it southern hospitality. But friendliness on the road, in machines heavy and powerful enough to kill a human, is not always hospitable. It’s downright deadly and short-sighted. I’m constantly waving on the other driver who has stopped in the middle of their lane to wave me across when there is absolutely no reason to, and it’s absolutely against the law. Frustrates the heck out of me. I vented that frustration one day with my sweet son in the car and he chastised me because “she was just trying to be nice.” Needless to say he has a lot to learn before he gets behind the wheel, on roads with friendly or phone-watching drivers. For a youngster he has a keen vision and sense of compassion for what others may be perceiving. I hope and pray he knows when to use it. As always, thank you for sharing your ever enlightening stories.
'excited and terrified'... describes exactly how I feel (but mostly terrified) when my oldest son, who's a police officer, (SWAT team, FOP local president, purple belt Ju Jitsu) told me that he is purchasing his second motorcycle. really, son? having a dangerous job isn't enough?
we live in a crazy, urban industrial area and people drive like assholes (I deal with them every day). my son sees first hand, the carnage of accidents, while on the job. my only hope is maybe he will give some of that up if/when he has a family.
So happy you’re ok, whew. We have quite a few close calls throughout our lives. They’re always great to tell and listen to. I live on a very flat island in Maryland and it’s a weekend bike heaven during summer. Thousands come. There’s races and triathlons... one thing I always think about is that very fact you mentioned. Rules of the road no matter who is in the right!
So happy for your quick reflexes, presence of mind, and bicycle competence! It's aggressive out there - near misses abound. I've taken to yelling "Thank you for not killing me!" as I whiz past a near miss. Still, cycling brings more joy than the risk of being flattened. I donated a bike to a local organization that spray paints them white (the ghost bike), designating the place where a cyclist had been killed. Once you start to notice them, it's disturbing just how many there are.
Florida: the rules are different here. At least for bikes and sidewalks. It is perfectly legal for bicycles to be on sidewalks, though we are required to be courteous to pedestrians, of which there aren't very many where I ride. Being no longer young, and definitely not feeling myself immortal, I much prefer the sidewalk, even when the road has a bike lane, unless I'm in a neighborhood with low-speed-limit roads. We do have a lot of bike trails here, which helps make up for it.
Dr. Heying, glad to hear you’re okay. The close call you experienced is known in bicycling and motorcycling as a “left cross.” The risk of such a crash increases immensely when “edge riding” (edge of lane, bike lane, or shoulder) or when riding on sidewalks and “protected” bike lanes as the bicyclist isn’t relevant to the left-turning motorist.
Mighk Wilson, the co-founder of the educational program Cycling Savvy provides an interesting concept to consider: the differences between being
“visible,” “conspicuous,” and “relevant.”
https://cyclingsavvy.org/2017/07/ride-like-youre-relevant/
https://x.com/dansull36510584/status/1694009919119233247?s=46
Karen Karabel is an instructor with the same program and did a presentation a few years ago called “My Bike? Or My 2-ton Land Missile?” where she dives deep into the history of the rules of the road
https://principledbicycling.substack.com/p/my-bike-or-my-2-ton-land-missile
CA bicyclists Bob Shanteau and Dan Gutierrez wrote a piece of their own a decade ago too.
https://principledbicycling.substack.com/p/the-marginalization-of-bicyclists
As a long time (50 year+) motorcycle and bicycle rider, safety has always been a Hugh concern. Research has shown the brain is programed to look for threats as a survival mechanism. The bigger the threat them more brain power is directed toward it. Small threats are discarded as inconsequential. Unless the driver is specifically looking for motorcyclist and bicyclist, their brain discards the information and they physically do not see them. Riders must assume the cars, truck and anything larger than them do not see them and act defensively. Great job keeping yourself safe.
As a long time ‘go fast and take chances’ kinda mountain biker, with all the sketchy stuff I do with the kids( I spend a lot of time maintaining my skill set by the way!) the most dangerous thing we do is riding on the pavement to get to the trailhead. I ride a townie to lunch and around when I’m in town so I get it!
I have two requests; can you get Brett to redo the pod with Jeremy Lee Quinn ? Maybe take off his analytical hat and listen? Just sayin, that was heavy stuff! I have peeps on Maui and involved in issues related to *locals* there. AND can you do something on the Hexactinellids reefs in your beloved Salish sea? Freaking amazing biology! 😊🙏
I’m not a biker, but I do think it is dangerous for drivers to break the rules, trying to be “nice’, at intersections. We frequently get waved on to proceed when it is not our turn. It is dangerous, and can easily lead to misunderstandings and accidents. It gets to be a stand-off, with no idea who will go first, or second.
I too bike 10 miles. Have to cross two roads, one with a stop sign waiting for a clearing of to either turn left or right. 99% of the time a car stopped will wave me to across.
Also cars making a left turn will wave me across 90 % of the time. If there is a lot of traffic waiting to turn I stop my bike about 20 feet from the intersection so drivers know not to wave me across. This always seems to work. Also bike ride on a paved trail. So cars are aware it’s a bike crossing. Sorry for your fright but grateful you weren’t injured. Near misses make us never take for granted what car drivers may do.