Those who Refuse to Cross the Line

As a cyclist, I have come to identify (though grossly generalized) many types of distinct drivers, or passers if you will. While these are only guesses, brimming to overflowing with assumptions, I think them nonetheless. Yesterday, seemed to be the day of “drivers who refuse to cross the line.” I’m not sure about this one as I’ve never spoken to one of these folks about the matter, but I swear this is what must be in their minds. No cars coming in the other direction, broken glass in my path which I drift out (as little as possible) to avoid, and they explode past me, a mere six? inches from my left arm, tires safely inside the line.

As I have had so many people yell at me over the years, “get off the fuckin’ road,” I cannot help but think these folks have some sort of self imposed bylaw, wherein they refuse to cross over into the other lane, on the sheer principle that they feel the road is theirs and I do not belong there. Therefore they think, "I'm NOT crossing into the other lane."

I’m not sure how one feels this is logical in any way. I have over the years, considered trying to do more about bicycle awareness and advocacy which sometimes seems impossible. Why do they yell at me? Why do they call me “faggot?” Why do they pass so dangerously close? Why do they honk? And you assholes that have leaned out of your trucks and hit me or thrown something at me over the years, your karma is doomed. I just don’t understand.

Sure, I can conjure a wide array of reasons for their anger at my being on the road, but in the end I always just find myself thinking, “but I’m on a bike…if you hit me you may kill me.” Arghhh. So frustrating.

To make matters worse, the truck (really, really, big truck) that passed me WAY too close yesterday, had a bumper sticker that read: “I support gun control: use two hands when shooting liberals.” Why is it that so many conservatives on the right, foster such vitriol for those on the left? As much as I find myself saddened and disgusted by much of what the right (especially the extreme right) believes, I certainly don’t want to shoot them. While I know the bumper sticker is a joke, I just don’t find it humorous. It is precisely this thinking on their part, this way in which one perceives those different from them, that causes the problems in the first place.

Last week I saw another that read: “I wish Hillary married O.J.” Aside from just being stupid in my mind, I have such a hard time understanding how one would think this way, with such disdain for those who share different opinions. What the hell is wrong with people?

I just want to ride my bike, and all I can say is please, please, please, give me more room on the road. Please.

Posted by jeff pitcher at July 29, 2008 10:49 AM

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