23 replies to this topic

[Torrey]

In the question of car vs bike, car usually wins.

In the question of runner vs car, car always wins.

In the question of bike vs runner... you would normally think bike usually wins. And that might be true. I have thought about this a couple times now on my ride home from work. And oddly enough it has been in the same general area that I've thought about it. And even more odd is that the two examples I am about to mention both involve people named Win or Wynston.

A week or so ago I was riding my bike home and coming off the Hawthorn Bridge, who should I see out for a run but our own Winston Goodbody. Win didn't see me coming towards him, so I swerved in front of him and then slammed on my brakes and yelled at him (yes, I did startle him). It was funny, if I don't say so myself. We both had a little chat, but i actually asked him what his originally thought was when he saw a lunatic biker heading straight for him. Win's response was that he "thought he was going to have to take someone out." Fortunately for me, Mr. Hurkuleanbody spared me

Just today on my ride home I was pretty excited to see our long lost friend Wynston Alberts running across the Hawthorn Bridge (he and his wife decided to move back to Japan). I was behind a cluster of other bikes who weren't paying much attention to where they were going... riding 3 abreast... talking to one another... not looking forward... anyhow, just as he was almost close enough for me to say hello to, one of the other bikers veered over into the path of Wynston, and that's when our speedy friend struck back. He threw out a defensive elbow into the distracted biker who was about to collide head-on into him, knocking him off-balance and causing the rest of the group (including me) to come to a stop. The biker didn't crash, and Wynston hardly broke his stride. It was awesome! Of course the idiot biker was pissed and was in the process of turning his bike around to go "discuss" the situation with Wynston.

Yes, there are always conflicts when it comes to traffic and right-of-way. But it's good to see that in at least one situation, no one was injured, but hopefully the biker involved will be a little more aware of the other bridge/path users. I'm not saying that runners are always in the right, and cars and bikes are wrong, but as runners and bikers, I think we are all a little more aware of others when we are on bikes or in cars than those who only use one mode of transportation.

[Edited to add: I did talk to Wynston about what happened after the biker rode up to him. He said they both apologized to each other, since the biker realized he wasn't paying attention to wqhere he was going. And Wynston apologized for making an overly aggressive retaliation.]

[Diep]

He threw out a wicked elbow into the distracted biker, knowcking him off-balance and causing the rest of the group (including me) to come to a stop.  He hardly broke his stride.  It was awesome! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fricken right dude! I have never met this man, but I admire him!

Ever since I got ran off the sidewalk (by a biker easily serious enough to be riding in the traffic lane) on the sellwood I have not been shy about telling them they're supposed to be walking their bikes if they get pissed that I wouldn't pull over.

[kelbelle]

The slower, less protected "vehicle" SHOULD be receive the right of way, unfortunately usually people think the opposite "I'm protected, if you hit me you'll pay, rat ba#$ard!"

But in Wyn's case, he was probably faster than the bike, so that's a whole different discussion.

[rizzo]

runners/pedestrians have the right of way. there are signs all around the hawthorne bridge. also, cyclists are bound by the rules of the road for vehicles. i will now wear my bike helmet when i commute and keep an eye out for torrey as he seems to commute the same route.

[markiemo]

Yeah, I agree. And, a couple of years ago Torrey pointed out to me the signs on the Sellwood Bridge entrances that says something like "Walk all bikes". So, the Fulton runners don't HAVE to say "thank you" to all the bikers that stop for us on the bridge (but I hope we all still do).

[Torrey]

I think there may still be a "walk bikes" sign on the Sellwood, but there is definitely a sign that says "Bikes on Roadway". They aren't supposed to be on that narrow sidewalk, and they definitely shouldn't be using pedal-power if they are. But I will also say that having ridden (is that a real word?) my bike across both the Sellwood sidewalk and the roadway a couple times, the roadway option is about as sketchy as it gets. Bikers should be more than grateful to ride their bikes when the coast in clear and then pull over to yield to pedestrians/runners. And I think most bikers on that bridge are at least aware of peds (they have to be).

But on the wide sidewalks of the Hawthorn, there is no excuse for a bike to veer into the lane of a pedestrian/runner. It's a whole freakin' car lane width wide!

[Diep]

Yes, there are both signs on the Sellwood bridge. I think the idea is ride the lane if you want, walk on the sidewalk otherwise. I always thank them for pulling over. I also always expect them to pull over.

[Win Goodbody]

I'm always ready on Hawthorne Bridge in case I need to "throw a Heisman" at a biker - a la Wynston. Pedestrians have right of way AT ALL TIMES. If you're ready, contact with a bike is not a problem at lower speeds. Contact with a car is different. Be ready to jump UP onto the hood!

And yes, Torrey tried to run me down.

[gnupaul]

Markiemo is right. I've begun to say "thanks for paying attention to the sign" to bikers who walk their bikes, "thank you" to bikers who stop for us, and "walk your bike" to those who ride right through us.

I think I've noticed more cyclists who walk on the bridge, but it may be due to our large running pack and Markiemo's forbidding visage.

[kelbelle]

Some week, we should all wear hanes t-shirts and write on them with a sharpie "Walk your bike."

[XC4me]

Torrey and Lizards,

I was actually quite embarassed by the "elbow" incident. In retrospect, I should have yelled at the guy, that isn't my style. I thought that he would eventually see me and get out of the way, but he didn't... I was probably over zealous with the elbow and with the lower body fat from marathon training, the lack of elbow bursa padding seemed to do the job on the guy. I did apologize, but I pointed out that if the elbow wasn't out and he swerved into me, there was nothing besides the rail to put me into that godforsaken toxic river. Thus, the "wicked" elbow. It is an evil, self-possesed joint. Just glad no bones were broken and we will both be more aware of the other's situation. Sorry that I delayed your trip home, Torrey. Just glad I wasn't wearing any "Lizard" or other running wear that would attach me to a group. Hope all is going well and if any of you are out in Duluth for the Grandma's marathon, say hi.

Wynston

[2b.runnin]

Somewhat related.....

Few years ago I was running down the sidewalk on a semi-busy street in the evening with a friend. A biker pulls up in the bike lane and unexpectedly yells' "hey", scaring us. Of course, he took off. I tried to convince my friend to go get him back but he wouldnt. So I just start sprinting, quietly. Caught the guy about 400m down the road, got on the road to his left and yelled hey right back. Needless to say, he was quite surprised. Almost hit the curb too. I had to stop I was laughing so hard.

Lesson of the Day:Dont mess with a runner that can catch you.

[Tiger Paul]

The bikes on the Sellwood are a menace... the signs say quite clearly to walk your bike if you use the sidewalk, those who don't are either ignorant or just plain don't care. Some are very good about it and ride up to us and then patiently wait until the runner(s) or walker(s) pass them. What I can't stand are those who insist on squeezing past on their bike without any warning or consideration. It's dangerous for them and for us. All it takes is for one person to make the wrong move and you'll end up with either a runner in the river or a bike into heavy auto traffic and a potential fatality or serious injury.

By all means, we should thank those who are courteous and sternly inform those cyclists who are operating recklessly on that bridge. I hope the city will get off its @ss soon and replace the bridge with a much safer one with 2 way wide sidewalks like the Hawthorne bridge or better yet a dedicated crossing like the Steel Bridge. The current configuration is far too dangerous and is a risk to all of us.

Of course, that all depends on whether that lady from OLCC is driving the Sellwood that day or not...

[Joe D.]

I hope the city will get off its @ss soon and replace the bridge with a much safer one with 2 way wide sidewalks like the Hawthorne bridge or better yet a dedicated crossing like the Steel Bridge.  The current configuration is far too dangerous and is a risk to all of us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually, I think the county owns the bridge, but either way there just isn't enough money to replace it at the moment, and believe me they'd like to fix or replace it, 'cause it's falling apart. If the stingy tax-payers would get off their @sses we might be able to maintain our infrastructure a little better. (I probably just opened a whole new can of worms).

[kelbelle]

Oh the infrastructure debate...if only you all could sit at my desk for an hour and listen to my editor and publisher bemoan Portland and the region's planning inabilities. I'm not saying there aren't problems, but compared to Seattle...