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 ...
No, you just jam up trafic and piss off people in steel cars with your self-righteous attitudes.
Small piece of advice: Don't go up against the laws of physics; you'll lose, badly.
I ride a bike and I drive a car and know that there are stupid A$$holes driving both. However, most bike riders are safe and courteous as are car drivers.
And I would imagine that many of those that say the things you have listed are not in the physical shape required to ride a bike for more than a few blocks.
>>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.<<
Almost every cyclist I know owns at least one car. The wear and tear cycles put on roads are similar to the wear pedestrians put on roads. That is one reason they are not taxed. But hey, if you want to pay tax for your kids bikes every year...
YOU BET!!!!
Honestly, being right would not keep me from feeling guilty for a good long time.
Well heck...why stop there...you should just make EVERYONE simply using public roadways subject to the same.
“The bikes almost kill each other speeding into the intersection looking at my SUV broadside.”
Yup, as I said, their attitude is that being in a paceline negates any laws. The cops need to start writing tickets.
Signed, a cyclist. Who isn’t gay. Who pays taxes, including taxes for roads.
3 x 9 = 27
Do you also want to tax baby joggers and baby carriages?
While you are at it, what else besides bike riders do you want to tax?
Or are you running for office on the Democratic Ticket and are just looking to increase my taxes?
Damn Liberal!
Always looking for a new think to tax.
That Pinnarello has a 10 cog cassette :)
That’s a 20 speed, add a triple crankset, and it’s a 30!
Please don’t make me pay for insurance for the huge amount of time I spend on my bike. Maybe twice a year on the road.
We do the bike paths. I have a hubby, two girls with me and a dog in a front basket. It’s recreational. Period.
So that we could go on the side streets to get to the Dairy Queen, I would need insurance? Oh please.
>>I know in my area there are tons of immigrants that ride their bikes to jobs. Almost all of them are in dark clothing at night, no reflectors or lights and ride on the wrong side of the road. These guys are the most dangerous of all — even to other cyclists.<<
That is also illegal. Back in the day I had a generator light on my bike and the wire to the rear tail light had broken. I was riding at night and actually got pulled over by a cop. No ticket and it was friendly. I was able to reconnect the wire and everything was fine.
Just sayin’...
“The roads were paved for autos, and the sidewalks are for walkers. Bikers should stick to designated paths.”
The trouble is, that statement is wrong.
Bicycles have always been considered vehicles, from the time before they had pedals. They were paved for everyone, all vehicles. No law ever passed said “only for cars”.
Tell me, were roads not paved for tractors? Motorcycles? Amish buggies?
Lance Armstrong juiced! ;)
> Damn Liberal!
> Always looking for a new think to tax.
Dam’n Liberal!
Always looking for somebody else to pay for your free ride.
“Small piece of advice: Don’t go up against the laws of physics; you’ll lose, badly.”
So, you stay away from places where ill-behaved a**hole semi drivers play? I mean, if the law of physics is the rule here, then shouldn’t car and pickup truck drivers simple stay off of roads with semi drivers? Wouldn’t we now say that a**hole semi drivers are okay ‘cause they weigh more (and pay more taxes, have more insurance, etc etc)?
You have just outed yourself as a Liberal by advocating more Government Regulation and more Taxes.
I am sure the Democrats could use you as a Block Captain for the upcoming Election.
Our younger son, who is an avid biker with several excellent bikes lived in the Portland area for about 17 years.
Fortunately, he returned to California two years ago, before these current groups of insane bikers became a problem in Portland. He said many of the good Portland drivers are beginning to hate all bike riders because of these insane biker. I think they call themselves retro bikers.
These insane bikers blow through red lights, ignore stop signs, go the wrong way on their bikes, ride on sidewalks and try to cause problems with drivers and pedistrians.
The punk cited in the article provoked the driver, a friend of my son several times before attacking the car and driver.
The punk made the mistake of taking a swing at the driver’s son and got his clock cleaned with a great ko punch.
The driver of the car is a long time biker, in the bike industry and has pushed for high standards of bike riders. He tried to get the insane rider to calm down and not be a disgrace for other bike riders.
Apparently several of these bikers are no longer around as they hit cars and trucks like Kamikazis.
In our area, we have a problem with illegal aliens in our area riding bikes, riding the wrong way, on side walks and running red lights. Fortunately, a lawyer friend told me to carry a disposable camera in case of a run in with one of these bastards on bikes or in some rolling wreck of a vehicle.
Shortly after I bought the disposable camera, one of these biking idiots ran a light on a cross walk and ran into the hood of my OJ Simpson Bronco and hit the right front wheel of the Bronco and flew over the hood of the Bronco. I had just started go on the green light when I saw him kamikazing at me in the crosswalk while running the red light on my right side. I hit the brakes and was stopped when he hit and did his airborn flip over the hood of my truck.
He was cursing me until I stepped out with the camera taking pictures of him and walked around to take pictures of his bike laying by my Bronco and my cell phone in my other hand. He ran around the Bronco and grabbed his now deformed bike and ran up the street and turned at the first alley. I think he was saying nasty things about my parents and me as he was running away.
ROFLOL!!
when I have to ride on the highway, I often wonder:
what’s the most effective pistol load for putting a round through an engine block?
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