I’m putting on my flack jacket in preparation for the inevitable onslaught of comments this post will encourage… Eden from Team Estrogen posted the following creeds:
As a cyclist…
I will ride predictably and follow the rules of the road.
I won’t block your way without reason. I will ride to the right when it is safe for
me to do so. I’ll use a bike lane or shoulder if it is contiguous, free of parked cars, copious pot holes, gravel or debris or other obstacles. I may choose to not use these areas if the above conditions apply. I may choose to occupy an entire lane of travel if I feel it is necessary.I get to determine what is safe and what is not safe. I may be able to see things that you may not. I may have different tolerances for different situations than you do. I know the limitations of my equipment and physiology better than you do.
I will use lights and reflectors – lots of them. I want you to see me.
I will be respectful of pedestrians.
What I expect from motorists (and how I behave when driving)…
I will drive predictably and follow the rules of the road.
I won’t harass other road users – if they are going more slowly than I would like
to go, I will wait until it is safe to pass and then I will do so. Even if annoyed, I
will not tailgate, honk, yell, flash lights etc. I will not pass recklessly. I will wait
until I can see far enough and until I have enough space to go all of the way
around you. I will not attempt to pass you at all if your speed is reasonable for
the conditions – regardless of the speed limit.I won’t take your turn at a 4 way intersection, just because I think I can
accelerate faster than you….I will be respectful of pedestrians.
I will remember that some road users are more vulnerable than I am and that I
should exercise extra caution around them. I will not be upset at them for
existing, nor will I call for their banishment from “my” roads for simply because I
do not wish to be inconvenienced or to have to be properly careful.
For both riders and drivers:
I will pay attention to what I’m doing. If I am on a bike I will keep my eyes
*and* my ears open – no cell, no headphones. If I am driving I will not use
even a hands free cell device and I certainly will NEVER text while driving.”
So what would you add or subtract from this list?