Zen and the Art of Driving
This applies to cycling as well.
These days, driving is a much more calm, serene experience, and I enjoy it much more.
I look around at other drivers and wonder whether they really need to get to where they’re going so fast, and whether they’ll slow down when they get there. I wonder if it’s really worth burning all that gas and getting so angry and risking so many lives. And then I think about other things, because driving for me has become a time of contemplation.
I heartily recommend driving slower — for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is that it has made me a much happier person. It’s such a simple step to take, but it makes an incredibly big difference.
I agree. Though the excessive speeders still burn me up. Driving slower makes driving safer come naturally, too. Most people tailgate the person in front of them, but if they slowed down they wouldn’t feel the need to incessantly tailgate.
That’s an excellent article! It’s so true. I loved the 5 reasons and the tips. Time management is a biggie. It’s hard to relax when you’re late. Cycling forces time management, if you’re getting there on your own power, you have to plan ahead and leave enough time.
Tailgating is my biggest peeve when I’m in a car. Because I drive the speed limit (when I drive), I experience it a lot.
I think a lot of people tailgate mindlessly, they don’t even realize they’re doing it. It’s like they’re hitching a ride and letting the driver in front of them make decisions while they daydream (or talk on the phone). I’ve ridden with friends who do this, they have no consciousness that they are way too close to the car in front.
Of course, a lot of other people tailgate to try and intimidate the driver in front to go faster.
One morning I had a jerk in an Escalade literally surging at my bumper (I was in the right lane of a 4-lane road driving the speed limit, but there was a line of traffic in the left lane and this guy wanted to pass on the right)… so, after a couple surges I’d had enough and showed him some brake lights. The whole front end of his car dipped as he slammed on the brakes… his little surging maneuver left him vulnerable to the slightest change in front of him. Shortly, he found a gap, passed and sped to the red light… where I pulled up next to him and saw him frantically wiping coffee off himself and the interior of his car.
Guess who’s drive was less stressful?
One of my favorite comments when waiting in a queue at the grocery store or similar location is, “If I was in a hurry, I wouldn’t be riding a bicycle”. That’s not true, though, because when I’m forced to drive, I’m not in a hurry either.
I know it’s schadenfreude, but I sure got a laugh about the coffee spill in the Escalade incident.
My wife drives a 30-35 mph EV to work and back and has long adjusted to being passed. She’s told me that it’s more relaxing and drives under the speed limit when she has to use the ICE vehicle.
I’ll try to remember the traffic calming effect I have on vehicles when (not if) I’m stopped again by law enforcement. “Clearly, officer, I’m slowing traffic and making things safer for everyone”.
I can remember a time when you did NOT pass on the right. In Europe, you don’t — slower trafic moves right and faster traffic passes on the left. Here in the US, it now is wherever you have space you can pass — including going onto shoulders or off the road. 🙁
My bike riding is affecting my car driving in a positive way — I’m driving slower, making fewer lane changes. And less stressed. 🙂
fred_dot_u writes:
“Clearly, officer, I’m slowing traffic and making things safer for everyone”.
I just added this one to my book of wise sayings. In my travels around Orlando, I have begun to notice that motorists that pass me on my commutes have slowed down and taken the opportunity to pass me safely.
I can’t for the life of me figure out why, on a four lane road, cars and trucks only pass in half the lane and not the full inside (empty) lane.
Still, my rides have become more enjoyable by riding the right tire track and maintaining control of my lane.
I find the majority who pass me also slow down and move over. Even on 2-lane roads they’re waiting and going all the way to the oncoming lane. Honestly, I’m OK with them passing a little closer as long as our speed differential is low.
On 2-lane roads I usually stick to the right tire track to facilitate visibility and passing. If there is a lot of oncoming traffic, I move a little left to discourage a dumb move. On 4 lane roads, I ride farther left than the right tire track. I’ve found there is a relatively small position difference that yields more complete lane changes vs straddle-passes. That might be because they identify my lane position and make a decision to change lanes earlier.
It’s not unusual for me to go a couple weeks without getting in the car. When I do after such a hiatus, I find myself driving about 5 mph slower than usual; especially in-town. As a cyclist I get used to the world passing by at that speed, and going as fast as other motorists feels too fast for a while. (This effect doesn’t occur on the interstate, since they’re designed for high speed.
Speed really only helps over really long distances. Years ago I carpooled with some co-workers to lunch, from Winter Park up to the Cracker Barrel near Sanford. I was in a car with a mellow, middle-aged woman driver. The other car was driven by a 20-something guy.
As both cars headed up the ramp onto I-4, the guy floored it and took off. He was out of sight in short order. About twelve minutes later we were pulling into the parking space at the Cracker Barrel. The 20-something hot-shot was just opening his door. What little time/distance he gained on us was absorbed by a single traffic signal.