Besides cycling, David Zabriskie and I have something else in common. Though I am no where near the cyclist he is, we both have in common the misfortune of having been hit by a car. I have posted some limited info about my experience.

Well, Zabriskie started a great website Yield2life.org that has as it’s mission; “a vigorous awareness campaign to promote positive attitudes toward cyclists and replace any hostility that exists between motorists and cyclists with understanding, respect, and appreciation for all life on the road. Safety for every cyclist is the top priority of Yield to Life.”

I love to see this effort. Having a rift with a motorist is a sadly common occurrence. I had one just last week I admit. There can be a real hatred amongst many drivers towards cyclists where I live. And, I hate to admit it, but at times I understand why. Often, you can see huge groups of cyclists, like a peloton from the Tour, riding 10 guys wide and running every stop light and stop sign. Or riding while talking on a cell phone, causing them to weave in and out of the bike lane. Because of these behaviors, it gives the solitary rider like myself a bad reputation as every encounter I have had with an angry driver always includes the statement, “you cyclists..” Even though I ride 99% of my riding by myself and obey the rules of the road and I am always solo when these things happen, I get lumped into the category of “the bad cyclist”.

Zabriskie’s site has some good information and a great message behind it I support. Though there is no reason that would allow for a motorist to purposefully accost a cyclist, there certainly is a lot of responsibility on the part of cyclists to play by the rules as the road is for us both, legally. And has been pointed out to me by more than one angry driver, our 15 pound bikes are no match for a 3000 pound car.