“Get the fuck out of the bike lane!” I hear as a bike zoom past me while out on a run in Riverside Park, NYC.

I pause my music and yell back “Fuck off…”. The guy on the bike stops as I continue to run towards him. “What did you say?” he asks, trying to be intimidating.

“Fuck off” I replied. “Your running in the bike the lane” he responds.

We are now face-to-face, stopped in the middle of the bike lane which totally dismisses this strangers argument because he’s now blocking the bike lane to argue with me.

I crossed onto the bike lane for about 100yds due to the run path merging, but there weren’t many bikes out that day and it was safe. This douche came out of nowhere and was being the typical NYC Biker Asshole. He owned the road and how dare I dip one toe let alone my whole foot into “his lane”.

I say, “I’m just here for a bit because the run lane ended, so go fuck yourself”. Here I go again, arguing and getting upset over nothing…my ego came alive. He then turns around and takes off, still yelling…”Fuck off…” I yell back one more time for good measure to prove to myself I won that argument, then promptly get back onto the running lane.

Ok, we were both in the wrong but he started it, right? Well, I’ve since become a triathlete and ride the same path nearly every week. I now get his frustration (somewhat), I was at least off to the side of the road, but I feel the same way every time I’m out there riding, in fact about 20-50 times per session! People are just completely oblivious to their surroundings and go about their merry way as if they are the only ones in the city. You see this with everyday pedestrians, walking and texting, taking selfies, watching youtube, all with their head down and walking. People forget to look up anymore and just assume you are going to move for them. They also do this while crossing the streets and trust that the next cyclist or cabbie sees you in enough time to stop. It’s out of control now and it doesn’t stop with pedestrians but extends to people doing all the same things while driving a vehicle! I try my best to never do any of these things but can admit to being guilty on a few occasions but I make a valiant effort to always be aware and focused. Because of all this madness, I have yelled, zoomed by and brushed bodies. Just recently I got into an argument with a person in the pool for not paying attention! What’s going on???

Then I had my revelation this past week when myself and a few older folks where carefully crossing a bike path and out of nowhere a cyclist zoomed by us. He yelled something, like as asshole. We were in the right but that didn’t matter because what I saw was an asshole, I saw him As me! So look at me now…I’ve now become the same cycling asshole I despised! Ok…no more!

And now a Public Service Announcement for all pedestrians all over the world, in particular, LA and NYC.

So how can you and I fix this issue? First, I’ll be more patient, understanding and not yell mean or negative comments to you as I pass. I will however give you a “heads up, heads up” or “Look out, Look both ways” in my nicest tone. This is true for yours and my safety.

A few years back I crashed my bike on the same road when several cyclists decided to make a hard stop in front of me and look around, right in the middle of the bike path. I flew over the handlebars, separated my shoulder and nearly ripped my pinky nail right out my finger…it was gnarly. So this advice goes out to my fellow cyclist too. Keep in mind, I still run these same paths every week too, so I’m in a unique position to comment on both.

I digress, so here are my rules of the road for all unaware humans of the world:

-Be aware of your surroundings. You’re not alone in this world.

-Always look both ways when crossing an intersection, bike path, running path or street.

-Walk or ride in a straight line. Stop all the swerving madness. It confuses those coming up behind you.

-If it says bike path, bike on it ONLY

-If it says run/walk path, run or walk on it ONLY!

-Stop taking selfies or videos when riding a bike…this goes for you more experienced riders too!

-Don’t stop in the middle of any path. Instead, step to the side to read a text or talk about what Netflix show you want to watch tonight.

-Go in the direction the path indicates, duh! Don’t ride the opposite direction, you’re going to kill someone. If you’re from another country that rides on the opposite side, simply follow the universal symbol called an ARROW >

-If you want to turn or come off the path, always look behind you, the same as you would if you are driving. you wouldn’t change lanes on a highway without looking in the mirrors or glancing over your shoulder, would you? Well, some would…but don’t do it! You’ll lose an arm that way. Simply glance over your shoulder, look for traffic behind you. If it’s safe then make your move.

-Hold onto your child, PLEASE! Again for their safety. I do not want to see a child squashed.

-Stop leading with the stroller. Why, so the kid gets hits first, WTF? I see this everyday in NYC.

For Cyclist:

-Go early, fewer crowds.

-Try not to be a dick and clip people or get as close as you can to send a message.

-Slow down in more crowded areas, it’s ok if you’re Garmin data is a little skewed, it’s not race day.

-Stay alert and focused. Don’t worry if your power meter data is a little skewed that day. Better to be safe than crippled.

-Stop with the selfies and videos. I know you’re a pro but don’t do it when you drive, don’t do when you ride!

-Don’t yell profanities…I’m guilty of this.

-Try to encourage safety by giving warnings in advanced or hand gestures that indicate where the pedestrian needs to be. Not the FINGER!

-Just deal with it. The busy cities are just not set up for bikes so we gotta do our best to navigate through them until we reach the open road. It’s just part of it so know that it’s par for the course.

So on my last few rides, I tried to incorporate all these rules. I’m doing much better but each day is different and presents an opportunity to grow. So I’ll recommend everyone to read the following and implement these rules for life and the road. Don Miguel Ruiz’s book called The Four Agreements.

-Be Impeccable with your word.

-Don’t take anything personally.

-Don’t make assumptions.

-Always do your best.

Let’s all try to really focus on the last three. It’s not personal, don’t assume that it is and always fo your best to follow the new rules, not get angry and be king and safe cyclist. Don’t be an ASSHOLE!

Thank you,

Greg Pawlisa