We’re All Drivers

“Whether in a car or on a bicycle, we are all drivers on our roads. Together, we can work to improve our road relationships and drive change in Grand Rapids."

When you ride your bicycle on the road, you want to be safe. When you drive your vehicle, you want to be safe. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we need to be safe not just for ourselves, but also for others. The lack of empathy towards others on the road creates bad road relationships. We misunderstand each other’s actions and feel frustrated. So what are we to do?

A while back, the City of Grand Rapids partnered with the State of Michigan on a campaign called Driving Change. The idea was to give tips for being safe and considerate on the road in order to repair our road relationships. As the campaign said, “road relationships are a two-way street.”

The campaign features rules for people who ride bicycles and rules for people who drive vehicles. They even have a Driving Change quiz where you can test your skills!

The best part of the campaign is the quirky advertisements that put bicycle riders and vehicle drivers in couples therapy. Dr. Susan Wheeler – Road Relationship Counselor – leads people through best habits to help improve safety for everyone on the road. Watch more Driving Change videos or download resources at GRDrivingChange.org.

According to Driving Change, the main rules for safety while riding bicycles are:

• Be predictable

  • Ride on the road, not the sidewalk

  • Obey all traffic signals and signs

  • Signal when making a turn

  • Ride with traffic

  • Use an intersection as if you were driving a car

• Be visible

  • Wear bright clothing

  • Deck yourself and your bicycle out in lights - the flashier the better

  • Ride with traffic

  • Ride on the road

According to Driving Change, the main rules for safety while driving motor vehicles are:

• Leave 5 feet when passing people on bicycles in Grand Rapids - it’s the law

• Leave 3 feet when passing people on bicycles in the rest of Michigan - it’s the law

• Don’t park or drive in bicycle lanes

• Don’t get mad that bicycles are riding on the road, they are legally allowed to be there

• Watch for bicycles

  • Don’t open your doors in the path of a person riding a bicycle

  • Look for bicycles coming up on your right when making right turns