RE: [shift] RE: Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your

Peter Murphy

2005-01-27



<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>

<P>Back wheel works better, than front...More metal...<BR><BR><BR>Pete Murphy </P></DIV>

<DIV></DIV>

<DIV></DIV>>From: "Raisman, Greg" <Greg.R-@pdxtrans.org>

<DIV></DIV>>To: 'Dan H' <da-@bicyclerepairman.us>, Jerry.-@comcast.net,ron-@spiritone.com, sus-@teamestrogen.com,CycleO-@yahoogroups.com, 'obra' <ob-@topica.com>,shi-@lists.riseup.net

<DIV></DIV>>Subject: [shift] RE: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long,  but hopefully worth your time)

<DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 08:14:28 -0800

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>Just an FYI:

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>I've heard the signal engineers around here say, "Put your tire on the

<DIV></DIV>>wire." This will supposedly trip the sensor when you're riding your bicycle.

<DIV></DIV>>So, When you see that black line on the pavement, under it is a wire that is

<DIV></DIV>>tripped by magnets when metal passes over. Try putting your tire right on

<DIV></DIV>>the wire. I've had better luck trying it this way.

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>Enjoy.

<DIV></DIV>>Greg

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>-----Original Message-----

<DIV></DIV>>From: Dan H [mailto:da-@bicyclerepairman.us]

<DIV></DIV>>Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 12:28 AM

<DIV></DIV>>To: Jerry.-@comcast.net; ron-@spiritone.com;

<DIV></DIV>>sus-@teamestrogen.com; CycleO-@yahoogroups.com; 'obra';

<DIV></DIV>>shi-@lists.riseup.net

<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your

<DIV></DIV>>time)

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>> > A substantial number of red lights I encounter are NOT designed to sense

<DIV></DIV>> > bikes.

<DIV></DIV>>

<DIV></DIV>>That can be a problem.  Usually a motorist will pull up behind me but stop

<DIV></DIV>>too far back to trigger the signal thinking they are being courtious.  I

<DIV></DIV>>look back and becon them forward pointing at the road immediatly behind me

<DIV></DIV>>but most of the time I just get quizical looks like that RCA dog and they

<DIV></DIV>>just sit there so I increase the amplitude of my signal with a big wave of

<DIV></DIV>>my arm, like, "come here! See the big loop in the road? it's a metal

<DIV></DIV>>detector! Look!" About one in five will figure it out and pull forward

<DIV></DIV>>enough to trip the signal.  I think a lot people still think the signal uses

<DIV></DIV>>a pressure pad. They don't. That went out with the 70's.

<DIV></DIV>>If the motorist does not trip the signal in 2 cycles I'm forced to make an

<DIV></DIV>>illegal manuever to get things going.  Sometimes you just have to.

<DIV></DIV>> >

<DIV></DIV>> > ----- Original Message -----

<DIV></DIV>> > From: "ron strasser" <ron-@spiritone.com>

<DIV></DIV>> > To: <sus-@teamestrogen.com>; <CycleO-@yahoogroups.com>; "'obra'"

<DIV></DIV>> > <ob-@topica.com>; <shi-@lists.riseup.net>

<DIV></DIV>> > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 7:54 PM

<DIV></DIV>> > Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your

<DIV></DIV>> > time)

<DIV></DIV>> >

<DIV></DIV>> >

<DIV></DIV>> > >I agree that the bottom line is for us cyclists to not break the rules of

<DIV></DIV>> > > the road (especially in busy urban areas and country roads that have

<DIV></DIV>>poor

<DIV></DIV>> > > sightlines).  The auto drivers that see rules being disobeyed or have to

<DIV></DIV>> > > deal with it will not remember the other riders that are riding

<DIV></DIV>>properly.

<DIV></DIV>> > > I

<DIV></DIV>> > > urge cyclists to keep the respect of most motor vehicle drivers by being

<DIV></DIV>> > > courteous and riding in a predictable manner. I know that we cannot stop

<DIV></DIV>>a

<DIV></DIV>> > > driver from breaking the rules of the road...but two wrongs do not make

<DIV></DIV>>a

<DIV></DIV>> > > right.  Even when you are in a hurry on your rides, you make many

<DIV></DIV>> > > decisions

<DIV></DIV>> > > based on your own safety.  I would urge all to consider obeying the

<DIV></DIV>>rules

<DIV></DIV>> > > of

<DIV></DIV>> > > the road as a personal safety decision... in the short and long term.

<DIV></DIV>> > > ron strasser

<DIV></DIV>> > > ----- Original Message -----

<DIV></DIV>> > > From: "Susan Otcenas" <sus-@teamestrogen.com>

<DIV></DIV>> > > To: <CycleO-@yahoogroups.com>; "'obra'" <ob-@topica.com>;

<DIV></DIV>> > > <shi-@lists.riseup.net>

<DIV></DIV>> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 5:05 PM

<DIV></DIV>> > > Subject: [OBRA Chat] Code of Conduct (long, but hopefully worth your

<DIV></DIV>>time)

<DIV></DIV>> > >

<DIV></DIV>> > >

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Apologies in advance for cross-posting to more than one e-list.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Yesterday, the Oregonian published a Letter to the Editor that I wrote

<DIV></DIV>> > > after

<DIV></DIV>> > >> reading about the latest hit-and-run here on the west side.  Should you

<DIV></DIV>> > > care

<DIV></DIV>> > >> to read it, here's a link to my letter

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >

<DIV></DIV>>http://www.oregonlive.com/letters/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/110639

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 8840172300.xml

<DIV></DIV>> > >> as well as the original article

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >

<DIV></DIV>>http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_new

<DIV></DIV>> > >> s/110544844993880.xml

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Predictably, yesterday evening I received an anonymous phone call from

<DIV></DIV>> > >> "Jack" who wanted to talk about my letter.  Luckily, he wasn't a

<DIV></DIV>>nutcase,

<DIV></DIV>> > >> and we had an hour-long conversation about the differences between the

<DIV></DIV>> > >> way

<DIV></DIV>> > >> cyclists and motorists see the world.  It was a productive

<DIV></DIV>>conversation,

<DIV></DIV>> > >> with both of us conceding a few points.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Jack's biggest beef with cyclists was the way in which cyclists often

<DIV></DIV>> > >> seem

<DIV></DIV>> > >> to flaunt the rules of the road.  Running red lights and stop signs,

<DIV></DIV>> > > riding

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 3 abreast or in packs that do not move over when vehicles approach from

<DIV></DIV>> > >> behind, failing to signal, etc.  We demand "respect" and assert our

<DIV></DIV>> > >> "rights", yet fail to observe the rules ourselves.  Frankly, I agree

<DIV></DIV>>with

<DIV></DIV>> > >> him.  Sure, motorists break the rules all the time, but it doesn't

<DIV></DIV>> > >> matter.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> WE CAN NOT OCCUPY THE MORAL HIGH GROUND WHILE NOT OBEYING THE RULES

<DIV></DIV>> > >> OURSELVES.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> I want to start a discussion on a "code of conduct" of sorts.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> ### Note:

<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the evilness of autos, please start another

<DIV></DIV>> > > thread.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the war in Iraq, please start another thread.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> - If you wish to debate the FAIRNESS of said rules, DON'T start a

<DIV></DIV>>thread.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Pony up the bucks to join the BTA, or better yet volunteer your time

<DIV></DIV>>with

<DIV></DIV>> > >> them to advocate for change.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> ###

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> The fact is, the rules are the rules, such as they are.  If we ever

<DIV></DIV>>wish

<DIV></DIV>> > > to

<DIV></DIV>> > >> gain the respect of the motorists, we have to do a better job of

<DIV></DIV>>obeying

<DIV></DIV>> > > the

<DIV></DIV>> > >> rules of the road.  And we have to figure out a way to politely tell

<DIV></DIV>>our

<DIV></DIV>> > >> fellow cyclists that certain behavior is not acceptable.  There's a lot

<DIV></DIV>> > >> to

<DIV></DIV>> > >> be said for peer pressure.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> In response to a recent post about police ticketing cyclists who were

<DIV></DIV>>not

<DIV></DIV>> > >> stopping at a particular intersection yesterday, I would very much like

<DIV></DIV>> > >> to

<DIV></DIV>> > >> commend the OBRA members who pointed that no e-mail "warning" should be

<DIV></DIV>> > >> necessary.  My favorite was:

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> "Remember the "three R's" of cycling:

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same road

<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same rules

<DIV></DIV>> > >>         Same rights"

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> For myself, I'm making a pledge to do better.  I know I can't/won't be

<DIV></DIV>> > >> perfect.  But I'm going to re-double my efforts to stop at every stop

<DIV></DIV>> > >> sign

<DIV></DIV>> > >> instead of sometimes rolling through when it's "clear".  I'm going to

<DIV></DIV>>ask

<DIV></DIV>> > >> friends on group rides to be more conscious of approaching vehicles so

<DIV></DIV>> > > that

<DIV></DIV>> > >> we can be courteous to our fellow citizens by allowing them to safely

<DIV></DIV>> > > pass.

<DIV></DIV>> > >> I'm going to re-read "Pedal Power, A Legal Guide for Oregon Bicyclists"

<DIV></DIV>> > >> so

<DIV></DIV>> > > I

<DIV></DIV>> > >> can be sure of my rights and responsibilities (free download available

<DIV></DIV>>at

<DIV></DIV>> > >> http://www.stc-law.com/bikepower.html ).   I'm hoping that some of you

<DIV></DIV>> > > will

<DIV></DIV>> > >> also take some time to look at how you use your bicycle, and see if

<DIV></DIV>>there

<DIV></DIV>> > >> isn't some small way in which you can improve as well.  Every action we

<DIV></DIV>> > >> as

<DIV></DIV>> > >> individuals take is seen as representative of our entire

<DIV></DIV>> > >> class--especially

<DIV></DIV>> > >> if it's a negative action, which reinforces what motorists already

<DIV></DIV>>think

<DIV></DIV>> > > and

<DIV></DIV>> > >> expect.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> So, I pose two questions:

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 1) What's the best way for individual cyclists to communicate with

<DIV></DIV>>other

<DIV></DIV>> > >> individual cyclists, on the road, about behaving?

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> And

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 2) What would be the most effective way for an organization (like the

<DIV></DIV>> > >> BTA,

<DIV></DIV>> > >> OBRA, the Wheelman, etc.) to do broad outreach to the cycling community

<DIV></DIV>> > >> on

<DIV></DIV>> > >> this issue?

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> I apologize if this e-mail has come across as preachy.  That's not my

<DIV></DIV>> > >> intent.  I just think we need to figure out a way to peacefully

<DIV></DIV>>co-exist

<DIV></DIV>> > >> with motorists and this seems like a good way to start.  Please don't

<DIV></DIV>> > > flame

<DIV></DIV>> > >> me if you disagree.  Constructive criticism and discussion welcome.

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Susan

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Susan Otcenas

<DIV></DIV>> > >> TEAM ESTROGEN, INC. __~o

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 2038 NW Aloclek Dr., Suite 220     -\_<,

<DIV></DIV>> > >> Hillsboro, OR 97124    (*)/'(*)

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

<DIV></DIV>> > >> http://www.TeamEstrogen.com

<DIV></DIV>> > >> 1-877-310-4592

<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------

<DIV></DIV>> > >>  Cycling Apparel and Accessories for Women

<DIV></DIV>> > >> --------------------------------------------

<DIV></DIV>> > >>

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<DIV></DIV>>

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