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Running Interference

01.25.2015 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

We’ve been enjoying the newly-striped roads in our immediate area. As I’ve mentioned before, in some places there are parking lanes for cars, with bike lanes next to them. The bike lanes are fairly wide, which squeezes moving cars a bit, but has the effect of slowing them down — theoretically.

But I still see cars that follow bikes to an intersection, pass them, and then cut them off to make a right turn. My friend Maggie said she nearly followed a woman into a parking lot to yell at her about it. Maggie is better at controlling her temper than some, and thought better of it.

It doesn’t seem like it’s too much for cars to pull in behind bikes when approaching a right turn. It will cost them, what — only two or three seconds?

So I’ve decided to intervene — surreptitiously. When I’m driving my car, and a cyclist is ahead in a bike lane, I make sure he or she will get to the turn unmolested. I slow down and ease over so the side of the car is right at the edge of the bike lane. That blocks following cars from trying to pass me on the right in the bike lane to beat me to the corner. It also forces them to stay behind me so they can’t cut off the biker.

The beauty of this is that the cyclist is probably unaware I’m even there. They can keep pedaling without worry and get through the intersection. Drivers might get impatient, having to follow behind this slow guy, but they don’t honk or complaint. At least they haven’t yet.

Some of use from the club were sitting around after a ride recently, and the topic of running interference came up. Every person — all six of them — claimed to do something like what I describe here.

How about you? Do you take an active role in protecting cyclists from cars?

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Comments

  1. bribikes says

    January 25, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    This is one reason why we should encourage everyone we can to get out and bike. When you or a close family member or friend bikes, you will probably be much more observant and helpful to cyclists on the road.

    Reply
  2. James says

    January 25, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    In California, the vehicle code covers this situation. (For example, see http://www.sfbike.org/news/bike-lanes-and-right-turns/ )

    I don’t believe in “running interference” (also known as “being an enforcer”) — I don’t think it’s effective and very likely it raises the stress level in other drivers. If they figure out what you’re doing, then that stress will probably be vented on cyclists. I prefer to drive legally, cycle defensively, and let the police do their job.

    Reply
  3. biking2work says

    January 26, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    I also cycle defensively because I don’t believe that the law will protect me if I get knocked off-lots of people driving cars and doing this seem to get away with lesser sentences so I’d rather avoid the hassle. I’d also rather keep riding than have a lengthy lay off due to injury because some clown can’t be bothered showing other road users respect.
    But I do “run interference” a lot and get honked for it a LOT but hey, I’m in the UK where there is little patience, too much rush and little understanding of the Highway code. I’m less likely to get hurt in my car doing this than being on my bike. Don’t believe that is “enforcement” as sucg but showing vulnerable road users respect…

    Reply
  4. James says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    I sympathize with the intent behind running interference. And I think the litmus test is whether you drive the same way around cyclists even when no other cars are present. If you do, then it’s not really running interference. If you don’t, then one could say you’re trying to enforce good behavior on the part of other drivers. (It certainly sounded that way in the blog article.)

    We have our share of impatient, ignorant, and rude drivers where I live. The thing is, emotions and driving generally don’t mix well. If running interference is an emotional response to the situation, then be careful that you’ve considered the larger picture. And the smaller picture too — e.g. focusing your attention on the cyclist (to protect him) means you’re paying less attention to what else is happening on the road.

    Good discussion; I appreciate the different points of view and trust that everyone will do what makes sense for them in their situation.

    Reply

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