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With the addition of bike lanes on Ludington Street, please remember that the new bike lane is that. A bike lane. Not a pedestrian gathering place to chat. Not a “swerve allowance” for motor vehicles. If you are parking, please, please, please check your driver’s side mirror well before swinging open your door into the path of an oncoming cyclist legally in the path. And when pulling back into the traffic again, check, check, check your mirrors. Swivel your head and look back before you cross the bikeway into the path of a cyclist legally using their lane.
Having been a year-round bicycle commuter for well over 20 years, I can say that things have improved. This new bike way is a big, positive move. 20 years ago vehicle drivers would launch pop bottles from their windows at me, or swing their vehicle doors open at me, or swerve close to me to scare or startle me. I have heard every possible expletive cursed at me. I have seen other riders involved in bike/vehicle incidents. I have commuted on bike here; in NYC; in Hampton Roads, Virginia; in Charleston, South Carolina; and in Jacksonville, Florida. Twenty years ago Escanaba was the scariest place I have commuted because of the outright, negatively emotionally charged responses of vehicle drivers toward a bicycle commuter. It has gotten better.
Now, to other cyclists using the bikeways. You MUST ride with traffic. Not against traffic. Not only is it the law, if you are opposing traffic you become unpredictable and create dangerous situations. You also will be riding in opposition of cyclists riding lawfully, with traffic, forcing swerve into vehicle traffic lanes or bike/bike collisions. Unlawful cyclists are equally to blame for the sad state of the bicycle commuting community with errant vehicle drivers. No one side carries the whole blame. Both communities must work together to ensure that the roads stay safe for everyone to use them. Yes, bicycles do belong on the road. It is the law and it is workable if everyone tones down pride or belligerence or whatever brings your road rage and share the road.