In the past several weeks, the cycling community in Northern Illinois has been hit with a number of controversies and tragedies. There have been cyclists struck and killed by motorists. There have been editorials criticizing the actions of cyclists, and identifying specific bike shops or rides that are alleged to be engaging in irresponsible riding. There has been a host of negative news and negative feedback on bike usage, during one of the peak seasons for outdoor recreation.
Axletree, a local, not-for-profit cycling advocacy club, is working to engage the public, change habits, and challenge perceptions.
Axletree is more formally known as Axletree, Inc., NFP, and was founded at the direction of North Central Cyclery bike shop General Manager Tobie DePauw (see www.northcentralcyclery.com). Axletree does many of the things that other bike clubs do—it hosts rides and events, and encourages cycling in the local community. But Axletree is also taking on a much bigger role, with the support of North Central Cyclery. Axletree is working to be an advocate for responsible cycling.
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Axletree has prepared a Rider Pledge, available at http://rideaxletree.com/2013/07/the-axletree-rider-pledge/, and is requiring all who participate in the organization or who join a ride sponsored by the club to commit to honoring the Pledge. (A copy of the pledge is attached hereto). The Rider Pledge is a visible, tangible document that spurs conversation among cyclists and encourages responsible riding. In a time when mountain bikers may criticize ‘roadies’ and vice-versa, the Pledge encourages all bikers of all ability levels to work together. It also recognizes the incredible importance of giving back to the community, and making riders’ local communities better places, both for cycling and for living.
Beyond those basic commitments, the Pledge requires riders to ride responsibly and ride safely. To honor the rules of the road, and to ride predictably. To foster positive interaction with motorists and other users of the road. At a time when motorists are complaining about cyclists hogging the road, and cyclists are complaining about motorists being impatient, Axletree is encouraging its members to change the dialogue from complaint to cooperation. Axletree rides focus on using routes that can safely accommodate cyclists, and that enable group rides to be conducted in such a fashion as to minimize impact on other travelers and maximize safety for all involved.
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The group is also working on a host of related advocacy issues, such as successfully advocating for a revised bike ordinance in the City of DeKalb (see http://rideaxletree.com/2013/06/dekalb-bike-ordinance-advocacy-goal-1-accomplished/), which includes one of the first ‘anti-harassment’ ordinances in the nation (see http://rideaxletree.com/2013/04/building-the-bike-ordinance-harassment/). That Code imposes possible penalties for those who would use an automobile as a weapon of intimidation or harassment against cyclists.
The ordinance is simply a means of redressing the worst imaginable behavior that motorists could engage in. But Illinois law also regulates the behavior that cyclists engage in, and requires cyclists to adhere to certain regulations as well. Axletree recognizes this, and understands the importance of riding responsibly. In a time filled with negative messages, Axletree is working to challenge and change perceptions, to improve communications, and to work in earnest to address legitimate complaints that motorists may have about some irresponsible cycling practices. Axletree has shown that cycling can be fun without impeding other roadway users—that it is possible to be both awesome and awesomely responsible.
I'm a cyclist from the tri-cities area, but when I looked for a group to ride with, I found myself most at home with the ethos of the group rides from North Central Cyclery in Dekalb. They recognize that riding on the road carries responsibilities with it. Bikes are neither superior nor subordinate to cars; we have to coexist and share the roads. We have to ride responsibly, and work to engage motorists in positive discussions. We have to acknowledge when we make a mistake or don't see a car, and ride with courtesy. We have to be reasonable.
I haven't done all of the group rides that have been excoriated here on the Patch, and I'm not certain that the comments posted of late are accurate. But I am certain that the comments show that cyclists have a true perception problem. When a cyclist is riding lawfully down the road and is struck by a passing car, and people blame the cyclist...we need to carefully reevaluate what is creating that animus, and work to change, or at least challenge it.In the world of motorcyclists, and for some bicyclists, those who drive cars are considered to be “cagers.” The name is derived from the time drivers spend in their car (i.e. their “cage”). I was once a cager. I would drive down the road, come upon a cyclist, and silently (or verbally) curse them. I would lament having to slow down to safely pass them. In all honesty, I did not always give them the clearance that they deserved (or that they were entitled to by law).
Now, I’m a cyclist. I still drive. A lot. I drive more than I bike. But I identify as a cyclist. I cycle because I love it, and drive because I have to. I’m sensitive to safe passing. When I see someone riding on a clear day, I don’t curse them–I envy them. And I ride. On the roads. A lot. I do as much of that riding as possible with other cyclists. Why? Because it’s more fun, certainly. But also because there is security in numbers. I rode solo this morning, and as I was riding, I was wondering how many of the drivers around me had read online, anti-cycling spite. When you’re riding by yourself, you hear a car coming up behind you, and hope that they’ll see you. I ride with others to be seen, and to be safe.
As cyclists, we need drivers to be more patient, more courteous, more attentive, and more patient. And the burden falls on cyclists as well. We need to ride responsibly, in reasonable places, using lights and helmets, riding in a reasonable configuration. We need to ride not more than 2 wide when around traffic, and we need to not unnecessarily obstruct traffic on the road or at intersections.
We need people to care about each other. We need people to treat each other how they’d want to be treated. When you’re driving a car, we need you to pass a cyclist as if it was you–or God forbid–your child on the bike. When you’re riding a bike, we need you to ride on the road as if those cars around you represent you on the way to an important meeting. We need you to just add a few more seconds, and a little more love, to your interaction with others, whether they be on bikes or cars. We need more mutual respect. (And for crying out loud–that should go for other cyclists when you’re biking, other cars when you’re driving, everyone).
So how do we build respect? Civility? Caring?
We start with ourselves. When we drive, we drive safely, we pass responsibly, we act courteously. But cars give a great sense of anonymity, and this is a blog about cycling. So let’s talk about cycling.
We can’t make drivers love us–no matter how good we look in our lycra. But maybe, just maybe, if we act responsibly, we won’t annoy drivers as much. Maybe if they see cyclists trying to ride responsibly… Maybe if we set a better example for cyclist behavior…
Frankly, I don’t know if it will work…but it can only help. We’re going to lead by example. Part of being awesome is being an awesome person, and rising above the fray. We’re going to share our rider pledge with you, and we’re going to commit to honoring it.
We’re going to ask you to sign the pledge as well. We’re going to ask you to be awesome, and to be civil. We’re going to ask nicely, because we want to co-exist with you, and everyone else on the road. We’re going to continue advocacy work, because it has to be done. But we’re going to work for positive changes that hopefully someday obviate the need to say something as obvious as, “you shouldn’t try to hurt someone, just because they’re riding a bike.”
It’s bigger than us. Cyclists, if we don’t figure this thing out, we’re going to lose our roads, or our lives. We’ve got to start by setting the example ourselves. Our goal with the pledge is to make riders more aware of their responsibility and get them to commit to being better examples for the cycling community. The only way to change the public opinion of cyclists is to be more courteous, responsible riders.
Work on it with us. If you have thoughts about what it means to be a responsible rider, let us know--drop us a line over at Axletree. And if you are a responsible rider, consider signing the pledge.
