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 ...
It'd be a damn shame when they get shot at for vandalism and performing a hit and run.
Just starting to red the thread, but I bet big $$ the spandex haters are here already...............
I don't know, but I'm finding a huge correlation between freepers whose views I abhor and support for bicyclists on public roadways.
I could have predicted that, but it's still neat to see it in action.
You're not one of those jerks who makes me wait to pass you on twisty, hilly two-lane roads, and then passes me at the stop sign, thus making me pass you again?
Please tell me you're not that guy.
They do it because they can. They are simply gone before anyone can do anything about it. I’ve ridden downtown. A car has no chance whatsoever catching, much less keeping up with, a bike that does not want to be caught. The cops are even pretty helpless unless they too are on bikes.
My bike messenger son mentioned that one time he was slowly pushed off the road by a taxi, another event that bent a wheel against a curb. There were a lot of witnesses. The way my son tells it, afterward the taxi was stopped (he had no choice due to traffic) and his window was down. As my son approached, the driver started to argue but my son never said a word. In front of all witnesses he simply pulled his arm back and gave his fist to the driver straight into the face.
He then rode off with a wobbling wheel while the witnesses either gasped or laughed.
I’m sure the other side of the story may vary from this one.
I’ve agreed with all of your posts. It’s great to see a cyclist who knows his stuff refuting the ignoramus comments that are regular FR staples whenever the topic of cycling comes up.
For the record, I’m a straight as it gets, I drive a car and I’m an avid cyclist who pays far more taxes than I should have to.
But, your post about how commuting is so freeing is right on. On days when the wind is blowing me backwards, I’m happy to do my 16 mile commute at 14.5 mph average, just as I’m happy to get near 18 mph average on bright sunny days.
I heard it put very succintly once. “Work is the eight hours between bike rides.”
No, I am not that guy. As a pedestrian, bicyclist, and even driver, I want to cause as little impact to others on the road as possible, I want to be out of everyone elses way.
Compensation for small dicks...........
Part of my 16 mile commute is along the 8 foot wide shoulder of a 50 mph roadway. It’s normally perfectly safe, I’m far out of traffic and catch a great draft whenever the cars come whizzing by.
So one day, I’m riding along on my road bike in the center of the shoulder three feet off the road. I’m wearing a neon yellow windbreaker, a green backpack with neon yellow fabric sewn on the back,an orange helmet and possibly even had a blinking taillight. Suddenly, I’m passed at 50 mph+ by some idiot woman in a black F150. Oh, did I mention that she was on the shoulder, 6 inches away from me and then dove back into the traffic lane. She was very surprised when I caught her at the next light. I think the dent came out of her hood after I punched it hard. Then she was stupid enough to roll the window down and tell me I should be riding on the sidewalk.
Drivers, you may also fall in to the moron category.
“In our area, we have a problem with illegal aliens in our area riding stolen bikes”.
Every once in awhile we hear of a bike thief having his stolen bike stolen from him. Then he goes to the police saying his bike was stolen. KaZam, his serial numbers are the same on a stolen bike report. OOOPS!
I know what you mean. Here in Colorado, I find them riding double in an area full of blind corners, rolling hills, and no shoulder. They define the term “oblivions. I would not ride my horse on this road - “legal” and “smart” are two very different things. If I have choose between my family, the 3/4 ton, and the 10,000 lbs of horse and trailer going into the forest or a cycling idiot in the middle of the road, well, i hope that spandex is tougher than it looks....
Wow. And here, I thought I was on FreeRepublic.
Another problem with bike commuting nowadays: With all the cell phone usage and text messaging, it is always 2:15 Saturday morning... :(
I’m waiting to be taken out in the bike lane by some 17 year old text messaging her friends.
“Maybe you can show me where in the constitution cycling on public roadways is a protected right.”
Ah, another “if it isn’t specifically listed as a right in the constitution, then it isn’t a right” conservative.
I'm right there with ya! Sometimes it can be downright embarassing, but I ride at a comfortable speed for me no matter what other folks are doing.
I had the same rules when I rode motorcycles, had to hit the ditch a couple of times, never got hit. I have had people in the lane next to me make eye contact and still run me off the road.
I have come to the conclusion that motorcycles and bicycles don’t register with some people’s brains because they are not percieved as threats. I have also seen this happen to people in small cars that get cut off by large trucks and SUV’s.
Are you one of those people who believes that their only rights are those enumerated in the Constitution?
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