Cycling westbound on 102 Ave downtown this afternoon approaching 109 street when I had to change to the left lane in order to cross 109. So signalled left. I could see a white car a ways back. As I’m cautious, I always wait to ensure the car allows me to merge (just like I would driving a car). Today however, the car accelerated, ignored my signal, and blew past me close enough for me to touch it had I wanted.

Now for those who haven’t met me, I’m tall and have long limbs. When I signal left, my arm is well in the lane to my left. And I wear bright green cycling gloves for added visibility. That’s on top of my flashing red bike light and bright green pack - I’m visible on the roads. I also cycle through downtown streets at a good clip.

Well blowing past me allowed this driver to beat me to the red light. In fact, the car passed me and merged into the right lane. So I pulled up right next to the open driver’s side window. How could I resist?

I addressed the driver politely and pointed out that they almost hit me. They said they didn’t see me. I indicated I had signalled and they cut me off. They indicated they hadn’t seen a signal. I showed them what a cyclist’s left signal is. They indicated that they didn’t know what that meant and that “roads are for cars not bikes.”

I pointed out that these are the rules of the road and they should learn them. They reiterated their “defence” that roads are for cars not bikes and that I had no business being there. I indicated that defence wouldn’t do them much good before a judge when they actually hit someone. They didn’t care. Thankfully the light turned green.

This is the ignorant attitude us cyclists have to deal with on a daily basis trying to commute. I wasn’t slowing this person down one bit. In fact, they wanted the lane I was vacating. They saw me…they just chose to ignore me. I was fine this time, but a good reminder to me of the motto a guy at work who has cycled to work year round for 20 years told me when I started: “cars are the enemy.” I must always remember that and assume this person is driving every car I encounter (until proved otherwise).

I decided to describe this incident without describing the driver, their gender, or their vehicle…none of that matters. Car or truck; male or female - the attitude needs adjusting.