Peddling Cabs Arrive in Toronto

Faster cyclists want to pass slower ones and sometimes feel compelled to squeeze by uncomfortably close or are impatient and ride the rear tire of the slower cyclist in front as the speedy cyclist waits for an opportunity to pass. Hmmm, sure sounds like the challenges most of us have with motorists when we're riding in the regular traffic lanes. I have usually recommended to all cyclists to ride according to both the weather and TRAFFIC conditions and that means that if the roads are congested with traffic---cars, trucks, bikes, what-have-you---then we must exercise patience. We have to go a little slower. We unnecessarily endanger others and ourselves when trying to pass unsafely and if that happens what message does that send to newbies? That you have to be an experienced, fast cyclist or even bike lanes is no refuge from impatient, overly-aggressive commuters? That certainly won't encourage them to choose cycling over driving on a regular basis, will it? Hostility and impatience is no way to greet a new cyclist.

I have noticed a marked increase in cyclists this spring. Maybe it's the unseasonably warm temperatures, maybe it's spring fever, maybe it's the fact that gas prices are almost $1.22 a litre and maybe it's the still-looming threat of a TTC strike. Maybe it's a combination of all of them. Don't know, don't care. I'm glad to see more cyclists and I'll endure greenhorns who are, hopefully, learning the unwritten rules of riding in bike lanes and motor traffic as well as the written rules. But no matter what, there will---like motorists---always be good cyclists and bad cyclists; good cyclists who shoulder-check frequently or, like me, use their mirrors every 10 seconds and move aside when possible to allow faster cyclists to zip by; good cyclists who maintain a straight, predictable line in order to remain visible; good cyclists who don't travel at such a high rate of speed that they cannot stop safely should a cyclist or motorist or a pedestrian does something unexpected or foolish or illogical; bad cyclists who run reds, even at slow speeds; who remain unaware of other cyclists or traffic around them; who never use lights or even reflectors at night and insist on riding on the wrong side of the street, particularly on one-way residential streets. Let's take them all into account when we're riding. They are, generally, less of a danger than motorists, after all, and they are fellow-cyclists. We all more cyclists, but we don't want to be slowed down or inconvenienced. Well, guess what, we're not the only ones who need to get from place to place. We have to share and that means compromise and extending both respect and safety toward our fellow cyclists...oh yeah, and those other users of the road too. :)