[*BCM*] Sharing the road vs. taking a lane?

[Justin Wong]

I am one of those rascal pirates. I never "yell share the road", it's
usually something like "don't fu**ing honk at me a$$hole!!!". I try to share
the road, except for when I need a lane to turn. I'll also cut through lanes
and other such antics. I find that I need to obey my own rules to be safe
out there.

P.S. In my experience the most dangerous place in the Boston area is the
Mass Ave bike lane in Cambridge...go figure!

-----Original Message-----
From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Vicki Siolos
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 11:50 AM
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Subject: [*BCM*] Sharing the road vs. taking a lane?

Interesting, interesting. I was driving up Tremont (in South End) to work
today, and an impatient driver near me was honking at a cyclist on his way
to work. He yelled back at the driver, most likely telling him to share the
road, at a red light. After we crossed over Mass Ave, I noticed that he was
taking over the entire right lane, slowing down Tremont traffic a bit by
causing all cars to ride in the left.

I wasn't getting annoyed because I prefer cycling to driving (especially to
work), but I was thinking "I wish he'd move over to the right of the lane,
I'd totally share it with him."

But now you say that adds a great element of danger. Granted, I've had more
chances of being doored on Tremont in South End than anywhere else in
Boston, thus far. So, is the general consesus that taking up a lane if
you're the one and only cyclist a good idea? I'm new to the actual
legalities of it all.

Good thing you got the plate # of the bus. I was slammed by a grey volvo by
the Qdoba/NorthEastern U gym on Huntington/Route 9 a few weeks ago, and
after I was thrown several feet off my bike I couldn't look fast enough to
catch his plates while he sped off without slowing down a bit.
Awesome, right?

----- Original Message -----
> Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 07:37:29 -0700
> From: "turtle" <turtle at zworg.com>
> Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Need some pointers
> To: "Boston Critical Mass" <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
> Message-ID: <6725.1147876649 at zworg.com>
> 
> Finally, seriously, don't ride all the way over to the right.  Ride 
> farenough into the lane that you have pelnty of space on your right.  
> Take the lane if it's narrow (as it is in most parts of Mass Ave.).
> Seriously.  You are entitled to it, and you will be safer, too.  Yes, 
> some motorists may get annoyed, but they won't treat you as if you 
> weretwo-dimentional, like that bus driver did.  And the more people 
> who bike like they belong on the road, the more people will begin to 
> understand that we do belong on the road.

--

Vicki G. Siolos
vicki at nyu.edu
917.328.9737
onwardcharles.blogspot.com

"weigh those opinions . more like air than lead . every planned
occupation . surefire disappointment up ahead" - modest mouse.
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