Posted on 07/29/2008 7:55:24 AM PDT by fightinJAG
When gas prices surged above $4 per gallon earlier this year, it didn't take Nostradamus to predict that there would be a resultant rush to carbon-free commuting options—especially in a place like Portland, which is known for its ample network of bike lanes. Cyclists in "Stumptown" are spinning their spokes here in unprecedented numbers, trading in their fuel-guzzling SUVs for stylish 27-speeds.
But the cycling surge has created conflict, as the new breed of commuters bumps up against the old, oil-powered kind.
First came a drunk cyclist repeatedly smacking the driver of a car with his bike July 6, before a passerby stopped the melee by knocking the pedaler to the ground with one punch (the driver happened to be a longtime cycling advocate, who'd kicked off the altercation by chiding the biker for blowing through a red light.)
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
27 speed ?
Therefore ban bikes.
The other day, I nearly hit two cyclists with my hubby’s truck.
They were flying down the sidewalk, on the wrong side and proceeded across right in front of me as I attempted to turn right on red. In the long run, it would have been my fault.
But, I have to say, I didn’t expect it. Full speed on the sidewalk, through a crosswalk. I wouldn’t have taken those chances as a cyclist. I followed the rules that cars had, traveled on the right side in the street like a car. I was instructed that when you are on the sidewalk, you should follow the rules of pedestians. A flashing hand means stay there.
I was taken aback and will look from now on. They even stopped to yell at me and I apologized. I could have killed them or hurt them badly on something I never expected. Time to watch for cyclists.
27 speed ?
Triple front gear with 9-speed rear gears.
Probably would have been your fault but they woulda been hurt.
Full speed on the sidewalk is not good cycling but many of them think they own the street and sidewalk.
“27 speed ?”
Yep.
“A 27-speed bike is just the same (as a 10-speed), except that there are 3 chainwheels in front and 9 sprockets in back. There are still just two derailers, and two control levers.
The control on the left side shifts among the 2 or 3 front chainwheels; the one on the right shifts among the 5-9 rear sprockets.”
that reminds me, i need to get a new bumper gaurd for my truck.
Good for him.
‘swhat I guessed. My old Schwinn Varsity had 2 X 5.
If a cyclist doesn't know the physics of mass plus velocity between a cycle and a car he should stick to walking.
Actually that was their fault, not yours.
9x3 obviously. My commuter is a 21-speed.
Dumb cyclists. Cyclists who value their own lives don’t ride like that.
I am not a cyclist, but my brother is. He doesn’t ride on sidewalks.
> Full speed on the sidewalk is not good cycling but many of them think they own the street and sidewalk.
That’s because they haven’t had to pay for the privilege of transport.
They don’t sit a driver’s license, they don’t have to register their vehicles, they don’t have to keep their vehicles roadworthy, they don’t pay road taxes, and they don’t have to carry insurance. Yet they get identical rights on the roads that others have paid for as motor vehicles.
Cyclists are freeloaders of the worst sort.
I understand that there are 27 gear combinations, but isn’t there any actual overlap in the gearing? I have an 18 speed (I think, been a while since I have ridden it) but only used maybe 6 or 8 of the gears, for the most part.
“Full speed on the sidewalk, through a crosswalk. I wouldn’t have taken those chances as a cyclist. I followed the rules that cars had, traveled on the right side in the street like a car. I was instructed that when you are on the sidewalk, you should follow the rules of pedestians.”
In many areas, bicyclists are banned by law from riding on the sidewalk (some of those go back 100 years). The effect of a 20 mph cyclist hitting a pedestrian is akin to a NFL player taking a hit from a linebacker.
The noob cyclists, and many of the old-timers like me, need to learn the laws. Sadly, so do the cops in most areas. Bicyclists need to get tickets for traffic violations.
And not just to speak, either. Laws are for "other" people.
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