Hatrack River Forum: Ode to Hobbes et al

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

For all you conscientious cyclists, OSC has something to say from his most recent rhino times article :

quote:

To the Rhino beeper who complained about spandex-clad cyclists on the road:

You live in a city that doesn't put shoulders or sidewalks beside the roads. Cyclists have nowhere else to go but the traffic lanes.

Still, before you pull out your gun and start shooting them, give it a moment's thought:

Those cyclists aren't using gasoline, so they aren't raising the price of it.

They aren't adding to the stink of exhaust in the air.

They don't take up anywhere near as much room on the road as your car.

When they get where they're going, they won't take up a parking place.

And if they hit somebody along the way, their victim probably won't die.

So ... what exactly is their sin?

Oh, yeah -- they dared to be on the road when you wanted to be able to speed on by without delay.

Oh, no! They inconvenienced you, the sacred god of the highway! Fie upon them! Curse them all! Lest you slow down even a little bit in your vital travels, let them all be banished from the roads! Don't they know how important you are, compared to mere weevils like them?

Lighten up, dear bike-hating clown. So you drive a little slower for a few minutes. Just remember that because they're getting exercise, they won't be needing as much medical attention as you will, so they'll help keep your health insurance rates down.

Unless, of course, you pass them unsafely because you're in such a terrible hurry -- but then, because you're driving a big hulking gas-wasting vehicle, you'll probably kill them, so ... no medical bills after all!

Yep. The world really does revolve around you and your car.

I thought this was funny and true and I'm glad I live in the 2nd most bicycle friendly city in the country (so I don't have to run them over.) [Evil]

Just kidding. I admire cyclists.

(Here's an amusing anecdote. I was driving to school last week and I saw a man, who seemed to be on his way to work, riding a UNICYCLE. It was really impressive as he was doing it in the hilly suburbs of Portland. )

But anyway, here's to you guys that ride in front of cars and are in better shape than me!!

[ June 01, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Narnia ]

Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :

Yay for cyclists!

They're smart, responsible, and extraordinarily attractive. [Smile]

Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :

Really? Man, I gotta get me a bike.

Posted by Polio (Member # 6479) on :

I hate cyclists on the road. Ours ride beside the sidewalks.

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Yeah...route planning for me is involving figuring out where I'll least impact traffic. But I HAVE to get over the river, and both bridges are pains in their own way.

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Oh...AND...it's illegal for bikers in this state to ride on the sidewalks. And of course these bridges have no shoulders. ...what to do?!

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

I don't mind cyclists on the road, provided they ride single file.

Why don't they ever ride single file?

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

It's always nice to see people recognizing that bikers acually are people, not just things to run over, thanks for the link-in Narnia. [Smile]

And Annie darling, [Kiss]

Hobbes

[ June 01, 2004, 04:33 PM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]

Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :

I knew a guy from Salt Lake who had been an officer of some bicycling organization (possibly a racing organization). The members were supposed to go by certain rules of safety, in part to be good examples to the community at large. For one thing, they were supposed to always wear helmets when they were riding.

One day, this guy was driving his LandCruiser and saw one of the members riding his bike without a helmet. He was peeved, so he pulled up alongside, gave the guy a dirty look, and ran him off the road. Literally. The guy ended up in a heap on the grassy shoulder.

When I heard about it, I thought it was a little bit of overkill. But funny.

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

quote:
One day, this guy was driving his LandCruiser and saw one of the members riding his bike without a helmet.

I ride my bike without a helmet usually, but never on busy roads. [Smile]

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

Some people think that if they don't ride single file and take up more of the road they're less likely to get side-swiped and killed. While they piss off motorists, they're generally right. Most people aren't willing to just plow right through them.

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

They haven't ridden CA 121 then.

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

I submit that Canadians are just nicer to cyclists [Razz]

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

I'd like to beleive that.

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

I've been biking on Canadian roads for about 5 years and I've only been hit once!

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

*dreams of living in Canada*

*likes living in California's climate, though*

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

eslaine, what part of CA are you in?
SoCal?

Posted by digging_holes (Member # 6237) on :

quote:
*dreams of living in Canada*

*likes living in California's climate, though*

Canada rules. Ask any Canadian. Move here.

And California is going to end up in the ocean pretty soon anyway, when that huge earthquake hits. Or was that a meteor? I can never remember.... [Wink]

Posted by jebus202 (Member # 2524) on :

That would make the USA an island! Unless you count Mexico as actually being something.

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

Northern CA. Cool Nights, Mediterranean Weather.

Sweet....

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

What part of Nor Cal Eslaine? I'm in Sacramento. [Smile]

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

50 Miles away. Napa.

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

Hm. You're the first person on Hatrack that is actually close to me. [Smile]

Email is in the profile if you want to meet sometime. [Smile]

Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :

The one major drawback to living in the country is that it would take all day to get anywhere by bike. I would love to unicycle to school, but I live so far away that it would take me a few hours... [Grumble]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

That'll learn you to live in Amherst. [Wink]

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

Actually there are several of us from the Bay Area. Porcelain girl comes to mind....

Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :

Oh yes, well, I don't know her very well. She lives a little south of me. [Smile]

esl is in the bay area too, but I never see esl post anymore. *shrug*