The Old Coot is a bicycle rule breaker. Published in NY on July 2, 2025

 The Old Coot goes the wrong way.

By Merlin Lessler

 I first aired this confession nearly 15 years ago. Nothing has changed. I’m still a criminal! Still socially incorrect! A criminal, because I often ride my bike on the wrong side of the road or on the sidewalk. Socially incorrect, because I don’t wear a helmet. Half the pleasure of riding a bike is to be outside with nature, moseying along, enjoying the scenery with the wind blowing through your hair, or what’s left of it. I grew up in a helmetless world – climbing trees, playing football, baseball and yes, riding bikes and soap box racers down hills and through sharp curves without head protection. All kids did. Our mothers said good-bye as we charged out the back door to play and then added, “Watch your head.” And we did! We learned to duck; we learned to take the brunt of a fall on our shoulder, not our head. Besides, protecting one’s head is a survival instinct built into the human genetic code. It’s one of the reasons our species has survived for eons. 

 I often don’t ride with the flow of traffic as required by Section 1234 (A) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic law. I ride facing traffic when the chances of a sneak attack from the rear by a distracted driver is likely. It’s criminal behavior today, but my whole generation was taught, to face traffic when walking or biking. And for good reason! You can see what’s coming and save your life. But bikers and in-line skaters are no longer allowed to do this in New York State. The authors of the vehicle and traffic law claim that bicycling and skating against traffic are the leading cause of crashes. Pure hogwash! Nearly all bicyclers and pedestrians hit by vehicles, get it from behind. These cockamamie laws and opinions come from state bureaucrats and legislators who haven’t ridden a bike along a public road in decades, if ever. Most of them grew up in New York City. Us outlaw bikers know better. Facing traffic saves lives. It’s the cyclists that follow the rules that get run down by errant drivers.

 My crowd of criminal and socially incorrect bicycle riders are easy to spot. We’re the people in street clothes, not spandex ballet outfits. We are bareheaded, making our way at a leisurely pace on inexpensive bikes, enjoying the fresh air, the scenery and low-level exercise on a vehicle that weighs three times as much as the helmeted speedsters on two wheels who pass us. They stop for red lights, even with no cars in sight. We look both ways and go through red lights. We ride on sidewalks when the road is too dangerous (mindful of pedestrians) and follow our survival instincts, rather than the vehicle and traffic laws. Join us in our civil disobedience. You’ll be a lot safer! And have more fun! (You don’t even have to be an old coot)

 Comments? Complaints? Send to mlessler7@gmail.com