A good week on the bike

Cartoon from Yehuda Moon by Rick Smith.

After driving to West Palm last Saturday, I was determined not to touch my car until Thursday (when I knew I would need it). I rode 4 of 5 days, ran errands on the way home and only used the car on Thursday.

I’m getting used to the heat.

I’m definitely noticing more transportation cyclists. But not fewer cars. I was riding during off-peak hours several times this week and was surprised at the endless lines of cars on roads like Lakemont Ave. Where are they going?

Another thing I’ve been noticing is a slightly higher percentage of very courteous drivers.

In my years of riding, I’ve observed that most drivers are ambivalent or tuned-out, a small percentage are aware and kind and an equally small percentage are aware and mean.

I had one mean-person moment this week. That makes 2 in a month’s time. Not bad, really, considering the number of miles I ride.

I had a lot more remarkable nice-person encounters this week than I could count—people slowing to let me merge, following and passing with extra courtesy, smiles and waves, etc. It was almost like they all read our motorist page, but it doesn’t get that many hits 😉

Is it the luck of the draw? Some fortuitous planetary alignment? Increased awareness because bicycles are in the news? Are they looking at the gas station sign and thinking, “that might be me next week?”

Whatever the cause, the exceptional civility really increases the enjoyment of cycling and makes me want to use my car even less.