Riding is the most profound activism (Part 1 of 3)

(L.A. cyclist Alex Thompson gets from point to point, riding like his writing, circuitously.)

This article is the first in a three-part series on ways individuals can work to improve conditions for cyclists and encourage cycling. That's exactly the goal of bike activism, so in essence, this is a three-part series about ways to engage in bike activism.

The greatness and downfall of adulthood lies in the abundance of choices. We can choose to quit our job, to workout more, to listen to our children, hang-glide or drive drunk. Many of the choices we could make we routinely dismiss as undesirable. You foresee that quitting your job will have dire consequences and so, for you, it is not even an option. Nine-tenths of living responsibly is eliminating the "not an option" options such as quitting your job.

To many Angelenos, cycling is just such an option. Perceived as dangerous and stigmatized as an activity for health nuts and tree huggers, reasonable people do not ride bikes in L.A.  So, when you step off a curb onto a bike you have just committed a flagrantly irresponsible act.  "I do what I want!" you've just declared.  Prepare for a wild ride!

As a pioneer of the irresponsible, you have an opportunity to recruit others.  Every time you ride four miles to work, or 1,000 yards to the grocery store, you rebel against the little assumptions Angelenos make in order to live responsibly. "Cycling is dangerous," "bicycling is impractical," "BIKES ARE TOYS" —  I challenge these notions with this short ride to the laundromat!  I smash them to bits with my trusty Big Wheel.

Apart from challenging assumptions, your riding provides motorists an opportunity for practice.  Practice?  Motorists have limited options  — faster, slower, left and right — with which to responsibly negotiate city streets. They must pass through a convoluted maze of vehicles and obstacles with only a split-second reaction to save them, or someone else, from disaster. With so little time to react, motorists simply don't look for the unlikely hula hoops and hang-gliders. Instead, they scan for the most common hazards — other motorists.  Cyclists appear rarely enough that motorists are not always looking for them. Your riding exposes motorists that much more frequently to cyclists, training them to look for cyclists.

When motorists encounter a cyclist, they don't always know how to react. Some think that bikes belong on the sidewalk, not on the road. Others simply don't know how to pass a cyclist correctly. By riding, you present them with an opportunity to learn. While this may be slightly hazardous for you, it means they'll be better equipped to deal with the next cyclist.  Research supports this theory: one study conducted in Sweden concluded that tripling the number of cyclists on a road halves the risk of a serious accident with a vehicle for each cyclist.  Greater familiarity with cyclists is thought to be the cause.  More cyclists on the road actually makes each cyclist is safer!

In between rides, you're likely to receive inquiries about your cycling habit. Talking to others about cycling is your first opportunity to expand your activism beyond personal choice and try to effect change externally.  Some people will be curious, even interested in cycling themselves. Your most promising approach is to act as a gentle facilitator. Follow their interest in cycling and share your experiences.  Don't force anything; there's nothing like overstating your case to render it ineffective. Should they express fear or hesitation, acknowledge that as a legitimate concern.

The more difficult discussions will be with people who are skeptical of cycling or frustrated with cyclists. In some ways, these are your greatest opportunities for impact.  Such people are not likely to start cycling, but if you open their eyes to cycling's legitimacy even a smidgen, you will have made L.A. a safer place for cyclists, and lessened cycling's negative stigma.  Keep your cool, and do not be defensive. Simply articulate why you bicycle.  Or get in their face!  Use your best judgment, but remember, once a person is placed on the defensive they are difficult to persuade.

Riding your bike is the most profound act of bike activism.  Discussing it persuasively with friends and family is the natural continuation. Don't be too antiseptic in your approach; emotional truth expressed is persuasive poetry, so be emotive. Ride with vigor; speak with vinegar!

Photos by Alex Thompson

Comments

[Chris]

Interesting, but where is the discussion on how many, I would even say most, cyclists endanger others and themselves on the road? I cannot remember the last time I saw a cyclist using hand signals, traveling in the right direction or for that matter obeying any of the traffic laws.

[Alex Thompson]

Chris,

It sounds as if you may be driving with your eyes closed. This is very dangerous. Please open your eyes. Thanks,

The DMV

[Dean]

Also Chris- please pull over and stop when eating your hamburger and talking on the cellphone. It's just not safe to steer with your elbows in traffic. Thanks--DG P.S. that goes for text messaging too.