We all know we’ve done these things, and can get better…
Bike commuters get a lot of hate from drivers - and usually the right thought is what Robin Williams tells Will Hunting - it’s not your fault.
But let’s admit something - getting on your bike day after day, you develop some bad habits in traffic. We all have. Acceptance is the first step to redemption…or something.
We all know we’ve done these things, and can get better…
1- Break traffic laws
Anyone who bikes to work knows that the rules of the road aren’t designed for cyclists. Every intersection we stop at steals our momentum. And in what world do we actually get a turn at four-way stops? But when every cyclist on the road plays by their own rules, things get dangerous for us pretty fast. Traffic laws slow us down, but they also help keep everyone safe. You know what’s worse than being late to work? Getting T-boned by a Suburban.
2. Use profanity
Show us a bike commuter who hasn’t ever sworn at someone (under the breath counts!) and we’ll show you a liar. We’ve all done it. When some inattentive idiot opens a door in your face, maybe you’re entitled. But when a pedestrian crosses the street a hundred feet in front of you and you’ve got to tap the brakes, reserve the anger and curses.
3- Forget to roll our pant legs down
Bike chains and dress pants don’t mix. Honestly, bike chains and any pants other than skinny jeans don’t mix, unless you like jagged holes and grease marks on your khakis. Rolling up your right cuff keeps your work pants clean, but it looks ridiculous, so do a cuff unfurling right after you lock up. If you’re doing this deliberately as some sort of not-so-secret code that you rode your bike this morning - just chill. Let your massive quads do all the talking (along with that cute little helmet you tote around).
4- Develop a superiority complex
Non-bikers think we’re crazy to ride five miles to work in the rain, we think they’re crazy to take a cab five blocks to the bar.
You do you. Just because we love our lifestyle – and we really, really do – doesn’t mean other people don’t get to love theirs too. So don’t roll your eyes at your T-bound buddy; get to the bar early and buy yourself a round. (Two if he took the green line – he’ll be awhile).
5- Show up insanely sweaty
Your co-workers, your date, your parents - they all know you biked from A to B; you don’t need to advertise it with your armpits. Budget an extra five minutes of your time time to cool down and clean up before you sit down at your desk; or across the dinner table from your date; or when squeezing into a cab with your parents. Wash your face, put on some more deodorant, and get rocking, you secret road warrior you.
6- Feel invincible
Those of us who bike every day have gotten cycling down to an art - and sometimes it leads us to act like we’ve got a Superman on our chest. We’ve practiced our pro handling skills on every curb, pothole, and traffic lane in a ten-mile radius, so we feel pretty confident we can avoid trouble.
That’s fine - just don’t get careless. Frogger is a fun game for a super-mobile, hyper-alert frog, but that doesn’t change the fact that one wrong move gets the frog squashed. So play it safe out there. Make sure your bike lights are nice and bright, take good care of your brakes, and stay alert.