Cycling in the RHL: Follow-up
Jul. 21st, 2009 12:29 pmThe last post asked if it was reasonable to cycle in a particular right-turn lane (where there would be room for two cars and a cycle abreast in the road, but definitely not a car and a cycle abreast in the right lane).
I think the problem was I'd not yet decided whether delaying N other people's jounrey by 30s was worth delaying mine by 2min. If it wasn't, I wouldn't do it, and if it was, I would. If the only option were to walk or cycle dangerously I would walk. If the only option is to cycle in the lane I would cycle in the middle of it.
However, because I'd not decided, I made the bad compromise of cycling in the middle of the lane but feeling guilty about it. So I really should decide one way or the other.
I'd decided cycling was a good transport choice for myself. And that it would be more convenient in Cambridge if more people cycled rather than drove, because congestion is less. However, right or not, I feel bad imposing that opinion on other people.
I may think it's more convenient for them overall in terms of less waiting at lights and looking for parking if I cycle. However, they may disagree, and if I force someone to wait behind me I feel like I'm saying "my life is more important than yours" to their face, and I hate saying that. (I also hate people saying that to me.) Obviously, in a car, they'd equally well have to wait, but because I've obviously no choice they can pretend to themselves I had a good reason for being there, but if I choose to cycle, I always could get off or pull over to let them pass.
In summary, it looks like I should either stop cycling altogether, or admit that I have a right to cycle in that lane, and if so, I should choose the latter and not apologise for it.
I think the problem was I'd not yet decided whether delaying N other people's jounrey by 30s was worth delaying mine by 2min. If it wasn't, I wouldn't do it, and if it was, I would. If the only option were to walk or cycle dangerously I would walk. If the only option is to cycle in the lane I would cycle in the middle of it.
However, because I'd not decided, I made the bad compromise of cycling in the middle of the lane but feeling guilty about it. So I really should decide one way or the other.
I'd decided cycling was a good transport choice for myself. And that it would be more convenient in Cambridge if more people cycled rather than drove, because congestion is less. However, right or not, I feel bad imposing that opinion on other people.
I may think it's more convenient for them overall in terms of less waiting at lights and looking for parking if I cycle. However, they may disagree, and if I force someone to wait behind me I feel like I'm saying "my life is more important than yours" to their face, and I hate saying that. (I also hate people saying that to me.) Obviously, in a car, they'd equally well have to wait, but because I've obviously no choice they can pretend to themselves I had a good reason for being there, but if I choose to cycle, I always could get off or pull over to let them pass.
In summary, it looks like I should either stop cycling altogether, or admit that I have a right to cycle in that lane, and if so, I should choose the latter and not apologise for it.