I know that some of my accounts of encounters with hostile and inattentive motorists have been met with some skepticism—and I really do understand. How can one guy have that much bad luck with his fellow humans unless he's doing something to bring it on himself?
That said, I'd like to provide an illustration of at least one instance of the sort of thinking that keeps me on full alert every time I go out for a ride. Check out the first comment in response to a posting about a proposed safe passing bill, on the local paper's cycling blog.
11 comments:
My knuckles scrape the ground when I walk. My knuckles scrape the ground when I walk.
I doubt that's the case. It did say it rides a motorcycle, and one assumes its knuckles would be with its hands on the handlebars. Now the elbows... that's a whole 'nother story.
Kidding aside, that post could very well be a troll—but it does seem to represent the prevailing attitude among many of the non-cyclists around here. From the gum-cracking woman who cut my hair once to our realtor (and friend), even those who are not actively hostile seem to feel like bicyclists who ride on the roads are doing something illegal and that the police just don't enforce the laws.
Most days, given the choice between going for a long ride on a nice path or fighting for my life on the street, I'd be perfectly happy to ride on paths—if there were any. The local governments have all these grandiose notions about connectivity and velowebs on paper, but when it comes to finding funds to move some dirt and build the things the money always ends up going to improvements for motorized vehicles.
Oh my. Look at the time.
Like Foo, I'd be more than happy to ride on the paths...IF THERE WERE ANY! I know I'm slow and take a risk every time I go out on my handcycle, but where else am I supposed to ride? I can't do off-road bike trails, because I have a road bike. Hm. They have off-road bikes that, for several $1,000 I could buy, but have no desire to do or cash I don't know what to do with. So here lies the rub. Let me just say this to the drives who don't like us on the road ... self-centered, inconsiderate, and rude motorists who are too damned lazy to get off their asses and exercise are the ones with the problems. Not me. I'm just trying to stay in shape. As you try to run me over, I spit on your cars as you pass me and pray "let you reap what you sow." So there! :P
What a jackass. Why did he keep repeating himself?
More proof that stupidity is alive and well...
I repeat, more proof that stupidity is alive and well...
I'm (thankfully) just the opposite -- the only time I ride on "real" roads is in a rally/tour. We're fortunate to have a veritable plethora of connecting road-bike-suitable trails around here, and that's all I ever ride. The trails get a little crowded from time to time, but I can do a solid 40-mile loop from my house without going on anything beyond a residential street, and when I did my final rides to prep for the MS150, I did most of the miles in a nice stretch of park where only riders ride, the walkers having peeled off by then.
Speaking of which -- how's it coming?
Well, I'm sure glad it rides a motorcycle. It won't be with us much longer. ;-)
Bret: How's what going? I assume you mean the MS 150, but do you mean the training or the fundraising? Neither has begun in earnest, but I anticipate the latter being a lot more difficult for me than the former.
Tink, Gwynne, Turtle: I'm glad to know it wasn't just me.
Lance: Nice avatar. =)
I think we all need to get back to the horse and buggie days.
Eric: Cool! What time should I show up with my bike?
Doozer: I have to admit I'm just a little surprised. You seem like you (and Turtle) are more worked up about this guy's blahblahblah than I was.
Anne: I'd be on board with that, except as a former marching band member I remember what it was like to have only a couple hours' worth of horse poo on the roads. Motion denied.
Oh, and I'm sure no one meant to imply that It's (hmm... if It is a proper pronoun, is it "It's", or "Its"?) negative qualities are in any way linked to its (nailed that one) being a motorcyclist.
No, no, I wasn't implying any negative qualities about It because It chooses to ride a motorcycle. I was only stating a fact, that It (and all of Its negative qualities) will not be around long. In other words, the motorcycle is not the cause of the negative qualities but may be the solution. ;-)
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