Whose Lane is it Anyway?
How Cyclists and Motorists Can Share the Roads Safely
by Tom Edgerton
Meet The Author
I’m a better driver because I ride and a better rider because I drive.
I’m retired after a 30-year career with the U.S. Department of the Interior, primarily the Fish and Wildlife Service. After college, my wife Cathy and I traveled widely for work, including Virginia, Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii. I had a very fulfilling career, helping people learn about and enjoy our nation’s national conservation lands. I produced educational programs, developed visitor center and trailside displays, wrote interpretive brochures and newsletters, and authored land management plans. I composed editorials for several newspapers, and was published in Adventure Cyclist, the nation’s only magazine dedicated to bicycle travel. I also regularly edited work for colleagues. I enjoy writing humorous poetry for special events and am a member of the Central Oregon Writers Guild.
‘With roots in the Upper Midwest, I grew up as an adventure-seeking “river rat,” exploring the waters of the Mississippi River. My independent and inquisitive spirit bloomed at the University of Minnesota where I studied natural history and pursued outdoors related work. That’s also when I became a cyclist, commuting, taking weekend rides with my friends, and sometimes pedaling to and from my home 90 miles away. My passion for cycling became permanent in summer 1976 when I landed the job that changed everything. I operated in Reedsport, Oregon, the west coast trailhead of the Trans-America Bicycle Trail, providing guidance and support to 1,450 cyclists who inaugurated the trail, riding the 4,200 miles in celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial, an event called Bikecentennial. That’s also when I met Cathy. Together we rode coast to coast in 1979, a trip I hope to repeat with one or more of our grandkids. I continue to ride countless miles, both solo and with others, collecting roadside treasures along the way. My biggest prize so far is a heavy-duty 70-foot garden hose. Cathy and I reside east of the Cascade Mountains in Redmond, Oregon.
ABOUT THE BOOK
As an avid cyclist I have for more than 20 years planned to write a book about how cyclists can be safer riding on the roads. Over time, my focus broadened to include interactions between cyclists and motorists, as I came to believe that together the two parties can create a more cooperative and safer road network. Today most anyone knows that with ever-increasing traffic and distractions, we need to move faster in that direction. So, what finally motivated me to write the book? It was unexpected - a “now or never” near-death experience. In my case it was a heart attack, One that I was lucky to recover from. Yep, I started writing a month after it happened! Four plus years later, Whose Lane is it Anyway? is finally available.
The book came about through a wonderful collaboration. I was fortunate to partner with Greg Siple, who is not only a wonderful artist, photographer, and book designer, he’s been throughout his life a leading advocate for bicycle travel.
Whose Lane is it Anyway? offers insights and advice on how cyclists and motorists can safely share America’s roads. I explain how people can communicate to make road travel a more positive activity. I note how increased awareness and respect for others can help us deal with the challenges we can all face on the roads. And I offer ways for people to take more responsibility for their own safety.
The book contains encouraging words, real-life anecdotes, engaging quotations, and clever biketoons that reveal perspectives and truths everyone can learn from. However you use the road; this book can help you do so safely!
Cyclists need to take riding the roads as seriously as our legal system requires drivers to take it.
OH, WHAT YOU’ll LEARN!
How riders can stay safe on the roads.
How cyclists and motorists can better communicate.
Why impatient drivers are so dangerous to riders.
Why drivers should slow down and give riders more room.
Car blinkers are important for
cyclists too.
All cyclists should use a rear-view mirror.
Drivers and riders have equal road rights and duties.
Why drivers have more laws than cyclists.
The road is the safest place for adult riders.
Drivers should treat cyclists like other motorists.
Drivers can’t legally pass riders in the same lane.
Cyclists can help drivers be safe.
Situations when drivers should never pass cyclists.
Civility is critical to road safety.
Road hazards are worse for riders
than for drivers.
Why cyclists don’t use bike lanes
and trails.
Why drivers must never cede their right-of-way.
Why some cyclists don’t ride on
the right.
... and much, much more!
Reach out to TOM
Emails
(for other topics)
From anger to engagement, hindering to helping, frustration to cooperation - changing people’s perspectives is the goal.
WHAT OTHERS SAY
“As a bicycle accident attorney, I have seen countless accidents that could have been avoided. This book is a great resource for drivers and cyclists alike. Everyone should read this before hitting the road.”
- Ken Christensen, Attorney at UtahBicycleLawyers.com
“I was surprised when a good friend railed against cyclists, saying they’re hazards that potentially slow her son, a logging truck driver. I struggled with how to respond. Tom’s cogent little book offers help for just such encounters. He pulls back the curtain and examines the attitudes and actions of both cyclists and motorists that can lead to conflict. But Tom also offers starting points for discussions that can foster healthier communication among all users of the roads. It’s made me better prepared for future dialogues.”
- Gary Macfadden,
Former Executive Director, Adventure Cycling Association
“This book greatly augments what we teach drivers - navigating the roadways with increased care, awareness, patience, and courtesy. I highly recommend reading it, hoping you enjoy it as much as I did.”
- Linda Eastham, Instructor, PRNDL Driver
Education LLC
“Tom’s insight and wisdom provides advice that should be welcomed by anyone, no matter how they get around. ”
- Ben Weiss Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager
“The two main things that I come away from this book with are a sense of permission, possibly even authority, to ride my bike in traffic, and to feel as though I belong (rather than being in the way), and, as a driver, a better sense of “seeing cyclists.”
- Mike Cooper, Writing Instructor
