The dangers of salmoning

[mstone]

@americancyclo 58288 wrote:

That’s hard to do without sounding smug, or at least I haven’t thought of any good way to say it either. I just had a conversation at lunch about conflict and the beliefs that others are wrong. It may be unlikely that any conversation you have will change their behavior, and it may be the least agitating for everyone (ourselves included) to allow people to be wrong and work on not feeling compelled to correct them or ‘save them’. The intent may derive from compassion and a concern for others safety, but it can quickly be driven by a personal sense of right and wrong. Try taking the opportunity to breathe, pedal easy, and learn more about what buttons lead you to conflict so you can avoid or develop coping strategies.

I generally just ignore asshats unless they’re posing a danger to others. Specifically, I’ve started yelling at cyclists passing pedestrians unsafely (i.e., between me and the pedestrian) on the trails. (Like the time I recently yelled at the guy who led an entire peloton down the third lane–look up occasionally and slow the f down on the MUP.) But if you want to play in traffic, hey, that’s on you.

[baiskeli]

@mstone 58293 wrote:

I think the problem is that people rid their bikes exactly like they drive their automobiles

True.

[NicDiesel]

@mstone 58293 wrote:

You must be new to cars? I think the problem is that people rid their bikes exactly like they drive their automobiles, but then for some reason it’s my responsibility because I’m also on a bike.

To a certain extent that’s true, but there are a growing number of people here (especially in Arlington and DC) that don’t have cars and use the Metro and CaBi to get around. YMMV, but a growing number of friends of mine that are buying bikes are the clueless space cadets we see salmoning against traffic, riding with earbuds, texting while riding (forreals?!?!), and being a general menace don’t drive.

I mean, I don’t really care if you want to become street pizza by being a clueless needledick – that’s, to quote that great American poet Bobby Brown, your prerogative. Just don’t get in my way of getting to Chick-Fil-A tonight or hit me.

[dasgeh]

Lots of good points.

Reasons for speaking up:
1) not condoning others’ actions with silence
2) showing other bystanders that not all cyclists condone that behavior
3) pointing out a new way to look at their behavior

Reasons for not speaking up:
1) Escalating conflict
2) I don’t know everything
3) they have to know what they’re doing is wrong, and they choose to do it
4) might make them more defensive and less likely to question their behavior

So I’m usually silent and let my actions speak for me (I stop at the lights. I, um, draw attention to myself when I catch up to people at the next light (loud freewheel or just saying hi).)

[NicDiesel]

@dasgeh 58319 wrote:

So I’m usually silent and let my actions speak for me (I stop at the lights. I, um, draw attention to myself when I catch up to people at the next light (loud freewheel or just saying hi).)

That’s really the best advice and, to be fair, the majority of people I see on two wheels are being courteous and safe. It’s just that, in my experience, when people on bikes are doing dumb things they’re doing REALLY dumb (and dangerous) things.

[oldbikechick]

@NicDiesel 58269 wrote:

Seriously, if you’re salmoning for a short distance in a stretch where there are few options (i.e. off the 14th Street Bridge by the memorial) no big deal, that’s a pretty quick spot that’s usually clear of automobile and pedestrian traffic.

I see this all the time at that spot and while I don’t think it’s a good idea to salmon anywhere, it doesn’t really harm anyone I suppose. I have really been annoyed however by the people who salmon up East Basin Dr. to the left of the trail, so basically, they are coming up on the left of cyclists coming off the trail over the bridge. I keep having to remind myself to look left there, for the salmoning cyclists, even though it’s a one-way street from the other direction. I had a barely missed connection with a guy there last week when I forgot to look. When I caught up with him to explain that he needs to be aware that people may not see him coming from that direction, his response was (after getting earbuds out of his ears) “don’t worry, I saw you.”

[elbows]

I saw a group of unlit guys on bikes riding the wrong way going toward the Pentagon on Columbia Pike under 27 last night after dark in Arlington. I imagine they did this because the sidewalk on which they were probably riding is abruptly closed there. I feel like this area is an accident waiting to happen.

[lordofthemark]

@elbows 58730 wrote:

I saw a group of unlit guys on bikes riding the wrong way going toward the Pentagon on Columbia Pike under 27 last night after dark in Arlington. I imagine they did this because the sidewalk on which they were probably riding is abruptly closed there. I feel like this area is an accident waiting to happen.

The other night on Hummer road in Annandale I saw someone riding without lights after dark, salmoning, and not wearing a helmet, for the trifecta. (yes, I know only two of these three are illegal)

[Author]

Posts