Ted Gresh
Between the thoughts posted on this thread and the ?crazy drivers?
thread I have to say some of you make me embarrassed to be a cyclist. It
appears in some of your minds, a cyclist can do no wrong and anyone one
in a car who gets mad at a cyclist has an IQ of 10 and is one step away
from attempted murder. I have been a bike commuter and cyclist for close
to twenty years and I just have not found that to be the case. In fact I
would argue the opposite. It is the cyclists who leave me wondering how
many brain cells occupy the space under their helmet?if they are even
wearing one.
First let me say this?This is an elite list serv of people that respect,
love, and are passionate about the sport of cycling. We are not your
run-of-the-mill cyclists. The run-of-the-mill cyclist is the one wearing
sneakers on a Costco Mountain bike, with chain that squeaks, and no
helmet while they weave back and forth pedaling on the shoulder of the
road. This is important to remember because motorists do not see a
difference between that person and one of you on your carbon fiber ride
cranking up in the west hills. They more than likely expect the same
erratic behavior and so may see you as a run-of-the-mill cyclists even
though you do everything in you can to NOT be like that. People remember
the cyclist that gets in their way?if you ride responsibly I?d bet you
are not even noticed by the majority of motorists.
Secondly, I cut my teeth as a bike commuter in Boston, Mass. Boston is
arguably one of the least friendly bike cities out there. In my years
riding there and in the NW I have never experienced anything remotely
close to the motorist behavior described here. I have been flipped off,
yelled at, and cut-off (though rarely intentionally) but no one has EVER
taken the time to come at me and threaten to bash in my skull. Reading
this list makes it seem like a daily occurrence around here and I just
do not believe it to be true. I do not mean to discount what has
happened to people, but it just does not sit well with me to make the
driving community out to be a bunch of cyclist hating wackos?especially
since I also consider myself a motorist.
It is my experience that a cyclist?s biggest threat is not the diver who
hates cyclists, though they may be a very vocal minority, it is the
silent majority of those that are oblivious to cyclists?and it is there
that a community we must make an attempt to reduce the numbers of those
people. Riding responsibly, which by the way last time I checked did not
include riding three-abreast ANYWHERE, is the best means available to do
increase awareness and respect between motorists and cyclists.
Riding a bike, even to the store for a loaf of bread, is dangerous
business. We take on the responsibility for our safety every time we
chose to ride. We should not expect the rest of the world to look out
for us. That is just a sad reality. This does not give motorists to come
at us with tire-irons either, but that does not mean we should paint
everyone behind the wheel of a car as thoughtless thugs?if you think
that then take a long look at yourself in the rearview mirror next time
you are driving somewhere.
Ted Gresh
Steve Brown wrote:
First, this sounds like an urban legend. Second, if you cannot see far
enough ahead of your vehicle to be able to stop if there is something in
the
road you are traveling too fast. This is common sense and old drivers
manual
stuff.
Steve Brown
on 5/28/03 11:05 PM, John Judy at john_-@attbi.com wrote:
While it's sad that this persons wife died because she was incapable of
operating a motor vehicle correctly, it's no excuse for a very public
and
very violent threat to cyclists. His display is sick and so is he. I
find
it incredible and depressing that this sort of thing is tolerated
anywhere.
It's not artwork, it's an attempt to intimidate and incite violence.
There
very fact that he uses his automobile as a billboard advocating violence
against legal, legitimate road users would be reason enough to deny him
use
of the road in any sane, just environment.
-----Original Message-----
From: Cary Mallon [mailto:car-@gorge.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 9:29 PM
To: ob-@topica.com
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Alfalfa shrine
I thought someone would beat me to it, but it hasn't happened so I feel
I
must clarify about the car sculpture with the mangled bike on the front.
It
truly does say 'I road in the middle of the road' on the side, but more
explanation is necessary. The guy who put it there had this incentive-
His
wife was driving that road which is popular with cyclists when she came
around a bend to find three riders abreast in her lane. In avoiding
them,
she went off the road and rolled her car.
I don't believe the creator of this 'artwork' is out looking for
cyclists to
run over, but wants the riders of that road to understand sharing and
that
what we do does have risk, even when we're out there with caring
drivers.
Be careful out there.
cary
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