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Bike Lane Wars

Ah the bike lane. Drivers hate cyclists for riding in it, cyclists hate runners for running in it, and runners hate walkers for walking (or worse – standing) slowly in their pedestrian sidewalks so that they are forced to run in it. Now that I’m a “cyclist” as well as a “runner” and a “driver,” I can see all sides of this eternal battle. Before I was a cyclist, I didn’t like that people riding bikes would come so close to my car and worse, when they took over my lane in order to pass other cyclists or runners. Now, I’m much more patient with riders. However, it scares me that MOST drivers couldn’t care less about cyclists.

I stumbled across and interesting opinion piece today about runners in the bike lane. Asia and I frequently run in the bike lane. Actually, I run in the bike lane so often that sometimes I forget to use the sidewalk when I’m taking a walk! Most of the time I have to use the bike lane because there isn’t a sidewalk for me to run on. Other times, however, I run in the bike lane because the sidewalk is crowded or full of obstacles called curbs.

According to this opinion piece, not only is it rude to run in the bike lane, but it’s unsafe. Of course I knew it wasn’t safe, but I didn’t really consider it being any less safe than biking in the bike lane. From the blog, “Add a runner to the mix—particularly one with headphones, going with the flow of traffic—and you’ve got a recipe for a really scary collision just waiting to happen. I can imagine a scenario where a runner decides to bail on the sidewalk and steps into the street, maybe from between two parked cars. He doesn’t see the bike coming, the biker doesn’t see him, and—WHAM. You get the picture.”

Although I try to be very careful to watch for cyclists when running in the bike lane, I honestly just really hope that they see me and don’t run me down. I know that’s a naive way to look at it, and after reading this article and thinking it over, I’ve decided to really try to make an attempt to run more safely by avoiding  bike lanes and using paths when necessary. As a cyclist, I am quite annoyed myself when I am riding in the bike lane and not only have to watch out for cars but also for runners, who usually don’t follow the flow of traffic like cyclists do. In fact, this weekend during our ride Asia almost took out an oncoming runner when we were both getting passed by other cyclists and we had no room to move over to avoid the runner. It was a close call!

Do you run in the bike lane? Are you a cyclist who hates runners in the bike lane? What are runners supposed to do if there is no sidewalk on part of our route? 

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January 12, 2012 By fitnessfatale 4 Comments

Filed Under: Running, Uncategorized Tagged With: bike safety, Running in the bike lane, running safety

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meghan

    January 12, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    I’ve only ever run in a bike lane when there is no sidewalk to run on and I always run towards oncoming traffic so I can pay attention to what is coming at me. I’ll step into the dirt next to the bike lane if a cyclist is coming. I prefer to see what is going to hit me than being hit from behind (although a car did swerve into the bike lane once and almost nailed me).

    As a cyclist I’ve never encountered people in bike lanes…but we don’t have many around here. That said, as a cyclist I try to be as apparent as possible. If there is no bike lane and the traffic is moving slow enough I ride right in the middle of the street. I am a moving vehicle after all.

    All that said, I respect all forms of transportation and fear the car the most. Never trust a car to see you.

    Reply
    • SoCalGal

      April 7, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      I understand the urge to run the wrong way in the bike lane but that can be SUPER dangerous. A head on collision with a biker even at reasonable speeds is no joke. I’m a runner myself but my boyfriend cycles and he has a personal horror that has made me rethink ever jogging the wrong way in the bike lane.

      On his way home form work one night he had a collision with a tourist in D.C. running the wrong way in the bike lane at about 4 in the morning. They were both in pretty bad shape. My boyfriend had 11 stitches to his head, but the jogger was wrecked… smashed orbital bones and lots of reconstructive surgery. After the police checked everything out they found the jogger was at fault, my boyfriend felt terrible, and the guy was in way worse shape than him so he didn’t press charges.

      I think the best thing to do if your going to run in the bike lane is probably run as far to the right side of the bike lane but going the correct direction. The general rule of thumb with thruways is slow traffic to the right, so bikers could pass you on the left. This would also place you away from the cars and closer to the sidewalk.
      Whatever you do be safe n keep on running!!!

      Reply
  2. mirandaconrad

    January 16, 2012 at 7:02 am

    The worst: bikes on the sidewalk! I played chicken with a cyclist the other day but also had my dogs with me. I moved only because I didn’t want him to hit the pups (vet bills are outrageous!) Otherwise…I might have kept playing 🙂

    Reply
  3. Chevy (M. P. Chevrette)

    October 16, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    This is really an unsettled area. I am currently doing some research as part of my proposal to mark bike lanes in South Hadley, MA for use by runners as well. Of course, runners should run against traffic, without buds in both ears and with adequate lighting in the dark.

    Here’s something new: I stay to the right when passing an oncoming bicyclist. That puts me on the “sight side” on motor vehicle traffic and protects both the rider and the runner better.

    We need to rethink the needs of runners. Sidewalks are not always a good option as cars do not always stop at a line or a sign and foliage can block motorists’ line of sight. Pedestrians and their pets – on or off a leash – need their space. Once both a sitting dog and I were injured when he lunged at me at the last second. No thank you.

    Please let’s keep the dialogue going in a courteous manner. It can work out for all!

    Reply

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