Sowing Flowers

Each ride is an opportunity to plant seeds in the minds of the motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists we encounter. Yesterday's ride was an example.

Although I've been riding bicycles in Atlanta for nearly 30 years now, there are still many roads I've never been down. Some roads I avoid, but the real reason is there are hundreds of roads and we tend to stick with our favorites.

When we do explore new roads, we often find the pedestrians and motorists are unfamiliar with cyclists. These encounters on remote and little traveled roads are opportunities to make good impressions.

People on the street are often the most fun. When they see a group of cyclists in bright colors, it's almost like a parade (if not a bike race). They stop to watch and whoop and holler as we pass. I like ringing my bike bell because that is even more unexpected than several guys closely following each other on a bike. This always gets a smile from the kids.

The motorists are more mixed. Some are ultra-cautious and trail behind us matching our speed for the length of the road we're on. We'll hug the fog line and try waving them around, and then when they finally catch up at an intersection, we'll sometimes find an elderly couple with thick glasses and cautious smiles.

Every now and then we do hear the occasional "I'm back here and about to come around" tap on the horn. The belligerent horn and the "get off the road" attitudes are rare, but we do what we can to allow traffic to get around us.

It's nice talking with motorists in their cars. Not many roll down their window at a stop light so we can greet each other and chat about whatever. Just being able to connect human to human plants seeds of goodwill.

When we stop for water, we're an easy target for casual conversation with passerby. Whether we're clearly out for a recreational ride or clearly headed into the office, the common denominator is we're having fun. Fun echoes all around us and others want to join in the fun. I think this aura of fun and the laid-back approachability of most cyclists engages people. We're planting seeds.

We're careful not to block traffic, or do anything unexpected. Most motorists simply want to pass us safely. Most pedestrians just want their space respected and to share the fun. And cyclists that ride with us understand we want to earn the respect of everyone we share the road with. That's the best way to sow the seeds that blossom into goodwill toward cyclists.