Get a load of this

[sandy]

This was in my morning newspaper, under the reader commentary.What a crock of %$#*







Bicyclists posing a safety hazard on our roadways

By ROBERT SUHR


(Original publication: August 24, 2007)
I want to bring to light a perpetuating problem that is plaguing our community as well as our neighbors. Driving up Route 22 from White Plains to Armonk every weekday as part of my morning and evening commute to and from Mount Kisco, I've noticed that it's not only scenic, but rather hazardous. The reason: cyclists. On an already narrow and winding road, where the average speed during commuting hours is 50-60 mph, these cyclists are barely respecting the rules of the road. On several occasions, I have witnessed cyclists almost causing major automobile accidents because the driving lanes are not wide enough to accommodate a bike and a car simultaneously. Not only are they putting their own life in danger, but putting ours in as well.


I realize that this is not only a problem on Route 22, but everywhere. Our communities are overloaded with these narrow and winding roads that seem to be overridden with cyclists. In a today where distractions are prevalent, especially while driving, do we really think public thoroughfares are a safe place to operate a piece of physical fitness equipment with little to no safety devices? I do realize that this is America and everyone has a right to roam where and when they want to, but at what human cost? Are we not supposed to be "watching out for our fellow man"? As it stands, we are for them, but they're not for us.


Our legislatures need to recognize this is a worsening situation and address it accordingly. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been and are continuously being spent providing recreational bicyclists' areas to safely enjoy their passion, so why must we all have to endure this hazard? One suggestion would be to ban the use of bicycles for recreational uses during the morning and evening commuting hours on our heavily traveled roadways. Another would be to have each and every bicycle registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, receive a license and obtain a certificate of insurance. Not only would this be a possible deterrent for cyclists, but also an untapped income stream for state and local municipalities. They are traveling over the same roads as all of us, shouldn't they be held to the same standards?


The writer lives in West Harrison.

[like2bike]

Clueless.....Guess he's not concerned about GLOBAL WARMING. :rolleyes:

[Pink]

I totally agree with the writer.

We need to ban cars on narrow, picturesque roads. :D

[megale3]

I think we should make sure we tax his kids for riding their bikes if indeed he was allowed to have them. But to answer his question YES you must look out for your fellow man when you have been given a weapon of personal distruction. I want to smack this guy while I am wearing spandex.
Meg

[BFSpin]

Earlier this summer we had a similar exchange via the letters to the editor in our local newspaper (The Patriot News, Harrisburg). Here was my submission that was printed in response to what was essentially the same (although far less articulate) argument:

In her letter of June 20, 2007 (Unsafe Riders), Sheila Rothenberger presented a woefully uninformed and critical position with respect to the rights and responsibilities of motorists and cyclists alike.
As a member of the Harrisburg Bicycle Club and one of “those people” (i.e. A cyclist), I feel privileged to have met many of the finest people I know while on our scheduled, organized rides. We are a group of like-minded cycling enthusiasts enjoying the sport, the camaraderie, the exercise, the outdoors and, in some cases, the freedom of commuting to work.
Ms. Rothenberger’s broad-brush criticism of cyclists was a hot topic during last evening’s ride. There were quite a few opinions presented; several agreed that Ms. Rothenberger, as well as other motorists, could benefit from education with respect to the traffic laws as they apply to motorists as well as cyclists. While there are many considerate motorists who respect the rights of the cyclist, there are many more who seem unaware of how to coexist on the roads.
I suggest that an excellent place to begin is with the Pennsylvania Bicycle Driver’s Manual, a complete version of which can be found on Penndot’s website (www.state.pa.us). A simple search will provide a complete version of the manual, which clearly states, “Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title.”
Certainly the law states that the cyclist has responsibilities that coincide with these rights; the vast majority of us honor those responsibilities. We can hope that motorists will do the same, allowing us to share the road safely.
Beth A. Fitzpatrick

[BFSpin]

Ok, time to pick THIS one apart:


...but rather hazardous. The reason: cyclists. On an already narrow and winding road, where the average speed during commuting hours is 50-60 mph,. . .

I would think that 50-60 mph on narrow and winding roads is the primary hazard. Where I live, 50-60 is only legal on 4-lane limited access highways.


...In a today where distractions are prevalent, especially while driving, do we really think public thoroughfares are a safe place to operate a piece of physical fitness equipment with little to no safety devices? ...Are we not supposed to be "watching out for our fellow man"? ...

Soooooo . . . maybe if he eliminated those prevalent distractions (i.e. his cell phone conversations, messing with his iPod, eating his Baconater and drinking his supersize-me Coke), the public thoroughfare would be far safer and he TOO could watch out for his fellow man (or woman).


...Our legislatures need to recognize this is a worsening situation and address it accordingly. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been and are continuously being spent providing recreational bicyclists' areas to safely enjoy their passion,...

Really??? Our legislators have been responsible for approving Millions of taxpayer dollars for recreational bicyclist's areas??? Wow. Personally, I know that our legislators have more pressing things on their plates. . . and from everything I see from my own position as an elected official, it's just not that simple to raise taxpayer dollars to fund one specific group's passion. Ranks right up there with taxpayer-funded skateboard parks.



Hmmmm . . . maybe I'd better lay off the coffee :rolleyes:

Beth

[SpinBob]

... I want to smack this guy while I am wearing spandex...Careful, he may like it that way. :D

Beth,
Great letter, and as a journalist I thank you for voicing you opinion in the paper.

[sandy]

Beth, either this guy is an old gezzer or he's a pompous jerk driving around in a Hummer. Or both!

[Legspeed]

I suppose righteous indignation about drivers' expressions of ignorance is a cathartic reaction, but does nothing to improve the situation on the road. The way to change hearts and minds is to behave as an active ambassador for the sport. Here's an example from one of my riding buddies, Gary:

The scene takes place at a small convenience store in a small town
in rural Texas An old rancher wearing a straw cowboy hat and a young
truck driver with a beat up baseball cap on are both sitting on the bench
in front drinking some cold sodas. I pull up on my carbon Trek and go
inside for an ice tea and some Gatorade. I walk out of the store and the
scene takes place.

Truck Driver: "You know you bicyclists are putting the gas companies
out of business. You bicyclists don't pay any taxes. That ain't right."

Gary: "You've got to be kidding. I own three cars and a pick up truck."

Truck Driver: "Huh."

Gary: "I drove my truck to Colorado and New Mexico last year to ride
my bike. This year, I drove to Arkansas this year to ride my bike. I
must have driven my truck to Houston a couple of dozen times in the
last several years just to ride my bike."

Truck Diver: "Last weekend I came across a bunch of you and you were
taking up the whole lane. I couldn't get around. You are going to cause
an accident. It's hard enough driving a tanker on those narrow roads
without you blocking the road."

Gary: "I wasn't in that group. That wouldn't have happened on my ride.
See this little mirror on my glasses. When I see a car coming from the
back I yell 'car back' and we form a single file. We even call out 'car up'
for oncoming cars. If I saw your big tanker truck on a narrow road, I
would have gotten off of the road to let you by."

Rancher: "You know I was hauling stock a couple of weeks ago and a
bicyclist wouldn't get out of my way. I followed him for a half a mile and
when I passed him he started getting all commotional and gave me
the middle finger. I thought I gave him enough room."

Gary: "If I saw you passing me, I would have waved with all of my fingers."

Truck Driver: (starts laughing)

Gary: "That was pretty stupid of that cyclist. People in Texas carry guns.
Plus your truck is bigger than my bike; if you get what I mean. Please
don't let a few rotten apples spoil it for the whole bunch of us cyclists."

Rancher: "You know in Texas horses have the right away. Do you yield to
horses?"

Gary: "When I come up on a horse I say hi to the rider to get their
attention. Then I pass very carefully and slowly. I soft pedal so my gears
don't click. I heard that horses can mistake the sound of my freehub
clicking for a rattlesnake and they will get startled and rear up or buck."

Rancher: "You got a job?"

Gary: "Yes sir, I work at the airplane factory up the road."

Rancher: "What do you do there?"

Gary: "I sit behind a desk and get fat. That's why I ride my bike."

Truck Driver: (starts laughing more)

Truck Driver: "He ain't so bad." (starts laughing and slapping his knee
with his hat)

Rancher: "You be careful out there and have a good day."

Gary: "Yes and you two take care." (I click in and ride off)


I would argue that Gary effectively connected with these two drivers, converting their initial hostility to some degree of detente. The next time either of these two encounter cyclists on the road, they will likely remember Gary. And maybe, just maybe, the good will he created with them will be extended to this encounter, making the road safer for all.

[SpinBob]

Great tale Leg. I can see reading that in a magazine or in the paper. Your friend should have that published, if it hasn't been already.