How to Pass a Cyclist

For drivers of automobiles and for other cyclists: HOW TO PASS A CYCLIST!

I spend a lot of time on my bicycle in traffic, and since I don't (always) go as fast as a car I necessarily get passed by lots of cars. From my perspective, on the other side of that white line or squeezed over to the margin, I can tell that some drivers are nervous, anxious, impatient or even angry at my forcing them to steer carefully past me. Believe me, I'm anxious at that moment as well, though in a seasoned, been-there, done-that, here-we-go kinda way..

For those drivers who are nervous passing a bicycle in traffic: Thank you! That shows an appropriate appreciation for the sheer physics happening between your metal vehicle and my body during that exchange. If you follow these simple guidelines, we'll both get through it safely.

How to pass a cyclist? First of all: look ahead. Look waaay ahead. What's in your lane and what's in mine? If there's anything there that's not going as fast as you or me, don't pass. If you try to pass me while I'm passing another cyclist or going around a pedestrian, we're going to come together in a not-so-happy way. And don't underestimate my speed. We cyclists can often cruise on flat terrain at 25 mph or more. Wait until it's safe for everyone and everything involved.

Second, if it's clear, then go on by, but please give me as much space as you possibly can. Even if you're centered in "your" lane, if you pass me at 35 mph. with only three feet between us, that is a scary experience for me. Plus, one of us could blow a tire, or swerve slightly to avoid an obstacle in our paths, and close that three-foot margin in a deadly instant. Animals can run out, and there are always potholes and impediments on the road. So as much as you possibly can, give me a wide berth, even if it means going into the next lane to do so. Be sure to flash your lights at oncoming traffic if you go into their lane.
Also, pass peacefully. Don't suddenly hit the gas. This can be loud and scary to the cyclist and the fumes from "gunning it" are noxious.

Cyclists: All of the above, plus: Before passing, shout out "on your left" and observe the pass-ee before passing. Did they hear you and move over, or are they blissfully rocking to their iPod? (Rrrrrrrrrr) And look behind you first; It's not safe to pass if a car is passing YOU while you're passing another cyclist.

The Names of This Day

From the Baha'i Writings, the names of this day ...

The Day of God
The Great Day
The Last Day
The Day of Days
The King of Days
The Day of Judgement
The Day of Reckoning
The Day of Severing
The Day of Sighing
The Day when the trumpet blast will be sounded
The Day wherein account shall be taken
The Day when the decree shall be accomplished
The Day for which the soul of every Prophet of God hath thirsted
The Day when the earth shall shine with the Light of her Lord
The Day which shall never be followed by night

The Names of God

From the Baha'i Writings, the Names of God

God
The One
The Creator
The Eternal Truth
The Holy of Holies
The Ancient of Days
The Single
The Unseen
The Eternal
The Desire of the world
The Adored One
The Supreme Helper
The Imperishable
The Incomparable
The Great Being
The Divine Being
The Unchangeable Being
The Omnipotent
The Omniscient
The Unconditioned
The Unrestrained
The Inaccessible
The Unknowable
The Self-Subsisting
The Self-Sufficing
The Refuge
The Forgiving
The Pitier of the downtrodden
The Lord of Eternity
The Lord of Creation
The Lord of all being
The Lord of all mankind
The Lord of all worlds
The Lord of Revelations
The Lord of Grace Abounding
The Lord of All Favors
The King of the entire creation
The King of the seen and the unseen
The King of everlasting days
The Eternal King
The King of all men
The King of all kings
The King of all bounty
The King of Eternity
The Mystic Source
The Maker
The Causer of Causes
The Fashioner of the Universe
The Maker of earth and heaven
The Shaper of all the nations
The Governor of Nations
The Best-Beloved of the Nations
The Supreme Ordainer
The Ruler of the Universe
The Ruler of the Kingdoms of Creation
The Ruler of earth and heaven
The Ruler of this world and the world to come
The ruler of rulers
Thou Who rulest over all men
Thou Who rulest all things
The Ancient Being
The Infinite Essence
The Unknowable Essence
The Eternal Essence of Essences
The Source of all things
The Central Orb of the universe
The Author of All Manifestations
The Source of all Sources
The Fountain-Head of all Revelations
The Well-Spring of all Lights
The Possessor of the entire creation
Him with Whom no partners can be joined
Him to Whom none can compare
The Sovereign Protector of all Men
The Concealer of sins
The Protector of the entire creation
The Knower of the seen and the unseen
The Almighty

Cyclists, Use a Mirror

I use a side-mirror on my bike. I imagine that it screams "loser!" to some others, but in fact it's now one of my most favorite pieces of add-on gear.

When I drive a car I'm constantly checking the mirrors, and this need to know what's going on around me while I move is just as important, if not more so, on the bike. Now that I've had a chance to use it for over a year, I don't like getting on any bike that doesn't have one and I'm amazed that I don't see more cyclists using a mirror.

A mirror tells you what's behind you; duhhh! But here are some specific things it does for me on the bike:

• I can see what's going to pass me, how far back it is, and what it is, without turning my head or taking my eyes off the road in front of me too long.

• I can see cyclists coming up on me in the bike lane so I can pull to the right to let them pass. "By the way, the proper way to pass another cyclist is to say "on your left" as you approach, so they know you're there and will make room or keep a straight line. Unfortunately, most cyclists I observe don't use this simple courtesy/safety measure. I'm going to write a "How to Pass a Cyclist" post to elaborate.

• At night I can look down into the mirror and thereby cause my headlamp to shine back into the oncoming motorist's eyes, which is just another dynamic light I have going to show the oncoming car that I'm there. Hopefully they'll look up from their texting long enough to see that extra light flashing at them.

As with driving, it's still also a good idea to turn your head in many instances. But using a mirror on the bike guarantees you a safer ride.

Plastic Shame

Plastic is everywhere in our lives, and that which we carelessly toss away fragments, washes down storm drains and then flows out to our rivers, streams and bays to be eaten by unsuspecting creatures with catastrophic results. Ever hear about the pile of Pacific Ocean garbage, 3 times the size of Texas? Check out this video, produced by a friend for KCAL/CBS2 in LA (approx. 40 mins. -- worth it!). Reduce/reuse/recycle, please!
'Heal The Bay' - cbs2.com

Please Listen: Eckhart Tolle

I cannot recommend highly enough two amazing works from Eckhart Tolle: The Power of Now and A New Earth. Get the audio versions -- which he reads himself -- and play them on your iPod or laptop or in your car. You can drop in anywhere and even listen for just a few minutes. The lessons there are truly transformational, beautiful, powerful, life-changing. Completely compatible with faiths, if you've got one.
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