Every time a motorist on Vashon encounters an obstacle on his side of the road the natural and accepted local tradition is to “swing wide” and give extra room to the obstruction.

When the obstruction is a cyclist, pedestrian or equestrian, there is an engagement process that happens every time a car passes. The car that swings wide is communicating directly to the less powerful road user, “I see you, and I acknowledge your presence in my lane.” Often cars can’t swing wide for a cyclist when there is oncoming traffic. Sometimes motorists slow down and wait for room in the other lane; sometimes they pass closely at a reasonable speed, and sometimes they disregard the less powerful road user. But the cyclist can see the complication with oncoming traffic and make adjustments.

With the presence of center-line rumble strips, friendly acknowledgement and common-sense judgement will disappear. The motorist will no longer be watching out for the cyclist, he will stare at the rumble strip and be forced to decide if “swing wide” is forbidden, ill-advised or extremely annoying. The cyclist will have no way of knowing what to expect because the easy decision for the motorist to swing wide is now eliminated by the presence of the rumble strip. I expect most motorists will try to avoid the rumble strip and crowd the cyclist. What a shame, as the cyclist doesn’t stand a chance against a car. Cyclists, pedestrians, equestrians and dog walkers will lose the opportunity to “share the road” with the motorist. We will be sharing the road with the rumble strips.

— Stephanie Harlan