Cyclists vs. Cars – Principles of Coexistence

Summer, which arrived quickly and lushly this year, encourages spending free time outdoors. Urban parks and other nearby places to catch a breath from daily duties are eagerly visited. Distant places are also more easily accessible thanks to the network of bicycle paths, more and more of which are being built in our country. In connection with the changes in infrastructure and road traffic regulations, do I have a chance to get there safely?

The Concept

The global trend of being eco-friendly and athletic has also reached the Vistula River. The media devotes a lot of airtime to promoting a healthy lifestyle, respect for nature, and renewable energies. Our authorities, both national and local, pass laws in this spirit. Energy farms, passive buildings, etc. are being built. Infrastructure is also being constructed in such a way as to protect the natural assets of our country. We build overpasses for animals over motorways and underpasses under roads (for amphibians). Roads bypass river valleys, bird sanctuaries, and forest complexes that are valuable from a natural standpoint. Infrastructure is also being built for people. Bicycle paths are emerging. They are being built both in the city and on routes leading to interesting tourist destinations.

The Problem

While bicycle routes outside the city built from scratch are usually constructed reasonably, a large portion of urban paths are not. What should an exemplary bicycle path look like? First and foremost, it should be separated from motor vehicle traffic. It may share an edge with a pedestrian sidewalk. Intersections with streets should be perfectly visible to both cyclists and drivers. The best surface for bicycles is asphalt concrete. Meanwhile, paths built in the city are in many cases simply corridors cut out of either the sidewalk or the street. Intersections are not well thought out. Visibility on them is very limited. Rows of trees, street lamps, other obstacles, and the terrain mean that a driver has no possibility of noticing an approaching cyclist. The law passed by the legislator does not match the reality of Polish roads. Paths built by local authorities additionally introduce flashpoints. Added to this is the problem that the law is enacted but not disseminated. These few articles in the press and several television programs do not solve the problem of ignorance of the law. It is enough to answer the question: why are there so few accidents in aviation? Among other things, because when introducing new regulations, ALL pilots are trained in that scope! Theoretically, I can familiarize myself with the laws – but the question is: with all of them?! The Sejm produces an average of about 600 A4 pages of acts daily! Who among you has time to read that?

Cyclist’s Rights

So how to ride a bicycle? It will take a long time before compliance with cyclists’ rights becomes widespread. It will take many accidents (the more tragic the better – sarcasm) for the authorities to rebuild poorly designed roads and paths. Until then, a cyclist should apply the principle of „unlimited distrust”. In a clash between a „soft” cyclist and an „armored” vehicle, the cyclist will always be in a worse situation. The consequences of an accident are always severe for a cyclist. A simple fall results in abrasions, broken limbs, head trauma, and in extreme cases – death. Crossing a road: the cyclist has the right of way. You know it. But does the other person know it too? Look around and let the vehicle that did not respect your right pass. Riding on a path designated along the sidewalk: that is a place only for you. But does every pedestrian know that? What about a child, a dog, an elderly person? Won’t they suddenly step in front of your quiet vehicle? A separate category consists of smartphone zombies. Absorbed in their phone, they walk without looking around. And even if the collision is their fault, you will suffer greatly falling off the bicycle. Riding on a path marked along the street: painted lanes, advanced stop lines for bicycles, traffic lights. Do you feel safe? After all, for the driver, your silhouette viewed from behind is almost the same as that of a pedestrian. Small – easy to miss you. And in the evening? Even if you have a bike light and up close it shines brightly in your eyes, for a driver from a distance it fades into the cacophony of lights from other vehicles and street lamps.

The Goal

The overarching goal of the above considerations is for us all to return safely from the roads. So that we can lie in our own beds rather than in hospital, prison, or morgue beds. Until authorities train all drivers on the new laws, build safe paths, and eliminate high-risk accident locations, WE cyclists cannot feel safe on the road. And it is better to be safe than sorry and watch out for yourself and others than to get burned by having a close encounter with an armored vehicle.

Bogdan Lacki