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 ...
>>What is really infuriating is a motorist who speeds up to pass us on the left side, only to slam on their brakes to make a right turn squarely in front of us.<<
That is exactly how I hit a car. And the turn was at the bottom of a long steep hill. I was doing 45 and a teenaged girl and her friend did just that. I braked as hard as I could but hit the car and just rode it around the corner as my pedals ground into the door. You should have seen the look on her passengers face. ;) I never even stopped. I just told her (politely, actually), as I circled aound the front of the car, that she needs to be aware that a bike is trying to brake on two patches the size of dimes and just be aware of that next time. I then got back on the road and headed home.
I felt bad for them because they were just not fully aware of the physics going on with moving vehicles. And that is why I am careful - there are a lot of drivers like that.
I find your attitude amazing. There are far more drivers than bicyclists and I see far more drivers do stupid things in front of me than cyclists. So, shall I go on a rant about how stupid and self-righteous those bad drivers are? Shall I include you as one of those self righteous drivers who clogs up the roads with your car and bad driving?
You most certainly have the self righteous attitude down.
Free Ride?
I pay taxes for my vehicle’s registration and I do not get a tax break for riding my bike to work. Moreover, when I ride my bike, I am not in my car thus creating a lessor impact on the roads.
By riding my bike, I am saving the tax payer money.
And you are taking a page out of the DNC Handbook and proposing New Taxes!
I have nothing against cyclists or cycling. Public roadways are just that - public.
However, I have yet to see a single cyclist use hand signals, as is legally required, to indicate their intent to turn or stop.
I routinely see cyclists ignore rights of way and traffic signals and generally make nuisances of themselves by failing to respect the rules of the road.
Most motorized vehicle drivers make a conscious effort to accomodate cyclists, even though most cyclists can’t keep up with traffic, and often create dangerous situations (mostly for themselves) by not adhering to traffic rules - no motorist wants to kill a cyclist, and there’s a good possibility of that happening.
But a little bit of common courtesy from cyclists to motorists, IMHO, is warranted and well overdue and for many of the same reasons that car drivers should be courteous to and observant of big rig drivers - your life may depend on it.
Oddly enough, when cyclists do have the ability, they often exceed the speed limit by larger amounts than motorized vehicles. IMHO, the technology has been available so bicyclists on public roadways should be required to have speedometers, turn signals and brake lights if they refuse to use hand signals, hazard signals of some sort if they are beyond a certain threshold below the speed limit, audible horns, more visible reflective surfaces, and very visible lighting at dusk and at night.
All the male bicycle riders I know of are all whiners.
I bought a high-powered headlight with separate battery pack that would give me a reflection at a mile and I could acquire "Juan" at 100 yards, dark clothing and all.
It still didn't help because it was chilly and "Juan" had his hands in his pockets and was weaving all over the trail!
>>You require roads. And you require road rules and traffic signals (but most of you pay not a blind bit of notice to either).
So why should that absolve cyclists from being licensed? And paying road taxes just like everyone else? And observing the Road Rules?
Why should cyclists get to use for free something that someone else has paid for?
The cars and trucks have all paid their fair share and are not free-loading.<<
You forget that bicycles were actually on the roads BEFORE cars, and never paid taxes. (check some 19th and early 20th century photographs if you don’t believe me).
The reason cars and trucks pay taxes is because they actually tear up the roads. Maintenance on paved bike trails is not done because of the damage bikes do. It is because of the ravages of time: washouts, root damage, etc. You can’t say that about cars and trucks.
The actual cost bicycles visit on roads is essentially zero. And to add to that, by far the lions share of bicyclists also own cars, trucks, etc. This is a non-starter.
Target rich environment?
Anybody on a bike touches my car and he gets his teeth knocked out!
There's a really nifty gallery of "Fully Loaded Touring Bicycles" here: http://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/fullyloaded
They all have big gear ranges and of course you really need that when climbing hills or grades with 75 pounds of gear in your front and rear panniers.
My personal fave is this baby, with a steel (not aluminum) frame:
There is also a length of road on the way home that had a bike path next to the road. About 25% insist on riding down the road instead of the path. There are blind curves along this 3 miles route. They have a death wish.
What I find funny about this is that even outside this thread you hear phrases beginning with “motorcyclists are...”, “Bicyclists are...”, “Truck drivers are...”, yet people understand that car drivers are lots of things. There is the asian lady fresh off the boat. The family guy in the minivan that never breaks the speed limit and always wears his seat belt. The crazy high school boys. The responsible drivers, the drunks, the texters, and everything in between.
Same is true for motorcyclists, truckers and bicyclists.
“Yeah those bicycles really tear up that pavement.”
No they don’t but someone has to pay for them and bikes sure don’t.
“Most cyclists are also drivers. They pay their share.”
No they don’t. Funding for roads largely comes from gas taxes. If you aren’t using gas then you are getting a free ride.
I’ve been hit by a car before. Guy in a car didn’t see me, pulled out from a stop sign. I was laid up for the better part of a month.
I’ll never understand cyclists with attitudes toward people in cars. I’ve had enough close calls with cars when riding in a safe and legal fashion.
I have a couple rules when riding: I ride like I’m invisible and I assume every car out there is trying to hit me.
> I pay taxes for my vehicle’s registration
For your automobile, yes. For your bike, no.
> and I do not get a tax break for riding my bike to work.
Sure you do: you escape road user tax on the petrol you aren’t burning, yet you get to use the roads that this tax pays for.
> I am not in my car thus creating a lessor impact on the roads.
And probably a much greater impact on road SAFETY. Most cyclists are inconsiderate, irresponsible menaces on the road, a danger to pedestrians and automobiles alike — at the same time as being dangerous to themselves.
> And you are taking a page out of the DNC Handbook and proposing New Taxes!
And you are taking a page out of the DNC Handbook by trying to get someone else to pay for your road use!
nice flat tire, Obama...
the guy is too dumb to inflate his tire properly and he might end up running this country. damned shame
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