A vicious cycle

I wasn’t aware that the sidewalk next to the bike lane wasn’t for pedestrians. I had assumed, perhaps foolishly, that the sidewalk was the walking lane, and that the bike lane was the biking lane, and of course the main road was the automobile lane. Evidently, I was wrong. I was informed of this the other day as I heard a snarl from behind me.

“Behind you, bitch!” an angry voice growled. I stepped to the side, turning to see who I had so offended. A bicyclist well into his 50s met my eyes, scowling. “You’re in my lane,” he said with the air of one who had been unforgivably wronged. He pedaled onward, leaving me in his metaphorical rear view mirror.

This cyclist evidently thought that it was his right to use the sidewalk of this empty street as a second bike lane. But according to the Oregon Bicycle Laws, he was committing two Class D traffic violations: unsafe operation of bicycle on sidewalk and failure to use bicycle lane or path.

Most cyclists in Portland aren’t abrasive, unlike my scowling friend. However, a naumber of cyclists, such as this one, are often witnessed not following the rules of the road. Cyclists who disregard traffic laws and safety measures, make the roads, and sometimes sidewalks, into danger zones. More effort needs to be put into cyclist education and enforcement of traffic regulations.

At present, anyone who owns a bicycle can legally ride it in Oregon without a license or even knowledge of how a bike works. Many cyclists begin using their bikes without even researching bicycle traffic laws. Many around Portland even ride without basic protective equipment, sometimes with devastating consequences. Despite the efforts the city takes to accommodate and educate cyclists, some lessons simply don’t sink in.

Brandon Christensen, a junior studying sociology at PSU, enjoys cycling. He says that most cyclists in Portland seem to pick up the rules of the road rather quickly, even without formal knowledge of the subject. But he admits that many cyclists break minor rules of the road, such as not signaling turns or not maintaining the posted speed limit.

Almost all cyclists are aware that there are laws regarding cycling in Oregon. The 16-page Oregon Bicyclist Manual (available online at www.oregon.gov) clearly outlines the proper use of a bicycle on Oregon roads. It documents everything from traffic regulations to what one should do in the event of an accident. However, many cyclists do not read this manual, instead learning from trial and error on the roads.

According to many non-cyclists, the biggest problem with cyclists who don’t follow the rules of the road is the arrogance with which they do so. My middle-aged friend is a prime, if extreme, example. Some cyclists seem to feel entitled to do as they please, regardless of the law and the safety of others. Others still assume that their choice of vehicle exempts them from responsibility for any accidents they’re involved in, whether or not they are at fault.

But that aspect of cyclist behavior, at least, isn’t limited to cyclists. It’s known as “compensatory ethics” or “moral balancing,” and it is common to any group that feels their choices or actions are morally virtuous. A study published in the journal Psychological Science specifically found that “green” consumers (individuals whose purchasing and lifestyle habits tended towards sustainability and friendliness towards the environment) were less likely to treat others kindly. It stems from the belief that when one has fulfilled his or her social responsibility, he or she is entitled to some form of compensation; as sustainability is not compensated in the short-term, the individual is more likely to act self-indulgently.

Christensen does not approve of this behavior in cyclists. “No one is justified to be rude,” he says. But he suggests another reason for the attitude. “Cyclists get the short end of the stick on roads, since cars are prioritized most places.”

He does feel that “green” individuals, along with health and money-conscious people, make up a large number of cyclists. However, in his experience, cyclists are generally friendly, usually more so than drivers. It is the minority who make trouble, and the careless who make headlines.

Experienced, safety-conscious cyclists and the non-cyclist population agree that with the increasing number of bikes joining the morning and evening commutes, there needs to be action taken to keep the roads safe. Better rider education and enforcement are a must. Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road every bit as much as people who drive cars. After all, it’s up to everyone to keep the roads (and sidewalks) safe. ?