Shared Roads, Shared Responsibilities for Bicyclists and Motorists
Bicycling organizations throughout state call on both bike riders and drivers to work together.
Tensions between bicyclists and motorists are in the spotlight this summer and we believe it’s time we all took more responsibility for cooling the confrontation and sharing the road.
We represent bicycle clubs and organizations with over 2,000 members in NW and Central NJ. Each of us is also a motorist. We understand sharing the road from behind the wheel of a car as well as on a bicycle.
We are as upset as anyone when a bicyclist does not ride safely or a group of cyclists block the road and surround a car as reportedly happened in Tewksbury this summer. Our organizations train riders on safe road sharing, criticize riders who do not, and are ready to work with police and town officials to make the roads safe for all.
We also know, firsthand, the consequences when a car or truck weighing two tons or more collides with a rider on a bicycle that weighs about 25 pounds. Our hearts go out to the families of the four cyclists alleged to have been hit from behind, sending two to the hospital as happened in Sussex County this spring.
To the motorist the consequence of driving safely and sharing the road may be a short delay. The consequence to the bicyclist could be his or her life.
Our plea to both bicyclists and motorists is simple: When we share the road, share the responsibility.
For bicyclists, that means riding single file as safely to the right as is safe and never more than two, side-by-side, even in the absence of traffic. It means being alert to traffic conditions and observing traffic signage. It means learning and following the laws that govern us, participating in safe riding clinics, and keeping our cool when drivers do not.
For drivers, it means understanding bicyclists have a right to be on the road, that one of them could be your neighbor or a relative, and that passing safely does sometimes mean slowing down and giving the bicyclist three feet or more of clearance. Please don’t honk, tailgate, or floor it to pass. And please keep your cool even when the bicyclist does not.
We all can benefit from more dialogue and less road rage. There’s room for all of us on the roads we all pay for—and have a right to share. We’re sure that there’s not a single bicyclist or a single driver who gets out of bed in the morning with the idea of creating a dangerous situation. Let’s all work together to make our roads safer for all.
Mike Kruimer, President, Central Jersey Bicycle Club
John Kinsey, President, Bedminster Flyers Cycling Club
Cyndi Steiner, Executive Director, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition
Ethan Brook, President, Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey
Jay Marowitz, President, Morris Area Freewheelers Bicycle Club
Jim Hunt, Chair, Morris Area Freewheelers Foundation
Marty Abschutz
9:54 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Well said. I have seen violations by bicyclists and motorists this seaon. I am an avid cyclist; I expect to log close to 2300 miles this year.
Joe R
10:30 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I try to stay off the roads as much as possible and keep to the bicycle paths, where they even exist. I love cycling along the D&R Canal tow path and there is a path all the way over to Princeton Forrestal Village. Unfortunately, I do have to use Route 27 at certain points; you do literally take your life into your hands in the spots where the shoulder of the road is quite narrow. The NY bus nearly sucks me off the road not to mention speeding cars that can produce their own whirlwinds. Cyclists are at a distinct disadvantage; I have not had much luck with rear view mirrors on bicycles, so you are blind to what monster truck, car or bus is coming from behind. I am super careful, super cautious, I try to keep as far right as possible in a very narrow shoulder and I definitely give the tractor trailers, buses and cars a very wide berth. Sometimes cars swerve over into the shoulder to go around a car that is stopped in the middle of the road waiting for an opening to make a left hand turn. I have to anticipate all this mayhem to avoid being clobbered. However cycling along the towpath is the payoff.
Marty Abschutz
10:37 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Joe, I like riding on the Canal, also. Have done the ride all the way down to 195 or 295 (don't remember which it is).
I use a rear view mirror that attaches to my glasses. It works pretty well for me. All of your points about motor vehicle traffic are well taken.