Follow up to "Get a Load of this"

[sandy]

Cyclists in the river villages: The road most annoying

By LARRY LYNN


(Original publication: September 8, 2007)
I'd like to add another perspective to the recent back-and-forth about bike-riding in the Lower Hudson Valley. (See the Aug. 24 Community View, "Bicyclists posing a safety hazard on our roadways," by Robert Suhr, and an Aug. 30 In Reply, "Cyclists have the same right to the road as drivers do," by David McKay Wilson.)


I am the mayor of Grand View-on-Hudson. Along with our sister river villages of Piermont, South Nyack and Nyack, we are perhaps the most heavily cycle-trafficked villages in the region. Thousands of cyclists from New York City ride the "half-century" loop from Manhattan to Nyack and back each weekend. Many of us are cyclists as well.


The residents of our villages have two principal complaints. First, Piermont Avenue, a.k.a River Road, is a narrow roadbed with cars parked along one side. Signs placed every few hundred feet warn of $250 fines for failing to ride single file. Compliance is rare. Drivers are forced to swing wide to avoid cyclists two and three abreast. A gentle toot of the horn is greeted with an upraised center digit and a torrent of obscenities from the cyclists. Local drivers are compelled to remove one hand from the steering wheel to return the salute, and are distracted from watching the road as they crank down their windows to comment on the possible canine maternity of the cyclists.


Mr. Wilson maintains that he can't recall a cyclist causing injury to anyone else is disingenuous. Failing to ride single file on narrow winding roads puts drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at risk.


Our second complaint is one of common consideration. In Grand View and Piermont, many of the riverside homes sit close to the road. It's annoying to be awakened at 7 on a Sunday morning to the sound of cyclists bellowing to each other as the pass your home. You lie there groggy wondering how people can be so rude as you feel your center digit twitching and your head filling with images of their mothers running out from under the porch to bite them on their over-muscled legs, while they prattle on about co-op boards, Prada bags and the number of Yankees on steroids.


I agree with Mr. Wilson that licensing cyclists is absurd at best, but if Mr. Suhr does have his way, perhaps we could raise even more revenue for the municipalities by licensing runners as well. And while we are at it, how about those annoying pedestrians?


I do advocate that cyclists should be required to carry valid identification both for their own protection in case of incapacity resulting from injury, and for the convenience of law enforcement.


It wouldn't take much for cyclists and river village residents to live in harmony. We ask only that you ride single file on narrow roads, and keep your voices down let's say until 10 a.m. It's not a lot to ask.


The writer is mayor of Grand View-on-Hudson.


LoHud.com/forums.


I truely am shaking my head at this one. And this guy was voted in as Mayor?

[Kathleen H]

Rarely is it ever a "gentle toot on the horn."

Might as well blame the cyclists for the "loud voices" though because the joggers are too out of breath, the neighbohood kids are usually still sleeping, and lawn mowers don't work before 10 am. Give me a break!

I did have to think about the "canine maternity" thing for a second. I'll give his props for creativity. Nothing else.

[like2bike]

I'm too annoyed after reading this to even comment. :rolleyes:

[BFSpin]

There are a lot of goofballs in the world. And it takes a lot of mental energy for me to avoid sitting in judgement of them. But I'll keep trying . . .

Beth

[SpinBob]

I agree that cyclists and the rest of the world can, and should live in harmony, but why must the onus always be on the cyclists? And why must we all be lumped in with that same small group that seems to be irritating everyone? :D

[BFSpin]

I agree that cyclists and the rest of the world can, and should live in harmony, but why must the onus always be on the cyclists? And why must we all be lumped in with that same small group that seems to be irritating everyone? :D

Good food for thought, SpinBob. Pondering . . . I think it's the unconscious perception drivers may have of cyclists being vulnerable and therefore weaker in the midst of the traffic hazards. A natural selection sort of process?

Think of the small fish in the midst of the big fish in the tank. . . or the 14-year-old freshman boy entering high school weighing all of 80 lbs and standing just 5' tall.

Discuss?

Beth

[megale3]

My thought is that if we want rights we got to play by the rules. Where yur helmets, Ride single file and pace line it (better anyway) obey the rules of the road and by all means have ID with you. we still have a body in our morgue that is awaiting someone to identify what is left of that person that was hit and left for dead at the side of the road. (No one has come forward) but as far as talking on your bikes on the weekends?? For get it I will say its a free country and my center digit is armed and ready to fire.
Meg

[SpinBob]

I think Meg is right on! The more of us that "doing the right thing," the better relations we'll have with the motoring and pedestrian public.

However the a$$holes in the crowd always standout more and leave a bad taste in the public's mouth.

The more positive experiences we can give people, the more they'll see the trouble makers as the exception rather than the rule.

[megale3]

I think Meg is right on! The more of us that "doing the right thing," the better relations we'll have with the motoring and pedestrian public.

However the a$$holes in the crowd always standout more and leave a bad taste in the public's mouth.

The more positive experiences we can give people, the more they'll see the trouble makers as the exception rather than the rule.
TRUE TRUE. We want rights we must take the burden on being accountable for our own actions. Any one besides myself been ticketed on a bike yet? This is not an admission of guilt :D
M

[like2bike]

TRUE TRUE. We want rights we must take the burden on being accountable for our own actions. Any one besides myself been ticketed on a bike yet? This is not an admission of guilt :D
M

Never been ticketed but I have been "pulled over" by a cop with his flashers on. How embarrassing.:redface:

[sandy]

What were you guys doing Meg and Like 2Bike?

[megale3]

I was going to fast in a school zone that was 15 MPH it was some time ago (long hair days)but it was down hill too but then it didi not mater at that point.
M

[like2bike]

I was riding my bike on the interstate. :rolleyes: I was young and much dumber than I am now.

[RaffCycles]

I've got mixed emotions about the riding single file. If you follow the letter of the law, then you cannot pass a slower rider, because, yes, you'll be more than single file. Do they have the same rule for motorcycles? They should ride single file as well.

Some laws, such as the single file law, and in some communities the side path laws are nusiance laws and are not there for the safety of the riders, but as a method to create an unequal playing field on our roads. I bet these same communities also have the "stop and walk your bike across the intersection" laws as well. Does that give cyclist equal access to the roadways? No, not at all. When is the last time you saw a driver with a car in perfect working order stop at an intersection, get out and push his vehicle through the intersection?

I agree with the laws that state that riders should stay as far to the right as they can safely travel. I also agree that there is some need for single file riding, but not at the expense of ticketing anyone that passes a slower rider.

I'm venting a little here because about seven years ago, I got run off the road on our metro parks and the local prosecutor was reviewing my case to determine if charges would be filed. To my surprise, they were not considering charging the guy that passed us in a no-passing zone, but charging me. Those charges were "Violation of side-path ordinance" which states "...any person operating a bicycle shall not ride on any city street if a paved pathway is available parallel to the roadway...". I think once I sent them a picture of my mangled bike propped up against the "Cyclist Keep Right" sign, he dropped the case.

I obey the traffic laws (including stopping at traffic lights and stop signs) when I ride on the streets. If I'm the only one out there that does it, at least I know that when an opperator of a motor vehicle says "you cyclists think you own the road", I can honestly respond "No we don't, we just want to share it with you."

We need to join local advocacy groups, support them in their efforts, and become model riders so that other cyclists are not targeted for our stupidity.

Thanks for listening ....err... reading.

[megale3]

I feel you pain Raff,
I ride single file in a group not behind slower individuals where I will indeed pass when it is safe to do so . I look at it this way,look behind you before you pass a guy and call "On yur left" .There are too many times when riders don't use proper hand signals too. One thing that gets me is that some cyclist signal with their right hands which then their intentions are totally blocked by their own bodies for the cars to see.I see it when they are stopping and taking a right hand turn.
Meg

[RaffCycles]

I feel you pain Raff,
I ride single file in a group not behind slower individuals where I will indeed pass when it is safe to do so . I look at it this way,look behind you before you pass a guy and call "On yur left" .There are too many times when riders don't use proper hand signals too. One thing that gets me is that some cyclist signal with their right hands which then their intentions are totally blocked by their own bodies for the cars to see.I see it when they are stopping and taking a right hand turn.
Meg


Here in the Buckey State, we can signal with our right hands for right-hand turns. I sit up and exaggerate my point to the right so there is no doubt where I'm going. There was a study (which I can't find right now) that stated most motorists don't understand that the left arm held out at the shoulder and bent upwards at the elbow is the signal for left turns. Most thought that cyclists were waiving to someone. Some thought it was similar to the "Italian Salute".

[megale3]

Here in the Buckey State, we can signal with our right hands for right-hand turns. I sit up and exaggerate my point to the right so there is no doubt where I'm going. There was a study (which I can't find right now) that stated most motorists don't understand that the left arm held out at the shoulder and bent upwards at the elbow is the signal for left turns. Most thought that cyclists were waiving to someone. Some thought it was similar to the "Italian Salute".
Raff!!
So are you telling me that motorist don't read the rules of the road and know that turn signaling with an arm is part of the rule book:o NAwwwww that can't be right Raff he he ehe eh:p:D Funny thing once a guy was signaling turning right like that with another cyclist along side of him. He ended up smacking that cyclist in the side of the helmet
He knew he was turning now didn't he? :D
M

[SpinBob]

Raff and I were having a discussion about whether a cop would ticket a cyclist for speeding, under motor vehicle statues. There are a few down hills in my neighborhood where I can hit 30-35 mph and the speed limit is 25. I asked a couple cops in my town and they looked at me like I was from another planet.

[megale3]

Raff and I were having a discussion about whether a cop would ticket a cyclist for speeding, under motor vehicle statues. There are a few down hills in my neighborhood where I can hit 30-35 mph and the speed limit is 25. I asked a couple cops in my town and they looked at me like I was from another planet.
Bob you really got to take off that glass bubble shield when you talk to people :D
Make a nuisance out of yourself on a bike and give PPD a reason to site you its going to get done. Imagine Critical Mass and the amount of tickets those guys get for blocking intersections.
M

[SpinBob]

Bob you really got to take off that glass bubble shield when you talk to people :DDoh! That would give Johnny Law the wrong impression. :o

[RaffCycles]

I've been pulled over by the park rangers. It was 6:00 am and my bike wouldn't trip the traffic light sensor. So after about five minutes I rode through. Soon I hear this voice over a loud speaker say, "You on the bike, pull over." I kept pedaling since I thought it was some joker with a megaphone in their car until I heard the sirens and saw the flashing lights reflecting on the road signs in front of me.

Ranger Rick (not to be confused with our own Rick316) steps out of the car and unsnaps the holster to make sure he had quick access to his weapon. I guess he thought I must have been hiding a rifel in my shorts. He walks up to me and says, "Did you know that in the state of Ohio, you are subject to the same laws that govern motor vehicles?" I responded with a "Yes I did know that sir. However, the light wouldn't change because the sensors are too weak to pick up my bike and change the light." He then said, "Well, I'll let you off with a warning this time. And son, remember, the life you save quite possible could be your own."

So it is possible to get pulled over.

[kszspin]

However, the light wouldn't change because the sensors are too weak to pick up my bike and change the light."

Hey now that sounds like a great reason to put on a few extra pounds! ;)

[SpinBob]

I'll let someone else make the rifle in the bike shorts joke. I can show restraint when necessary. :D

[like2bike]

I'll let someone else make the rifle in the bike shorts joke. I can show restraint when necessary. :D

SPA-YEWING!:D:D:D

[kszspin]

My first instinct was to kid on the rifle in the shorts line....but I decided to act proper for once. http://www.flytyingforum.com/style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:add_smilie()

[RaffCycles]

Hey now that sounds like a great reason to put on a few extra pounds! ;)

Unfortunately they're magnetic. Maybe I get a metal plate installed in the bottom of my feet.

[RaffCycles]

I'll let someone else make the rifle in the bike shorts joke. I can show restraint when necessary. :D

Go ahead, I've heard it all.

[SpinBob]

I said I'd let someone else do it and I'm a man of my word.

[cfoam4me]

Raff, do you really have a magnetic rifle in your bike shorts...? :roll: Sorry my friend but since Bob & Kel were imitating angels I had to step up to the plate for them!

[SpinBob]

Nice swing Mary, that one sailed into right field, just over the second baseman's head. ;)

[RaffCycles]

Raff, do you really have a magnetic rifle in your bike shorts...? :roll: Sorry my friend but since Bob & Kel were imitating angels I had to step up to the plate for them!

If I did, the darn light would have turned green and I wouldn't have posted the story above!!!:D