The Cycle of Life

[talktooloose]

A quick bicycling post because I rode to work yesterday for the first time in 2007 and also because krimon was posting about a Critical Mass rally. He found himself almost being run down by the cyclists and had some harsh (and probably accurate) things to say about mob mentality.

Here's what I commented in his post:

I am a cyclist and a big advocator of city cycling. That being said, there is a kind of blinkered sense of entitlement among some militant cyclists that they express as rudeness.

1. Cyclists are no more entitled to get everywhere now! and without stopping! than cars are.
   
2. I have no trouble with cyclists bending traffic rules (which were designed for 3,000 lb dangerous metal vehicles) but they have to remember that they are in fact breaking them and must be cautious. Go on the sidewalk to avoid a dangerous road conditions if you must BUT PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY THERE. Go the wrong way on a one way street, BUT GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY OF VEHICLES GOING THE RIGHT WAY.

That being said, here are some things to remember as a cyclist:

1. You have as much right to the road as a car. If you need to get into the middle of your lane for a short period, then you go for it. Remember, you pay taxes, too and you do less damage to the road surface and the air.
   
2. Watch out for all cars, but especially expensive cars. BMW owners seem to consider us roadkill.
   
3. Anyone talking on a cell phone while driving is 50% more likely to kill you. For one thing, they likely won't make turning signals.
   
4. Stop and let the assholes pass. Part of the joy of cycling is breaking free of rat race mentality. Let their blood pressure rise while they compete with each other. You can watch the birds for a minute.

Comments

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

Man, I have so many problems with the critical mass.

[ultramundanecom.livejournal.com]

Amen. Here in San Francisco I see a number of people who have no problem suddenly switching from behaving like a bicycle to behaving like a car (without the power or armor) to behaving like a pedestrian (wheeled and going three times the speed) without warning. They then get upset that cars and pedestrians aren't reading their minds and suddenly dealing with a merging "auto" or leaping out of their way. I try to be sympathetic, because I know it's not easy to ride on busy city streets. But even my patience has limits...

...and don't get me started about people talking on a cell phone while cycling...

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

One of the joys of biking is that you can be the equivalent of a motor vehicle at moment and a pedestrian the next.... but you have to signal that intention to someone other than yourself. If you are about to become a pedestrian, you must dismount, make contact with oncoming traffic and other pedestrians, etc.

Here in Toronto we have pedestrian crosswalks and drivers must stop when a pedestrian uses them. I see bikes pushing the button that activates the lights and then riding through. You can't do that. Nor can you jump off your bike at the last second and expect traffic to stop for you.

Again, I point out that the flipside of this is that cars have to accord bikers the same respect they give other drivers. For the most part, drivers are outraged by the existence of bikes on the road. This is an example of why I call cars "ego machines". Just because you've paid $25,000, you don't actually have the right to never be slowed down en route to your destination.

[corduroyarmy.livejournal.com]

The one that gets me is bikes on the sidewalk. If you don't have the spine to ride a bike, then don't.

Grandmas excepted.

[painglass.livejournal.com]

I'm actually with you 100% on this. I should rent a bike while I am on Toronto! Do you know of a good place (or a cheap place to buy a bike for a week...)

By the by, we should talk! I've got about a month to figure out my housing situation and such while in town! Also- have you been thinking of places you'd like to go dancing at? Because we are going my friend, oh, we ARE going! :P

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

Bike rental is, I believe, possible. I will look into it for you.

We must, in fact, talk. Are you still not hooked up to high speed at home? Last year you mentioned Skyping, that's why I ask. Otherwise, standard telephony.

Write me email with phone number or Skype account and times to talk (note I'm going away for the weekend) to talktooloose HAT livejournal SPOT com