Kathryn; Cyclists, like drivers and the population at large, come in all kinds sof mindsets. Just as sure as there virtually no two cycles alike no two cyclists are alike. We would like to believe that all cyclists are good people and they all use common sense. But statistically, that is a lot to expect. You are responsible for yourself and the others who are potentially your path. And of course we can all set a good example. That's all I expect.
A real instigator in bad driving in autos and cycles is a disease called "get-there-itis." Where getting to the destination (on time) is more important that paying attentiion to the task of operating a vehicle in an environment of other vehicles and pedestrians afflicted with the same disease. Now, for that guy reading a book. Not that I endorse multi-tasking while operating a vehicle - not, but a cyclist has better peripheral vision than an auto operator. That doesn't mean that particular cyclist has perpheral attention. Secondly, if I'm looking down a lot while riding, which is what a lot of cyclists do, reading a book may be more entertaining than watching the front wheel go around. ;-) Darryl --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Alex's post reminded me of an incident yesterday > that, fortunately, did not result in injury. I was > biking down Lake Street, from University Ave. to > State (you know, the big intersection by library > mall). I stopped at the stop sign as usual because > (1) it's the law and (2) there's a ton of peds there > and I think cyclists who don't stop for them are ... > oh, I shouldn't say that word on this forum. > > Anyway, just after I started up again and turned > onto State, this cyclist behind me (he'd been > following for about a block, but not super close, > which I knew thanks to my mirrors) speeds up and > grunts, "Why'd you stop? There's no stop sign!" > > He was a white, 40-ish, helmetless male. I thought I > recognized him as a customer from my days of working > at Mifflin Street Co-op. I said, in what I think was > a friendly tone, "Actually, there is one, right > there," and I pointed to it. > > To which he replied, "That's only for cars. Sheesh." > By this time he was next to me. > > "Actually," I said, "it's for cyclists, too." > > Maybe I sounded too parental and unflustered. He > looked disgusted, turned away from me and pedaled > across the street toward a bike rack. "Only for > stupid cyclists!" he hollered over his shoulder. > > "And cyclists who want to follow the law and not get > hit by cars--" and I was about to add "--or injure > pedestrians" when I realized I was engaging in a > street debate with a guy who thought that his > calling me "stupid" might shame me into speeding > through stop signs. > > On another note, has anyone else seen that guy who > reads books while biking soutwest on the SW Path in > the afternoons? When I see him, it's usually around > 5 p.m., near Harrison St. He goes pretty fast -- I'd > guess 15 mph. Even though I've seen him a few times, > I'm usually too stunned to say anything. > > Kathryn > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies > _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
