ricky roma
Let me just start by saying that some of us don't want to (or pretend
to) "OCCUPY THE MORAL HIGH GROUND".
While I will punch the occasional car for trying to run me over, I do
try to obey the rules of the road most of the time.
There are only a few times I usually don't:
1 - If I'm riding downtown I will split the lane or ride to the right to
pass lines of cars. One of the perks of riding a bike is not having to
sit in traffic (yes I know we _are_ traffic), so I'm not going to 'sit
behind' a 'huge line of cars' and 'suck exhaust fumes' just to 'obey'
the 'rules of the road' (liberal use of quotes a la Bennett Brauer).
2 - If I'm sitting at a stop sign or stop light and there is no one
around, I will ride through it - only if it's clear - I will never go
through a stop sign or light if there are any cars at the intersection.
Might I also say that I've had many car drivers wave me through stop
signs. Very nice.
I find it fascinating that some motorists would be 'outraged' about
cyclists running red lights, but are not equally as 'outraged' about
cars not obeying traffic laws. I see city buses run red lights on a
daily basis (literally). That's much more dangerous than me on my bike
rolling through a red light if it's clear.
I can also guarantee that most motorists would be far more annoyed if I
were making a complete stop (putting foot down) at every stop sign while
they had to wait behind me.
I also don't understand this:
"Sure, motorists break the rules all the time, but it doesn't matter."
I would have to disagree. I think it *does* matter as there is a huge
double standard in place. Some of the same motorists that complain about
cyclists blowing stop signs are routinely speeding through residential
neighborhoods. Again, far more dangerous than pretty much anything I
could ever do on a bike.
rr
http://livewrong.net
Susan Otcenas wrote:
Apologies in advance for cross-posting to more than one e-list.
Yesterday, the Oregonian published a Letter to the Editor that I wrote
after
reading about the latest hit-and-run here on the west side. Should you
care
to read it, here's a link to my letter
http://www.oregonlive.com/letters/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/110639
8840172300.xml
as well as the original article
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_new
s/110544844993880.xml
Predictably, yesterday evening I received an anonymous phone call from
"Jack" who wanted to talk about my letter. Luckily, he wasn't a
nutcase,
and we had an hour-long conversation about the differences between the
way
cyclists and motorists see the world. It was a productive conversation,
with both of us conceding a few points.
Jack's biggest beef with cyclists was the way in which cyclists often
seem
to flaunt the rules of the road. Running red lights and stop signs,
riding
3 abreast or in packs that do not move over when vehicles approach from
behind, failing to signal, etc. We demand "respect" and assert our
"rights", yet fail to observe the rules ourselves. Frankly, I agree
with
him. Sure, motorists break the rules all the time, but it doesn't
matter.
WE CAN NOT OCCUPY THE MORAL HIGH GROUND WHILE NOT OBEYING THE RULES
OURSELVES.
I want to start a discussion on a "code of conduct" of sorts.
### Note:
- If you wish to debate the evilness of autos, please start another
thread.
- If you wish to debate the war in Iraq, please start another thread.
- If you wish to debate the FAIRNESS of said rules, DON'T start a
thread.
Pony up the bucks to join the BTA, or better yet volunteer your time
with
them to advocate for change.
###
The fact is, the rules are the rules, such as they are. If we ever wish
to
gain the respect of the motorists, we have to do a better job of obeying
the
rules of the road. And we have to figure out a way to politely tell our
fellow cyclists that certain behavior is not acceptable. There's a lot
to
be said for peer pressure.
In response to a recent post about police ticketing cyclists who were
not
stopping at a particular intersection yesterday, I would very much like
to
commend the OBRA members who pointed that no e-mail "warning" should be
necessary. My favorite was:
"Remember the "three R's" of cycling:
Same road
Same rules
Same rights"
For myself, I'm making a pledge to do better. I know I can't/won't be
perfect. But I'm going to re-double my efforts to stop at every stop
sign
instead of sometimes rolling through when it's "clear". I'm going to
ask
friends on group rides to be more conscious of approaching vehicles so
that
we can be courteous to our fellow citizens by allowing them to safely
pass.
I'm going to re-read "Pedal Power, A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists"
so I
can be sure of my rights and responsibilities (free download available
at
http://www.stc-law.com/bikepower.html ). I'm hoping that some of you
will
also take some time to look at how you use your bicycle, and see if
there
isn't some small way in which you can improve as well. Every action we
as
individuals take is seen as representative of our entire
class--especially
if it's a negative action, which reinforces what motorists already think
and
expect.
So, I pose two questions:
1) What's the best way for individual cyclists to communicate with other
individual cyclists, on the road, about behaving?
And
2) What would be the most effective way for an organization (like the
BTA,
OBRA, the Wheelman, etc.) to do broad outreach to the cycling community
on
this issue?
I apologize if this e-mail has come across as preachy. That's not my
intent. I just think we need to figure out a way to peacefully co-exist
with motorists and this seems like a good way to start. Please don't
flame
me if you disagree. Constructive criticism and discussion welcome.
Susan
--------------------------------------------
Susan Otcenas
TEAM ESTROGEN, INC. __~o
2038 NW Aloclek Dr., Suite 220 -\_<,
Hillsboro, OR 97124 (*)/'(*)
http://www.TeamEstrogen.com
1-877-310-4592
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