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Cycling group's West Coast antics could be replicated here [Minneapolis]
Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | October 07, 2007 | Katherine Kersten

Posted on 10/08/2007 12:35:56 PM PDT by Caleb1411

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To: Cold Heart

Wow. Sounds like there are some suicidal cyclists in your neck of the woods. IMNSHO, pulling out in front of trucks is just playing odds, and sooner or later you’re going to get hit.

As I said in an earlier post, clubs DO publicly criticize riders like that. The difference is that cyclists terrorizing people in minivans gets press, while no one is interested in printing or broadcasting the Peoria Cycling Club’s criticism of reckless cyclists.

I’m curious though. Why didn’t this rally have police protection to keep these jerks from pulling this? Most rally events have police who’ll block off intersections during the rally so cyclists and motorists aren’t in conflict at intersections.


141 posted on 10/14/2007 2:10:18 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: truth_seeker
My attempt at a clever post was probably misunderstood by several. I was not too pleased some said that cyclists should be run down, or shot

I agree. However, I don't have a problem with people protecting themselves from vandals, and it sounds like Critical Mass crossed the line into felonyville in the story.

142 posted on 10/14/2007 2:12:26 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: Melas

The rally was in a rural area, not a city. Probably 40 to 50 miles of some of the most winding, narrow & busy rural road on the Oregon Coast. They still have this ride but it is held further North on a highway with bike lanes.

Suicidal? you bet. Portland Oregon, the all around anti-American city, is full of very strange, ultra left wing nut cases.


143 posted on 10/14/2007 2:22:11 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: Melas

This bike talk has me wound up. I’m going to hop on my Mtn. bike & head on down to see the grand kids. Bye for now.


144 posted on 10/14/2007 2:24:18 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: MarkL

Please read my other posts, as i’m very well aware of current laws . I’m stating my opinion as to how cyclists should be regulated as far as rules of the road .


145 posted on 10/14/2007 6:38:52 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Unite against Rudy ! - Vote Thompson ! - It's the only way to beat Hillary !)
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To: Melas

No, it’s not crazy , accidents are far more preventable and survivable if my idea was adopted . If a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle the chances for survival are less than if a cyclist hits a pedestrian .

I’m am unabashedly pro-motorist and would rather let the pedestrians and cyclists hash out any lawsuits instead of having to worry about a clumsy cyclist getting in the way of busy traffic, on a busy road, with no bike lanes .

It’s not fair to motorists where the roads are designed for cars and trucks with no bike lanes . It’s insane to think that accidents won’t happen and then hold motorists responsible .


146 posted on 10/14/2007 6:46:07 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Unite against Rudy ! - Vote Thompson ! - It's the only way to beat Hillary !)
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To: Neu Pragmatist
No, it’s not crazy , accidents are far more preventable and survivable if my idea was adopted . If a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle the chances for survival are less than if a cyclist hits a pedestrian .

Pedestrians shouldn't have to worry about sharing the road with vehicles. Period. It's just a recipe for disaster. A young mother should be able to take her baby out in a stroller and not worry about being run over by a cyclist doing 25mph.

Keep in mind that bicyckes are vehicles. I give myself 40 minutes to make my 11 commute to work. I can't afford to crawl along the sidewalk at pedestrian speeds.

I’m am unabashedly pro-motorist and would rather let the pedestrians and cyclists hash out any lawsuits instead of having to worry about a clumsy cyclist getting in the way of busy traffic, on a busy road, with no bike lanes .

Which is the point. A bicycle is a vehicle. It's how I get around 90% of the time. What you call pro-motorist would be a defacto prohibition on using a bicycle as a vehicle since there would be no utility if a bicycle had to travel at sidewalk speeds. I shouldn't be forced to take my car or ride my motorcycle.

I’m am unabashedly pro-motorist and would rather let the pedestrians and cyclists hash out any lawsuits instead of having to worry about a clumsy cyclist getting in the way of busy traffic, on a busy road, with no bike lanes .

Here in DFW, most of the posted bike routes don't use bike lanes. If you stick to the bike routes as much as possible, you shouldn't slow down traffic as they run on side streets parallel to major thoroughfares.

It’s not fair to motorists where the roads are designed for cars and trucks with no bike lanes . It’s insane to think that accidents won’t happen and then hold motorists responsible .

What's not fair? That a motorist my lose a whole 20 seconds until it's safe to pass me? That's not fair? Give me a break.

As for safety, if a motorist obeys the traffic laws, he/she should never hit a bicycle. Almost all bicycle/car accidents occur when a motorist fails to give the bicyclist the legally mandated amount of space when passing.

I'm a motorist as well, and bikes on the road have never, ever, not even once bothered me. But then again, I'm not so impatient that I can't wait 20 seconds to pass.

147 posted on 10/14/2007 7:27:09 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: Melas

Your area is obviously different than mine . Sometimes you can’t see the cyclists until it’s almost too late. Bike lanes should be everywhere , but they are not, so it should be law that cyclists use the sidewalk when no bike lanes are available .

Many roads are not wide enough to accomodate bust traffic and pesky cyclists . Maybe you have very wide roadways and perfect drivers in your area , good for you . End of story .


148 posted on 10/14/2007 7:38:16 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Unite against Rudy ! - Vote Thompson ! - It's the only way to beat Hillary !)
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To: Neu Pragmatist
Bike lanes should be everywhere , but they are not, so it should be law that cyclists use the sidewalk when no bike lanes are available .

Thank God the Texas legislature doesn't see it your way. Nuff said.

149 posted on 10/14/2007 7:46:26 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: Melas

I paid about $130 for my Schwinn from Target.


150 posted on 10/14/2007 7:52:12 PM PDT by wastedyears (I don't wanna grow up, help : /)
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To: Melas

Yeah , sure thing . I understand that it might be different in your area . Too bad you don’t see it the other way . There are certain parts of the country that I suspect would send you onto the sidewalk with the quickness ... lol !

It’s bad enough having to worry about the other motorists , much less accidentally crunching some cyclist into the pavement . For safety’s sake , they need to make bike lanes or make them go onto the sidewalk . That’s fair . I support bike lanes , but I don’t think you read all of my previous posts to know that ... oh well . Happy cycling out there !


151 posted on 10/14/2007 7:54:37 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Unite against Rudy ! - Vote Thompson ! - It's the only way to beat Hillary !)
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To: Neu Pragmatist
For safety’s sake , they need to make bike lanes or make them go onto the sidewalk . That’s fair . I support bike lanes , but I don’t think you read all of my previous posts to know that ... oh well . Happy cycling out there !

Oh I gotcha. I just don't think you get the sending bikes to the sidewalk would render them useless. I can't afford a 3 hour commute to work. Not to mention that I'd probably out of a job since bikes would be useless.

152 posted on 10/14/2007 8:24:33 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: wastedyears

Ah, a department store bike. I could write volumes on the differences between department store stuff and the bicycles you’ll find at an Idependant Bicycle Dealer (IDB), but it’s already on the web.


153 posted on 10/14/2007 8:29:28 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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To: Melas

You don’t drive a car or truck ? You only cycle ?


154 posted on 10/14/2007 8:35:47 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Unite against Rudy ! - Vote Thompson ! - It's the only way to beat Hillary !)
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To: Melas

I don’t have much of a reason to buy an expensive bike, as I have plenty of time but no energy to ride.


155 posted on 10/14/2007 8:36:15 PM PDT by wastedyears (I don't wanna grow up, help : /)
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To: Neu Pragmatist

Ah, I see what happened. I didn’t communicate clearly. I cycle to work as often as I can. I do own a Chevy and Harley, so I have other ways to get to work. It should be my choice what vehicle I take though. I much prefer the bicycle. Cycling to work and back gives me a quick 110 miles a week.

I’d be out of work, because I’m employed in the bicycle industry. I consider myself fortunate that my life-long hobby became my livelihood.


156 posted on 10/14/2007 10:22:59 PM PDT by Melas (Offending stupid people since 1963)
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