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Written by Zach Magoon
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Thursday, 09 November 2006 |
There are many times during the week that I yell at drivers for making stupid moves, but I don't consider them the biggest threat on my commute. Pedestrians are by far more dangerous, making stupid and inconsiderate moves constantly. For some reason, bikers aren't really welcome anywhere for that matter--streets or paths. Cars think we should be on the sidewalk and peds think we should be on the road.
In the Portland area, there are a number of multiuse trails that make it easy to avoid busy streets during high traffic times. Sounds great, huh? Well it would be if peds would at least try not to monopolize these safeways. Take for instance the other day when I tried to pass two women who were loudly conversing and walking side by side on one of these paths--essentially blocking the right of way for anyone from behind. Now I always slow down on my bike and say something to the effect of, "Can I squeeze by on your left?" or "on your left." Usually it only takes one yell to alert people with any sense of their surroundings to realize that they are not the only people on Earth and they quickly move aside to let me pass. This time, after three fail attempts (LOUD ATTEMPTS) I proceeded to pass the two ladies and might have just nudged one of them with my bike bag, trying to avoid clipping my handlebars on the barrier that separates the path from a 3 lane highway. Well that woke them up. The one lady whom I didn't even touch started screaming at me like I had stolen her purse. Now I don't like confrontation all that much, but I was in the right here and knew it so I slammed on my brakes, composed myself from the initial surge of oh-I'm gonna-let-her-have-an-earful feeling, and said in a calm but rather loud voice (because maybe they were deaf--I don't know) "I'm sorry for hitting you with my bag, but I called out three times and you didn't seem interested in moving aside." Yes, there was a tone of jerkiness to my voice, but it was substantiated, I think. I also continued to say that the traffic noise is pretty loud in this are and they might consider walking single file so it doesn't happen again. Well I guess that didn't go over well. The louder of the two started spouting off how they almost got killed by anther biker earlier in the week and how I should slow down and call out to them in a louder voice. Louder voice? I would need some amplification to be louder--seriously--use to sing a cappella in college so I know how to project my voice. What needs to be done, lady, is for you and your pal to pay attention--especially around areas where traffic may drown out those SCREAMING at you to get by. That's all it takes--have some consideration. Don't take up the whole trail by walking 2 or even 3 wide because a bike running into you hurts. Meanwhile, as I was exchanging words with Ms. Chatterbox, the woman I brushed with my bag was apologizing to me--fair enough. I said I was sorry that they didn't hear me--sort of a backhanded apology--and continued to work. Overall I felt I handled the situation well. I didn't yell or call her any obscene names--I just explained to her that they might want to keep an open ear so that others can enjoy a safe path.
The following day, I rode the opposite direction on the path and who did I see--the same two ladies, walking side by side. This time I approached them from the front and they still didn't budge much--I just laughed and shook my head.
Here are some other types of folks who can be potentially more hazardous than cars:
ANYONE wearing headphones--they can't hear anything and often wander anywhere on trails.
Groups of teens--too cool to move out of the herd.
Can collectors--large, overstuffed shopping carriages are hard to push.
Kids on bikes.
So be careful out there. My only solace is that these people will disappear this winter once it get too cold--then we can enjoy some clutter-free byways.
Zm |
