Injury accents bike-car tensions

The Columbus Dispatch ^ | April 23, 2008 | Aaron Beck and Tim Doulin

[buccaneer81]

'Oh my God!' " Artistic Director Tim Veach said. "It's ridiculous. Who would beat up a 64-year-old mime? That's about as low as you can get."

LOLOL!! You can't make this stuff up!

[Red Badger]

I ride my bike on the sidewalks whenever I can. It’s safer......But people get kinda upset if the get burned by the mufflers........

[Jeff Chandler]

Who would beat up a 64-year-old mime?

Who wouldn't?

[gunnedah]

Ask the good Lt. How many bicyclist they prosecute for violating the law?

[FrankR]

"Drivers must realize bicycles and motorcycles are "extremely vulnerable and they have as much right to the roadway as you do in your car," Devennish said. "

When I see a license plate on a bicycle which proves they paid as much ad valorum tax (road use) as my car, then I'll agree they have "as much right" as I do to be there.

The problem I've seen is they won't get their little spandex asses out of the road, and they DO slow down traffic. It appears that they are "daring" people to get close to them.

If they are not going to pay their fair share of road use taxes (and paying for their car doesn't carry over to their bike, anymore than paying for one car doesn't cover all their cars), then I'll concede that they have the "same rights".

[buccaneer81]

Then he did something that apparently infuriated the men: He touched the car to steady himself on his bike.

I've got 10 bucks that says he touched the car with a clenched fist traveling downward at high velocity.

That's probably what got him the a**-kicking.

[Cecily]

“Drivers must realize bicycles and motorcycles are “extremely vulnerable and they have as much right to the roadway as you do in your car,” Devennish said.”

That may be, but common sense should tell all cyclists that since they are extremely vulnerable and will always lose in any collision with a car or truck, the burden of exercising greater caution falls on them, rights or no rights. Unless you or your surviving relatives win the insurance/lawsuit lottery, your “rights” as a cyclist aren’t going to mean much when you are lying in a grave or in the hospital with multiple fractures, or spending the rest of your life maimed or crippled.

[RC2]

One thing we run into here in the mountains is that the bikes are on two lane roads. At times, we haul a 20’ stock trailer loaded. The speed limit is 55. When we come around a curve and see a bunch of bikes, we can’t slow down fast enough. We need to go into the on coming traffic lane to miss them. Luckly, we haven’t run into anyone. They should only be allowed where there are bike lanes.

[RGSpincich]

He said witnesses told him that he was hit from behind in the alley, probably with a beer bottle.

He said. Not the police said, not the witness himself said. I'll wait for some corroborated facts.

Who would beat up a 64-year-old mime? ..."

Probably nobody. The old guy probably hit the car with his fist then rode off so scared that he fell off his bike and hurt himself.

[conservativeharleyguy]

"...When I see a license plate on a bicycle which proves they paid as much ad valorum tax (road use) as my car, then I'll agree they have "as much right" as I do to be there..."

Absolutely. I am not anti-bicycle by any means, and occasionally ride a mountain bike around my neighborhood for exercise. And aggression behind the wheel is wrong, no matter whom is targeted.

But for years, I've been telling my "cyclist" friends the same thing. If I have to pay taxes to use my car (and my motorcycle) on public streets, why shouldn't they? Just because most of mine come in the form of fuel taxes doesn't exempt them from at least some obligation.

And let's not forget insurance. I hate having to have it cover myself from litigation-happy lawyers, but why should I have to use my coverage if an uninsured cyclist causes an accident? I'm not even sure if it's covered. They should be insured.

And, lastly, what about licensing? I (and all other motorists) had to demonstrate at least some cursory level of operational competence and traffic code knowledge before being allowed to (legally) operate a motor vehicle.

If they are going to mix it up w/5,000 lb. vehicles on the open street/road, they should have to play by the same rules. Or at least stop whining about their "rights". Driving is not a right. Oh yeah... could they please give up the flourescent Spandex as well. Is that really asking too much?

[conservativeharleyguy]

"...Unless you or your surviving relatives win the insurance/lawsuit lottery, your “rights” as a cyclist aren’t going to mean much when you are lying in a grave or in the hospital with multiple fractures, or spending the rest of your life maimed or crippled..."

The Cyclist's Epitaph: But...but, I had the Right of Way!!

[bigbob]

Most cyclists I know are EXTREMELY courteous around cars, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize who will lose in any encounter. There are times when cyclists are in the wrong, but in my experience, there are FAR more times when some jerk in a car or (worse) pickup truck or (worst of all ) pickup truck pulling a boat - just gets nasty and aggressive for no reason. My motorcycle-riding friends say the same thing happens to them. Road rage coupled with a feeling of “entitlement” to go as fast as they wish on any road at any time.

So let’s just apply the Rodney King rule and try to get along, ok? As for spandex, it’s functional. Bright colors improve visibility, and the padding comes in pretty handy.

If you want to tax bicycles, fine - tell your representative to enact a law, and we’ll happily pay. But I doubt this will change bad behavior - on either side.

[dr.zaeus]

Never bring a knife (bike) to a (car) gunfight.

[reagan_fanatic]

I used to live about 7 miles outside the city, and had to travel some rolling hills to get to work each day.

Many times I would crest a ridge only to find a group of those spandex-wearing jack@sses riding three to four abreast right down the center of the lane.

There were a number of times I had to slam on the brakes or jerk my car into the oncoming lane to avoid hitting them - and they would look at me as if I were the problem.

[Red Dog #1]

The speed limit is only that, the maximum limit. Especially when operating large, heavy commercial (?) vehicles, it is your responsibility not to drive “faster” than the distance you can see.

If you have not caused and accident yet, I hope your luck holds out for your sake, your passengers, stopped or slowed vehicles, pedestrians, children, wildlife and yes even the occasional spandex wearing bike nut. I’m not lawyer, but I’ve taken a few law classes and I have little doubt if you repeated what you said in your post to a witness or police officer after an accident at the very lest you would be out a lot of money and maybe doing jail time.

The U.S. does a lot of things right, but we could learn a thing or two about “professional” drive (strict liability) standards like those enforced in Japan and other countries. I’ve seen to many wrecks over the years because folks just won’t slow a few miles per hour.

There’s not a bike-car problem in the US, there’s a lack of civility and respect for others problem. If someone wants bikes off the road or wants them to pay taxes, write your congressman. In the mean time drivers and cyclist need act like grown ups.

[RaceBannon]

When I see you obey the traffic lasws as much as I have to on my two wheel 18-speed, then I’ll say you have a gripe, but when you pass me on the left and cut me off in a right turn when we both arrive at a stop sign simultaneously, you deserve to be yanked out of your cage and beaten with rods.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . they won't get their little spandex asses out of the road . . .

LOL. If you saw me from behind on my bike you'd want to hang an SMV sign on my Dollar General jeans.

[FrankR]

"When I see you obey the traffic lasws as much as I have to on my two wheel 18-speed, then I’ll say you have a gripe, but when you pass me on the left and cut me off in a right turn when we both arrive at a stop sign simultaneously, you deserve to be yanked out of your cage and beaten with rods."

Now is it that you - an all-knowing, all-seeing bicycle elitist - have been following me, or have you check the hall of records to check on my driving record, or what?

I've been driving bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks for over 45 years, and in all that time only had one fender bender and got 1 ticket.

I've never cut off one of your spandex brethern; as for passing on the left, well maybe you should have been further off to the right.

Still, as much as I strain to try and have an inkling of sympathy for you and your ilk, I just look at me automobile registration and ad valorum tax receipt...not to mention the exhorbitant tax on gasoline for my road use...and I find it hard to have any sympathy for you.

If you and yours would just admit it, some of you intentionally ride in groups, spread out all over the right lane to piss off motorist. You love to act so incensed and self-righteous when we don't all pull over with funeral-like reverance when the spandex-brigade passes by.

As for yanking me out of "my cage" and beating me "with rods", that remains to be proven to be in your realm of abilites.

Meanwhile, judging by the width of most highway lanes, they were built for cars, not bicycles. So, pay your share of road use taxes, get a tag, registration and license and quit daring motorist to even pass you, and maybe you'll be more welcomed on the auto throughfares of this country.

BTW, you'll get more exercise with a dirt bike, IN THE WOODS...that is, if you're not afraid a rabbit will cut you off.

[RaceBannon]

I aint no Spandex homo!!

And, YES, you do have to register a bicycle in my town...I just dont have to pay as much as I did my truck...so, since you already registered your vehicle, as I did, just what have you got up on me that I owe you obecience on the road??

(How do you spell that word, anyways?)

Besides, hitting me on my GIANT 18-speed road bike is like hitting a Moose in Maine, so, watch it, buster! :)