210 miles of contrast

Over the weekend a woman competing in the Proctor Bicycle Classic road race just outside of Peoria was killed when she was bumped by another rider, slipped into the oncoming traffic lane and was hit by a truck. The race was not closed to traffic and was following the "yellow line rule" where racers must stay in their lane for obvious safety reasons in traffic. If you live in a cycling city as I do (Madison, WI) you're probably wondering why they didn't have the route blocked to car traffic. Those who live in Peoria or a similar demographic know all too well that this would be a near impossibility. There are too many people in the area who do not want to be bothered or put out by the lycra clad set.

I grew up in Peoria and spent years as a recreational rider traversing the backroads and not so backroads of central Illinois. One thing I learned was that this area is about as unbicycle friendly as they come. Although I was never hit by a car, it was pretty common to have passing cars yell at me, swerve at me and throw the occasional can or garbage at me*. Back in those days (80s - to early 90s) the aggression was mostly by small town, rural kids and rednecks. From what I've read in the Peoria Journal Star and various Peoria blogs, most likely the danger today is from commuters trying to drive 60+ on farm roads on their way into Peoria. It seems that respect for cyclists in central Illinois has only gone downhill since I left.

I won't say that Madison is a bicycle paradise and doesn't have their share of SUV driving maniacs trying to give cyclists buzzcutts - they do. It's just so very very rare and on a level that doesn't even come close to the land of my birth. I wish the folks down there the best, but I'm glad I don't have to fight that battle anymore.

the story:
CyclingNews.com
Peoria Journal Star

related link:
This is what I wish all cities in the US would aspire to become.