Image provided by Charlie Backus

By Charlie Backus

As a competitive cyclist I train almost every day, and on days that I don’t ride gravel roads I’m on paved roads that can sometimes have a lot of traffic. This gives way to the biggest risk I take as a cyclist. Cars.

  As a driver I understand the anger that some have towards bikers on the road. If they aren’t all the way to the left they pose a threat to traffic safety and can hold up traffic. But as a cyclist I don’t understand the intense anger and almost hatred that drivers get when encountering cyclists. The number one piece of advice I can give is that in an urban setting, unless the biker looks unsteady or inexperienced, you can safely pass them without having to switch lanes. When on a highway the rider is probably riding for exercise and also can handle having a car pass as long as they have three feet of room.

 Part of being a driver is sharing the road, and when it comes to cyclists it’s no different. Give us room and move on with your day because we will both be better off in the end.