The amazing logic of people parked in bike lanes

Today, once again there were trucks parked within the bollards on 15th st bikeway. When I say trucks, I mean 5 of them blocking the entire block. At first I called the Denver non-emergency line to report them, since this is a systemic issue, thinking it would be a normal day when nothing changed.

Then I noticed that not only was there a driver in one of the trucks, but also a police officer telling him to move! Oh happy day, the cops are trying to help out! So I stayed for a couple minutes to talk to the cop at which point the driver tried to butt in.

Me, to cop: Hey, I called this in today, but it seems like a systemic issue. I also called yesterday and last week a couple times. This is really kind of ridiculous.
Cop, to me: Well I have asked to see their permit, and if they don't have one I'm going to ticket them.
Driver, to me (interrupting):  Why can't bikes stop at red lights! they blow through them all the time! (cop stepped away to talk to dispatch).
Me, to driver: I don't care about their illegal behavior, it doesn't mean you can break the law.
Driver: well it goes both ways.
Me: Then call them in and get them ticketed and I will call you in because you are parked illegally!
Driver: Well I am working!
Me: YOU ARE EATING A SANDWICH!
Driver: yea, well I'm on break!
Me: then you are not working and can move your truck!
Driver: well bikes run red lights.

Leave me alone while I eat my sandwich!

At this point I laughed at the driver and again told him that someone else breaking the law doesn't allow him to break the law. The cop then told the driver to show him a permit or get a ticket. The driver flat out ignored the cop and told me to go away. I waited to see if he would get a ticket, which he did.

As I was leaving a b-cycle user rode around the line of trucks in the roadway. As he did a random lady on the sidewalk, who had seen my exchange with the driver, yelled at the cyclist to "get back in the bike lane". His response "there are 5 trucks blocking it!" I slowed down and we had a laugh about the absurd expectation from the random lady.

I mean seriously, how ridiculous of an argument is "others break the law so I get to!"

The views of motorists are emboldened by police.

Origionally written in August, 2014.

Recently some friends were in town from the bay area. We had some interesting discussions about biking in the different cities as well as laws regarding behavior such as filtering, jumping lights, etc.

Their personal experience led them to be shocked and worried when I said I talk back to motorists, that I express my thoughts and opinions like an equal road user. Apparently they have seen cars chasing down cyclists, forcing them off the road, and otherwise assaulting their fellow people. Predictably, one of the non cyclists in the group piped up about how all cyclist break every law and are so annoying to be around. "[She] is just so nervous to drive around cyclists." This was used as a defense of drivers acting like asshats.

First off, let me say that if you do not feel safe operating a multi ton vehicle around other people, then you should stop driving. You're being nervous because there is a bike somewhere is not the fault of the biker, and the solution is not to make everyone drive or stay home. Maybe get a smaller vehicle, maybe ride the bus, maybe ride a bike yourself.

During the conversation I brought up the need for better infrastructure, the need for safer roads. I also explained how drivers seem to ignore the dangerous behaviors of other drivers (speeding, rolling through crosswalks, generally not looking for pedestrians), and instead focus on the much less dangerous acts that cyclists will do (rolling through stop signs, jumping lights, filtering to a visible spot in the roadway). This week I got a first hand lesson in the blind eye that is turned on drivers.

Police in cruisers: Every day as I ride down the 16th ave and 15th st bike lanes I see cars illegally parked, blocking bikes, forcing bikers in with the cars. Twice this week alone I have seen cops roll by these illegal parkers and not even turn their heads. Not to mention when the cops are blocking bike trails themselves.

Cop blocking a bike trail in 

order to talk to a bike cop...

 
Police on bikes and segways: Are police supposed to follow traffic laws to the letter? Or do they fudge them like many cyclists do? This past week I saw a segway cop (useless) jump a light while...motoring(?) down a bike lane. The next night I saw 2 bike cops patrolling downtown without any lights on their bikes. Great job following the law! Maybe they think they are ninja cops. It strikes me as to hypocritical to ride around, looking to ticket people for not having lights when you don't have any yourself.

In all events, the acts of police only move to strengthen the belief held by motorists that they can do whatever they want, without regard to the consequences. But damn you bikers for rolling through a stop sign!!!

How to get trucks out of the bike lane, safely

As the weather turns more wintery:

Buffalo is making fun of the "snowstorm" that hit Denver last week

I have seen less regular bike commuters in the mile high city. It doesn't come as any real shock, as the bike lanes are almost never cleared (despite assurances that they would), and drivers have once again decided that parking in the few clear bike lanes is totally acceptable.

Actually it's pretty funny. Denver Public Works used to have a dedicated website letting the public know of their snow plan, and included which bike routes would be plowed. They have now let their domain expire: www.denversnowplan.com

Now when I can, I call the police non-emergency number, (720) 913-2000, to report the cars that are unattended, or have been obviously parked there for multiple days. When there are people in the cars, I tend to tell them, nicely, that they are parked illegally. This doesn't often go so well.

It's a weird thing how defensive drivers get when you point out their obvious lawless behavior. 2 weeks ago I had a gentleman threaten me, then drive up the street and wait for me to pass before threatening me more. This is that lovely gentleman:

Well today I again had a chance to chat with 3 drivers on my ride to work. I think I also figured out how to get the people to move without death threats: CALL THE POLICE BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING TO THEM.

Driver on 16th Ave,                            Driver on 15th St,

parked illegally next to a parking lot          Drove inside the bollards to park

The driver on 15th st also had another pickup behind him. Both of them drove around the plastic bollards that divide the bike lane from the rest of the roadway to park next to a "No Stopping Anytime" sign. The Driver on 16th ave was almost blocking the driveway to a parking lot. A lot of good bollards or parking lots do...

So in both cases I snapped a photo, then immediately called the non-emergency police number. Both times the drivers came out to claim that they were doing nothing wrong, and that I shouldn't be reporting them. But, seeing as how I was on the phone with the police, they left rapidly, hoping to avoid a ticket.

I even had another cyclist ask who they should call to report other cars blocking bike lanes. I would like to think that more calls to the Denver PD would mean more enforcement, so the idea or increased reporting should be a good thing. Else Denver cyclists can adopt the growing trend of shaming drivers with stickers, but I get the feeling that drivers don't really care.