Your editorial suggests “at least 3 feet” between cars and cyclists. As a cyclist and walker on the streets in town, 3 feet is way, way too little. Cars weigh 3,000 pounds, the huge SUVs weigh closer to 5,000 (or more) pounds with mirrors that stick out a foot or more (that would hurt upside the back of the head!). I weigh a fraction of this, and I can tell you it’s pretty frightening to have a vehicle pass by you at 3 feet. Cyclists may have to swerve to avoid a pothole or an object in the road, just like cars. With 3 feet separating a 3,000-plus-pound object from a 200-pound object, a dangerous situation arises quickly when the cyclist has to swerve.
I can always tell when a cyclist, runner, and/or walker is driving the vehicle when they pass me on the road: They give me 10 feet and sometimes the entire lane. Similarly, I can tell when someone passes by me who has no clue what it’s like to have a 3,000-plus-pound object whiz past you at 30-plus MPH. The former gets a hearty wave, the latter sometimes gets a see-figure-one hand gesture. Combine the latter behavior with the all-to-prevalent need for people to text a reply immediately to their buddy even if they’re driving, and again a dangerous situation arises due to the distraction.
The safe distance is more like 8 feet, from my point of view on the cycle or while walking. When I’m in my car, that’s the rule I strive to practice when passing a walker, runner, or cyclist. It is amazing the number of hand waves I get when I do this. Next time you’re driving past someone cycling, running, or walking along our roadsides, try giving the 8-plus feet. You’ll be creating a safer environment for people, and you just may get that “thank you” hand wave.
JC Ferguson
Willow Road
