Yes, because that cyclist is SUCH a hazard to you in your car.
LadyLorraine Send a noteboard - 29/06/2010 01:03:05 AM
Your health is very much in danger.
Snarky comment aside, I think you're under a bit of delusion if you think cities are going to just magically build bike paths (it'll be SAFER!!), particularly since bike paths really don't make things much safer (They're right where a bike should be riding ANYWAYS).
If you can't ride on the road, don't. I totally agree that a cyclist IS safer off the road (although the pedestrians they're riding with aren't!), but there are significant problems with riding on the sidewalk as well. I can't tell you how many times I've honked my horn as I approached a pedestrian walking or jogging, and shocked the hell out of them as I politely went on the grass to go around them...because they had their iPods in their ears blaring and couldn't hear me. A few months ago, I was riding home from classes in the dark and I almost hit someone because my town isn't well lit, and they were a black person in dark clothing. On the Road, we're too slow. On the sidewalk, we're too fast.
What would you have a cyclist do, particularly in towns where they are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk? Simply not ride their bikes anywhere at all? How will that encourage legislatures to fund improved infrastructure?
Bike lanes would be nice, but that is not the reality that people have to work with most of the time. And even with bike lanes, cars would still need to pay attention and respect the biker's space, which remains as a central issue to cyclists in general.
So pretty much, with your opinions of cycling, the only GOOD option is to simply not cycle at all and either walk (Extending your travel time by at least double, making it implausible for people living over a certain distance from their destinations), or pay for a car/bus. Oh, and I'd like to also point out, that there are many small towns and cities that don't have public transport. I know my college town doesn't.
So what would you have them do?
Addendum: I just would like to say, a lot of my opinion on whether drivers will be aware is actually based on my experiences riding a moped on the street. DESPITE the fact that I was a motorized vehicle going the speed limit (in our town, most of the streets are only 30 mph), if not over, I was continuously treated like I did not belong on the road and had to save myself from accidents frequently due to driver's being unaware. I have a strong feeling that any motorbiker you talked to would mention some of the same problems that cyclists do. I don't disagree with some of your points, but infrastructure would not affect the problems. Despite problems elsewhere, the central issue is the drivers.
Snarky comment aside, I think you're under a bit of delusion if you think cities are going to just magically build bike paths (it'll be SAFER!!), particularly since bike paths really don't make things much safer (They're right where a bike should be riding ANYWAYS).
If you can't ride on the road, don't. I totally agree that a cyclist IS safer off the road (although the pedestrians they're riding with aren't!), but there are significant problems with riding on the sidewalk as well. I can't tell you how many times I've honked my horn as I approached a pedestrian walking or jogging, and shocked the hell out of them as I politely went on the grass to go around them...because they had their iPods in their ears blaring and couldn't hear me. A few months ago, I was riding home from classes in the dark and I almost hit someone because my town isn't well lit, and they were a black person in dark clothing. On the Road, we're too slow. On the sidewalk, we're too fast.
What would you have a cyclist do, particularly in towns where they are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk? Simply not ride their bikes anywhere at all? How will that encourage legislatures to fund improved infrastructure?
Bike lanes would be nice, but that is not the reality that people have to work with most of the time. And even with bike lanes, cars would still need to pay attention and respect the biker's space, which remains as a central issue to cyclists in general.
So pretty much, with your opinions of cycling, the only GOOD option is to simply not cycle at all and either walk (Extending your travel time by at least double, making it implausible for people living over a certain distance from their destinations), or pay for a car/bus. Oh, and I'd like to also point out, that there are many small towns and cities that don't have public transport. I know my college town doesn't.
So what would you have them do?
Addendum: I just would like to say, a lot of my opinion on whether drivers will be aware is actually based on my experiences riding a moped on the street. DESPITE the fact that I was a motorized vehicle going the speed limit (in our town, most of the streets are only 30 mph), if not over, I was continuously treated like I did not belong on the road and had to save myself from accidents frequently due to driver's being unaware. I have a strong feeling that any motorbiker you talked to would mention some of the same problems that cyclists do. I don't disagree with some of your points, but infrastructure would not affect the problems. Despite problems elsewhere, the central issue is the drivers.
Still Empress of the Poofy Purple Pillow Pile Palace!!
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
This message last edited by LadyLorraine on 29/06/2010 at 01:15:34 AM
I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today
28/06/2010 05:44:45 AM
- 1670 Views
Ummm
28/06/2010 06:01:19 AM
- 1290 Views
Let me guess. You live in an American suburb. *NM*
28/06/2010 06:12:24 AM
- 549 Views
Yeah, the "sport" part gives that away even more than everything else... *NM*
28/06/2010 08:06:03 AM
- 562 Views
seriously, you think people didn't use bikes as transportation anymore!! *NM*
28/06/2010 08:26:36 AM
- 645 Views
That was offensive to cyclists. People who think like you are why so many of us die. *NM*
28/06/2010 08:28:24 AM
- 626 Views
Now that I've calmed down a bit, I'm going to actually address your points.
28/06/2010 12:16:10 PM
- 1411 Views
hey now!
28/06/2010 01:18:16 PM
- 945 Views
I understand that what he said offended you
28/06/2010 04:11:57 PM
- 1173 Views
You're right, I was stereotyping and getting a little ad hominem. I'm sorry. *NM*
29/06/2010 08:33:20 AM
- 602 Views
My social capital at this site is pretty low, so I don't mind admitting that I agree with MK.
28/06/2010 04:12:42 PM
- 1043 Views
Re: My social capital at this site is pretty low, so I don't mind admitting that I agree with MK.
28/06/2010 06:27:42 PM
- 1088 Views
This point:
28/06/2010 06:37:32 PM
- 1148 Views
Not in the United States.
28/06/2010 07:25:56 PM
- 1142 Views
Highways are, of course, a different matter.
28/06/2010 07:32:50 PM
- 1098 Views
I know
28/06/2010 07:34:04 PM
- 1207 Views
Re: I know
28/06/2010 08:27:04 PM
- 1063 Views
Re: I know
28/06/2010 08:38:14 PM
- 1187 Views
It is illegal to drive on the shoulder.
29/06/2010 09:43:40 AM
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i'm pretty sure bicycles are banned from almost all highways, regardless of access
29/06/2010 02:34:00 PM
- 966 Views
Maybe I should have said "modern roads."
28/06/2010 08:20:55 PM
- 1152 Views
Perhaps.
28/06/2010 08:36:15 PM
- 1200 Views
I think we just disagree on the necessity is all.
28/06/2010 09:00:44 PM
- 977 Views
Yes, because that cyclist is SUCH a hazard to you in your car.
29/06/2010 01:03:05 AM
- 1129 Views
The central issue is people.
29/06/2010 09:52:22 AM
- 1108 Views
you keep talking about cyclists on highways as if it applied to all roads.
29/06/2010 02:37:31 PM
- 1164 Views
There are TWO equally important points there:
30/06/2010 01:15:17 AM
- 1167 Views
then why are you arguing with me? I said that the central issue is people being stupid. *NM*
01/07/2010 05:59:23 AM
- 569 Views
Two words: Public Transportation
30/06/2010 03:32:05 AM
- 1133 Views
...doesn't exist or is completely dysfunctional in a lot of places. *NM*
30/06/2010 03:57:26 AM
- 589 Views
Re: Two words: Public Transportation
30/06/2010 08:43:51 AM
- 1313 Views
Re: Two words: Public Transportation
01/07/2010 08:05:37 AM
- 1139 Views
You can't be serious. If you do think that's always (not just sometimes) a viable option, then...
30/06/2010 09:20:03 AM
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My city doesn't have ANY. not even shuttle buses. *NM*
01/07/2010 06:00:22 AM
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Re: My city doesn't have ANY. not even shuttle buses.
01/07/2010 08:08:02 AM
- 1110 Views
Outside of a highly urbanized area, I surmise. The entirety of the US is not like the East Coast. *NM*
02/07/2010 02:11:01 AM
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Despite your subject line, I'm glad to see that we agree with each other more than MK and I do.
29/06/2010 10:13:29 AM
- 1201 Views
Get your head on straight, you silly cyclist
01/07/2010 08:02:58 AM
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He never said there were no buses in our city. He said that, as a student, he can't afford them. *NM*
01/07/2010 08:42:47 AM
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I'd say most urban areas have few roads with speed limits above 50 km/h (30mph)
01/07/2010 10:35:20 AM
- 1042 Views
Now now, there's no need to be rude.
02/07/2010 12:04:16 AM
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Re: Now now, there's no need to be rude.
04/07/2010 05:53:01 PM
- 994 Views
That's always upsetting. You just have to remember that some people are simply arseholes, and...
28/06/2010 11:41:22 AM
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Re: I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today
28/06/2010 03:25:22 PM
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Are they supposed to use sidewalks anywhere? *NM*
28/06/2010 04:58:50 PM
- 531 Views
In Sweden we often have combined bike and walking paths a few meters to the side of the road
28/06/2010 06:22:40 PM
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Not sure, but
28/06/2010 06:53:14 PM
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Thankfully I live in a very bike-friendly city, though this sort of thing has still happened to me. *NM*
28/06/2010 07:56:59 PM
- 600 Views
I'm so glad I actually READ what you said before responding.
29/06/2010 09:16:25 AM
- 1126 Views
?? I thought it was matter of COURSE that bikes weren't allowed on the highway
29/06/2010 09:27:06 AM
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Should be, but it's not.
29/06/2010 09:59:35 AM
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Question for you.
29/06/2010 10:22:13 AM
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the law says they have to to ride in single file as close to curb as is practical
29/06/2010 03:31:55 PM
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