When we are talking common courtesy, it is the one factor that will certainly bring togetherness. This is true for just about everything. Today I am focusing on the cyclist, motorist & pedestrians who have to share paths on a daily basis.
Common courtesy brings togetherness ran through my mind because, during the course of my bike commuting, I have seen so much lack of concern for the next person that I had to speak out. This can be broken by just having some common courtesy in your actions.
Cyclist Should Think As A Motorist
What I mean by this statement is that all a person on a bike has to do is ask themselves what would you expect out of a cyclist if you were driving the same roads they are riding bicycles on?
The first thing to my mind is that it is important for me to be visible. This means that I have the right clothing & have the proper lighting to help motorist to see me from a distance.
Another thing is to ride respectably. This means not to ride in and out of lanes with no concern feeling you should be respected because you are on a bike. Using hand signals or getting the proper lighting system would solve that.
How about riding as if you were in a vehicle or on a motorcycle and stopping when you come to a stop light or stop sign? Drivers of an automobile can get quite confused whether they expect you to stop or just try to keep going through because they are not close enough to the intersection.
Be courteous and stop just like the motorist has too. You would be amazed how appreciative a motorist or pedestrian in that fact would be.
Motorist Feel The Fear Of A Cyclist
What I mean by that is just imagine what it feels like to have a 2-ton object riding too close and very fast in the same lane as you on a 40 lb. bike. Not a good feeling is it? Too many times I have seen cars speed pass a cyclist not even giving them the 3 feet space most States require when passing a cyclist.
Motorist please try being courteous by slowing down until there is adequate space to go around a cyclist. Don’t have the mentality of I’m in a bigger and tougher vehicle and that cyclist needs to get out of the way. Some of us use our bikes to get around like you would use a car.
Once again, you would be amazed at how much a cyclist or a pedestrian would appreciate that little bit of courtesy you extend in any situation.
Pedestrians Own The Right Of Way
All I can say to a pedestrian is to be courteous and don’t take advantage of the pedestrian laws feeling that you always have the right of way no matter what. Think like a cyclist or a motorist. If you were driving or riding a bike, you would expect a pedestrian to not just walk in your way thinking they have the right away, wouldn’t you?
Same goes for the cyclist who does not respect a walker on a path that both walkers and riders use. Just because you are traveling faster doesn’t mean that the walker should just give up his or her space either.
Conclusion
If all three, the cyclist, the motorist and the pedestrian would incorporate a little courtesy towards one another, sharing the space would become natural and pleasurable. There won’t be many accidents due to road rage or pure bullying of the shared space.
There has been more drivers and cyclist than ever before. And definitely more walkers. We must all be able to do it together. I hope you enjoyed this message and will always be courteous to the next person.
Please leave any comments or questions in the comments section below. For any of your biking needs feel free to visit Ron’s Cycle Plus on this site. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Ronnie Jordan,
Great post describing the word ‘ Courtesy’ here. I am totally agree with especially the last paragraph.
” If all three, the cyclist, the motorist and the pedestrian would incorporate a little courtesy towards one another, sharing the space would become natural and pleasurable.”
I recognize that most people forget to incorporate courtesy during rush hours. I included.
This article will create the awareness.
Thanks for sharing.
And that is true. I think people get frustrated and that is when they start thinking selfishly. It takes awareness of how you react under these conditions and to always try to think about the next person. The more people that do it, the safer it gets. Thanks for visiting.
Safety and awareness are very important and often times ignored. People have to be more considerate of others because as you mentioned they too could be in that situation at some other time. Like for examples like most people I have been a motorist, cyclist, and a pedestrian, this has allowed me to be more careful and aware of others in public, thanks for sharing.
Safety is a big thing in everything. I also work for a safety company and I see how many companies invest a lot towards their safety programs. They are showing a form of courtesy towards their employees. So being considerate is a main cog in safety.
Hi Ronnie.
I really like this idea. I’m a car driver & a cyclist. Do you think it should become law not to use mobile phones whilst cycling ? Just like it is law in the UK for car drivers. I see this a lot where I live.
I feel it would be fair. Some people may be able to drive or ride while using a phone but there are most likely more who can’t than can. This is one of those things to help remove the possibility of an accident. So with that being said, I say yes.
Well said, Ronnie. If I may use your website and this post to vent out my frustration as a pedestrian and car driver (admittedly, I don’t do much bike riding at present, though I have had my days), I have a word for all the 3 categories.
Car drivers, do not bully your way trying to push bikers out of the way for the sole purpose of ‘teaching them a lesson’.
Bikers, when a cycle path is available as an alternative to highways, please use it. As you say, Ronnie, the fact that you are more vulnerable as a bike rider should not allow you to force your way in between cars, lorries and buses.
Pedestrians, do not assume that, again, because you are in a position of vulnerability against bigger vehicles, you should be seen and avoided at all costs. Learn from children: ‘Stop, look, listen’.
Thank you Ronnie, excellent advice!
Thank you for that great input to the subject. That is all it would take to add some harmony on shared transportation areas. Remember, it is all about the safety of all involved.