An open letter to all the drivers of 4-wheeled vehicles in Springfield:
For the last couple of weeks I have been using my bicycle as a means to navigate our fair city, save on gas consumption and get more exercise. I have a few observations I would like to share with you although I realize the drivers who need to hear what I have to say probably are not among my reading audience and furthermore, may not even be able to read!
For the record, while I’m biking I observe the speed limit, do not run red lights, use sidewalks on busy streets wherever possible, use pedestrian crosswalks wherever possible, give hand signals for turning and stopping and try to make myself seen by drivers. I don’t weave in and out of traffic and I don’t use 1-finger waves!
However, here are a few tips that could make sharing the road a bit easier:
- Use your turn signal – there’s a reason it was put on your car at the factory. If it’s not on, I automatically assume it should be and stay out of your way in case you turn.
- Get a hands-free connection for your cell phone. Talking and driving take away from your very short attention span for what is going on around you – which includes me!
- If I get to a stop light first, I deserve to be the first thing to enter the intersection when the light turns green – get over it!
- If I’m riding on a road, no I will NOT ride at the very edge of a street if there is no shoulder. You will inevitably try to push me further to the right and I need at least a foot of space on my right for when you do.
- When I’m riding down a street and you want to turn in front of me, wait until I go by unless you have plenty of turning room – one of you has already come close to hitting me but I saw what you were up to and stopped so you could turn. You probably didn’t hear me holler at you – you were on the phone – imagine that!
- At a 4-way stop, I count as one of the vehicles and I deserve to be able to go when it’s my time – without that “wave”.
And for those of you who have waved me in front of you at stop signs, shouted encouraging words and given me a “thumbs up”, I thank you and appreciate your courtesy. I only hope that’s the kind of driver I am.
PS to businesses – I prefer to shop at places that have bike racks – which leaves out Hobby Lobby and many of the entrances to Battlefield Mall. Get with the program!
