Now that Shape Up, Vashon is under way and more walkers are taking to the Island’s roads, it’s time we reviewed what “sharing the road” really means.
As a long-time pedestrian on Vashon’s roads, I’ve experienced all kinds of life-threatening behavior over the years, and I’d hate to see an injury or fatality result because of the ignorant behavior of some drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Drivers: Is a life worth six seconds of your time? To safely pass a pedestrian (a dog, baby stroller, walker, runner, wheelchair), you will need to cross the center line and enter the opposing lane of travel with your left wheels. The only exception to this on Vashon Island is on the main highway, where a large shoulder space exists on both sides. When passing, there should be a minimum of three feet of space between the pedestrian and your vehicle.
If you attempt to pass a pedestrian while staying within your lane of traffic, you are putting that person’s life in jeopardy. Your vehicle has mirrors which protrude directly into the “head/shoulder” space of a pedestrian. Your tires spit rocks. Fear can make us stumble.
If you spend any time on foot on Vashon’s roads, you realize that the “shoulders” of the roads are, for the most part, ditches, blackberry thickets and mud holes. If your mirror hits my head or shoulder, I could die or suffer a life-sundering injury.
What if there isn’t room to pass safely? Slow down and wait for about six seconds. That is the amount of time it will take for the oncoming traffic to clear or for the pedestrian to clear your vehicle.
Speed matters. Taking corners tight and fast means you are driving blind where a pedestrian might be, at a speed where you won’t have the time to react safely. I have often seen vehicles taking the corners on the main highway so tight and fast that they are using the entire shoulder to negotiate the moderate turn.
As for cyclists, they are also vehicles, subject to the same traffic laws governing stops, turns and lanes of passage. They are vulnerable vehicles, to be sure. The pothole that jars you a little could send them head over heels. Loose gravel on the road could take them down sideways in a wipeout. As do motorcycles, cyclists are watching for these obstacles, and will be using their lane of traffic as appropriate to stay safe in those circumstances. To safely pass a cyclist requires the same set of conditions as required for safely passing another full-size car: visibility of the opposing lane of traffic for a sufficient period of time to fully enter the opposing lane of traffic, pass the cyclist, and return to your lane.
At intersections, don’t double up at the stop on the left of a cyclist. It could dangerously obscure their presence from cross-traffic.
What if you are going up a hill behind a slow cyclist, and you can’t see over the top? Be patient, it may take a few more seconds of your time. Isn’t their life, your life, and the oncoming, unseen vehicle’s occupants’ lives worth those few seconds?
Pedestrians: Generally, you should face approaching traffic. When a car is approaching or when you can’t see whether one might be, go single file. Share the road, don’t hog the road. This gives drivers the opportunity to pass you safely.
Be smart on blind corners. Cross over to the “safest” side of the street if you’re coming up to a sharp, blind corner. Use your ears. If you listen to music while you walk, make sure your earphones are the type that allow ambient noise to come through clearly.
At intersections (like the library parking lot), make sure the vehicle driver has made eye contact with you before you proceed in front of them. Drivers are often “looking” for cars, “blind” to anything else.
What’s with walking on Vashon at night wearing all black? Wear some reflective clothing. Reflective tape, vests and clip-on flashing lights are widely available. Choose your exercise times wisely, and remember that twilight and fog are visibility killers.
Cyclists: Wear a helmet. (It doesn’t take another vehicle to throw you from your bike, just an unfortunate rock placement.) Not only are you protecting your own brain, you are setting the right example for all of our bike-loving children. For great information on safe cycling and how to avoid getting hit by a car, go to www.bicyclesafe.com.
As a regular runner, I thank the 95 percent of drivers on Vashon who already practice safe driving. I wish everyone a long, happy and healthy life and applaud the efforts of all the pedestrians and cyclists who are working to improve their health through exercise.
— Susan Hesselgrave is an avid long-distance runner who has lived on Vashon Island since 1989.
