The bullying by deathmobilers was there long before anyone even
conceived of CM. They bullied in Germany back in the 70s when I first
started bike touring and utility cycling. They bullied in Kansas back
in the early 80s where I went to undergrad. They bullied in Italy in
the late 80s where I lived for 4 years. They bullied in Wisconsin
throughout the 90s to the present. Yup, from my observations,
bullying is universally bound up with the act of driving, and CM had
nothing to do with it.
It is the nature of the operation of the machine. It mediates
morality. Speed trumps respect for human life. The energy gluttony of
driving is worth world wars. Etc.
I think calling them on it with a little constitutionally protected
protest is a very, very moderate response.
From the reactions I have always observed from motorists (yeah, even
friends I've ridden with in *GASP* cars!), the mere presence of a
cyclist--even one creeping along in the gutter--makes them feel
they've been poked in the eye. An over-wrought sense of
self-importance seems to come with life behind the wheel.
I would give the poor 18 year old girl a break though. She's probably
a high school senior champing at the bit to get the hell out of the
suburban nightmare her parents forced her to grow up in. I can kind
of relate--I was there for part of my HS years and couldn't wait to
leave that behind forever.
-Mike
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