Share the Road, Both Ways: A Retired Trauma Surgeon Weighs In on Maine Cycling Safety

In a letter to the editor submitted to a Maine publication, Dr. John Baxter, a retired trauma surgeon from Freeport, is urging bicyclists to rethink one commonly promoted cycling tip: "take up space" by riding in the middle of the road.

Baxter, who identifies himself as an avid cyclist, said he fears that cyclists who follow the advice too rigidly could end up being "dead right" — legally correct, but physically vulnerable.

The advice in question comes from a bike safety feature published on Aug. 20 that outlined 11 tips for cycling in greater Portland. Tip No. 9 encourages riders to occupy the full lane when conditions warrant, a practice rooted in the idea that riding too far to the right can put cyclists in the dangerous "door zone" near parked cars or make them invisible to motorists at intersections.

But Baxter argues that positioning oneself in the center of a narrow or busy road can create hazards of its own, particularly when drivers have limited opportunities to pass safely. Vehicle backups, he warned, can frustrate other road users, and in the worst case, a driver — whether impaired or simply impatient — may attempt an unsafe pass around a cyclist.

"That's exactly where I don't want that car to be," Baxter wrote, referring to having a vehicle sitting directly behind him as he rides.

As a retired trauma surgeon, Baxter brings a clinical perspective to the debate. He has seen firsthand what happens when cyclists and motor vehicles collide, and he knows the injuries can be devastating or fatal.

Rather than treating the road as something to be claimed by either cyclists or motorists, Baxter is advocating for a more cooperative approach. He urged Maine bicyclists to embrace the "share the road" philosophy in both directions: if a car is lingering behind them, cyclists should look for a safe opportunity to move as far to the right as possible and wave the driver by. Group riders, he added, should drop into single file when cars approach from behind, rather than continuing to ride two or more abreast.

He acknowledged that there are legitimate reasons for moving toward the center of the lane — poor road conditions, debris, drainage grates, or the need to make a left turn, for example — but stressed that cyclists should signal their intentions clearly and return to the right side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

The exchange highlights an ongoing conversation in Maine and beyond about how cyclists and drivers can share limited road space safely. With summer cycling season in full swing and more riders taking to the streets of southern Maine, the question of where exactly a bicycle belongs on the roadway remains a matter of vigorous debate — one Baxter hopes will lean toward mutual awareness and accommodation.

The original safety feature outlining the 11 tips has been published online and is available through the source publication. Baxter's letter was submitted from Freeport.