Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Cycling commuter advises patience to all motorists

Patience is indeed a virtue, one which many, who may normally display it, lose once hitting the road.As a cycling commuter, I’ve seen and experienced the worst sides of road rage from motorists, other cyclists and myself. I theorize that any and all of these negative experiences between road-users are caused by impatience.Many motorists can’t handle slowing for less than 50 feet as cyclists attempt to reach a safe point to allow the car to pass; many cyclists can’t wait an additional 10 seconds for the traffic light to turn green, and many pedestrians carelessly ignore the crosswalk signs placed for their own and others’ safety.Time often “equals money” and no one enjoys waiting in traffic, but time and traffic frustration can never be more important than the lives and safety of others. Yet many do risk others’ lives and safety, expecting others to “get out of their way.”Reasonable explanations may lie in a social psychology of the mind text somewhere, but the consequences, sadly, lie in the road.Over the past six months in Pittsburgh, two cyclists were killed in hit-and-run accidents, and one cyclist was chased up a staircase and stabbed multiple times, allegdly by an enraged motorist.Pittsburgh may have two more cyclists and one less stab victim had the motorists fixed their attention to the road, patiently waited for the cyclists to find a safe opportunity to let the motorist pass, or followed the speed limit.These tragic incidents have embarrassingly overshadowed the great progress made by the city and state over the past year. Improvements include increased numbers of bike-dedicated and shared lanes, the 4-foot passing law and the installation of bike racks on all of the Port Authority buses.Lanes and laws are not enough on their own to change the habits and behaviors of motorists. Consistent road presence, law enforcement and patience must be practiced by motorists to make this city more bike-friendly and to continue progressing.Until then, the ugly truth of daily, negative tensions between motorists and cyclists will continue as impatience rules the road.Impatient motorists often act irrationally, making dangerous maneuvers around cyclists, and yelling things like: (expletives excluded for decency) “get out of the road, you’re worthless,” “you’re not a human being,” “I hope you die,” “you’re in my way,” “the next time I see you on the road, I will run you over and I will kill you.” These are only a few of the gems from my personal experiences.Aside from following the law, cyclist etiquette exists.  This includes taking the lane when it is not safe to ride on the side of the road (potholes, insufficient passing room, turning, etc.), to let cars pass whenever safe, to signal whenever stopping or turning and to take the bike-lane or most biker-friendly route possible.If a cyclist follows this etiquette, makes him- or herself seen with proper lighting and clothing, rides predictably and follows the law, there is no reasonable excuse for acts of road rage.The reality, though, is that many bicyclists are equally as guilty of displaying impatience as the motorists they argue with. Ignoring traffic lights and stop signs, dangerously weaving through slow-moving traffic and failing to signal their turning intentions are the most common acts of impatience.Motorists need to display patience, respect cyclists as humans and respect the cyclist’s rights in the road. Cyclists need to follow the same laws they expect to be obeyed by motorists, whom they demand to be equaled to. Both parties need to follow proper etiquette in sharing the road, watching out for one another and following the laws of the road.We all have places and times we perceive as necessary to reach in as little time as possible, but we need to remember to treat one another like equal humans. Patience, in this case, is the best display of respect and affection for fellow humans.Commuting cyclists: put on your helmets, be seen, practice good etiquette and patiently follow the laws you expect motorists to follow as you mount your trusty steeds. Commuting motorists: turn on your headlights, use your turning signals, keep your eyes on the road, follow the laws and be patient as you follow the laws of the road and pass sweating cyclists.

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