Cycling Tips & Stories

Aaron's story is an extreme example of a problem St. Louis cyclists say is very common: a lack of respect from drivers, who, by law, are required to share the road with cyclists. "I’ve been hit before by cars. I've had guys curse at me, throw cigarettes at me. I had a guy try to run me off the road out of wild horse creek with his car. Didn't like me riding on the shoulder and tried to push me off. There was a cyclist who was actually threatened with a knife by a motorist."

Recently, a few local cyclists became so frustrated with their treatment by motorists, they placed mangled bikes painted white at 15 intersections where riders have been hit as a sign of protest. Bob Foster, Bicycle Federation, "We've built St. Louis to where it is spread out and since the 70's subdivisions and regions have been built without bicyclists and pedestrians in mind." And that, he says, forces cyclists to ride in traffic, frustrating some drivers. "It's kinda hard. They are moving into our lane." "They should keep their bicycles off the road. That's for cars." . . .
As we head for record gas prices and deal with an epidemic of obesity, cycling is offered up as an alternative to both. But in St. Louis, it can sometimes be a vicious cycle. The East West Gateway Coordinating Council is studying ways to make St. Louis more bike friendly, however, proposed state legislation designed to get tougher with drivers who endanger cyclists was gutted in both the house and the senate.