I began running in 1971 shortly after being discharged from the Army. I’ve been running ever since–42 years.
Over that span of time I have run in every possible weather condition and myriad routs throughout the South Bay area.
My favorite place to run is on the Strand through the local beaches of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo. Long ago I gave up running in the afternoon or evening, especially on a warm day.
It’s just too crowded and dangerous. On a hectic day on the Strand, you might encounter runners, walkers, dog-walkers, skaters, rollerbladers, skateboarders, strollers, children and bicycle riders. In my vast running experience, one of these groups stands out as the most impolite when it comes to etiquette, road courtesy and attitude toward sharing the limited space available for all factions.
Before I upset a large contingent of athletes and weekend-warriors, I acknowledge this is a general observation and like any critique or criticism, does not include all participants falling under their umbrella. And the loser is—bicyclists. For starters, they’re moving much faster than anyone else on the Strand or street. Most knowledgeable and courteous runners stay far right during their run to allow for bikers moving swiftly past them.
A conscientious experienced biker will call out “on your left” before passing letting you know they are approaching and about to pass by. However, the majority will fly past unannounced within inches of my left shoulder even though the entire path is wide-open.
It’s almost like a brush-back pitch in baseball, sending a not-so-subtle message of who is the king of the jungle.
Although unsubstantiated, I believe it stems from the peddlers sentiment of “road supremacy” and their misguided idea that the pathway belongs to them due to the fact they are bigger, stronger and faster. If you’ve driven on Hermosa Avenue recently, you might have noticed the signs painted on the right-hand lane of the street stating bicyclists are now permitted to use the entire lane just like cars.
I really have no problem with the new law, even though it slows down traffic creating sudden lane changes from vehicles encountering large groups of cyclists taking up entire lanes.
However, since bikers have equal road rights, how about insisting they also stop at stop signs and traffic lights as I do. How many times have you seen a peddler stop at a side street stop sign?
I estimate nine out of 10 blow right through, slowing down slightly to check for oncoming traffic. You can’t have it both ways bikers. If you want road equality, come to a full stop at all stop signs, like I do…most of the time. I’ll admit all sports and outdoor activities have their fair share of thoughtless, puffed-up participants who believe anyone infringing on their actions should be drawn and quartered.
However, it has been my belief for some time that bikers, especially serious riders, begin their rides agitated by the thought of the runners, walkers and skateboarders who lie ahead obstructing their path. Of course it’s always possible I’m judging the riders too harshly based on my past encounters.
Oh well, I’ll keep running and I suppose cyclists will keep whizzing by me and blowing through stop signs.
And if I see a cyclist on the side of the road some day receiving a ticket for blowing a red light, I just might pull over and thank the officer for enforcing the law.
