Poll: Are tensions between motorists and cyclists more hype than reality?

June 30, 7:12 AMBicycle Transportation ExaminerAdam Voiland

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This cyclist faces criminal charges for getting doored.     (Credit: Streetsblog)

It's been a dreary few weeks in regards to motorist—cyclist relations. In Boulder, Colo., a group of anti-cyclist motorists have circulated flyers calling for motorists to stage a  Critical-Mass style protest against cyclists during a popular century ride coming up in July.  The posters, which have been turning up in mailboxes during the last few weeks, ask residents along the route of the annual Sunrise Century race to block the return leg of the ride. The posters take a hard line on cyclists:

"Cyclists flout common sense, endanger those in cars on mountain roads in the name of selfishness; cars will be forced to cross double yellow lines on dangerous limited visibility roads due to the expanded rights of cyclists...On July 25th in celebration of drivers' rights many cars will use the Left Hand Canyon Road, drive slowly and many may break down unexpectedly, blocking areas to the cyclists on the return leg of the 'Sunrise Century.' Please use judgment during this civil disobedience."

Some cyclists in the area worry that long-simmering tensions between the two camps could reach a boiling point. “There are people who will go out of their way to light the powder keg on both sides," one Boulder cyclist who received the flyer told the Daily Camera, a local newspaper. Tensions between cyclists and motorists have been escalating since Colorado recently passed a new law that requires that drivers give cyclists three feet of room when passing, increases the pentalty for throwing objects at cyclists, and allows cyclists to ride in the center of the road on mountain roads where shoulders don't exist. 

Meanwhile, in New York the Manhattan DA's office has filed charges of "criminal mischief" against a cyclist for apparently causing property damage to an SUV in the process of getting doored, according to a report from Streetsblog. The altercation began when the cyclist slapped the side the SUV that had seemed to be parked in the bike lane suddenly started moving as the cyclist passed on the left.  The cyclist, Ray Bengen, described what happened next:

"He went ballistic, maniacal, suddenly forced open his car door, started screaming at me," Bengen said. "(He) forced me to the ground with my bike on top of me, and I'm lying on the ground, and he's over me threatening me (saying) 'Don't even think about it, don't even think about it.'"

Then, according to Bengen, the driver abruptly stopped the attack, removed the cyclist's bike from beneath his SUV, and left the scene. Yet, the altercation turned out to be far from over. A month laster, police arrived at Bengen's house and took him to the police station where he was handcuffed and arrested.  The driver of the SUv, which Streetsblog has identified as Gus Gonzalez, had decided to press charges. Bengen faces criminal charges in July.

Here in DC cyclist and motorist tension flared up recently when Loudoun county police ticketed several cyclists during a charity ride for running stop signs.  I covered the incident in this blog and, at one point, linked to a polarizing poll published by the Washington Post that asked readers whether they would support a "crackdown on rule-breaking cyclists."

Several readers criticized me for linking to the poll.  The Virginia Bicycling Federation summed up the sentiment well with this advice:

"Please refrain from publishing these stupid polls, which just pit people against each another and fan the flames of hate."

Many comments were considerably less polite. The Virginia Bicycling Federation certainly has a point. Bloggers, traditional reporters, and cycling advocates can indeed exaggerate tensions between cyclists and motorists by focusing on conflict when, in fact, the vast majority of cyclists and motorists display a high degree of respect for one another on the roads. Perhaps I have again exaggerated tensions to an extent in this post by highlighting the conflict in Boulder. Streetsblog has also stoked tensions by focusing on the charges brought against Bengen. Even the Leauge of American Bicyclists has gotten into the practice of fomenting tension between cyclists and motorists with their Who's trash talking bikes feature.

From a journalistic perspective, there's no doubt that tensions makes for a more compelling story.  And there's also no doubt that conflict drives page views. But, overall,  have tensions been overstated by the media? Perhaps. Take the poll below to set the record straight.