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Some people think they can violate the law regarding people on bicycles anytime they want. That dangerous attitude causes a lot of bicycle accidents. PHOTO/METRO
Why is Florida the No. 1 state in the nation for bicycle fatalities involving car crashes?
Six months ago, I was riding my bicycle in a crosswalk in St. Cloud. As I was riding in front of a car stopped at the crosswalk, it bolted forward and hit me. It knocked me and my bike into the air. As I was lying on the street, I heard people in the crowd gathering around me yell, “Call an ambulance!”
In a haze, I wondered if I had any broken bones, and … why did that car just move forward and hit me? I wiggled my toes and fingers. I moved my arms and legs. Nothing was broken. I slowly and painfully got up and made sure my bicycle was still operable. The woman driver got out of her car. She was all apologetic. She said she didn’t see me because … I was behind a sign! No way!
She was trying to avoid taking any responsibility for running into me. I spoke to her firmly, “Take responsibility for hitting me or I will sue you for a lot of money! But I didn’t even call the police. I just got back on my trusty steed and rode away.
I wondered why she didn’t even look in my direction. She looked to her left, but not to her right, from where I was coming. To get some understanding, I launched an in-depth study into bicycle traffic safety. And I discovered a profound truth – the single-most common cause of bicycle fatalities here in Florida is wrapped up in one word: attitude.
The definition of attitude is: a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior. Once we realize that a potential hostile attitude toward bicyclists can kill people, this state can become the safest state in the nation for bicycle safety, instead of being the most dangerous.
A bad attitude while driving can be expressed these ways: Many people feel that size matters. Their car is bigger than a bicycle, so they have the right-of-way; Some people think they can violate the law regarding people on bicycles anytime they want. That dangerous attitude causes a lot of bicycle accidents; Others feel economically superior to people who ride bicycles. These three attitudes behind the wheel of a motor vehicle put bicyclists in grave danger – of ending up in a grave!
We can foster a right attitude by following two axioms: Bicycles and cars equally share the right-ofway, and, Every driver must obey all traffic laws . . . all the time! These two simple ideas will save many lives. One of which might be mine!
This is part of a multipart column series on bicycle safety in a dangerous place – Central Florida.
