Bike Commuter Pleads for Civility After Being Run off Road Near Burke-Gilman

To the editor: 

I am a bike commuter and I have to admit, the Burke-Gilman construction is obnoxious!  It is an inconvenience for everyone.  I can understand how awful it is living right across the street from it.  It is an eyesore, noisy, results in tons of construction workers, and new bikers in your front yard.  It’s stressful for us bikers as well.  The detour is longer, more tiring and adds a lot more interfacing with traffic.  We don’t want this bike trail construction as much as anyone else.  Unfortunately, it’s happening and it’s time to deal with it like civilized people.

I cannot speak for other bikers in this topic, but I make an effort to be a conscientious and safe biker.  I realize that the road we ride on is shared with many vehicles and I can understand how nervewracking it can be to drive by bikers! I have been in that position many times myself in my own car.  However, I strongly believe that bikers have just as much right to be on these roads as anyone else.  We are paying the same taxes as everyone else.  My first intention when I get on my bike is for safety and defensive biking.  It is difficult when there are angry, road enraged drivers that decide that they need to make a point and swerve at us. 

I was recently driven off the road by a resident on Beach Dr. NE in Lake Forest Park.  It was terrifying, spiteful and unnecessary.  And while I can understand the frustrations residents in that area carry, I cannot understand why endangering a human life is okay?  What if you found out your daughter, sister, spouse was victim of such road rage?  How would that feel?  I want to emphasize that these bikers you see that seem like a nuisance to you are human beings!! This goes for anywhere in the city!  Scaring them by honking, swerving and harassing them will not only fuel your own anger, but risk hurting someone.

I am a naturopathic medical student at Bastyr University and my route to campus has no other alternatives due to geographic restrictions.  Sometimes I am on campus from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and biking is my only chance to get outside and get some exercise during the day.  In addition, I make an effort to do all I can to reduce my green footprint, as well as save money.  I am a steward of this earth and beautiful environment we live in.  I chose to bike to conserve on the natural resources and to reduce the amount of pollution being put into the atmosphere. I have an absolute love for nature, and in the daily grind of life, it is difficult to get out there into it.  I consider my bike ride a blessing and opportunity to get to do this.  It is my daily meditation and prayer and provides me with sanity. Everyone has their reasons for biking, and I am only one representation of that, but I feel that my reasons are not far off from the rest of the bike commuter population.

I understand we all have different stories, and only a small portion of our lives intersect.  We are just trying to do the best we can at the time.  It is unfortunate that our different choices and situations create such a high potential to make us adversaries.  One thing is obvious, neither neighborhood residents nor the bikers like this construction. In addition, the bikes are going nowhere.  I request adapting to these situations like civil human beings, and acknowledging the other’s perspective.  Thank you for your consideration. 

Sarah Sue Burich

Seattle