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Mike is right about kids and adults that are on bikes because they have to be. These are the same bike riders that don't have lights at night and do other stupid things that as a cyclist I have almost wrecked into many of times because of their erratic behavior.
I will say that education (in the schools) is the way to go. I believe that the BTA is working with cities and or schools to have programs in the fall and spring. These programs are probably the best way because they have so many benefits. One, kids get educated on the rules of the road. Two, they are getting out and exercising. Three there bikes are being checked for safety and are being setup quasi-properly for the rider.
So if you want to help "educate" bicyclist/bike riders on the rules of the road, volunteer your time with the school cycling programs.
-------------- Original message --------------
I think the problem is not so much with "cyclists" but more with "people on
bikes". The most frequent road rule violators are kids or adults on a bike
that are clearly not a fitness riders, commuters, racers, etc. Likely many
of these people are on bikes because their privilege to drive a car has been
removed due to traffic offenses, DUII, etc. Although there are lots of
"cyclists" here there are more "people on bikes". I am not certain that
this group is approachable and it is certainly not approachable on this
list. Peer pressure might help but also might put the "peer" at risk.
Police enforcement of road rules might help. It is rare enough for police to
write cyclists tickets that it is something that has been noted on the list.
Public education programs might also help.
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Otcenas [mailto:sus-@teamestrogen.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 17:05 PM
To: CycleO-@yahoogroups.com; 'obra'; shi-@lists.riseup.net
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your time)
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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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mike is right about kids and adults that are on bikes because they have to be. These are the same bike riders that don't have lights at night and do other stupid things that as a cyclist I have almost wrecked into many of times because of their erratic behavior. <SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Unicode MS'"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I will say that education (in the schools) is the way to go. I believe that the BTA is working with cities and or schools to have programs in the fall and spring. These programs are probably the best way because they have so many benefits. One, kids get educated on the rules of the road. Two, they are getting out and exercising. Three there bikes are being checked for safety and are being setup quasi-properly for the rider.<o:p></o:p></P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">So if you want to help "educate" bicyclist/bike riders on the rules of the road, volunteer your time with the school cycling programs. </SPAN></DIV>
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