Ever since my return to Vancouver I’ve been an avid cyclist. My initial plan was simply to save money and get in shape, but now it has become a deep-rooted passion. I love the time to myself when I’m on my bike. I dream, I plan, I practice conversations with tall handsome athletic men. I’ve even broken into various showtunes at the top of my lungs.

I’ll admit my focus on the road is very dependent on my type of journey. I know I know, I should be paying attention to everything at all times….but hear me out.

• 100% focus = riding anywhere downtown, riding in the dark or in crazy weather conditions
• 99% focus = riding on a bike route or challenging my own strength and ability up mountains or major hills
• 98% focus = riding on a road in the early early mornings with zero cars or pedestrians in sight, circling the seawall at a leisurely pace or somewhere out of town when the roads are incredibly quiet

Although I re-direct 2% of my focus to perfecting my singing voice or blocking out cell phone rings or finding strength and energy from my big toe, I’m still watching the road. I still shoulder check. I still wear my helmet.

So why do I bring this up you ask? Grrrrrrrrrr, let me introduce you to my personal road rage—she goes by FFF (Furiously Frustrated Fiona). Since a vehicle lane on Burrard Street bridge changed over to a bike lane last month, attitudes on the road have intensified. Motorists hate the cyclists. Cyclists hate the motorists. Pedestrians are standing on the sidelines trying to make a choice for their own benefit, and everybody soon qualifies for anger management classes. I’ve had a couple of run in’s recently, and it shocks me what level of common sense or respect some people hold onto.

Incident number one: Riding on the side of a somewhat busy road I see another cyclist ahead, stopped and leaning on a car to have a conversation with a parked driver. I rapidly ‘ding’d’ my bell to let her know I, and other cars were passing her. My bell ringing thumb could have done no more, so I began to pass. It was at that moment that she decided to pull out, without looking. After squeezing my brakes with all of my strength, I avoided hitting her. In a friendly sounding voice I loudly muttered, “Might want to check who’s on the road before you pull out honey,” (yes, I actually called her honey-trying to sound extra friendly to another female cyclist). My helpful tip was acknowledged with glaring eyes over her shoulder, but she said nothing and kept rolling forward. It was at this moment, that FFF fully came to be.

Just before the cyclist turned right, I opted to make another comment so she might become aware of the situation that she created. “It’s lucky I didn’t crash into you when you pulled out back there”. Without any hesitation, she yelled back, “You’re the one that’s behind me!”

Now even more frustrated at her inability to see what could have happened, I turned around to find her on the side street. I wanted to defend my position of just being another cyclist behind her, in fact being in more danger because of her. I mentioned that shoulder checks are requirements for all modes of transport on the road and she looked at me as if I were being eaten alive by maggots. As I then made note of her lack of helmet equivalent to not wearing a seatbelt, she laughed. I suppose I just can’t win against these kind of people.

So yes motorists, I agree that there are some ignorant cyclists out there. But that doesn’t mean you need to honk at us like incident number two, which also sent FFF into a fit of fury.

I was cycling along Beach Avenue on my way to work when I was agressively honked at from behind. It was so loud and alarming as the the vehicle passed me and continued to blast the horn and drive erratically in front of me. The only reason I could think of that the driver was upset, was because I was actually on the road. The bicycle section of the seawall is just beside the road, but it is often filled with casual riders on rental bikes stopping to look at the flowers and the view. As a daily commuter, it is certainly not practical or safe, for me to share that pathway. So I ride on the road. Yes it is a narrow road for cars and cyclists to share, but it is legal and done every day by others.

I think there must be a chemical imbalance when road rage situations develop. As I continued riding down Beach Avenue, I noticed that the honking vehicle had stopped at a light and pulled up to within an inch of the curb to prevent me from riding there. I felt immediate anger and defensiveness as a cyclist and rode accordingly. I regret my actions as riding between two lanes and then cutting in front of the vehicle at the red light, is not only wrong, but dangerous. Sorry driver, I’ve learned my lesson…but I also made my point.

I had another biking scenario over the last week, but it wasn’t exactly a form of road rage. It was 6:15 in the morning and I was the only one on the road. There was a man walking on the sidewalk as his dog was squatting-doing his business. I noticed the man was making no efforts to clean up his dog’s doodoo. So I turned back and yelled, “Thanks for cleaning up your shit asshole!” As I seem to be the one person that always steps foot in the smelly stuff, I felt empowered for telling the lazy dog owner off.

Unfortunately, my statement kind of lost its’ impact when I then crashed into a parked car. Clearly, I wasn’t watching the road.

I think the moral of this blog is to be considerate and sensible on the road, whatever your mode of transport. It’s important to have an opinion, but not at the expense of others. Try something new and DISCOVER what others have to deal with in their commute-it might change your awareness.

Cheers me dears,

Fiona

Babe With A Backpack