The Cycling Life: Respect for bike riders

Maybe it was dumb luck. For a week, we rode our bikes without incident. It was beautiful terrain with stunning views. Throughout the adventure in Ehime, Japan, all interactions we had with other road users were fuss-free.

We rode. They drove. And everyone went about their day. We shared a space, and there was room for everyone. What made it feel so different is summed up with one word. Respect.

It all seemed so easy. With respect, life is so much easier.

We felt welcome in a place embracing cycling and, quite frankly, pitching for business from the global cycling community. Ride In Ehime.

It was a special experience. Six strangers from Australia, with a cast of Japanese riders, tour guides, photographers and journalists. We rode. And there was respect. On the road, that’s important. For that one wonderful week, it was oh-so glorious to ride a bike.

The terrain was challenging, but it felt easy. The weight that lifts when you can ride and not feel under threat is greater than I could have imagined.

For so long, cycling in some parts of Australia has seemed – for want of a better word – combative.

Confrontations are common, some are frightening but I’ve also had some that are very constructive. Seriously: when, out of rage, there have been times I’ve found myself actually in conversation with someone driving a car… and when given the opportunity to explain, tempers can cool and positive outcomes found. It’s not common, but it can happen.

You can’t legislate respect. It either exists or it doesn’t.

Even in a city like Sydney, there are many, many interactions that are positive. Or, at the very least, they are not hostile. Even on a bad ride of a few hours, I’ve had hundreds (if not thousands) of interactions with car drivers, truckies, motorcyclists, et al. The vast majority pass you by without much consideration. These are good moments. It takes no effort to ensure that there’s room enough for everyone as they go about their day.

It’s all so logical. Respect begets respect, but you cannot insist upon it. No law will ever be able to enforce the simple notion of respect. It’s either there, or it’s not.

I’ve ridden aggressively. I’ve responded to taunts from motorists. I’ve argued and complained. I’ve been the victim of numerous drivers who – without any shadow of doubt – have used their vehicle as a weapon. I’ve reported plenty of incidents in traffic. I’ve never had any formal action taken by police because of any of those rotten interactions.

But I ride. And it’s what I love. It’s part of me, and even when I feel at times that it’s too great a battle out on the road, I continue to ride. When there are good moments, there’s nothing better.

When there are bad moments, it meddles with your mind. Overreactions are common. Traffic does that to people. On a bike, you’re visible. Even if you’re travelling at the same speed as traffic, you can often stand out from a crowd of cars. You’re on display and so are your emotions.

In the car, there are all kinds of antics at play. Singing at the wheel. We’ve all done it. Yelling at other drivers? It’s part of the drill. Why doesn’t anyone indicate anymore!? We’ve all done it, at times with humour, maybe in jest, often with venom and utter disregard.

F*** you! No F*** You!

On the bike, it can be the same. WTF!? And so on… but you’re out there, on display with emotions at play. A tantrum on the bike is different to screaming in a car. I’ve done both. Maybe, if you consider your rides (especially in a city like Sydney), you have too.

#FYNFY

It’s a different sound to respect. Say it in a whisper or sing it loud, Aretha-style. Spell it out, and consider how nice it would be if the interactions you have while riding your bike had this easy-to-achieve, difficult-to-find element that helps make society a more functional place.

On the roads of Ehime, there was respect. It was so obvious to me. It felt so liberating. It felt so new. It felt encouraging and welcoming.

The week-long adventure is one that I’ll remember for a long time, for the rides I enjoyed and the friendships formed in what was a wonderful experience in a place that really should be explored by those keen on riding somewhere stunning.

There are many ingredients required to create memories like those collected in Japan at the start of November. So much of it was special, and what stands out is the freedom felt while cycling in a place where respect on the road seems part of the culture.

I don’t think it was “dumb luck”. We rode. They drove. We yell, they scream (or vice-versa). But really: we are they, and they are we. So let’s just keep riding (or driving), with respect.

Watch Rob’s videos about his trip to Japan here.