Cyclists Form Biker Gangs to Combat Motorists

[jared]

That title may be a tad too heavily worded but in this article, South Florida cycling groups band together to end confrontations with motorists, you'll see that cyclists are working together to end violent confrontations. Sort of like a really nice biker gang...

Cycling groups are on a mission to end confrontations with motorists.

They're policing their own ranks. Leaders in group rides are making sure riders are following road rules, not taking over traffic lanes when it's not necessary and being courteous to drivers.

They're working with the Florida Department of Transportation to erect signs along State Road A1A in Palm Beach County reminding both motorists and cyclists of state traffic laws that allow the two groups to safely share the road.

And they're working with local police departments to encourage them to enforce biking laws uniformly.

Notice a key sentence in there? They're working with the Department of Transportation to erect signs for motorists AND cyclists. While any good cyclists knows that motorists are always at fault , we need to put out warnings and a code of conduct to cyclists and motorists for rules on sharing the road. They're working with the police department to be more consistent in the enforcement of rules. I'm pretty sure everyone would be much happier if some sort of enforcement would be uniform on either side...

"We are undertaking a grand social-engineering experiment to see if people can actually co-exist," said Jeffrey Lynn, executive director of the South Florida Bike Coalition, one of the groups implementing the campaign. "That experiment begins with education. This campaign is the first effort by stakeholders in the community to educate cyclists and non-cyclists alike as to their respective rights and responsibilities."

EDUCATION! Yes, I've said this before and I'll say it again. I believe most of the rage from motorists is that they don't actually know they should be sharing the road. "Go ride on the sidewalk!" more than not probably comes from someone that last rode a bike when they were 8 and knows nothing but riding on the sidewalk.

Now, I don't want to take anything away from the truly conscious road ragers (hillbilly guy in a white Taurus on Belle Isle I'm talking to you) but for the most part I think it's a lack of education.

I know there are some groups out there pushing for cycling education in Michigan. Has anything been done lately? Road signs? Motorist education? I would think driver's training would be a great place for a "share the road" section. How do we infiltrate this curriculum?

Anyone up for forming a cool really nice biker gang to start talking to some politicians and local municipalities? Let's start something out in one community and spread out from there. Royal Oak sounds like a good start...

[Ashley]

Jared,

I would totally be up for that. However, working with politicians on an issue like this in Michigan right now can be discouraging. There was a recent city council election in Livoina, the city where I live. I sent an e-mail to all those running for the coveted seats prior to the election ... some who I know personally. I mentioned a recent bike/car collision that I was involved in that occurred in Livonia and asked if they had any plans on making my city a more cyclist and pedestrian friendly place. I did not receive responses from all, but here are the responses I did receive.
____________

[From an incumbent who was re-elected]

We just recently approved bike path improvements along I275 & 7 mile. I believe the amount of money was signifificant (federal grant I think). We have discussed this in the recent past and their may be other projects coming to us.
____

[From an incumbent who was re-elected]

Thanks for the email. I have always fought for sidewalks on any proposal and to put them in areas that don't have them like Merriman rd north of 5 mile. There is usually a big outcry because of costs. I have recently referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission the idea of a bike/walking path between the recreation center and Rotary park along Hubbard. The residents have fought the sidewalks for years. A bike path could be paid for out of the parks millage and help reduce the resistance.

Unfortunately we are facing a real budget shortfall for 2010 and 2011
____

[not elected]

So first, I am glad you did not get seriously hurt, that must have been such a scarry situation! Did the driver stop to acknowledge you, or did you involve the police? Was there any damage to your bike?

I do not have any plans regarding making Livonia more biker and pedestrian friendly, however if we as city commissioners or elected officials were aware of the dangers that exist, it should be something that we look at.

Since you are an active rider, I would love to hear any suggestions that you have for short term or long term consideration.
____

[not elected]

Thank you for the concern. I am happy to hear that you were not hurt. You are also right, Livonia needs to become more of a walkable community. To tell you the truth, I believe that I am one of the few candidates that believe that this is an issue. I am a very in favor of transforming out community to become more pedestrian friendly. I also advocate for strong community development efforts. If your choose to support me, I am going to be sure to bring this issue to the table, as the present council may not see this as a priority. Livonia needs to become even more livable in order to attract families and businesses to our city. Thanks again.
____

[not elected]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Are you OK? Good Lord, that was lucky. I just had something as harrowing happen to me yesterday. I borrowed my mom's classic 1957 Chevy station-wagon all this week to do campaigning. She was going to a car show today so I drove it to her house yesterday. About a mile after getting off the highway, and about 5 miles from my parents house, the brakes completely failed. So I had no brakes at all as I was approaching an intersection going 25 MPH with no brakes and a red light for me. So I freak out, pull the emergency break which I discovered wasn't working either. So now I am seeing my life flash before my eyes, so I open the door and try to stop an 8000 pound car with my foot, Fred Flintstone style with no success. Just as I get to the intersection the light changes. I thought the last few seconds of my life were going to be an "I love Lucy" sketch. Needless so say I know how you feel.

So to your question, I know the plight of bicyclists. My father, who is 61, has been biking for almost 40 years, the last 30 spent riding the 18 miles from his house on Detroit's east side to the water treatment plant near Ecorse. Everyday I was worried about him. Now, 30 years, a broken wrist and collarbone later, he is still riding on non-bike friendly streets. So, as far as your concerns, I want you to know that it is a major concern for me.

Now, specifically about your city planning concerns regarding biking. I agree that Livonians are so 'enslaved' by our cars that bikes are almost an after thought in transportation. I believe most of our neighborhoods and secondary streets are suitable for bikes but as for bike lanes on primary roads, I don't think it is possible considering how people drive in the area to do a bike lane without endangering the rider. Now that being said, I do believe that with the infrastructure that we have, bike lanes or rather bike paths can be built and maintained. However, almost all of our primary roads are county roads and not city roads which means we would have to push Wayne County's road commission to make some changes to the right-of-ways (the grass median strips at the road edges) to be converted into paths (actual mini road beds) where riders would ride in the direction of the corresponding traffic, but free from the threat of a traffic impact. If I were elected, I would work with our and there was enough support for this issue from community groups, I would suggest that Livonia work with our DPW, WC Road commission as well as reps from the community to put together a pilot program that would establish bike paths on say 2 or 3 north/south and east/west roads. This way is they were installed we could evaluate how often they are used, what kind of traffic they get and if we should have either a separate path in the right-of-way OR do what other cities I have been in do which is widen the sidewalks to accommodate two riders going in opposite directions with a small hump to separate the pedestrian walk from the bike path. This way it would be easier to maintain in the winter related to snow removal. Now this plan builds on the infrastructure and traffic control we already have. Another possibility might be to create inter connected greens spaces with bike paths that can allow bike and pedestrian access. This is better, however, with the city eroding its own tax base by giving huge tax breaks to companies like Wal-Mart, the city is too broke to pay for something like this, unless of course the Federal Dept of Transportation were willing to kick in for us. But that is a long shot.

So anyway, I am glad to hear you are OK. I hope what I have said makes some sense. I have been getting in to these issues more in my career since I became an accredited LEED professional. Pedestrian movement is one of the many features of the LEED standards and I think that we should look at it and formulate a proposal. If Livonia is supposed to be for families, then I think the families deserve to at least have the issue examined to determine its feasibility. If you would like to call me to discuss this issue further feel free to do so at 313.418.9255, I'd like to have the chance to earn your vote.

I look forward to speaking with you more. Speramus Meliora (we hope for better things).

[jared]

I love the incumbent who talked about more bike/walk paths and more sidewalks for cyclists. Talk about a need for education. Do you want me on the sidewalk going 20+ miles per hour while your grandma and kids are walking on that sidewalk? No, because that's not where we belong.

We are supposed to be on the road going that fast and it would be nice to have some bike paths on the road.

It looks like they're talking about high dollar fixes. Posting "share the road signs" would be a low cost solution that could really help. I truly believe that it's about letting motorists know that it's okay for cyclists to be on the road! Have you tried to reach them with that message?

[holli81]

Count me in on this! We can also use the promotion of healthier lifestyles through safer biking, thus helping to cut down costs in the long term. I know Woody Miller is very active with bike safety and has participated, if not headed up, many political discussions on the issue. I will shoot him an email and see what kind of updated information he has on this, or any ideas to speed the process along.

Holli

[bicyclepastor]

I would definitely be interested in this. After living in Philadelphia, where there are bike lanes painted on the street and I have acutally witnessed people being pulled over for veering into the bike lanes, the thought of getting more education out there is indeed intriguing.

I can relate to Ashley's post. When I first arrived in Redford, which joins Livonia at Inkster Rd, I was riding down Inkster to go to work and was pulled over by a police officer who told me it was too dangerous to ride on the road, that I needed to be on the sidewalk!

[jared]

When I first arrived in Redford, which joins Livonia at Inkster Rd, I was riding down Inkster to go to work and was pulled over by a police officer who told me it was too dangerous to ride on the road, that I needed to be on the sidewalk!

That's ridiculous! Education is definitely what needs to be the first step. Sounds like education for motorists, city officials, city workers, and cyclists! Holli's contact with Woody is a good place for us to start. We need to see what he has going on and how we can help in the effort.

"Share the Road - Michigan 2010 Campaign" - Alternate title, "Friendly Biker Gang Educates the Public!"

[holli81]

I am still waiting to hear back from Woody, but I have been doing some research in the meantime. I came across two websites that are seeking the same goals we are. One is actually a political campaign called Michigan Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan. I wrote an email to the Co-Chairs of this committee to see how we can become involved. I will keep you all posted with any updates.

The other website I came across is a group called League of Michigan Bicyclists. They also are aiming to achieve the same goals we are seeking. I will be in contact with them soon to see what we can do to join their forces.

That's all I have for now, but I think we can make some headway with the three leads I have already.

-Holli

[woodymiller]

Holli picked a good place to start with The League of Michigan Bicyclists. Most shops and clubs in Michigan belong. They set the tone for regulations and their enforcement in Michigan. They also have free booklets on safety and state statutes. Steve Roach is the Regional Director for the Detroit area and one of the most conscientious and effective guys on a bicycle. He is also an attorney here is his email address - Roach@MillerCanfield.com. Steve will send booklets if we ask.

Here is an example of how a situation was handled with a Highland Park police officer http://www.thedetroiter.com/v3/2009/07/highland-park-police-bicycles-and-state-law/. There is also a link to regulations in the article

Education is an ongoing and necessary battle. LMB some educational material available but the problem is getting effective information into the hands of motorists and cyclists. There are a few organizations planning new education materials and methods. Input in welcome.

The election to the board of directors for the LMB odd numbered regions is currently underway. While Detroit's Region 1 director, Steve Roach, is running unopposed, I would urge cyclists of Oakland County to consider joining LMB and voting for a positive voice in their Region 3, Mike Reuter.