Monty Hill
I only drive my car like an a..hole, which fortunately for all of us cyclists is rare.
FYI I did my own survey about a year ago and on a normal commute on my bicycle I witnessed an average of (9) traffic violations by automobiles. This by no stretch of the imagination led me to believe all automobile drivers are a..holes. So why would I ever group all cyclists into one group and judge them based on the actions of a few? Because we are still a Minority? That does not seem right.
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Pink Panther
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 5:18 PM
To: kevin97116@yahoo.com; joec@aracnet.com
Cc: Obra List
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
Of all my travels and riding all across the country...so far PDX ranks as one of the most hostile places I have encountered to ride a bike. To have people go as far as to drive across the yellow line to try and hit you (has happened multiple times in the PDX metro area to me) shows how high the tension is between motorists and cyclists in this area. The hatred that the common person in PDX has towards cyclist is unremarkable to astonishing. I love that they will stop for a squirel yet try and hit me, a fellow human, showing a total lack of care towards human life. But as a buddy told me and that has been displayed thus far by our justice system, lately, in our country, "If you want to get away with murder, make sure they are on a bike."
I see both ends of the spectrum. As a cyclist, it frustrates me to see people riding like total morans, riding down the middle of the lane when its not necissary, running lights within city limits, cutting blindly through traffic that results in cutting off a car, yada yada. I see plenty of irresponsible riding occuring in PDX which does not help our cause. If there is to be a change for a the better, people on bikes will have to go out of their way to ride intelligently and diligently, abiding by every law and to not be a menache to the flow of traffic. To try and fight by riding more erractically or in any sort of violent outburst will continue to deteriorate the relationship between motorist and cyclist. Now im not saying all of you on this list ride like a--holes, in fact its more likely the common/weekend worrior rider, but the way we ride can set an example to others.
The hype of PDX being the best cyclign town in the nation is total B.S. Its as overrated as David Beckham. Yes there is a decent size population that has embraced the cycling culture which makes it a unique place, but Id trade having a town with no cycling culture for knowing ill be more secure on my ride. For my money, Bend and Corvallis are about the best areas to be for a cyclist in Oregon. They have it all, road and xc, less traffic, more of of that 'small town country' hospitality meaning practically ZERO problems with motorists and cyclist. They are very courtiest and aware of your presense. Shoot, Las Vegas is a better town to ride through then PDX. No one there cares as long as you stay to the right of the lane.
I honestly hope and pray that the conflict between cyclist and motorist in PDX soon resolves itself before more deaths occur. But i have a feeling PDX is heading towards a major catastrophy that will force people to open their eyes to the issue.
________________________________
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:35:58 -0800
From: kevin97116@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
To: joec@aracnet.com; rabbitxcr@hotmail.com
CC: obra@list.obra.org
Wow, I've spent 6 weeks riding in San Diego since June. To include San Diego on that list you must have been riding in a different location than I did. I was SO glad to get back to Oregon where the roads are in MUCH better shape and the drivers, while not perfect, are a lot more "tolerant" of cyclists.
Kevin
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What is happening in Kevin's corner of the bike world?
http://the-whir-of-spokes-in-air.blogspot.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
________________________________
From: Joe Cipale
To: Pink Panther
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Tue, January 19, 2010 8:29:13 AM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
Sorry folks,
Everytime I hear that PDX is the 'friendliset bike city in America', I simply have to laugh. I have ridden in MANY cities that treay cyclists 10 TIMES better than Portland does:
SF
LA,
Seattle,
Phoenix,
San Diego,
Miami,
...
Tell me when to stop.
Joe
Pink Panther wrote:
>
> Not all but most. I had a Beaverton Motorcycle Officer threaten to taze me =
> while still on my bike. He came up from behind with his siren on. I was sho=
> cked to see him behind me, and managed to let my thought slip to verbalizat=
> ion "You have got to be kiddin me?" His response was, "Im not. Pull over or=
> ill taze you." Did i mention this was out on Bald Peak on some back countr=
> y road, where there was no traffic or anything. It was for not putting my f=
> oot down at a stop sign when i came to a halt(track stand) at an intersecti=
> on; an intersection you can see a mile in each direction with little to no =
> traffic. He was quite angry and was in my face yelling, close enough he was=
> spitting on me, the entire time. I was polite at first, but he just kept y=
> elling, so i quite talking and stood there silently, which seemed to make h=
> im more and more angry. Unfortunately i got a 300 dollar ticket because he =
> "had to teach me and us other dumb cyclist a lesson." Too bad i was too she=
> lled from 4 hrs of a horrific interval and wet ride to think straight enoug=
> h to get his badge number. Although the judge gave me much of the same "thi=
> s will teach you a lesson" treatment as well. Got to love our justice syste=
> m.
>
> From: barretfishner@hotmail.com
> To: rabbitxcr@hotmail.com
> Subject: FW: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:41:33 -0800
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:21:27 -0800
> From: ewascent@gmail.com
> To: rondot@spiritone.com
> CC: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
>
>
> "Remember it was just that=20
> one guy. Not all the officers."
>
> Since I race against at least one Portland PD racer I know for a fact that =
> not all cops are biased against cyclists or citizens minding their own busi=
> ness. I have been generally impressed with the demeanor of the cops that ha=
> ve pulled me over for general vehicular chicanery.=20
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Ron and Dorothy Strasser .com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Scott,
> The interaction is finished at this point, but=20
> my understanding with regard to Portland Police, is they are supposed=20
> to give you their name or business card or some such ID requirement now.=20=
> =20
> Maybe it has not started yet. I am pretty sure I would not be trying to=20
> take a photo of an officer while he/she is in control of the situation... w=
> hich=20
> even when this type of escalation takes place... the officer is the boss.=
> =20=20
> If what you describe about your interaction with this person is accurate, h=
> e was=20
> a bit off the charts in my opinion. Anybody stopping along that bluff=20
> creates a potential hazard. Especially a motor vehicle. And you=20
> would think a police officer would recognize this more than a Joe or Jane=
> =20
> Citizen. This officer knew that anyone coming along would need to go=20
> around you guys (and thus into traffic).... probably causing much more dang=
> er=20
> than what he said you caused. I think this guys was on edge. Many=20
> people ride this area and do what you describe.
> I pass riders along that section of Willamette=20
> Blvd. all the time in the same manner. This has never happened to=20
> me. I have been passed there as well, but am less apt to pay much=20
> attention to when the next motor vehicle also comes by from behind. I am=
> =20
> always on my guard in that area along the bluff because there is real dange=
> r=20
> there around the potential crashes from motor vehicles turning left and the=
> ones=20
> behind them either rear-ending them or skidding into bike lane / riders.=20=
> =20
> Keep your eyes on the skid marks on that section of roadway and you will se=
> e=20
> what I mean. A few years ago I stopped while riding that section (put my=
> =20
> bike over on a grass section) and cut blackberries back that were hanging i=
> n the=20
> bike lane. A patrol car went by while I was doing this (driver slowed and=
> =20
> looked at what I was doing) but did not stop. The next day a city crew was=
> =20
> out mowing and weed-eating. I do not know if my work had anything to=20
> do with that, but I did it because I see a large number of riders along tha=
> t=20
> lane who are pretty intimidated by the fast moving traffic. They do=20
> not need additional obstacles. Traffic safety in that bike=20
> lane (in-bound toward the city center) is very much impacted by anything (p=
> eople=20
> on blades / skateboards, joggers, busses stopped at pick up areas, cars dri=
> ving=20
> or stopped in it, especially any of the above going the wrong=20
> direction. To be honest, my most dangerous situations have been when=20
> coming upon the UP cross country team out running / training. I even=20
> talked to their coach about how dangerous it was to have 6-12 riders runnin=
> g in=20
> that lane. I told him I was not as concerned about riders that=20
> were very competent on their bikes, but riders not as experienced and the f=
> act=20
> that one is never sure what auto drivers will do when those situations=20
> arise. The posted speed there is 35, but I know for a fact that=20
> 40-45+ is the norm especially for commuters in the morning and afternoon.=
> =20=20
> His response did not satisfy me (but I have to admit I have not seen groups=
> (as=20
> large) of his team running since) in that his solution was to have his runn=
> ers=20
> move into the lane of traffic to let riders go by. This can really confuse=
> =20
> "everybody". I say a heads up in that area almost all the=20
> time.
> Hope your blood pressure is good and the rest of=20
> your day is much better. Since police officers are "people" as well, I=20
> hope his BP is lower and he is having a better time about now. Maybe even=
> =20
> coming to grips with the fact he overreacted. Remember it was just that=20
> one guy. Not all the officers. No I am not at all employed by the=20
> police dept and do not have any family employed by them or other department=
> s=20
> (although my mom told my I had an uncle who was a Texas border patrol=20
> officer).
> take care out there.
> ron
> ps.......You probably handled it much better than I=20
> would have. I might be sitting in a cell right now.=20=20=20=20
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----=20
> =20=20
> From:=20
> Scott=20
> Fitzwater=20
> To: obra@list.obra.org=20
>
> Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 1:22=20
> PM
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] I almost got=20
> arrested today while on a bike ride!
> =20=20
> This is simply unbelievable. I was on a 2 hr bike ride on an=20
> unexpectedly pleasant day of sunshine. Riding on N Willamette Blvd just p=
> ast U=20
> of P on the bike path toward downtown. I was riding about 22 mph and=20
> approached another bike rider in the bike lane who was riding significant=
> ly=20
> slower. I looked over my left shoulder, saw that I has safe distance from=
> the=20
> auto traffic behind me, signaled with my left hand/arm that I was coming =
> out,=20
> went around the other bike rider, merged back into the bike lane and cont=
> inued=20
> on at my 22 mph pace.=20
>
> Next thing I know, there is a vehicle behind me=20
> siren blipping and lights flashing. Huh, is this guy pulling me over? I g=
> uess=20
> he is. I stop, the SUV size vehicle pulls over and the cop jumps out sayi=
> ng I=20
> failed to yield when I left the bike lane, entered his lane and passed th=
> e=20
> bike rider. His voice was raised and he's acting angry. I kid you not!! I=
> =20
> asked him to calm down and he gets madder. I told him that I felt I safel=
> y=20
> executed the pass by looking behind, saw the safe distance and signaled. =
> He=20
> disagreed again and threatened to ticket me. He asked for my ID. Luckily,=
> I'd=20
> forgotten to bring any and he yelled "god damnit" when I told him. The=20
> "discussion" was devolving into "yes you did, no I didn't" and he was=20
> obviously in control (at one point he said "you're not free to go") so I=
> =20
> finally said ok, you're right and just stared at him. He then called on h=
> is=20
> radio and asked if a car was nearby (presumably to arrest me??). I guess =
> none=20
> were since one didn't show up.
>
> The dude (who is a Sargent, by the way)=20
> then takes down my name, address, phone number and goes back into his veh=
> icle.=20
> This whole time we're pulled over on the right, the cop vehicle is blocki=
> ng=20
> the bike lane and all bike riders are having to leave the bike lane, ente=
> r the=20
> traffic lane and ride around us. Finally, he returns and has written me a=
> =20
> warning. I ask what it meant and he said "nothing". I said I was sorry fo=
> r the=20
> hassle, he said nothing so I rode off. Weird experience.
>
> Portland's=20
> finest? Oink oink.
>
> Scott
>
> =20=20
> =20=20
>
>
> =20=20
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing=20
> list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe:=20
> obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> OBRA mailing list
>
>
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
>
> --=20
> Eric Aldinger
> =20=09=09=20=09=20=20=20=09=09=20=20
> _________________________________________________________________
> Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free.
> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390709/direct/01/=
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.